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Coordinates: 19°35′S 43°31′W / 19.59°S 43.51°W / -19.59; -43.51
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{{short description|Gold mine in Brazil}}
{{Infobox Gold Mine
{{Infobox gold mine
| name = Morro Velho
| name = Morro Velho
| image =
| image =
| width =
| width =
| caption =
| caption =
| place = [[Nova Lima]]
| state = [[Minas Gerais]]
| pushpin_map = Brazil#Brazil Minas Gerais state
| pushpin_label =Morro Velho Gold Mine
| country = [[Brazil]]
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Brazil
| owner = [[AngloGold Ashanti]]
| coordinates = {{coord|19.59|S|43.51|W|region:BR|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| place = [[Nova Lima]]
| subdivision_type = [[States of Brazil|State]]
| state/province = [[Minas Gerais]]
| country = [[Brazil]]
| owner = [[AngloGold Ashanti]]
| official website = [http://www.anglogold.com/default.htm AngloGold Ashanti website]
| official website = [http://www.anglogold.com/default.htm AngloGold Ashanti website]
| acquisition year =
| acquisition year =
| financial year = 2004
| financial year = 2009
| amount = 240,000
| amount = 329,000
| opening year = 1835
| opening year = 1835
| closing year =
| closing year =
| products = [[Gold]], [[silver]], [[arsenic]]
}}
}}


'''Morro Velho''', also called '''AngloGold Ashanti Mineração''' after its current owner [[AngloGold Ashanti]], is a complex of [[gold mining|gold mine]]s located near the city of [[Nova Lima]] in the [[Minas Gerais]] [[states of Brazil|state]] of [[Brazil]]. The [[mining|mines]] have been in operation since 1835, making it the world's oldest continuously worked mine. Some of the mines' works are over 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) deep underground. Although Morro Velho's main production is [[gold]], [[silver]], [[arsenic]], and other minerals are also extracted at the mining complex.
'''Morro Velho''', also called '''AngloGold Ashanti Brasil Mineração''', after its current owner [[AngloGold Ashanti]], is a complex of [[gold mining|gold mine]]s located near the city of [[Nova Lima]] in [[Minas Gerais]], [[Brazil]].


It is one of two mining operations of the company in Brazil, the other being the [[Serra Grande Gold Mine]].
Despite closing of the Minha Velha and Engenho D'Água mines in 2003 and 2004, gold production has increased over the past three years, with 240,000 ounces (6,800 kilograms) of gold produced in 2004 at an average recovered [[ore grade]] of 0.222 ounces per ton (7.62 grams per [[metric ton]]). Cash costs of production totaled $133 per ounce, with the mine realizing adjusted operating profit of $45 million.


In 2008, the Brazilian operations contributed 8% to the company's overall production.<ref name="Country" >[http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/7013DFE4-A537-4D09-9781-4043DBD43C0D/0/Brazil2008.pdf AngloGold Ashanti: Country report Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707144654/http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/7013DFE4-A537-4D09-9781-4043DBD43C0D/0/Brazil2008.pdf |date=2011-07-07 }} AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 13 July 2010</ref>
==External links==

*[http://www.pamp.com/gold_c/Info_site/in_mine/in_min_braz_hist.html Photographs of Morro Velho mines]
==History==
The [[mining|mines]] have been in operation since 1725 and came under the proprietorship of the English [[Saint John Del Rey Mining Company]] in 1834. In this period the mine was amongst others instrumental in the establishment of a hydro-electrical power plant, a state of the art hospital, the [[Villa Nova AC]] association football team, which had some importance between the 1930s and 1970s and the construction of a circa 10&nbsp;kilometre [[Tramway (industrial)|tramway]] line between Nova Lima and [[Raposos]], considered the first in South America.

In 1915, the Morro Velho mine reached a vertical depth of 5,824 feet, which made it the deepest mine in the world.<ref>”World’s deepest mines in U.P.,” ''Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record'', 12 Feb. 1916, p.7.</ref><ref>”The world’s deepest mine,” ''Mining Congress Journal'', May 1924 p.229.</ref> The miners continued going deeper, and the mine kept the title of world's deepest until 1928, when the Village Deep mine in South Africa reached a vertical depth of 8,000 feet, exceeding the depth of the Morro Velho, which was 7,126 feet in 1929.<ref>Thomas Phelps, “The world’s deepest mine,” ''Popular Mechanics Magazine'', 1928, v.49 p.467.</ref><ref>Jacob E. Gair, Geology and Ore Deposits of the Nova Lima and Rio Acima Quadrangles, Minas Gerais Brazil,” US Geological Survey, Professional Paper 341-A, p.A54-A55.</ref> The mine changed its ownership later on to the Carvalhaes family.

