The Plutonic Gold Mine is a gold mine located 82 km east-northeast of Peak Hill, Western Australia.
It is owned and operated by Catalyst Metals Limited after a merger with the previous owner, Canadian miner Superior Gold, in June 2023. It is located in the Plutonic Well Greenstone Belt. 5.5 million ounces of gold have been produced from both open pit and underground operations at Plutonic, since it opened in 1990.
History
In 1988, Great Central Mines discovered the deposit which was to become Plutonic, which it sold for A$50 million in 1989,Chairman Argus has a little bet each way The Age, published: 8 February 2008, accessed: 11 February 2010 to Plutonic Resources, then a major Australian gold mining and exploration company, who commenced production in 1990.PLUTONIC RESOURCES LIMITED (PLU) delisted.com.au, accessed: 1 January 2010Atlantic Gold NL website accessed: 1 January 2009 Homestake Mining Company purchased Plutonic in April 1998 for more than $1.0 billion,Homestake Mining Company - History accessed: 1 January 2009 and, in turn, Homestake was acquired by Barrick Gold at the end of 2001.MINEDEX website Plutonic search result, accessed: 5 January 2010
The mine was acquired by Superior Gold from Northern Star Resources in September 2016 who acquired it from Barrick Gold in February 2014.Australia Pacific Barrick website, accessed: 4 January 2010Northern Star looking for acquisition opportunities accessed: 8 April 2014Barrick Gold website Barrick Announces Agreement to Divest Plutonic Mine in Australia, accessed 5 January 2014
In June 2023, Australian gold producer Catalyst Metals Limited merged with Superior Gold and thereby acquired the project.
Production Annual production figures for the Plutonic mine: Year Goldproduction Grade Cost per ounce 1990 125,036 oz 7.53 g/t 1991 187,648 oz 3.54 g/t 1992 166,576 oz 3.09 g/t 1993 179,003 oz 3.16 g/t 1994 173,252 oz 2.94 g/t 1995 165,936 oz 2.77 g/t 1996 183,691 oz 3.26 g/t A$373 1997 274,608 oz 3.19 g/t A$337 1998 260,119 oz 3.80 g/t 1999 236,438 oz 4.97 g/t 2000The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition, page 121 253,819 oz 2.83 g/t A$197 2001 289,184 oz 2.84 g/t A$313 20022003 Fourth Quarter Report accessed: 1 January 2010 307,377 oz 2.74 g/t US$184 20032004 Fourth Quarter Report accessed: 1 January 2010 333,935 oz 4.22 g/t US$193 2004 304,405 oz 4.28 g/t US$223 2005Fourth Quarter & Year-End Mine Statistics 2006 accessed: 1 January 2010 250,795 oz 4.73 g/t US$302 2006Fourth Quarter & Year-End Mine Statistics 2007 accessed: 1 January 2010 249,528 oz 5.83 g/t US$363 2007Fourth Quarter & Year-End Mine Statistics 2008 accessed: 1 January 2010 206,556 oz 4.65 g/t US$541 2008 136,983 oz 4.39 g/t US$873 2009 145,772 oz 4.83 g/t US$652 2010 132,793 oz 4.65 g/t 2011 113,819 oz 4.59 g/t 2012 112,484 oz 4.68 g/t 2013 113,950 oz 2.92 g/t 2014 89,494 oz 3.60 g/t 2015 71,676 oz 3.60 g/t 2016 73,117 oz 2.13 g/t 2017 80,143 oz 2.5 g/t US$1,019 (AISC) 2018 90,101 oz 2.0 g/t US$1,266 (AISC) 2019 83,035 oz 1.8 g/t US$1,387 (AISC) 2020 63,065 oz 1.6 g/t US$1,564 (AISC) 2021 77,321 oz US$1,472 (AISC) 2022 62,336 oz 1.46 g/t AISC = All-in sustaining cost
References
Bibliography
External links
MINEDEX website: Plutonic Gold Database of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Video of a fly by of the Plutonic Gold mine