Poster 115

Tantahuatay Orebody: Epithermal Gold Deposit and Porphyry Potential,

Cajamarca Region, Northern Peru
Percy Zamora Diaz
Compaa Minera Coimolache S.A., Andrs Reyes 489 Piso 7, San Isidro, Lima 27, Per

E-mail, percy.zamora@buenaventura.pe

The Tantahuatay epithermal Au-Ag orebody is located on the volcanic field that forms the
northwestern part of the Hualgayoc-Tantahuatay district in the Cajamarca region, northern Peru.
Small-volume pyroclastic eruptions of andesitic to dacitic composition preceded and
accompanied emplacement of a series of volcanic domes. Stratigraphic relationships and the
eroded shape of the complex reveal the occurrence of NW- and NE-trending structures. Eastwest fault systems have been observed as well. Quartz-alunite alteration and multiple stages of
brecciation with intense silicification are pervasive across most of the dome field. Quartzalunite-pyrophyllite-diaspore is the predominant assemblage alteration, with enough oxidized
mineralization concentrated in the individual dome centers for the delineation of oxide gold
resources at two of them: Tantahuatay 2, currently in production, and Cienaga Norte. Both have
gold reserves totaling 22,490,000 t with 0.83 g/t Au and 8.07 g/t Ag, which represented 600 Koz
Au at end of December 2011. However, geologic model updates with additional drilling have
been addressed, focusing on the increment of existing resources in these deposits. Preliminary
estimates show a significant addition of gold, at least 300 Koz, due to this program, which is
supported by the current gold prices.
Construction of lithologic and structural models for these two deposits is ongoing and
will help develop a better understanding of the geologic settings in order to define new
mineralization targets and controls as a guide in the exploration and development of several
projects that Cia. Minera Coimolache S.A. has in its portfolio. Mirador Norte and Sur,
Tantahuatay 4, Cienaga Sur, and Cuyucpampa (in gravel material) are some of these projects
with potential to extend mine life, considering only the oxide portion of the high sulfidation
system. Total estimation of these resources is about 1.0 Moz Au at 0.48 g/t Au. Field work on
geochemical sampling, geophysics, geologic mapping, and drilling in phases is scheduled with
the purpose of delineating the economic potential of these projects and the expectation of
increasing the existing resources.
The potential for one or more porphyry Cu-Au orebodies beneath the alteration and
epithermal gold-silver mineralization at Tantahuatay has long been recognized, supported by
porphyry-style features such as quartz veins and stockworks found at Pea Las Aguilas, Cienaga
Norte, and in drill holes at Tantahuatay 2, which may indicate multiple intrusive centers and
generations of alteration and mineralization, opening the possibility that the intrusive source for
the mineralization is yet to be found; it could also be mineralized with porphyry-style ore. No
significant porphyry mineralization has been found at Tantahuatay to date, but the presence of Aveins, miarolitic cavities, and phyllic alteration seems to be a favorable indication. In order to
evaluate the domains of the high sulfidation system and the related porphyries with more
confidence, additional dating is needed to check timing relationships.