Barkerville Gold Mns Ltd BGMZF

Pit or Underground???

[Cognition777]

I was hoping the new crew was going to be serious about the option of mining underground for the Cow Mountain ore as previous NR's had hinted (far easier to permit, and less stripping of waste). It's a choice between mining 10x the amount of ore to extract 2x the amount of gold @ 2.3g/t in the pit design, versus underground extraction of 11.4g/t and having to haul and mill 10% as much ore 90km away at the QR mill. I prefer the underground option because:
- faster cash flow from milling richer ore
- better profits without 90km haulage expense (fuel, wear & tear, trucker wages, seasonal shutdowns, etc)
- preserving the mills life expectancy and no need to boost milling capacity

It appears from the NR on the 26th of April that pit option is still being pursued, or at least remains an option. FWIW, there is so much remaining land to be drilled, I would prefer the faster cash flow... especially because going for 2x the ore in a pit model, does not translate any close to 2x the profit because of the stripping, hauling, substantially more time, 10x the haulage costs (fuel, wear, wages), 10x the wear and maintenance of the QR mill, 10x electrical, even presumably 10x the maintenance on 90km of roadway, etc etc etc
Still have my fingers crossed that the geological model shows underground mining is feasible and that the following statement is on b/c they are still comparing both models... 

Any serious thoughts or comments? (please keep in mind that I refuse to engage in an intellectual battle with an unarmed person...)

"The 41,000 metre Phase II program will take into account results from Phase I and will be utilized to further optimize the economics of the conceptual open pit. The second phase will also encompass geotechnical drilling for the purposes of optimizing pit walls as well as collection of fresh material for detailed metallurgical test work"  - NR April 26th

[Flintstone60]

I think you are right bout the underground option. BGM will analyse it, and then decide for the best way...

[Cognition777]

Flint... I was referring to the Cow Mountain deposit.. the pic you posted is the existing Bonanza Ledge pit and ore body beneath. I also like their plan to go underground for the Bonanza ore and branching over from there to the BC Vein, but do you agree that underground is preferable for the Cow Mountain deposit as well (if it is possible?) or would you like to see them extract every oz of gold

[Flintstone60]

I know. Did not write bonanza ledge to the picture. Referring Cow Mountain. I'm sure the new BGM Team will carefully analyse all datas (drills) and will come to the best method to make as much cash as possible. One thing, that speaks for open pit is, if they can work on the pit with sorters. At bonanza ledge they discussed it. They decided to sort the ore on the pit not by machine but by view

[Cognition777]

Nice!  Thanks for the explanation.