Mining activities in the Viso-Aruri mining district began by the middle of the 19thcentury. At that time, the rich silver veins of the Colquipallana vein where exploited.

Lizandro A. Proaño began mining in the area of Viso-Aruri in 1906. A concentrator plant was constructed along with a foundry, hydroelectric power plant, and camp accommodations at the mine operation.

In 1955, the Proaño family formed a new mining company called Minera Lizandro Proaño which ran the operation for 25 years.

In 1995, a technical and economical valuation was carried out on a new technology for gold extraction. The new technology was biological oxidation (bioxidation). The bioxidation (BIOX®) process has potential as a low cost and environmentally attractive alternative, compared with roasting and pressure oxidation, for the treatment of refractory ores. This technology was first aimed to the treatment of 270,000 tonnes of tailings with 3.4 gram Au /t and 1.2 oz Ag /t. In late 1995, Lizandro A. Proaño entered into a considerable expansion of operations from 200 tpd to 600 tpd and the installation of a modern BIOX plant. Lizandro A. Proaño was forced into bankruptcy in 1999 due to high mining dilution, low metal prices and labour shortages.

Wiese Sudameris Leasing S.A. took control of all the assets and properties from Minera Lizandro Proaño at the beginning of 2001 and entered into an agreement with Lairzbeascoa & Zapata SAC to redesign the operation in late 2001. The operation started up again in May of the 2002 and was shut down in December 2002 due to a combination of low metal prices, high dilution and poor metal recoveries. These problems were exacerbated by several (five) acts of sabotage to the only power supply.

In March 2006, Gold Hawk acquired 100% of the Coricancha mine and mill and has since refurbished it. With a strong and experienced management team in place, the mine restarted operations in April 2007, and achieved Commercial Production status on October 1, 2007

The exploration by the previous owners was very limited and focused on underground drifting and raising on vein structure. There has been no modern exploration (diamond drilling, geochemical and/or geophysical exploration) done on the property by the previous owners. It was recommended that an underground exploration program, involving diamond drilling, be considered to explore the down dip extension of the main vein system for possible manto style mineralization. Gold Hawk is pursuing exploration and development work of this nature.