Neues von der Bralorne-Mine (ein Auszug aus der Meldung)
Avino Provides Update On Bralorne Gold Mine
Progress Update
The Company has reviewed three different potential scenarios for developing an operating plan.
The original phased plan was for the future start-up of a small tonnage operation, and during the course of work being completed, our onsite consultants have identified ground and safety issues in the existing 800 level tunnel.
It was determined that the 800 level needed rehabilitative work, and consultants were engaged to review and develop a plan for the repairs. In view of the proposed repairs, which would have restricted mine throughput,
the construction of a new tunnel on the 800 level, which was originally included in a later phase, is now being evaluated. The consultant's recommendations are to construct a new tunnel on the 800 level, due to the age and limiting size of the original main access tunnel, which also has issues with difficult ground conditions.
The future construction of a new 800 tunnel should allow earlier access to the resources below the 800 level.
The recommended new 800 level tunnel would be sized for mechanized equipment (4.5 metres x 4.5 metres) for the long term development of the mine to depth. It would be near the mill, and replace the old 800 tunnel (2.5 metres x 2.5 metres) which was only accessible by small track equipment. The old tunnel would be made safe and would still be used for ventilation, secondary egress, and mine water drainage.
The proposed new mine plan also contemplates testing a different mining method, sub level long hole retreat mining on veins where the hanging wall, foot wall and mineralization are conducive to this method, which
should be safer and more productive than the shrinkage and cut & fill mining methods used in the past.
Combined with the larger new tunnel, the mining operation should be more mechanized and efficient than in the past.
Underground Drill Program and Surface Exploration
An underground drill program will be carried out this year to better define the resources above and below the 800 level. Garth Kirkham, P. Geo., the Company's independent geological consultant for Bralorne, is designing a drill program. The Company also plans to carry out a surface exploration program this year, consisting of mapping and
trenching and possibly some drilling on its expanded ground position that now incorporates the contiguous BRX claims. The program will be aimed at finding near surface veins that could provide early mill feed.
Environmental & Permitting Progress
The Company is in discussions with the Ministry of Mines and Energy ("MEM") and Ministry of the Environment ("MOE") to receive an amended Mine Permit which would be updated to modern environmental and permitting standards that would allow the Company to operate the mine at 100 tonnes per day.
Permitting has taken longer than expected, and is partly a result of the government taking a more rigorous approach to environmental requirements and having many projects at the permitting stage in British Columbia.
If amended as expected, we would be in receipt of a modern permit, which should take less time to amend for
modest future expansions. The Company's senior management and site personnel continue to work closely with the MEM and MOE, and recently met with the Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector to discuss environmental and permitting. It was a very productive meeting, and a follow up meeting is planned for the fall.
The Company is pleased to have achieved the following key milestones since acquiring the Bralorne Gold Mine in 2014 and closed the mill in December due to the Tailings Storage Facility ("TSF") being at capacity
- Doubled the size of the original Water Treatment Plant ("WTP") from 3.5 litres per second to 7 litres per second in 2015 as the mine water runoff during freshet increased significantly;
- Constructed a new state of the art WTP in 2016 capable of treating 35 litres per second;
- Raised the dam for the TSF by 2.4 metres in 2015;
- Constructed a buttress at the toe of the dam for the TSF in 2016 and received approval to use the TSF in September, 2016;
- An Interim Closure and Reclamation Plan was submitted in 2015 as part of the Amendment to the Mining Permit, which was reviewed by all proponents including the First Nations with extensive discussion and feedback, and is now waiting final consultation with First Nations and approval by MEM and MOE;
- Resources, which were updated in an NI-43-101 report dated October 20, 2016, were incorporated into the proposed internal mine plan;
- An independent consulting engineering firm was engaged in 2016 to review the mill and surface infrastructure to determine the best way to upgrade these facilities, and a plan is now in place that has been accepted by the Company;
- In 2016, Bralorne, North Island College, the BC Government and First Nations completed two educational cohorts to provide basic mining training to 24 members of the St'at'imc First Nations in Lillooet; and
- A Letter of Intent ("LOI") was signed with the First Nations in May of 2017 to work together to form partnerships that will be beneficial to the First Nations, the communities and the Company in the development and operation of the Bralorne Gold Mine.
Mill and Infrastructure
During this past year, an independent consulting engineering firm has reviewed the mill and infrastructure to determine which buildings and equipment should be replaced. Unfortunately, most of the equipment is too small for the anticipated higher mill operating rate, and some of the buildings no longer meet the BC building code, due to their age.
Accordingly, new or refurbished equipment is being proposed for the mill.
A separate crushing building is being considered for the mill, with separate fine ore storage, which will provide more space in the current mill building for the larger equipment being considered. The buildings that do not meet code will be upgraded to meet the code, or removed / demolished and then replaced.
The Company is pleased to report that the following work has been completed or is underway:
- Demolition of existing coarse and fine ore bin - Completed
- Simplification of the crushing circuit with a larger primary and secondary crushing plant, which has the potential for future expansion-- Conceptual engineering completed
- Removal of retired equipment (crushing plant, ball mill foundations and pedestals) -- Partly completed
- Construction of new tailings pumping system -- Engineering underway
- Upgrading of existing electrical systems -- Completed
- High Voltage Overhead Line Re-route -- Plans are in progress
- BC Hydro Upgrade Activities -- Plans in progress
- Mill and surface lighting -- Lighting upgrades in all surface buildings to be installed
- Assay lab demolition -- Completed