In 1975 the South Africa-based ''Anglo American Corporation,'' a precursor to today's AshantiGold, became owners of the operations. These days Morro Velhos is the world's oldest continuously worked mine. Some of the mines' works are over {{convert|3,000|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} deep underground. Although Morro Velho's main production is [[gold]], [[silver]], [[arsenic]], and other minerals are also extracted at the mining complex.

Despite closing of the Minha Velha and Engenho D'Água mines in 2003 and 2004, gold production has increased over the past three years, with {{convert|240,000|oz|kg|abbr=off}} of gold produced in 2004 at an average recovered [[ore grade]] of 0.222 ounces per ton (7.62&nbsp;grams per [[metric ton]]). Cash costs of production totalled $133 per ounce, with the mine realizing adjusted operating profit of $45 million.

In 2009, the mine employed close to 3,000 people, 2,250 of those being permanent staff.<ref name="Annualnine" />

==Production==
Recent production figures of the mine were:
{| class="wikitable"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#DAA520"
| '''Year'''
| '''Production (ounces)'''
| '''Grade'''
| '''Cost per ounce'''
|- align="center"
| 2003 <ref name="Annualfive">[http://www.anglogoldashanti.co.za/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/AnnualReport05/report/pdf/ar_report_2005.pdf Annual Report 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719053855/http://www.anglogoldashanti.co.za/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/AnnualReport05/report/pdf/ar_report_2005.pdf |date=2011-07-19 }} AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 11 July 2010</ref>
| 228,000
| 6.84 g/t
| [[United States dollar|US$]] 141
|- align="center"
| 2004 <ref name="Annualfive" />
| 240,000
| 7.85 g/t
| US$133
|- align="center"
| 2005 <ref name="Annualfive" />
| 250,000
| 7.27 g/t
| US$169
|- align="center"
| 2006 <ref name="Annualsix">[http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B53A4-2DE4-43EC-87AB-BDB13F5C8C1F/0/ar_report_2006.pdf Annual Report 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707144403/http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B53A4-2DE4-43EC-87AB-BDB13F5C8C1F/0/ar_report_2006.pdf |date=2011-07-07 }} AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 11 July 2010</ref>
| 242,000
| 7.60 g/t
| US$195
|- align="center"
| 2007 <ref name="Annualnine">[http://www.anglogoldashanti.com/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/Reports09/AnnualReport09/f/AGA_AR09.pdf Annual Report 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912032422/http://www.anglogoldashanti.com/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/Reports09/AnnualReport09/f/AGA_AR09.pdf |date=2011-09-12 }} AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 9 May 2010</ref>
| 317,000
| 7.48 g/t
| US$233
|- align="center"
| 2008 <ref name="Annualnine" />
| 320,000
| 7.62 g/t
| US$300
|- align="center"
| 2009 <ref name="Annualnine" />
| 329,000
| 7.02 g/t
| US$339
|- align="center"
| 2010
|
|
|
|}

== Images ==
<gallery>
Novo Lima (MG) - St John Del Rey Mining Co - 1869.jpg | Saint John Del Rey Mining Company 1868
Kosmos morro velho 1907 3.jpg | Morro Velho 1907
Nova Lima (MG) - Bicame.jpg | Aqueduct constructed by the English to wash gold.
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
*AngloGold Ashanti. [http://www.anglogold.com/subwebs/InformationForInvestors/AnnualReport04/report/review_of_year/brazil.htm "Review of Operations: Brazil"]. AngloGold Ashanti official website. Retrieved October 1, 2005.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Morro Velho Mine}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100716214942/http://www.anglogold.com/Default.htm AngloGold Ashanti website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110707144654/http://www.anglogold.com/NR/rdonlyres/7013DFE4-A537-4D09-9781-4043DBD43C0D/0/Brazil2008.pdf AngloGold Ashanti: Country report Brazil]
* Jolyon Ralph, Ida Chau: ''[http://www.mindat.org/loc-415.html Morro Velho mine, Nova Lima, Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil]'', Mindat.org (per 2014-05-20).
* Augusto Wagner: ''[http://www.campeoesdofutebol.com.br/villa_nova_mg.html A fundação do Villa Nova]'', Arquivo Campeões do Futebol, 2012-06-28.
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220021/http://www.anglogoldashanti.com.br/Paginas/QuemSomos/CentroMemoria.aspx Centro de Memória Morro Velho: Respeito ao passado, referência para o presente e inspiração para inovações futuras.]'', [[AngloGold Ashanti]], 2010.

