In the Kapan mining district, mineralisation dominantly occurs as two styles – as chalcopyritepyrite veins and stockworks and poly-metallic vein systems hosted by a volcano- sedimentary rock sequence.

The Shahumyan deposit exhibits numerous syn-volcanic dykes and sills of andesitic to gabbroic composition. Such intrusions are pre-mineralisation. Pre-mineralisation dykes often have mineralised contacts and are always subject to propylitic alteration or higher grade (typically within contacts of veins or major structures).

At Shahumyan mineralisation is hosted by a suite of sub-parallel veins, the current interpretation of the deposit includes in excess of a hundred veins. In many cases the continuity of these veins is yet to be established and future drilling will be important to validate the current model. Regardless, development along and across the vein system has confirmed the prevalence of approximate east-west strikes and steep dips of the veins.

Hydrothermal-altered breccia units are also notable within the deposit makeup. Such breccias are generally found on the eastern flank of the deposit and contain polymictic clasts (andesite, basalt, dacite) within a sulphide rich matrix. Mineralised clasts can be found which are thought to have occurred due to precipitation of sulphides within vesicular lithologies.

Mineralisation within the Shahumyan deposit is characterized by narrow veins (0.2 – 2.0 m), steeply dipping and strik ........

Access into the mine is via two decline ramps, one to access the south section of the mine, and one to access the north section. Each decline has a portal at 780 mL (all levels are expressed as metres above sea level). Previous access into the mine was via vertical shafts. These shafts are still evident, but no longer provide any facility.

Crosscuts are developed from each of the declines to intersect the veins at approximately 90° in plan. Mine levels are at 10 m vertical intervals. Veins are near vertical. As each economic vein is intersected, a vein drive is developed along the vein to open up working faces.

Sub-level open stopes are opened up along the vein drives. Each stope is typically 40 m high and 60 m along strike. Production blast holes are drilled upwards from the lower sub-level, and consist typically of 2-3 parallel holes. Current drilling is with Tamrock bar-mounted pneumatic rigs and a recently introduced Atlas Copco Simba drill jumbo. Stope holes are blasted into an initial stope raise and the stope is opened up from there. Rib pillars are left between stopes, and crown pillars are left between 40 m vertical stopes. These pillars are not presently recovered. On completion of each stoping area, i.e. an area of around 60 m on strike and 40 m in vertical height, the stope is available for filling with waste. All mine development waste is disposed of this way. The waste is not treated in any way, but does provide some support to the stope ro ........

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