WINNEMUCCA - Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation plans a significant expansion of its Rochester operation in 2013, according to a news release on the company's website; the expansion will result in an increase of silver production from 2.8 million ounces in 2012 to 4.5 - 4.9 million ounces in 2013.
Gold production is expected to increase to 44,000 - 46,000 ounces compared to 38, 071 ounces in 2012, according to the news release.
Capital expenditures to expand Rochester production in 2013 are expected to be $30 - $35 million. Approximately $4 million will be invested to expand the capacity of the primary crusher from nine million tons to 14 million tons annually. In addition, the company expects to nearly double the mine's remaining heap leach capacity, which is necessary to accommodate higher production rates of ore, according to the news release.
Coeur Rochester is also pursuing an additional estimated $10 million expansion, which is expected to provide 40 million tons of additional pad capacity beginning in 2016; this will extend the mine life and increase production rates.
According to the news release, Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is the largest U.S.-based silver producer and a growing gold producer and has four precious metals mines in the Americas.
The Rochester operation currently has 250 employees. Stefany Bales, director of corporate communications at Coeur d'Alene said that the company does not expect to hire any new employees in 2013 as the construction for the physical expansion will be done by contractors.
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