The Pilar complex currently comprises two underground mining operations. The bulk of the mill feed is produced from the Pilar mine. One satellite deposit, Maria Lázara, currently supplements the Pilar mine production. At the Maria Lázara mine, ore is extracted using traditional longhole sub- level open stoping. The Pilar mine utilizes a custom SRP mining method for approximately 80% of its production. This is supplemented by traditional longhole stoping.
Mining was initiated at the Pilar mine in late 2012 and commercial production was attained in October 2014. The Maria Lázara mine has been in operation since August 2015.
The mineralized deposit at the Pilar mine comprises a series of ore lenses (only one of which is included in the Mineral Reserves) with an average thickness of 0.9 m and dips of 20° to 22°. Typically, most of the Pilar mine’s mineralization ranges from one metre to two metres in thickness.
The mine is accessed through two, five metre by five metre access ramps: one in the west and one in the east.
The Pilar mine development and production heading dimensions, as well as pillar dimensions
are listed below:
• SRP Access Drift/Ramp: 4.5 m wide by 4.5 m high;
• Longhole Access Drift: 4.5 m wide by 4.5 m high;
• SRP Primary Stoping Drift: 5.5 m wide by 1.8 m to 4.2m high;
• SRP Secondary Stoping: 6 m wide by 8 m long;
• Longhole Stopes: 10 m wide by 10 m to 15 m long;
• SRP In- ........
