The 2020 PEA is based on mining of the Gramalote Ridge deposit only. No mining is envisaged for the Trinidad deposit in the 2020 PEA.
A conventional open pit truck and shovel operation is planned. A SMU size of 10 m x 10 m x 10 m was used was used for benchmarking the mineral resource model. No additional dilution factor or mining loss was applied to the grades in the mine plan.
The Gramalote Ridge pit will have four phases, consisting of three phases in the main pit, and a small satellite pit that will have a single phase.
The main ramps were designed to 30 m width for two-way access, and are assumed to have a 10% gradient. The lowest benches will have a 15 m wide ramp, and will be single-lane. Pit benches are assumed at 10 m intervals, with pre-split drilling at 20 m depths, drilling two benches at a time.
The mine planning strategy includes the use of stockpiles for oxide and sulphide materials. Three stockpiles are planned:
• High-grade sulphide stockpile; approximate 6.5 Mt capacity; =0.66 g/t Au material for the initial years, variable thereafter to optimize head grade;
• Low-grade stockpiles; approximate 46.3 Mt capacity; =0.29–=0.66 g/t Au material;
• Oxide stockpiles; approximate 4.5 Mt capacity; =0.25 g/t Au material.
All stockpile areas will have access ramps that are 30 m wide and a maximum 8% grade as well as a temporary slope angle of 30º.
A waste rock storage faci ........
