The Imperial gold deposit is believed to represent epithermal gold mineralization related to Tertiary-age low angle detachment faults and associated extensional faults. The epithermal gold mineralization is structurally controlled and transitional between low and high-sulphidation systems.

Gold mineralization occurs primarily within haematitic and limonitic altered breccias, microfractures and gouge zones developed in the host biotite gneiss and sericite gneiss units. Minor quartz veining, very-fine grained pyrite pseudomorphs and silicified zones are also common.

The density of fractures, extent of the red-brown to yellow haematitic/limonitic coatings and pyrite pseudomorphs within the host units are notable mineralized features. Logging of coreand cuttings samples from the project site indicated no fresh pyrite or sulphide mineralization is present due to the oxidized state exhibited throughout the deposit.

The deposits were oxidized to a depth in excess of 750 ft indicating that the deposits were oxidized near surface and down dropped by faulting to their current locations.

The majority of gold mineralization occurs stratigraphically above a siliceous breccia horizon. This distinct relationship between the siliceous breccia and the overlying host rock units is traceable across the deposit. Sporadic mineralization is also noted along the cemented gravel and volcanic contacts and in fault structures within the brecciated volcanic ........

The Imperial Mine deposit is planned to be mined using conventional open pit mining methods. The mine design and planning are based on the estimated grade of the resource model and Whittle pit shell analysis.

The mine plan calls for the extraction of run of mine (ROM) potentially economic material from the pits to the heap leach pad at a rate of 12 million short tons per year. The mine plan includes ultimate pit design including ramps and benches, internal phases, production schedule, waste storage, yearly drawings, and capital and operating costs.

Benches are 40 feet in height, matching the block model level sizes. The catch berm on each bench is 23 feet.

The ramp was designed to a 140 feet width. This includes a required 100 feet width based on haul truck operating width multiplied by 4 and an additional 40 feet for wall crumbling in the alluvium. The target grade for ramps is 10%.

WESTEC Inc. (Westec) analyzed the geotechnical properties of the project in a 1997 report. Recommendations from the report assert that the overall pit slopes range from 40°to 50°. When applied to the project, the east pit has an overall slope of 45° in the azimuth range of 115° to 285°, and the west pit has an overall slope of 50° in the azimuth range of 115° to 285°. All other slopes are 40°.

Pit Phases
Initial Whittle analysis showed that high grades could be achieved early on by taking the west pit as one phase, and the east pit in 3 ........

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Modeling of the heap operation on a monthly basis over the projected mine life indicates that operation of the HLF requires a water supply with an approximate average flow rate of 1,100 gpm (250 m3/hr). An additional 150 gpm (34 m3/h) is required for mine, shop, and office water consumption.