Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) has begun underground work on the Hugo Decline to expand to the next targeted working heading at the 352m-level at the Farellon Copper-Gold (Cu-Au) mine located near La Serena, Chile.
The extension will require 60m to reach the operational level and a further 15 m to reach the iron oxide copper gold vein system. To date, 14m have been completed. The decline extension is designed to provide two additional mining access points along the NE and SW drifts and, in the future, provide access to remove the mineralisation from the roofs and floors of the 360m level above. This work is part of the ongoing underground development and sustainability initiatives at Farellon.
To support upgraded ventilation, improvements to surface and underground infrastructure were completed in early December. This work involved the installation of a 125 HP fan at the entrance of the Almendro tunnel and the sealing of existing underground openings from previously mined areas.
CEO, Alastair McIntyre, said the plan consists of a redesigned airflow that injects fresh air through the Almendro tunnel where this air flow will descend and reach numerous production headings at lower levels. The new system will provide the opportunity to conduct two blasts per day and improve the operational time of equipment and manpower underground.
“Increased operational efficiencies generated from the upgraded ventilation and further expansion underground are part of the ongoing development and sustainability activities at Farellon. With our mill construction on pace to be completed in Q1 2022, this work is designed in advance to maximise the output and grade from our mining activities at Farellon in preparation of the facility’s completion,” he said.
Altiplano has generated greater than US$7.2 million from the recovery and sale of approximately 3.6 million pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.74% Cu (2018 Q1-2021 Q3).
Cash flow has been re-invested into equipment, underground drilling, expanding underground development, enhancing ventilation to increase productivity and capacity, and the commencement of the permitted El Peñón fit-for-purpose mill and flotation plant located 15 km from the Farellon site.
For further information please visit: https://www.metalsgroup.com/
