A striking feature of the Galena Complex mineralization is that two entirely distinct types of utterly different ore mineralogy occur within the mineralized envelope. These are: 1) silver-copper veins and disseminations, dominated by tetrahedrite, and 2) silver-lead veins and disseminations, dominated by galena.

Mineralization at the Galena Mine is typified by structurally controlled veins that can extend for a few thousand feet of depth and hundreds of feet of strike. The general strike is N 50 W, with steep dips to the south, but there are many local variations. Due to the complex threedimensional arrangement of the numerous veins, which include NW, NE and N-S trends, a two-dimensional graphic presentation is difficult.

The veins principally contain silver, lead, copper and zinc in relatively simple mineralogy. Silver is the primary economic metal at the Galena Mine. Historically, the “silver-copper” veins, containing argentiferous tetrahedrite have been the focus of production at the Galena. The silver-copper ratio averages 30 to 35 ounces per percent copper. Typically, the silver-lead ratio of silver-lead ore at the Galena Mine is about 0.9 opt silver per 1.0 percent of lead.

The mineralized veins at the Galena Mine occur along four major fracture systems and three major faults (South Argentine, Argentine, and Polaris). The veins generally strike east-west to northeast-southwest, and dip vertically to steeply to the south. Thickness ranges ........

The Complex contains four shafts, all connected by deep underground workings. The Galena and #3 shafts are near the center of the property, while the Coeur shaft is approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the Galena shaft and the Caladay shaft is approximately 1.5 miles southeast of the Galena shaft. The Caladay shaft and workings are currently used as ventilation exhaust for the Galena workings.

The mining methods used at the Galena Complex are conventional cut and fill and mechanized cut and fill. Conventional cut and fill is done using the overhand method, utilizing hydraulically placed tailings (“sand fill”) as backfill, typically without the addition of cement. Mechanized cut and fill is done using both overhand and underhand methods. In the case of the overhand method, sand fill is used as backfill, typically without the addition of cement. For the underhand method, cement is typically added to the sand fill in order to provide the required strength to work underneath the placed backfill. Ore is hauled to either the Galena or #3 shafts via tracked locomotives and rail cars. Ore is loaded into the rail cars directly via ore chutes in stopes, pneumatic cavos, or in mechanized stoping areas, by diesel scooptrams/Load Haul Dump equipment. Waste associated with primary and secondary development is typically kept underground and placed as fill in old headings and open stopes. As needed, it can be hauled to the shaft, skipped to surface and placed on the existing surf ........

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