Google Earth provides the option of a highly oblique view. In a further closeup of the Esperanza and Venado pit areas, staged access of the ore can be seen, with the access road coming in from the top.
Beyond the curve of the hill at top center n the previous image, along the access road, a loadout area separates mine traffic from road haulage. It also provides close control of the ore. In the photo below, trucks are loaded with ore separately tagged and logged as to its source and grade.
All trucks are weighed, sealed and tagged on the way out, and then at the other end, a matching process is carried out at the Portovelo plant. Ore from various pits is blended at the plant, so as to provide a steady grade to the mill, maximizing recovery percentage. In the future, an on-site plant at Dynasty would eliminate the haulage.
In the images below, the continual sampling and marking out of the higher grades vs. waste rock is shown. Paint and lime are used to mark out the extents and center-lines of veins at each bench level.
The five meter benching is shown on the right. Over time, larger excavators have been used to improve efficiency and cost.
On the left below, an early phase of the Said pit is shown, NE of the Esperanza and Venado pits. On the right, the lay of the land is seen from the ground.
