The proposed mining approach will use variations of long-hole stoping and cut-and-fill mining methods via several access drifts and ramps. These methods are appropriate to the subvertical geometry of the veins that have thicknesses ranging from 0.5–10 m.
The long-hole stope mining methods will include long hole longitudinal retreat stoping and Avoca. These methods will be used in mining areas where vein thicknesses are >1.5 m, and when the good ground allow it. Avoca requires multiple accesses to the veins, whereas longhole longitudinal retreat typically requires only one access.
Variations of cut-and-fill mining methods will include cut-and-fill with uppers, cut-and-fill with breasting and resuing. Cut-and-fill with uppers will be used in mining areas with “Fair” ground conditions and where the vein thickness is >1.5 m. Cut-and-fill with breasting will be used in mining areas with adverse ground conditions, and where the vein thickness is >1.5 m. Resuing is used in mining areas where the vein thickness is <1.5 m, independent of ground conditions.
Mining operations will extract from 15 principal veins: Babicanora Main, Babicanora FW, Babicanora HW, Babicanora Sur, Babicanora Sur HW, Babicanora Norte, Babicanora Norte HW, Babi Vista, Babi Vista FW, Luigi, Luigi FW, William Tell, Giovanni, Gio Mini and Las Chispas. These veins are grouped into six (6) mining areas: Babicanora Main, Babicanora Sur, Babi Vista, Babicanora Norte, Babicanora Central ........
