Mining operations within the Curaçá Valley are currently comprised of two core operations: the Pilar UG Mine and the Vermelhos UG Mine. Production from these two mines currently serves as primary feed for the Caraíba Mill with supplemental feed from the Surubim Mine. Ongoing development and exploration activities include: the continued advancement of the primary ramp and associated infrastructure of the Pilar and Vermelhos underground mines, the construction of the new external shaft to support the Deepening Project, as well as the completion of the Caraíba Mill expansion to 4.2Mtpa, expected to be completed by the end of 2023, in support of the LOM production plan.
Underground mining operations within the Pilar Mine have been active for approximately 34 years. The mine currently produces an average of 5,600 t/day and approximately 1,400 meters per month of development is expected starting in 2023 (average of 16k m/year) for the next 5 years.
The Pilar UG Mine is divided into eight main zones from a mine planning perspective: Deepening Project (or locally referred to as the Deepening Below L-965), Deepening Above L-965, Baraúna, MSBSouth, P1P2NE/R22UG, P1P2W, MSBW and, for 2022 mine planning, Project Honeypot & the Upper Areas.
The Pilar UG Mine has previously employed the following mining methods: Sublevel Stoping, VRM and Vertical Crater Retreat (“VCR”). VRM is the method currently employed, whereby ore is removed from the stope after it is ........
