Orvana Produces First Doré Bar from Bolivian Operations
News related to:Orvana Minerals Corp · 2 min read
Orvana Minerals Corp. has announced the successful production of its first doré bar from the processing of oxides stockpiled at its Don Mario site in Bolivia. This milestone confirms that the expanded Don Mario Plant is performing as designed and marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to optimize plant operations and increase throughput.
The Doré bar, a form of gold-silver alloy used in the production of bullion, was produced by Orvana’s Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Paitití S.A. (EMIPA). According to Juan Gavidia, Orvana’s Chief Executive Officer, the production of this doré bar is a crucial validation of the company’s investment in the Don Mario operations. "The first doré bar from EMIPA's oxides confirms that the metallurgical performance of the expanded Don Mario Plant is in line with our design and engineering assumptions," said Gavidia.
The Oxides Stockpile Project (OSP) at the Don Mario operation, located in southeastern Bolivia, was initiated following the temporary suspension of mining and milling operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 due to depleted mineral reserves. The project aims to process oxide material stockpiled during previous years of mining at Don Mario. This expansion includes a large upgrade for copper cathode production and an enhancement of the ADR section of the legacy gold-silver circuit of the Don Mario Processing Plant.
Gavidia emphasized that EMIPA’s focus remains on the safe and disciplined ramp-up of operations at the expanded Don Mario Processing Plant. The company’s key priorities include increasing processing throughput, optimizing metallurgical performance, and progressing toward full commercial production of gold-silver doré and copper cathodes. However, the company also noted that production levels during fiscal 2026 will depend on the progress of ramp-up activities, plant performance, and the successful stabilization of all operating circuits.
The success of the OSP is critical for Orvana’s strategy to maximize the value of its assets in Bolivia. Luis Isla, Chief of Geology of EMIPA, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of Empresa Minera Paitití, S.A., has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Isla stated, "The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Luis Isla, Chief of Geology of EMIPA, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of Empresa Minera Paitití, S.A."
Orvana, a multi-mine gold-copper-silver company, operates the producing Orovalle operation in northern Spain, the Don Mario operation in Bolivia, and the Taguas property in Argentina. The company’s ongoing efforts to optimize operations and maximize the value of its assets in Bolivia reflect its commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices.