Introduction of LXML Sepon

Chifeng LXML Sepon Commence gold Processing

LXML Sepon History

2020

The ‘New Gold Era’ – Gold Operation Resumes

2018

Chifeng Acquires Sepon From MMG

2013

Gold Production Suspended

2011

Copper Plant Capacity Expanded To 80,000 Tonnes Per Annual

2010

MMG Acquires Sepon From OZ Minerals

2008

Oxiana Merges With Zinifex To Form OZ Minerals

2005

First Copper Production

2004

Oxiana Buys Rio’s Remaining 20% Stake In Sepon

2003

First Gold Production

1999

Rio Tinto Sells 80% Option Over Sepon To Oxiana

1992

Rio Tinto Discovers Sepon

Underground Exploration

Sepon mine to operate the first modern underground mine in Lao PDR.

 

With a mineral resource of 9.5 million tonnes and projected ore production to increase from 400,000 tonnes in 2023 to 1.2 million tonnes per annum thereafter, the “Discovery Deeps Underground Mine” is expected to extend Sepon’s mine life for at least another seven years, to 2030, contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development in host communities.

 

The underground mine will extend 450 metres below the surface. The decline access tunnel will be more than 1,800m long, 5m high and 5m wide to accommodate modern underground excavation and drilling equipment

Gold Production

Since gold production commenced in 2003, Sepon produced over 1.5 million ounces of gold dore. Gold production ceased in 2013 due to price and other factors. In June 2020, Sepon recommenced gold production, marking the beginning of a New Gold Era for Sepon mine under Chifeng Gold.

 

Sepon invested in new facilities and equipment, including a flotation plant, oxygen plant, and an elution and carbon regeneration plant to process primary gold ore and improve recovery. This significant investment is expected to extend Sepon’s mine life for at least ten years.

Copper Production

Since copper production commenced in 2005, Sepon produced over 1.1 million tonnes of copper cathode. Sepon produces copper cathode using a whole-of-ore leach, sovent extract and electrowinning (SX-EW) process. Copper Cathodes are then transported via road and sea to manufacturers of cable, wire and tube in Asia.

 

Our copper production also uses a Heap Leach solution that will allow Sepon to process the significant low-grade primary copper resource that would otherwise be uneconomical to process.

Heap Leach Pilot Program

In mid-August, we commissioned our Pilot Heap Leach Facility, another project under budget and on time, and another significant milestone for LXML. This Pilot Heap Leach Facility is a first for Sepon and is part of our study into the potential for continuing copper production after our transition to gold production. Heap leach is a lower cost method that will allow Sepon to process the significant low-grade primary copper resource that would otherwise be uneconomical to process.

 

The heap leach pilot facility has a total capacity of 900,000 tonnes and is set to operate as a dynamic pad for 18 to 24 months. Currently, 400,000 tonnes of ore will contribute 3,000 copper tonnes.