Orvana Produces First Gold-Silver Doré Bar from Bolivian Oxides Stockpile
Event summary
- Orvana's Bolivian subsidiary EMIPA produced its first gold-silver doré bar from oxides stockpiled at the Don Mario site.
- The achievement confirms metallurgical performance aligns with design assumptions for the expanded Don Mario Plant.
- Operations were temporarily suspended in Q1 2020 due to depletion of mineral reserves.
- Next milestones include increasing throughput, optimizing performance, and progressing toward full commercial production.
The big picture
Orvana's successful production of its first doré bar marks a critical step in revitalizing its Don Mario operation, which had been idle since 2020. The achievement validates the metallurgical assumptions of the expanded plant, positioning Orvana to capitalize on the oxide stockpile. This development is part of a broader trend in the mining sector where companies are increasingly focusing on processing legacy stockpiles to extend the life of existing operations. The strategic significance lies in Orvana's ability to diversify its production portfolio while managing operational risks in Bolivia's challenging economic environment.
What we're watching
- Ramp-Up Execution
- How Orvana will scale processing throughput while maintaining cost control during the ramp-up phase.
- Metallurgical Consistency
- Whether the oxide stockpile characteristics and metallurgical performance will remain consistent with project assumptions.
- Commercial Production Timing
- The pace at which Orvana progresses toward full commercial production of gold-silver doré and copper cathodes.
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