The plant will utilise the new Metso Outotec semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill package that the project acquired from First Majestic Silver in March.

Hanlon will be responsible for the engineering designs, the capital cost and operating costs of the processing plant to a feasibility study level of design. The feasibility study design will develop costs to a +/-15% level of accuracy for the design, capex and opex of a fully engineered processing plant package.

The processing plant will be designed to a nominal capacity of 2,300t/d, but have the built-in capacity in several key areas to potentially upgrade throughput to 2,850t/d. Initial production is expected to range from 80,000-100,000oz/y of gold based on the nominal capacity of 2,300t/d.

Hanlon is due to deliver the FS level engineering designs for a new processing plant within 12 weeks.

A feasibility study level of accuracy requires a more detailed design conducted by an experienced processing plant engineering firm, in conjunction with the development of similar levels of accuracy for all of the constituent inputs needed for a comprehensive financial assessment of the project.

Condor said that Hanlon's team demonstrated an extensive catalogue of gold plants in South America and Australasia through its parent company GRES. Together, the Hanlon/GRES group can demonstrate over 15 gold plants designed and built over the last 20 years.

Furthermore, GRES was the design engineer for First Majestic Silver's San Dimas silver/gold plant expansion in Mexico, and was awarded an engineering procurement construction and management (EPCM) contract at San Dimas and is therefore familiar with the details of the Metso Outotec SAG mill Condor recently acquired. Hanlon was also able to demonstrate existing contacts within the region for construction contractors with current experience with the costs of construction for the area.

Mark Child, chairman and CEO of Condor Gold, commented: "I am delighted to appoint Hanlon Engineering & Associates to complete the feasibility study level design for a new processing plant at La India project. It's important to note that Hanlon Engineering was engaged by First Majestic Silver, the vendor of the SAG mill, to help design the new SAG mill recently purchased by Condor. Their knowledge of the SAG mill and involvement with many similar process plant designs completed to date will help fast track the delivery of the feasibility study design.

"A senior engineer from Hanlon is due on site this week. The feasibility level designs for the processing plant are due to be delivered to Condor within 12 weeks."