en.Wedoany.com Reported - Compañía de Minas Buenaventura is evaluating the possibility of extending the mine life of its San Gabriel gold mine, located in the Moquegua region of Peru. The company's Geology Manager, José Luis Aquino, stated at the proEXPLO 2026 conference that new exploration and open-pit mining assessments could extend the operation's lifespan by more than a decade.

The San Gabriel gold mine holds over 1.8 million ounces of gold reserves, with an initial mine life of 14 years. Considering measured, indicated, and inferred resources, the project's potential geological resources exceed 2.4 million ounces. Aquino noted: "We are also evaluating an upside scenario to explore the possibility of mining the surface portion of the project using an open pit, which could add up to 16 more years to the mine life."

As the flagship project of Buenaventura's new growth phase, San Gabriel produced its first gold bar in December 2025, marking the transition from exploration to operations. The project is currently in the ramp-up phase, and the company expects annual gold production to exceed 100,000 ounces in the coming months.

The main challenge facing the project is the complex geomechanical conditions of the deposit, with approximately 90% of the rock mass being of poor quality. To address this, Buenaventura has adopted an innovative underground mining method. Aquino emphasized: "San Gabriel is the first mine in South America to apply this method, which improves selectivity, reduces dilution, and enhances safety control." Furthermore, the project still has expansion potential in both deep and near-surface areas, providing opportunities for future exploration.

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