Commences Initial Site Preparation At Mina La India
Condor Gold (AIM:CNR)(TSX:COG) has commenced initial site preparation at the location of the processing plant facility at Mina La India, Nicaragua.
This includes the main plant access road from a regional paved highway to the processing plant, in-plant roads and a bypass road. All key areas for the plant layout from the stockpile area to the crushing and grinding machinery to the leach tanks, a laydown area and warehouse will be cleared.
The total area being cleared is 11.26 hectares and is estimated to be completed in three to four months. It demonstrates Condor’s commitment to developing a clear path to production.
Highlights:
- Site preparation commences in area of processing plant facility
- 11.26 hectares of land being cleared of scrub and trees with any disturbed topsoil being stockpiled separately for future reclamation use
- Main access road to plant facility, internal and bypass roads being prepared
- ROM Stockpile area, laydown area, warehouse areas to be cleared.
Chairman and CEO, Mark Child, said the company has purchased 100% of the land to proceed with construction in this area.
“The initiation of site preparation at Mina La India marks a significant landmark in the company’s development as it transitions from a gold exploration and development company to a gold producer.
“Two viewing platforms over the plant area have already been constructed. 25 geotechnical test pits have been completed to aid with the design of the plant layout.
“The focus of the initial site preparation is clearing 11.26 hectares of scrub and trees which will host the key areas of the plant from the stockpile area to the comminution circuit, a laydown area, warehouses, main access road and internal roads.”
The company has am Environmental Permit to construct and operate a processing plant with a capacity of up to 2,800 tonnes per day and associated mine site infrastructure. Over 25 geotechnical tests pits have been completed, which have aided in the arrangement of the processing plant layout.
The initial site preparation includes ground clearance of trees and scrubs, clearing 11.26 hectares of land, and 790 meters of roads are being constructed. The areas being cleared include the construction of a main plant access road from a regional paved highway to the processing plant facility, in-plant roads and a bypass road to minimise traffic through a nearby village.
The initial site preparation includes a laydown area for the processing plant equipment, the location of the stockpile area, the processing plant location and warehouses. The site clearance and construction of two viewing areas over the plant location has been completed. The initial stage of site preparation will use local Nicaraguan firms and local labour thereby creating jobs in the local communities.
Clearing activities will replace trees on a 10 to 1 basis supported by Condor’s tree nursery, which has approximately 7,000 trees; useable wood will either be repurposed or distributed as cooking fuel for local families. Any topsoil will be stockpiled and retained for future use.
A second, more comprehensive stage of site preparation will follow, which will include geotechnical drilling on the location of the SAG or Ball Mill and key infrastructure.
It will include deep foundation excavation for the location of the processing plant, offices, accommodation, warehouses etc and will be extended to the tailings storage facility, water retention dam, explosive magazine, offices, accommodation, internal roads and preparation of a berm.
It will also include surface water diversion channels, drainage piping and placement of structural concrete. The majority of the designs and detailed engineering in the second stage will be conducted by reputable international firms to both local and international standards.
