Zgounder is a Neoproterozoic age, sedimentary rock-hosted, low-sulphidation epithermal silver deposit. The Zgounder Silver Deposit is cross-cut by fractures of variable orientations. There are at least four (4) fracture systems: 1. Late sub-vertical E-W fractures and shear zones; 2. N-S fractures/faults dipping steeply to the east; 3. NNE-NNW-oriented system dipping 60° at a strike of 75°E; and 4. A sub-horizontal system of fractures oriented NNE and NNW, which displaced the Brown Formation to the north with depth (Bounajma, 2002). The Zgounder Deposit formed during two (2) distinct stages of hydrothermal fluid alteration and mineralisation (Essaraj et al., 1998, 2016, 2017): -Deposition of quartz with minor biotite and As-Co minerals from a variety of H2O-CO2-CH4 rich fluids in equilibrium with the metasedimentary host rocks. The fluids were at high temperatures (400ºC to 450°C) over a wide range of pressures, during the early brittle deformation of the Brown Formation, following emplacement of the Askaoun Granite; and -The main phase of (Cu-Zn)-Ag (Hg) mineral deposition. Silver deposition occurred following crystallization of quartz-sphalerite-chalcopyrite veins, but the Cu-Zn and Ag(Hg) mineralising fluids were NaCl-CaCl2 brines at minimum temperatures of about 160°C to 200°C, during a period of hydrothermal albitization. Mineralisation The Zgounder silver mineralisation occurs at the top of the Brown Formation (sandstone), predominantly along the contact and within t ........

The Zgounder expansion Project will be mined in a combination of open pit mining, reclamation of historical tailings, and underground mining.

The mining method selected for the open pit portion of the Zgounder Project is a conventional open pit, drill & blast, truck and shovel operation. The open pit consists of a single pit. The tailings reclamation will be mined using a loader and truck operation; no drilling and blasting will be required. The underground mine will be mined using a combination of drift-and-fill mining and long-hole stoping.

For both the open pit and the tailings reclamation, the ore will be transported by truck to the ore pass, where the material will be brought underground to be processed with the underground ore. Waste material will be deposited in a waste stockpile located near the pit. Ore will also be stockpiled in low-grade and high-grade stockpiles near the pit for future rehandling and processing.

All mining open pit and historical tailings reclamation will be undertaken by mining contractors, who will be responsible for all drilling, blasting, loading, transportation for both the ore and waste material, as well as any pre-split drilling requirements. The development of the underground mine will be undertaken by mining contractors while ore production mining will be undertaken by Aya staff.

Waste material will be sent to the waste stockpile located near the pit. Some waste material will be sent underground ........

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