The mining method at ATO is a conventional open pit operation with rigid body mining trucks, hydraulic excavators, and wheel loaders. The Project consists of two (2) separated mining areas: the ATO and the Mungu Pits. Only open pit mining is considered in the current mine plan; however, the Mungu deposit has additional Resources at depth which are out side the current mine plan. Therefore, there is an opportunity for the Mungu Pit to be expanded to an underground mine once the open pit reserves are depleted.
All mining activities to date have occurred in the initial three ATO pits. Mining has been focused on extracting the oxide ore in these areas. No mining has commenced at Mungu.
Steppe Gold has contracted 2, mining contracting companies who are based in Mongolia, to undertake ore and waste mining at ATO under a three year, bcm rate based contract which includes drill and blast activities.
The oxide ore will be transported by truck from the pit to the leach pad, and the transition and fresh ore will be transported by truck to either a stockpile or the mill. Waste material will be deposited in waste stockpiles.
Ore sent to the mill is a combination of transition and fresh material; however, there is no need for a particular blend of these ores. Marginal ore (above the marginal COG, but below the mining COG) will be mined and processed throughout the LOM to supplement leach pad and mill feeds. The mine will operate year-round, sev ........
