Orla secures permits to extend Camino Rojo operations
Mexico has cleared the way for Orla Mining to extend openpit operations and advance underground development at its Camino Rojo mine in Zacatecas.
The company announced last week that Mexico’s environmental authority, Semarnat, granted the environmental impact assessment, providing full authorisation to mine the remainder of the oxide openpit, including planned laybacks and infrastructure expansions.
The approval also allows Orla to begin construction of an underground exploration decline, marking the next phase of development at Camino Rojo as the company evaluates a transition to underground mining.
With the environmental approval and previously secured land-use approvals in place, Orla now holds all permits required to complete the oxide phase of the operation and initiate underground access works.
Development of the underground decline is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, followed by an underground drilling programme in 2027 to support a prefeasibility study and further permitting.
The company said the approvals aligned with its longer-term strategy to unlock sulphide mineralisation beneath the existing openpit, which could support a multi-decade mining operation.
An updated technical report has also been filed for the project, incorporating the latest mine plans and development pathway.
Orla noted that there were no changes to its 2026 production and cost guidance for Camino Rojo, although any spending related to the underground decline would be additional to current forecasts.
The company added that the permitting milestone reinforces its long-term commitment to Zacatecas, where it aimed to expand operations while supporting local employment and economic development.
A preliminary economic assessment released in February outlined the potential for an underground project to significantly extend mine life and increase production at Camino Rojo.
