Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In
Built byBoxcut Studio

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Sustainability

    Aura Minerals green lights Guatemala gold project: capex, design and ESG notes for engineers

    April 15, 2026|

    Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

    Aura Minerals green lights Guatemala gold project: capex, design and ESG notes for engineers

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    Aura Minerals has approved full construction of the Era Dorada underground gold project in southeast Guatemala, a 17‑year mine plan for 1.75 million oz gold equivalent with average output of 111,000 oz/y in the first four years. Updated capex is now US$386–453 million, up from an earlier US$236–278 million early‑works estimate, with US$262–314 million allocated to full project expansion while exploration and sustaining costs remain unchanged. The former Cerro Blanco project will stay underground rather than shift to open pit, with specific infrastructure budgeted to address community concerns over water quality.

    Technical Brief

    • Mine remains an underground operation, abandoning the previously proposed transition to open pit.
    • New capex range of US$386–453 million replaces an earlier December feasibility estimate of US$382 million.
    • Increase from US$236–278 million early‑works budget reflects inclusion of full expansion scope at US$262–314 million.
    • Exploration and sustaining capital components are unchanged, indicating cost escalation is concentrated in expansion infrastructure.
    • Specific infrastructure is being budgeted to address community water quality concerns linked to historic project opposition.

    Our Take

    The new Era Dorada capex range of $386–453 million, versus the earlier $236–278 million early-works envelope, suggests Aura Minerals is locking in a full-scope build that will materially underpin its previously flagged 600,000 oz gold‑equivalent per year long‑term production target from Guatemala and existing assets like Aranzazu and San Andrés.

    Aura Minerals’ reserve base more than doubling to 7.22 million gold‑equivalent ounces across six mines and two development projects, as reported in our April 2026 coverage, means Era Dorada is being advanced from a much stronger portfolio position than when Bluestone Resources first promoted Cerro Blanco as a standalone asset.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Integrated Pump Technology in Central Africa: dewatering design notes for mine engineers

    Integrated Pump Technology is expanding dewatering support in Central Africa’s mines as more erratic, climate-driven rainfall increases pit flooding and sump inflows, deploying Grindex submersible units and Godwin diesel-driven surface pumps for both open-pit and underground operations. The company is pairing high-solids, high-head pump selections with local distributor partnerships and on-site application audits to match pump curves to specific shaft depths, static heads and slurry loadings. For mine operators, the focus is on maintaining pumping capacity during peak storm events and reducing unplanned downtime from flooded haul roads, declines and pump chambers.

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Sandvik Rock Processing Reborn in Africa: retrofit economics for mine engineers

    Sandvik Rock Processing’s Reborn programme is gaining uptake at African mines and quarries seeking higher throughput from existing primary and secondary crushers while limiting capex. The scheme replaces ageing crusher cores with new Sandvik units in the original frames and foundations, allowing plants to retain chutes, civils and conveyors while upgrading to current crusher technology and automation. PC Kruger, Business Line Manager Crushing, positions Reborn as a step beyond standard refurbishment, targeting faster installation, reduced downtime and predictable lifecycle costs.

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Cementation Africa in deep underground mining: design and risk insights for engineers

    Africa’s push into deeper, more complex underground orebodies is driving demand for specialist contractors such as Cementation Africa, which combines shaft sinking and raiseboring capability with in‑house engineering and risk management. The contractor is focusing on technically challenging work, including high-stress rock mass conditions, complex ground support regimes and critical‑path access infrastructure for new critical minerals projects. For mine owners, the key shift is from pure construction procurement to integrated delivery models where design, construction methodology and risk allocation are tightly coupled.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    Construction

    Quality control software for construction companies with material testing, batch tracking, and compliance management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental