Mineral reserves are exploited using conventional open pit methods and equipment.
Mining operations at Rochester are currently at capacity and will increase under 11th Plan of Operations
Amendment (POA 11), which was issued in 2020. POA 11 allows for additional pad capacity, additional WRSF facilities, and extensions of the Rochester pit and continued operations through the end of planned mine life.
Pit slope designs are based on evaluations and reports prepared by third-party consultants. The
pit slope design parameters for Rochester and Nevada Packard assume overall pit slope angles
that range from 20–51º and 37–52.4º respectively.
Detailed pit designs and phase plans are based on the economic pit limits and are used to generate a mining production schedule for both pits. Designs assumed 30 ft bench heights, double lane haul road design widths of 88 ft, single lane haul road design widths of 65 ft, and maximum haul road gradients of 10%.
The pit design parameters for Rochester:
- Bench height - 30 ft;
- Catch bench vertical spacing - 30–60 ft;
- Minimum mining width between phases - 120 ft;
- Double lane haul road design width - 88 ft;
- Single lane haul road design width - 65 ft;
- Max haul road gradient - 10%;
- Rolling resistance - 2%.
The pit design parameters for Nevada Packard:
- Bench height - 30 ft;
- Catch bench vertical spacing - 60 ft;
- Mi ........
