With much of the technical data completed and in hand, the joint venture partners are reviewing with the engineering consultants areas that require further detailed information for input to the study. The study will incorporate up-to-date capital and operating costs, latest resource grades, metallurgical studies and heap leach recovery estimates, and economic analysis. It is anticipated that the prefeasibility study will begin in January and be completed in mid-2018.
The joint venture has made excellent progress on project permitting. In August, a Plan of Operations (“PoO”) was submitted to the United States Forest Service (“USFS”) for geotechnical drilling activity. For the entire scope of the project, a Plan of Operations will be submitted to the USFS in early 2018. The PoO will include all pertinent information regarding the design, construction and operation of the proposed mine along with the closure plan. Details of the PoO are extensive and include:
- Heap Leach Pad design
- ADR Plant criteria
- Mine Access Roads
- Infrastructure review for power, water, ponds, buildings, etc.
- Conveyance design
- Open pit mine design with Slope Stability Study
- Ancillary Facilities
- Public Access Roads
- Closure goals and a reclamation plan
Permitting activity is led by Mr. Del Fortner. From 2003 to 2006 Mr. Fortner directed the Federal mining program for Nevada as Deputy State Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
