The gold mineralization at the Mine exhibits features analogous to mesothermal or “orogenic” gold deposits typified by Archean deposits of the Abitibi region, Canada. Features characteristic of the gold mineralization at the Mine include:
• A strong spatial association to large scale shear zones;
• Relative late timing during active compressional deformation;
• A strong spatial association with large scale shear zones;
• Formed during greenschist metamorphic conditions;
• Association with a propylitic-phyllic alteration assemblages; and
• Principally hosted in quartz-ankerite-pyrite veining.

Gold mineralization at Aurora is divided into four main mineralized zones; Rory’s Knoll, East Walcott and Walcott Hill, Mad Kiss and Mad Kiss West, and Aleck Hill and Aleck Hill North.

All the deposits display an association of gold mineralization with quartz veining and pyrite, locally as much as 10%. The auriferous veins developed relatively late in the deformational history and occur as brittle stockworks in more competent host rocks, e.g., Rory’s Knoll diorite and lesser quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes, and as foliation parallel, ribbon-like veins that vary in width from a few centimetres to rarely up to one to two metres wide.

At least three major generations of veining have been observed:
• Early quartz carbonate veins which are typically foliation parallel and folded or truncated.
• Brittle extensional arrays ........

The Mine is in operation with all production to date from open pit mining.

OPEN PIT MINING
Open pit mining has been underway at Aurora since 2015 using conventional open pit equipment. Work started with company crews using excavators and articulated 35 t to 45 t haul trucks. The mining fleet has been converted to 40 t fixed frame haul trucks. In 2018 the company crews were supplemented by contractors and the plan for the future may include all contracted open pit mining. The contractor operations will include pit and dump operations, pit dewatering, and road maintenance. Both, owner equipment and contractor fleet are operated by contractor’s personnel.

OPEN PIT DESIGN
Open pit mine design criteria are based on a conventional surface mine operation using 5 m3 backhoe excavators supported by 6 m3 wheel loader for ore and waste loading; and haulage by a mixed fleet of 35 t to 45 t capacity trucks.

The selected composite pit optimization shell was utilized to guide the pit design. The haul ramps are designed for the largest hauling equipment using the road. For two-way traffic the minimum overall ramp width, including shoulder berm and ditch, is 17 m. For the last four benches of the ramp in the pit bottom, the haul road is narrowed to a width of 12 m, suitable for single lane traffic. The maximum ramp gradient is 10%.

The design premise was to mine the pits to a minimum mining width of 30 m, then use a backhoe for the final ........

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