Since 1988, LaRonde has been Agnico-Eagle’s flagship operation, producing more than 4.5 million ounces of gold as well as valuable byproducts. The mine still has 4.7 million ounces of gold in proven and probable reserves* (33 million tonnes at 4.4 g/t) – among the largest gold reservesin an operating mine in Canada.
The 7,200-tonne-per-day mine and plant are expected to produce 157,500 ounces of gold in 2012 and average about 250,000 ounces of gold annually from 2013 through 2014, with a mine life lasting through to 2026.
Access to the underground mining operation is through the 2.2-kilometre-deep Penna Shaft, believed to be the deepest single-lift Shaft in the Western Hemisphere as well as an 832-meter internal shaft from level 203 to access the deep extension of the mine below level 245, approximately 2,858 metres below surface. The internal shaft was completed in 2009, and commercial production from this shaft began in november 2011. The ore is processed at the LaRonde mineral processing complex, which includes copper and zinc flotation as well as precious metals recovery and refining.
The processing plant produces doré bars containing gold and silver, as well as zinc and copper concentrates that also carry valuable gold and silver credits.
* Source LaRonde December 31, 2011 Reserves and Resources
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Agnico-Eagle has constructed a deep extension of the LaRonde mine. The work involves sinking an 835-metre-long internal shaft extending downward from the Penna Shaft from 2006 to 2009, and constructing ramps to enable mining down to 3 kilometres or more. The project includes an expansion of the mill facilities.
Commercial production from the LaRonde extension was declared in November 2011. In 2012 the plan is to mill about 6,300 tonnes of ore per day at an average gold grade of approximately 2.3 grams per tonne, resulting in annual production of approximately 157,500 ounces. For the same period, byproduct production is expected to be 2.1 million ounces of silver, 4,800 tonnes of copper and 33,000 tonnes of zinc.
The Company is considering the possibility of mining the Bousquet Zone 5 by open pit, located 3 kilometres west of the LaRonde mine. An initial open pit probable reserve estimate of 3.2 million tonnes grading 1.88 g/t gold containing 0.2 million ounces of gold has been announced for Zone 5 as of December 31, 2011.
1979 – Agnico-Eagle buys shares in Dumagami Mines Ltd., which owns the rights to the property that hosts the LaRonde operation.
1982 – Dumagami begins a two-phase exploration program.
1985 – The initial study determines that the existing gold deposit is uneconomic, and a decision is made to stop the program. Shortly afterwards, the exploration team discovers a new gold zone at the 180-metre level, which yields promising results.
1986 – Further exploration confirms the earlier high-grade gold values.
1988 – The mine goes into commercial production. It is named LaRonde in honour of Don LaRonde who was instrumental in the project.
1992 – Dumagami transfers all of its property and assets, including the mine, to Agnico-Eagle, and is subsequently dissolved.
2002 – The mine completes its fourth expansion, increasing throughput to approximately 7,200 tonnes per day.
2006 – Construction begins on the higher-grade deep extension of LaRonde.
2009 – Extension shaft reaches final depth of 2.8 kilometres below surface.
2011 – LaRonde Extension completed and commercial production declared in Novemeber.