Next year the B2Gold mining company plans to produce around 118 thousand ounces of gold in the Tope and San Juan project, in the municipality of La Libertad.
Authorities at the mining company explained that in 2017 production was lower because they had not obtained all of the permits, but now, with the approval of the environmental impact studies, B2Gold plans to increase activities and consequently the extraction of gold.
In the first four months, gold sales abroad generated $110 million, an increase of 8% compared to the same period in 2016.
The mining companies' association attributes the good results achieved between January and April to stability in the international price of gold and an increase in production.Sergio Ríos, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Mining (Caminic), pointed out thatat the end of last April the price of gold remained at an average of US $1,255 per troy ounce.
In 2016 mining companies are proposing to increase productivity in order to offset the dip seen in the international price of the metal.
Achieving "more with less" is the premise of companies operating gold mining concessions in the country, who project that the international price of gold will remain at the same levels it has been since 2011. The mining companies goal is to maintain the capacity of existing mines, without making any major investments.
After a month of having stopped operations due to protests from residents in the area, B2Gold has resumed work in the gold mine in the department of León.
After the National Police assured free movement in the area, the Canadian company resumed operations in the mining project El Limon in the city of Malpaisillo.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "...The workers showed up to their posts on Monday "to work normally, including transfer of material," said Anne Perez, spokesperson for B2Gold to Acan-Efe . Work had already started since Sunday, with staff on weekend shift, she said. "
Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo relayed the presidential decision to declare mining in Rancho Grande unviable, and cancel exploration in the area.
The mining concession was obtained by the Canadian company Nueva Esperanza in 2005 and two years ago another Canadian company B2Gold took over the project, which still was in the exploration stage, but without any earthworks having been carried out.
The canadian company B2Gold has announced that it will be carrying out studies to determine the feasibility of mining explotation in the municipality of Rancho Grande in Matagalpa.
Among the analysis to be carried out by the company in the area of Rancho Grande are studies on the "soil, water, air, flora, fauna and culture of the community" according to a report by Elnuevodiario.com.ni.
In the remainder of the year B2Gold plans to invest $23 million in mining work, expansion of tailings dam and other works in the La Libertad gold mine in Chontales.
In addition, the concessionaire plans to invest $5 million in exploration in areas close to the mine and within the concession area. Representatives from the B2Gold predict closing 2015 with a total production of between 135,000 and 145,000 ounces of gold from the La Libertad and Santo Domingo mines.
The concessionaire B2Gold expects to invest $44 million this year in the La Libertad, Santo Domingo and El Limón mines, while HEMCO SA plans to spend $14 million on the operation of the Bonanza mine.
During the period 2013-2014 B2Gold extracted 197,808 ounces from El Limon and La Libertad mines, while HEMCO achieved a total production of 113,770 ounces.