SSR Mining (ASX:SSR) is continuing the search for missing workers following a landslide at its Çöpler gold mine in Türkiye on 13 February 2024, which swept away nine people.
To date, four individuals have been recovered while five others remain missing.
SSR, which has a market capitalisation of $1.68 billion, is expecting to complete the removal of all displaced heap leach material from the incident out of the Sabirli Valley and into temporary storage locations in Q3 2024.
Local officials say the rescue efforts have been complicated by the presence of cyanide in the ground — a key but hazardous chemical used to extract gold, but which poses a threat to the Euphrates river.
Containment efforts have been completed, as well as the removal of displaced material with the installation of a grout curtain, coffer dam and buttress, alongside the ongoing installation of pumping systems and diversion channels in the Sabirli Valley.
SSR is also progressing a remediation plan, which will be submitted for government approval this quarter, following comprehensive consultation and evaluations with various Turkish government agencies, ministries, independent experts and external consultants.
The remediation plan will include constructing a permanent storage facility for the displaced heap leach material, which is designed to contain between 18 and 20 million tonnes of displaced material.
SSR expects this work to cost between $250 million and $300 million, as well as the $22.5 million incurred as of 31 March 2024.
As part of the plan, the heap leach pad will be permanently closed and no further heap leach processing will take place at Çöpler.
To restart operations, SSR will require necessary operating permits and approvals, including an environmental impact assessment. Once all approvals are obtained, the initial ore processing at Çöpler will occur through a sulphide plant.
The sulphide plant will process stockpiled material, while Çöpler’s mining team focuses on completing the recovery and remediation work.
SSR Mining is a Denver-based gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc producer. The company owns silver mines in Argentina and engages in exploration activities throughout the Americas and Turkey.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
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