The Bralorne-Pioneer gold-bearing veins were deposited from low salinity fluids at 300°C to 400°C and 1.25 kbar to 1.75 kbar (Leitch, 1990). The vein style, structure, mineralogy, and alteration are all similar to those defined for orogenic gold deposits (Groves et al., 1998).

The Bralorne Pioneer gold deposit, therefore, belongs to a well-recognized group of deposits referred to as mesothermal, orogenic or greenstone-hosted quartz-carbonate gold vein deposits. These deposits include the Mother Lode district in California and most of the greenstone-hosted gold deposits in the Canadian Shield, including the Timmins, Val d'Or and Red Lake camps. These deposits are quartz-carbonate veins hosted in moderately to steeply dipping brittle-ductile shear zones and, locally, in shallow dipping extensional fractures.

The gold-quartz veins form an approximate en echelon array. They have strike lengths of as much as 1,500 m between bounding fault structures, and extend to at least 2,000 m in depth, with no significant changes in grade or style of mineralization recorded. Ores consist mainly of ribboned fissure veins with septa defined by fine-grained chlorite, sericite, graphite or sulphide minerals. Massive white quartz tension veins also comprise some of the ore, although thinner connecting cross-veins are generally sub-economic. The fissure veins tend to be larger, thicker, and host the higher gold grades. The most conspicuous alteration mineral is bright green, ........

During the 2017 year Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. completed its review of potential scenarios for developing a long term mine operating plan. The original phased plan was for the future start-up of a small tonnage operation, and during the course of work being completed, our site management identified ground and safety issues in the existing 800 level tunnel. It was determined that the 800 level needed rehabilitative work, and consultants were engaged to review and develop a plan for the repairs. In view of the proposed repairs, which would have restricted mine throughput, the consultant’s recommendations were to construct a new tunnel on the 800 level, due to the age and limiting size of the original main access tunnel. The future construction of a new 800 tunnel should allow earlier access to the resources below the 800 level.

The recommended new 800 level tunnel would be sized for mechanized equipment (4.5 metres x 4.5 metres) for the long term development of the mine to depth. The portal entrance would be near the mill, and replace the old 800 tunnel (2.5 metres x 2.5 metres) which was only accessible by small track equipment. The old tunnel would be made safe, and would still be used for ventilation, secondary egress, and mine water drainage.

The proposed new mine plan also contemplates testing a different mining method, sub level long hole retreat mining on veins where the hanging wall, foot wall, and mineralization are conducive to this ........

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