Oct 6 2016
Minera Alamos Inc. (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to provide an update on the development work underway 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 Pre-Feasibility 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, etc. 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 workforce 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 underway 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 Q2 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 Quebec. Certain upgrades and arrangements are underway in preparation for shipment later this year.
- All equipment and component parts have been inventoried and cataloged in detail in preparation for export;
- All of the large mill motors have been shipped to an offsite 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 twenty shipping containers have been packed or re-packed 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.