Mr. Chris Frostad reports
MINERA ALAMOS INC. UPDATES PROGRESS AT LA FORTUNA GOLD PROJECT
Minera Alamos Inc. is providing an update on the development work under way at the La Fortuna gold project in Durango, Mexico. Efforts are currently being focused on two principal milestones: completion of the permit applications and preparation of the recently acquired grinding/flotation facility for transport to Mexico.
"The level of project detail required for the permits is not dissimilar from what will be ultimately utilized in our prefeasibility study," said Darren Koningen, president at Minera Alamos. "Once these applications are submitted, we can turn our attention to the final plan optimization and completion of that study. In tandem, we will initiate the refurbishment and staging of the plant in Mexico and begin an exploration program focused on expanding our existing resource base."
Permit applications
Two applications are currently being finalized for the La Fortuna project: the environmental impact statement (manifestacion de impacto ambriental) and an environmental risk study (estudio de riesgo ambiental). The most significant components of these applications include:
- Infrastructure proposals -- Detailed plans covering site layout, areas of
disturbance, access roads, camps, waste water, electricity
generation/access and so on have now been completed providing a thorough
understanding of the project's impact on the area.
- Mine construction -- A mine plan based on the current resource has been
finalized as well as all ancillary plan elements including access ramps,
mine waste locations, storage of surface soil and mine fleet details.
- Plant design -- Based on the specifications of the grinding/flotation
facility purchased earlier this year, an overall plant design has been
produced including design drawings detailing the civil, mechanical and
electrical works. Also now complete are all required flowsheets
summarizing estimated mass and volume flowrates.
- Operational plans -- Operation and maintenance procedures are being
documented including work force estimates, emissions controls, equipment
maintenance, explosives use, and waste generation and management.
- Closure plans -- Also required for inclusion is the project closure plan
specifying landscape performance goals, reclamation technologies,
methods and plans, and long-term monitoring and maintenance.
Discussions are well under way with the local landowners and residents to complete agreements for surface land use. Once these agreements are in place, the application will be submitted and with permits expected to be issued in second quarter 2017.
Mineral processing facility
Earlier this year, the company announced that it had acquired the assets of a previously operational grinding/flotation facility for use in the construction of the La Fortuna project. That equipment currently resides in Val d'Or, Que. Certain upgrades and arrangements are under way in preparation for shipment later this year:
- All equipment and component parts have been inventoried and catalogued in
detail in preparation for export.
- All of the large mill motors have been shipped to an off-site mine
service facility to be inspected, tested and repaired or refurbished as
necessary in preparation for reinstallation at the La Fortuna project.
- To date, approximately 20 shipping containers have been packed or
repacked with equipment in a manner appropriate for transportation.
Work continues at the storage site to complete this exercise.
- Logistics, customs and shipping tenders are being received and reviewed
in order to establish the best mode and route of transportation at
defined and reasonable costs.
We seek Safe Harbor.
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