Orvana Minerals Commences Phased Restart of Don Mario Plant
TSX:ORV
Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV) is excited to share the phased restart of its Don Mario processing plant located in Bolivia. This significant development marks a new chapter for the company as it enhances its operational capabilities and works toward a controlled ramp-up for the future.
Key Highlights of the Plant Restart
Juan Gavidia, the Chief Executive Officer of Orvana, expressed enthusiasm about this milestone. He stressed the importance of a structured and considered recovery plan to ensure the performance of the plant during commissioning. According to Gavidia, the strategy aims to mitigate risks while validating the plant's operational efficiency ahead of a gradual ramp-up in production expected to start in 2026.
Current Status and Progress
Orvana's Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Paitití S.A. (EMIPA), has successfully initiated the first phase of the restart. Currently, the comminution and thickening circuits are operational, supplying vital feed into the Gold-Silver circuit. This phase will involve performance verification that will continue into early 2026. Subsequent phases include activating the copper circuit which is critical to the plant's expansion plans, anticipated to commence later in January 2026, followed by expanded operations throughout the first quarter of the year.
Details of the Don Mario Expansion
The expansion project at Don Mario is comprehensive and includes several key upgrades to enhance operational efficiency:
- (i) New processing circuits for copper oxide have been installed, featuring state-of-the-art acid leaching, filtration, solvent extraction, and electrowinning technologies to produce high-quality copper cathodes.
- (ii) Upgrades to the Gold-Silver and detox circuits will increase throughput and optimize performance across the entire facility.
- (iii) A complete overhaul of existing comminution and thickening processes has been implemented.
- (iv) Business-readiness measures have been introduced, focusing on improving power generation, enhancing laboratories, warehouses, and workshops, and ongoing recruitment and training of skilled personnel.
In addition to plant optimization efforts, EMIPA is conducting essential on-site pilot testing. The results of this testing, in combination with existing metallurgical data, will help Orvana refine its metal production estimations based on the processing of oxide stockpiles at Don Mario. The company is committed to sharing updates as results from the pilot tests are finalized.
About Orvana Minerals
Orvana is a dynamic mining company focused on gold, copper, and silver production. The company operates mines including the Orovalle operation in Spain, the Don Mario operation in Bolivia, and the Taguas property located in Argentina. For more details, feel free to visit Orvana's official website at www.orvana.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Don Mario plant restart?
The restart signifies a vital step in enhancing operational capabilities at Orvana while aiming for increased production efficiency moving forward.
What upgrades are included in the Don Mario expansion?
Key enhancements consist of the installation of new processing circuits for copper, upgrades to the Gold-Silver circuits, and comprehensive overhauls of existing processes.
When will the copper circuit become operational?
The copper circuit is set to commence operations in the second half of January 2026.
What is Orvana's primary focus in its operations?
Orvana primarily focuses on leveraging its multi-mine assets to produce gold, copper, and silver, enhancing value across its properties.
How does the company prepare for potential risks during the restart?
Orvana implements a phased and disciplined approach to mitigate commissioning risks and ensure operational reliability as it restarts the plant.