{{AngloGold Ashanti}}


[[Category:Gold mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:Gold mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:Silver mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:Silver mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:Arsenic mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:Arsenic mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:Underground mines in Brazil]]
[[Category:AngloGold Ashanti]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Minas Gerais]]
[[Category:Geography of Minas Gerais]]

Latest revision as of 22:53, 19 September 2024

Morro Velho
Location
Morro Velho Gold Mine is located in Brazil
Morro Velho Gold Mine
Morro Velho Gold Mine
Location in Brazil
Morro Velho Gold Mine is located in Minas Gerais
Morro Velho Gold Mine
Morro Velho Gold Mine
Morro Velho Gold Mine (Minas Gerais)
LocationNova Lima
StateMinas Gerais
CountryBrazil
Coordinates19°35′S 43°31′W / 19.59°S 43.51°W / -19.59; -43.51
Production
ProductsGold, silver, arsenic
Production329,000
Financial year2009
History
Opened1835
Owner
CompanyAngloGold Ashanti
WebsiteAngloGold Ashanti website

Morro Velho, also called AngloGold Ashanti Brasil Mineração, after its current owner AngloGold Ashanti, is a complex of gold mines located near the city of Nova Lima in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

It is one of two mining operations of the company in Brazil, the other being the Serra Grande Gold Mine.

In 2008, the Brazilian operations contributed 8% to the company's overall production.[1]

History

[edit]

The mines have been in operation since 1725 and came under the proprietorship of the English Saint John Del Rey Mining Company in 1834. In this period the mine was amongst others instrumental in the establishment of a hydro-electrical power plant, a state of the art hospital, the Villa Nova AC association football team, which had some importance between the 1930s and 1970s and the construction of a circa 10 kilometre tramway line between Nova Lima and Raposos, considered the first in South America.

In 1915, the Morro Velho mine reached a vertical depth of 5,824 feet, which made it the deepest mine in the world.[2][3] The miners continued going deeper, and the mine kept the title of world's deepest until 1928, when the Village Deep mine in South Africa reached a vertical depth of 8,000 feet, exceeding the depth of the Morro Velho, which was 7,126 feet in 1929.[4][5] The mine changed its ownership later on to the Carvalhaes family.

In 1975 the South Africa-based Anglo American Corporation, a precursor to today's AshantiGold, became owners of the operations. These days Morro Velhos is the world's oldest continuously worked mine. Some of the mines' works are over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) deep underground. Although Morro Velho's main production is gold, silver, arsenic, and other minerals are also extracted at the mining complex.

Despite closing of the Minha Velha and Engenho D'Água mines in 2003 and 2004, gold production has increased over the past three years, with 240,000 ounces (6,800 kilograms) of gold produced in 2004 at an average recovered ore grade of 0.222 ounces per ton (7.62 grams per metric ton). Cash costs of production totalled $133 per ounce, with the mine realizing adjusted operating profit of $45 million.

In 2009, the mine employed close to 3,000 people, 2,250 of those being permanent staff.[6]

Production

[edit]

Recent production figures of the mine were:

Year Production (ounces) Grade Cost per ounce
2003 [7] 228,000 6.84 g/t US$ 141
2004 [7] 240,000 7.85 g/t US$133
2005 [7] 250,000 7.27 g/t US$169
2006 [8] 242,000 7.60 g/t US$195
2007 [6] 317,000 7.48 g/t US$233
2008 [6] 320,000 7.62 g/t US$300
2009 [6] 329,000 7.02 g/t US$339
2010

Images

[edit]
  • Saint John Del Rey Mining Company 1868
    Saint John Del Rey Mining Company 1868
  • Morro Velho 1907
    Morro Velho 1907
  • Aqueduct constructed by the English to wash gold.
    Aqueduct constructed by the English to wash gold.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ AngloGold Ashanti: Country report Brazil Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 13 July 2010
  2. ^ ”World’s deepest mines in U.P.,” Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record, 12 Feb. 1916, p.7.
  3. ^ ”The world’s deepest mine,” Mining Congress Journal, May 1924 p.229.
  4. ^ Thomas Phelps, “The world’s deepest mine,” Popular Mechanics Magazine, 1928, v.49 p.467.
  5. ^ Jacob E. Gair, Geology and Ore Deposits of the Nova Lima and Rio Acima Quadrangles, Minas Gerais Brazil,” US Geological Survey, Professional Paper 341-A, p.A54-A55.
  6. ^ a b c d Annual Report 2009 Archived 2011-09-12 at the Wayback Machine AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 9 May 2010
  7. ^ a b c Annual Report 2005 Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 11 July 2010
  8. ^ Annual Report 2006 Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine AngloGold Ashanti website, accessed: 11 July 2010
[edit]
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