Euroopan suurin kultakaivos investoi 160 miljoonaa Kittilässä

Hanke käynnistyy kevään aikana. Se on jaettu vaiheisiin neljän vuoden jaksolle, ja sen odotetaan nostavan vuotuista kultatuotantoa 50 000–70 000 unssia (noin 1 400–2 000 kiloa) ja vähentävän kaivoksen käyttökustannuksia vuoden 2021 alusta lähtien.

”Kaivoskuilu mahdollistaa kultaesiintymän syvempien osien hyödyntämisen taloudellisesti järkevällä tavalla, ja se parantaa myös energiatehokkuuttamme ja alentaa fossiilisten polttoaineiden kulutusta. Kuilun tuoma tehokkuus yhdistettynä suurempaan tuotantomäärään parantaa Kittilän kaivoksen kilpailukykyä”, Agnico Eagle Finlandin toimitusjohtaja Jani Lösönen toteaa. 

”Hankkeen työllistävä vaikutus rakennusvaiheen aikana on noin 900 henkilötyövuotta, ja pysyviä työpaikkoja syntyy muutamia kymmeniä. Pyrimme mahdollisuuksien mukaan hyödyntämään suomalaista kaivos-, teknologia- ja rakennusosaamista hankkeen eri vaiheissa”, Lösönen kertoo. 

Kaivoksen nykyiset todetut malmivarat ovat 26,9 miljoonaa tonnia. Malmitonnissa on kultaa noin 4,64 grammaa, joten kaikkiaan malmivaroissa on noin 4,1 miljoonaa unssia kultaa (noin 116 000 kiloa). Nykyisen arvion mukaan kaivos jatkaa toimintaansa vuoteen 2034 saakka.

Forward-Looking Statements 

The information in this news release has been prepared as at February 15, 2018. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws and are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "expect", "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without limitation: statements concerning Agnico Eagle’s expansion plans at Kittilä, including the timing and funding thereof; Agnico Eagle's forward-looking production guidance, including project timelines, metal production, life of mine estimates and expenses; and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources. Such statements reflect Agnico Eagle’s views as at the date of this news release and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Agnico Eagle as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The material factors and assumptions used in the preparation of the forward looking statements contained herein, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the assumptions set forth herein and in management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and Agnico Eagle's Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with Canadian securities regulators and that are included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2016 ("Form 40-F") filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as: that there are no significant disruptions affecting operations; that production, permitting, development and expansion at Kittilä proceeds on a basis consistent with current expectations and plans; that the relevant metal prices, foreign exchange rates and prices for key mining and construction supplies will be consistent with Agnico Eagle's expectations; that Agnico Eagle's current estimates of mineral reserves, mineral resources, mineral grades and metal recovery are accurate; that there are no material delays in the timing for completion of the Kittilä expansion project; and that there are no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environment. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to: the volatility of prices of gold and other metals; uncertainty of mineral reserves, mineral resources, mineral grades and mineral recovery estimates; uncertainty of future production, project development, capital expenditures and other costs; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; financing of additional capital requirements; cost of development programs; mining risks; community protests; risks associated with foreign operations; governmental and environmental regulation; the volatility of Agnico Eagle’s stock price; and risks associated with Agnico Eagle’s currency, fuel and by-product metal derivative strategies. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that may affect Agnico Eagle’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, see the AIF and MD&A filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and included in the Form 40-F filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, as well as Agnico Eagle’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulators and the SEC. Other than as required by law, Agnico Eagle does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.