Mining at the San Francisco and La Chicharra pits is conducted by a contractor, using open pit mining methods. At the San Francisco pit, a small underground mine was exploited during the second half of 2020 in order to accelerate cash flow by targeting some higher-grade mineralization in the block model.
Magna has now started to process ore from the low-grade stockpiles as well from the La Chicharra pit and plans to initiate underground mining from the higher grade lenses in the southwall of the San Francisco pit, as well as resuming open pit mining in portions of the San Francisco pit.
Magna will also establish its own stockpile for the lower grade material (but above the cut-off grade) being mined. This lower grade material can be processed later in the mine life, used to top up the crushing capacity from time to time or left to be processed at the end of the mine life.
Mine Plans and Activities
Production from the La Chicharra deposit recommenced in June, 2020. The San Francisco and La Chicharra pits are planned to be mined at the same time. Magna is also processing the remainder of Alio’s low-grade stockpile. The La Chicharra pit is located 1,000 m west of the San Francisco pit.
All mining activities are being conducted by the contractor, Peal Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Peal Mexico), of Navojoa, Mexico. The contractor is obliged to supply and maintain the appropriate principal and auxiliary mining equipment and personnel requ ........
