Gold mineralization at Young-Davidson is associated with a syenite intrusive rock (a quartz granite). Within this syenite, the gold mineralization is associated with a stockwork of quartz veinlets and narrow quartz veins, rarely greater than a few centimetres thick that are within a broader halo of disseminated pyrite and potassic alteration. Historic mining demonstrated the continuity of mineralization from surface to a depth of approximately 500 metres. Mineralization is known to extend beyond 1,500 metres below surface (orebody open at depth); however, current drilling below this level will not be initiated until suitable underground drill platforms become available.

The Young-Davidson underground mine has been designed for low operating costs through the use of large modern equipment, gravity movement of ore and waste through raises, shaft hoisting, minimal ore and waste re-handling, high productivity bulk mining methods (long hole open stoping) and paste backfill. The mine operates scooptrams to load, haul and transfer stope production to the ore pass system from where it is hoisted to the surface via 18 tonne skips.

The underground mine is accessed via shaft and ramp. The sinking of the Northgate shaft was completed down to the mid-shaft loading pocket in 2013, which accesses the first eight years of mine production. Work continues on developing vertical access in the underground mine below that of the mid-shaft loading pocket, to an eventual depth of 1,500 metres. The existing MCM shaft reached its ultimate depth of 1,500 metres in 2015 and will provide for the hoisting of personnel, materials, ore and waste. The mine will also be accessed by a ramp, which will be extended to the bottom of the mine from the existing exploration ramp.

The underground ore and stockpiled open pit ore is processing through and 8,000 tpd single stage semi-autogenous grinding circuit with a gravity circuit followed by flotation. The flotation concentrate is further ground and leached in a conventional carbon-in-leach. The flotation tailings are also leached in a carbon-in-leach circuit. The gold is recovered from the carbon followed by electro-winning and pouring doré bars. The Young Davidson carbon-in-leach tailings are treated with the SO2/Air cyanide destruction method.