Altaley Hires MGA for Underground Mining

Altaley Mining Corp. hired MGA Contratista Minera SA de CV as a contractor for its underground mining operations at the Tahuehueto Mine in Durango, Mexico, which will soon begin operations.

“MGA is a highly qualified professional underground mining contractor who ensures that mill feed tonnages will be available to maintain continuous milling operations on a permanent basis. Altaley is pleased to have secured MGA as the Tahuehueto underground mining contractor and is counting the weeks to reach production near the end of this year,” said Ralph Shearing, Managing Director and President, Altaley.

MGA is mobilizing its equipment and machinery, which include a Caterpillar R1300G LHD and a Komatsu Joy DR-1SB hydraulic jumbo drill, to Tahuehueto to continue the development of subterranean drift and stope to help the mining complex advance into the extraction and production phases. According to a statement released by Altaley, MGA is a Durango-based “distinguished mining contractor company,” with over 20 years of experience in the subterranean mining and civilian engineering industries. Some of MGA’ most distinguished clients include Newmont (Goldcorp), Pan American Silver, Grupo México, First Majestic Silver, Omega and Fresnillo.

Previous underground work in 2018 and 2019 had only completed 70-80 percent of the necessary development for the mine’s first two years of operation. Altaley said that MGA will remain as its main contractor for underground work for the initial years of production at Tahuehueto, at least.

The first mill production in the complex, whose infrastructure is already at an advanced stage, is planned to take place before the end of 2021, when the first ball mill is put into operation. In 1Q22, the second ball mill will also be put into operation shortly after installation, increasing production capacity to the goal of 1,000 t/d.

Altaley also said that the construction of Tahuehueto has so far been carried out on schedule and on budget, and that it does not expect costs to increase or overrun in the near future.

In an exclusive interview with MBN, Shearing also shared that moving from the exploration to the production stage is a large accomplishment for the company, which is continuously streamlining its processes, and “improving the bottom line.” With Tahuehueto’s coming online in 2022 and Altaley’s Campo Morado property, the company is “well-positioned to transform itself into Mexico’s next mid-tier metal producer,” said Shearing.