GOLD-BASE METALS: Lundin begins mining of first production stope at Fruta del Norte

[caption id="attachment_1003729404" align="aligncenter" width="418"] The Fruta del Norte processing plant where crews are working toward commissioning in Q3 2019. (Image: Lundin Gold)[/caption] ECUADOR – Vancouver’s Lundin Gold has begun mining the first production stope at its Fruta del Norte gold project near the village of San Antonio. Underground mining has begun although it will be Q3 this year before the processing plant and tailings management facility are commissioned. Underground development reached 7.3 km in length by the end of May, compared to the target of 7.1 km. Mining will be conducted by Lundin’s own crews. The first underground paste fill delivery hole has been completed. Raise boring equipment is on its way to the mine site where it will used at the South vent raise. The mill was 80% complete at the end of May with all major pieces of equipment installed. The plant operations and maintenance staff have been hired. Commissioning will probably begin in Q3 2019. The tailings dam has reached the elevation required for commissioning, but work is still underway to reach the final dam elevation needed for operations. "At the end of May overall construction progress was 73% complete and 88% of the project's capital expenditure was committed.  The team continues to make great progress as we head towards our first gold pour later this year," said Ron Hochstein, Lundin Gold's president and CEO. The corporate presentation and a number of videos are available at www.LundinGold.com.