The mineral deposits along the Carlin Trend form a suite of deposits known as Carlin-type. Carlin deposits comprise stratabound disseminated gold mineralization hosted by Silurian-Devonian carbonate rocks that have been metamorphosed to varying extents. The deposits are hydrothermal in origin and are usually structurally controlled. The carbonate host rocks are part of an autochthonous miogeoclinal carbonate sequence exposed as tectonic windows beneath the Roberts Mountains allochthon. The allochthonous rocks are a sequence of lower Paleozoic dominantly siliciclastic eugeoclinal rocks that were displaced eastward along the Roberts Mountains Thrust over younger units during the Upper Paleozoic Antler Orogeny. The Carlin Trend is the largest concentration of gold deposits in North America. NGM and other companies have discovered over 40 deposits along the 64 kilometre long, north–northwest-oriented Carlin Trend. Gold deposits are generally hosted in a variable stratigraphic package of Ordovician through Lower Mississippian rocks. The preferential host rocks are autochthonous carbonate assemblage rocks that are now preserved in uplifted tectonic windows. All Carlin Trend gold deposits that have been discovered to date are either within the Bootstrap, Lynn, Carlin, and Rain tectonic windows, or proximal to them. Within specific deposits, Cretaceous and Tertiary dike swarms and a Jurassic-aged granodiorite stock (Goldstrike stock) may constitute as much as 15% of the mineralized m ........

The Carlin Complex has three major open pit operations including Goldstrike, Gold Quarry and Goldstar (part of the Genesis/Tri-Star Complex). All three are truck and shovel operations. Blasting is required and blast patterns are laid out according to material type using rock type designations of hard, average, soft, or a combination of the three. The pit design varies between 6.1 metre to 12.2 metre (20 to 40 ft) benches and, where possible, up to 18.3 metre (60 ft) benches in the ore, though mined in 6.1 metre (20 ft) cuts. Slopes vary based on location.

The Carlin Complex has three major operating underground mines including Goldstrike underground, Leeville and the Portal Mines (including Pete Bajo and Exodus/Northwest Exodus, El Niño, Rita K). All mines utilize drift and fill and/or long-hole stoping and are accessed by shaft or portals.

Ground conditions vary greatly in the different mining areas. Poor conditions in some areas are due to increased brecciation and/or alteration of original structures. Oxidation affects rock strengths in some areas and requires corrosion-resistant ground support. Generally low-strength rock conditions are the key factor in the mine design and mining method selection.

Leeville has three shafts; the No. 1 shaft has two 7-cubic yard (~10 ton) skips for transporting aggregate for CRF underground and one station on the 4675 Level; the No. 2 shaft has two 7-cubic yard (~10 ton) skips for transporting ore to surf ........

- subscription is required.

- subscription is required.