Soma Gold has resumed mining activities at two Colombian operations, advancing a strategy focused on supplying existing processing infrastructure with material from nearby deposits while expanding utilization of its permitted milling capacity.
The company recently received the final explosives permit required to restart the Aurora Mine, enabling immediate shipments of mineralized material to the El Bagre Gold Complex. At the same time, mining has recommenced at the historic El Limon Mine, where ore deliveries to the El Bagre processing facility are already underway. The developments add new feed sources to Soma’s regional operating network and increase the availability of mineralized material for processing through existing infrastructure.
Existing Processing Capacity Supports Regional Mining Strategy
Rather than constructing standalone processing facilities for each deposit, Soma is using a centralized operating model that connects multiple mines to established milling assets. The company operates two fully permitted mills located within 25 kilometres of one another, with a combined processing capacity of 675 tonnes per day. Permits are in place to expand capacity to 1,400 tonnes per day.
The approach allows material from multiple operations to be processed through existing facilities, utilizing installed infrastructure across the regional mining complex. Increased throughput can improve mill utilization and distribute operating overheads across a larger tonnage base while supporting more consistent production profiles.
Aurora Rehabilitation Advances Toward Commercial Production
Soma acquired the previously producing Aurora Mine in 2024 and has since been undertaking rehabilitation and infrastructure upgrades.
Work completed or underway includes installation of new power systems, ventilation infrastructure and hoisting equipment. The company is also upgrading underground workings, installing new rail lines and conducting mine development on Levels 5 and 6.
Material generated during development activities is being transported to the El Bagre complex for processing. Commercial production at Aurora is expected during Q3 or Q4 2026, when mining rates reach the operation’s permitted capacity of 20 tonnes per day.
El Limon Returns to Production
The El Limon Mine provides an additional source of near-term feed for the company’s milling operations. The mine operated from 1995 to 2020 before being closed during a period of lower gold prices. Following closure, the underground workings became flooded.
Soma has since dewatered the mine to Level 5 and has resumed extraction from remaining stopes and pillars. The company stated that further exploration and technical evaluation will be required to determine the extent of any remaining mineral resource beyond the currently accessible mining areas.
Higher Gold Prices Support Smaller Mining Operations
The restart of Aurora and El Limon coincides with a stronger gold-price environment that has improved the economics of smaller deposits and previously inactive workings. Operations containing remnant mineralization, historical stopes or lower-priority material can become more viable when processed through existing facilities rather than requiring new standalone development.
The strategy relies on integrating nearby mining sources with established processing infrastructure, reducing the need for major capital expenditures associated with new mill construction. Operational performance at the restarted mines will be reflected through ore throughput, grade reconciliation and processing results as material from Aurora and El Limon continues to enter the El Bagre Gold Complex.
