Galantas Receives Final Approval for 16.4 Million Tonnes at Andacollo, Chile

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Galantas Gold has received approval from Chile's National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) for the revised plan to restart operations at the Ripios waste rock dump at the Andacollo gold project.

The company stated that this is the final key permit required to resume operations at Andacollo, following several approvals announced in early August 2026. The latest permit extends the original license for the Ripios waste rock dump and explicitly authorizes continued operations at waste rock facilities VII, VIII, and IX. The Sernageomin decision also confirms that operations at these waste rock dumps will remain within the previously approved technical, operational, environmental, and safety limits.

The remaining authorized capacity of the Ripios waste rock dump is estimated at 16.4 million tonnes, representing approximately 81% of the total approved capacity, despite the facility having been inactive since 2016. With all necessary regulatory permits in place, Galantas Gold can proceed with the project based on the existing mine design, waste rock disposal layout, and heap leach facility operating conditions. The authorization permits four years of activity from the commencement of mineral extraction, or until the authorized tonnage or capacity is reached.

The company is currently advancing engineering, procurement, infrastructure construction, and operational planning in preparation for project restart, while focusing on local employment, contractor partnerships, and procurement matters in the town of Andacollo. The company stated it will work with authorities and local stakeholders to ensure a responsible operational restart.

Galantas completed the acquisition of the Andacollo Gold assets in June 2026, following the signing of an agreement in January 2026. The Andacollo gold project is located in the Coquimbo Region of central Chile, at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters, about 55 kilometers southeast of La Serena, adjacent to the town of Andacollo. The site is situated near the Carmen de Andacollo copper mine operated by Teck Resources.

Historically, the Andacollo gold mine was an open-pit heap leach operation with an average throughput of approximately 20,000 tonnes per day. Between 1995 and 2017, the mine produced a cumulative total of 1.12 million ounces of gold.