Equinox Gold to Move Forward with Construction at Aurizona Mine

Equinox Gold Corp. (TSXV:EQX) announced that its board of directors has approved the start of full-scale construction at its Brazil-based Aurizona gold mine.
As quoted in the press release:

Early works construction has been underway at Aurizona since the third quarter of 2017. The project is advancing well and remains on track to pour gold by late 2018. Activities to date have focused on detailed engineering work, raising the existing tailings facility, refurbishment of existing plant infrastructure, civil earthworks and pouring foundations to prepare for installation of new plant infrastructure, installation of new administrative buildings and ordering long-lead items.

To date, Equinox has achieved the following construction milestones:

• Mills ordered with delivery expected in the second quarter
• Detailed engineering underway in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• Civil works (concrete) contract awarded
• Owner’s team in place
• Significant refurbishment completed on existing plant infrastructure
• Electrical substation upgrades commenced with parts ordered and a contractor selected
• Completion of the first tailings storage facility raise nearly complete
• Mill foundations underway
• Completion of the thickener underway

Christian Milau, CEO of Equinox, commented:

With expansion permits, full construction funding and the new Equinox Gold Board of Directors in place, we have received approval for full-scale construction at the Aurizona Gold Mine in Brazil. This will be a milestone year for Equinox Gold as we advance Aurizona and transition the company from a developer to a meaningful producer, with more than 135,000 ounces of annual gold production expected from Aurizona.

Click here to read the full Equinox Gold Corp. (TSXV:EQX) press release.