The board of directors of Canadian mining company Equinox Gold has approved the start of Phase 1 construction at the 45 000 oz/y Castle Mountain openpit gold mine, in California, while studies continue on a 200 000 oz/y Phase 2 expansion.
Phase 1 will operate for three years and, if approved, Phase 2 will operate for an additional 13 years, for total life-of-mine production of 2.8-million ounces of gold.