Kinross Gold Advances Lobo-Marte Project with Environmental Filing
Mining News | 2026-04-02 06:04:20
Lobo-Marte joins a wave of major mining projects entering Chile’s permitting pipeline.
By Paul Ploumis
SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Kinross Gold has initiated the environmental permitting process for its $1.5 billion Lobo-Marte gold project in Chile’s Atacama region, marking a key step toward development.
The company’s Chilean unit, Mantos de Oro Mining Company, has submitted the project to the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA). The proposed operation will involve sequential mining of the Marte and Lobo pits, supporting an estimated 16-year mine life. The heap leach facility is designed to process around 35,000 tonnes of ore per day.
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Water supply for the project will be sourced via pipeline from existing wells located within an exclusion zone of the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, while power will be delivered through a 220 kV transmission line. Construction is expected to take approximately 3.5 years, with production likely to begin after permitting and the closure of the nearby La Coipa mine.
A 2021 feasibility study estimated total output of 4.7 million ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of $680 per ounce. Chile’s mining minister Daniel Mas emphasized the need for clear regulatory frameworks to support investment while ensuring environmental compliance.
Lobo-Marte joins a wave of major mining projects entering Chile’s permitting pipeline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Lobo-Marte project?
It is a proposed large-scale gold mining project by Kinross Gold in Chile’s Atacama region.
- What is the expected production capacity?
Approximately 4.7 million ounces of gold over a 16-year mine life.
- How will the project source water and power?
Water will come from pipeline-linked wells near Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, and power via a 220 kV transmission line.
