RE:Phase 1 to Phase 2 Development at Sangdong1dollarinto2 wrote: Related to the comment today, and mentioned previously, about having loads of ore already at the site from underground development.
In the ramp up from phase 1 to phase 2 production levels, can someone remind me if all of the work required for this doubling of production is underground or is there upgrades to the processing plant.
I think I recall a discussion that the processing plant already has ample capacity for the doubled production level but don't recall with certainty.
The reason I ask, and I understand that benefits of ramping up production in a methodical way thanks to past posts on this forum, but would it be possible to increase production, closer to phase 2 levels before the underground work for phase 2 is complete because of all of the ore already available on site?
Thanks for any input.
1dollarinto2, you really ask a lot of questions.
Good for all Almonty investors.
I will do my best to answer.
- Ore already outside the mine stockpiled is not a great lot, they just dont want to throw it away (high grade). Not important and no issues, but it should be the first raw ore to be processed to make room on site for other infrustructures.
- Ramp up ?
The process plant will initially operate at 50% of the design capacity at a raw ore input of 640,000 Tonnes per year (tpy) which equates to (if it is a 24/7 operation) of 73 Tonnes per hour (tph).
At full design capacity raw ore input will be 1.2milion tpy (133 tph), this does not mean that is the total upper limit, as there is always a contingency plan to over design equipment well above that limit (20-40%) in some cases. Im sure Lewis has done this.
Underground operations can handle much more with Tungsten input and much more when Moly is reached.
Remember that Tungsten has a similar mass to Gold, so what is brought up to the surface by mine dump trucks does not indicate a massive volume of raw ore.
Years ago when the underground contractors were awarded the job, there was some sort of equipment list of what they will use in the mine, drills, front end loaders, dump trucks etc. and there capacities to haul materils.
To your last question, a while ago in an earlier IIF Lewis said they would forgo the 640k tpy plan and move to full 1.2mil tpy production at start up. That has now gone back to the original plan, but it does show that the underground operations are already capable to do this at any time.
Relax, put your feet up, grab a beer, a bowl of peanuts, and watch the show unfold.