🇦🇷 The Lindero Mine in Argentina’s Puna region has become the country’s first hybrid mine, integrating a 6 MWp solar photovoltaic plant with a 12 MWh lithium-ion battery storage system into its existing thermal power setup. Located approximately 420 km from Salta city at an altitude of around 3,800 meters above sea level within the Arizaro Salt Flat, the mine now operates solely on solar energy during daylight hours, reducing its annual diesel consumption by about 40%. This innovative system includes 10,908 bifacial solar panels and 30 power conversion units, supporting energy storage for night use and peak load stabilization, marking a significant advancement in sustainable mining operations in Argentina.
Owned and operated by Mansfield Minera S.A., a wholly owned Argentine subsidiary of Fortuna Mining Corp., Lindero is an open-pit gold mine with proven and probable reserves of approximately 1.28 million ounces of gold, alongside additional resources estimated at 0.8 million ounces. The mine processes around 6.7 million tonnes of ore annually using conventional heap leaching. Initial production began in 2019 with gold doré pouring, reaching an estimated 137,000 ounces of gold and projected to increase to 190,000 ounces of gold plus 9 million ounces of silver by 2020, totaling approximately 328,000 gold-equivalent ounces. The mine has an expected operational life of about 12 years.
Strategically situated in a geologically complex volcanic and porphyry gold-copper system associated with the Arizaro volcanic complex, Lindero contributes to Argentina’s growing mineral resource portfolio valued at over USD 700 billion. The hybrid energy infrastructure aligns with national sustainability goals and positions Argentina as a key player in the global critical minerals market, especially within the Lithium Triangle region.
Fortuna Mining’s ongoing investments in exploration and development, including nearby projects like Arizaro, demonstrate a long-term commitment to sustainable growth. Lindero’s successful integration of renewable energy in a remote, high-altitude mining environment sets a precedent for other operations in Argentina and across South America, potentially accelerating the mining sector’s energy transition and fostering new investment opportunities.
Source(s): https://www.panorama-minero.com/en/news/lindero-becomes-the-first-hybrid-mine-in-argentina-s-puna-region, https://www.mining-technology.com/projects/lindero-gold-project-salta/, https://www.miningweekly.com/article/miner-focuses-on-long-term-vision-in-latin-america-2025-06-20
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