JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – TSX-listed Leagold Mining has received an environmental permit to develop a portal and ramp for the Bermejal underground deposit, which has the potential to increase gold production and extend mine life at Los Filos mine, in Mexico.
With the portal and ramp design completed and being used for tendering, contractor selection will be completed in August.
“Development of the exploration ramp is an important step in advancing Bermejal underground towards production,” said Leagold CEO Neil Woodyer, who added that the development provided an opportunity to carry out additional exploration from underground, and to demonstrate the mining potential that Bermejal underground offers.
The portal design starts at 1 329 m elevation in the bottom of the Bermejal openpit, while the ramp will decline at a 15% slope and extend 1 600 m to the central, high-grade portion of the Bermejal underground mineralisation.
“The portal preparation work is anticipated to commence in the third quarter of 2017, with access to the first stoping area early in 2018 and completion of the ramp to the central sector by the fourth quarter of 2018,” Woodyer concluded.