Topia consists of several mines, which comprise Argentina, 15-22, San Miguel, 9 North, San Juan, Recompensa, Hormiguera, El Rosario, La Prieta, El 80, and Durangueno.
The Topia underground mining operation producing approximately 225tpd (operating) from fourteen (14) mines on 52 separate veins using conventional mining methods, including resuing.
Mining at Topia generally consists of development along very narrow veins. Mining is selective using jacklegs, however, where possible, mechanized cut and fill is deployed. All mines are accessed via adits and ramps, although internal passes are constructed to access the upper and lower ore zones. Rock integrity at the mines at Topia is considered favorable, but on rare occasions roof support, in the form of rock bolting, and occasionally wire mesh, is required.
Mining is conducted by contractors and in-house miners sourced from nearby communities and outside cities, and utilizes equipment owned mostly by the Company. Mine contractors and equipment are alternated between the mines to accommodate the variations in production plans.
For the narrower veins at Topia, mining is conducted by modified cut and fill stoping (resuing) to selectively mine the ore and leave the waste for backfill. In a stope the ore is blasted and extracted first, then the wall rock is blasted as stope fill. Drilling is performed with jackleg drills and ore is hand mucked in the stope and dropped down timber crib muck ........
