- One of the ways minerals are extracted from epithermal and porphyry deposits is by the use of open pit mines. These mines are significant challenges to progress from exploration to operational mining. Exploration would identify the prospect. Detailed exploration would identify showing (surface indication of mineralisation that requires further investigation to determine its economic value). Reconnaissance drilling would allow Pre-Feasibility to identify deposits (resources). Delineation drilling would allow Feasibility to identify deposit (reserves). At that point ready for Financial Investment Decision.
- The final open-pit mine design is an optimization problem that integrates geological, economic, geotechnical, operational, and environmental variables to define the ultimate pit limits, bench and inter-ramp geometry, and overall slope angles. These factors are used to balance economic efficiency with the geotechnical requirements for stable walls and long-term operational viability.
- The presence of groundwater and particularly shallow hydrothermal reservoir fluids adds a significant complication, but is technically and commercially able to be safely and efficiently considered to allow economic mine development and operations. Using any geothermal fluids for energy is a significant benefit.
