BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Patagonia Gold is making significant strides in the construction of its US$250 million Calcatreu project in Río Negro province, reaching a key milestone this week with the installation of the geomembrane for the heap leaching system, essential for producing gold and silver doré.
“Installing the geomembrane is key to waterproofing the area where the leaching pad will be located, which will help control leaks and protect the environment,” the company said.
Provincial authorities, including representatives from the mining department and the local environmental and water administration, conducted a technical inspection of the works managed by Minera Calcatreu, ensuring compliance with environmental, labor, and industrial safety regulations.
“This is the first metal project in the history of Río Negro to reach the construction phase, so its potential to generate jobs, tax revenue, and local development is highly anticipated in the region,” provincial officials noted.
Currently, 85 direct employees are working on site, with a focus on hiring local labor. From October 2024 to September 2025, local and provincial suppliers received purchases totaling 8.386 billion pesos (US$5.6 million), highlighting the project’s economic impact.
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Patagonia Gold has also been active in community engagement, conducting workshops on safe cyanide transportation, contingency planning, and environmental monitoring to maintain transparency with technical bodies and indigenous communities.
“We continue exploration in a highly prospective geological belt, targeting Mesozoic-aged base rock and precious metal deposits,” Patagonia Gold reported.
The company has also acquired over 100,000 hectares in Río Negro, including areas bordering Chubut. Past studies indicate a resource potential of 9.8Mt grading 2.11g/t gold and 19.83g/t silver (indicated), with 8.1Mt grading 1.34g/t gold and 13.09g/t silver (inferred).
Recent exploration under Patagonia Gold is expected to significantly expand resources, further attracting investment. In May, the Black River Mine consortium invested US$40 million in preferred shares of Patagonia Gold Canada for Calcatreu’s development.
“We are focused on hiring and training personnel for our mining operations to ensure the project reaches full operational potential,” the company stated in its Q3 2025 report.
The Calcatreu project represents a milestone for mining in Río Negro, combining large-scale economic investment, environmental management, and local workforce development, positioning Patagonia Gold as a leader in sustainable mining in Argentina.
Originally reported by Bnamericas
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