Name and Location
Toroparu gold/copper project, Guyana.

Client
Sandspring Resources.

Project Description
The Toroparu deposit is located within Sandspring’s 98 214 ha mineral exploration area in the upper Pruruni river area, in Region 7 of north-western Guyana.

Envisaged is an openpit mining operation using conventional openpit mining equipment to mine saprolite and fresh primary rock.

It is expected that the saprolite will be free-dug using a 12 m³ diesel-powered hydraulic excavator that will load 91-t-capacity rock trucks.

The fresh rock will be drilled and blasted, and excavated using 29 m³ electric-powered hydraulic shovels and hauled using a fleet of 291-t-capacity rock trucks.

Mine waste rock will be disposed of in designated stockpiles.

The mine will have a fleet of support ancillary equipment, a well-equipped mine service shop, a warehouse, mine offices and training facilities.

Value
The project is estimated at $481.84-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Sandspring has reported significant progress in the advancement of the prefeasibility study (PFS) for Toroparu, which is expected to be completed in early 2013.

The PFS mine-plan optimisation aims to increase head grade by stockpiling and selectively processing higher-grade resources earlier in the mine life. A staged development execution strategy that focuses on processing saprolite (oxide) resources during primary fresh rock (sulphide) mill construction is being considered.

This approach is designed to reduce initial capital costs and execution risk and to provide earlier cash flow to accelerate the payback of initial capital investments.

The company intends to complete the application process for a large-scale mining licence once the PFS is completed.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Sandspring Resources, tel +1 720 854 0104 or email info@sandspringresources.com.