TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Colorado-based Atna Resources has successfully modified its Pinson mine water pollution control permit, which would allow the operation to mine up to 400 000 t/y of ore for offsite gold processing.
The company on Tuesday said the modification replaced the former Pinson exploration project permit, which allowed the mining of up to 36 500 t/y of ore.
"The approval of this permit for our Pinson gold mine is a major development for Atna's future growth and profitability. It will allow us to increase mining levels up to our ultimate goal of 1 000 t/d of ore production,” CEO James Hesketh said.
He added that gold production at the Nevada mine is expected to steadily increase through the year with significantly higher levels of production in the second half.
Atna said work at Pinson was focused on primary development of spiral ramp access and multiple laterals to ore stoping areas, along with the development of underground infrastructure, including ventilation, water, compressed air, maintenance facilities and ground support.
Further, ore production and backfill operations in developed stoping areas were expanding. The construction of surface infrastructure facilities and dewatering wells was also under way with many tasks reported nearing completion.
The company was also adding to its staff and personnel on an ongoing basis to support increased levels of operation and development.
The company’s shares traded at C$1.10 apiece on the Toronto bourse on Wednesday.