Mineralization at Santo Domingo occurs primarily as iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) deposits with related vein and skarn bodies.

To date, four deposits, three of which support Mineral Reserves, and a number of prospects have been identified in the Project area.

Santo Domingo Sur
The andesitic flows and tuffs are the primary host to mineralization at Santo Domingo Sur. Mineralization consists of thick semi-massive to massive iron oxide mantos that have replaced the tuffaceous rocks. The stratigraphic sequence of andesitic flows and tuffs dips gently (at an angle of approximately 15°) towards the north–northwest under gravel cover.

Mineralization occurs in the form of copper-bearing semi-massive to massive iron oxide mantos with minor veins and breccias. The mantos are zoned from an outer rim of specular hematite toward a magnetite-rich core.

Drilling has identified a 150 m to 500 m thick, copper-bearing, specularite–magnetite sequence covering an area of approximately 1,300 m by 800 m, and traced to a depth of approximately 525 m below surface. Mineralization consists of stacked chalcopyrite bearing, specularite-magnetite mantos within tuff and tuffaceous sediments overlain by andesitic flows.

The mantos consist of semi-massive to massive specularite and magnetite layers with clots and stringers of chalcopyrite, that range in thickness from approximately 4 m to 20 m. The upper parts of the manto sequence dire ........

The mine is scheduled to work 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Each day will consist of two 12-hour shifts. Four mining crews will cover the operation.

The final pit design was based on a LG shell that used a copper price of $3.00/lb and $100/t for magnetite concentrate. Two pits, the Santo Domingo pit and the Iris Norte pit, were designed. The Santo Domingo pit will have four phases; three mining phases are planned for the Iris Norte pit. These values were used only for mine design not the economic analysis.

A road width of 40 m was selected to accommodate 290 t trucks. NCL used a 10% road gradient which is common in the industry for this type of truck. The current mine plan is designed with 12 m benches stacked to 24 m (i.e. double benching) for the fresh rock material. Mining costs are based on blasting 12 m benches for the waste zones and for the ore.

Additional 40 m wide safety berms were included in the design when the slope height exceeds 100 m at the east wall and 150 m elsewhere and are in accordance with geotechnical recommendations.

The Santo Domingo pit will have two exits on the west side to provide access to the run-of-mine (ROM) pad area and the primary crusher. On the east side there will be another exit to access the main waste rock storage area. The final pit will be 2,200 m long in the north–south direction and 1,500 m wide in the east–west direction. The pit bottom will be at the 676 m elevation. The high ........

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