Aurcana Silver reported several areas of advancement at its Revenue-Virginius (RV) polymetallic mine in Ouray, Colo., including an imminent resumption of operations at its mill.
Last week, the company said its wholly owned operation is continuing to focus on the completion of the No. 1 Alimak raise hoist/elevator system between the 2000 level and the four levels being developed above 2000. In addition, work for stoping on the 1800 level of the Virginius vein continues, along with ongoing process plant improvements.
Aurcana anticipates resumption of the mill in mid-January; it will run as stop ore is available. During a mill run last December, crews realized a significant improvement in concentrate quality, a trend the miner is hoping will continue with the upcoming restart.
Completion of the No. 1 Alimak raise hoist/elevator project remains targeted for May 2022. The No. 1 raise hoist, it noted, will provide personnel and material transport to the upper levels of the Virginius mine.
“This hoisting system will have an immediate positive impact on mining productivities and subsequent mine development and production and mill production,” the company said. “The improved access to the upper levels of the Virginius and other veins is expected to also enhance future exploration and development activities at the mine.”
Operations at RV are currently focused on the optimization of 1800 level stope mining, with stope ore stockpiled underground in anticipation of the mill’s restart. As of early January, the mine had two stopes available on the 1800 level to supply the mill with high-grade silver ore with a third stope partially completed.
“We are very pleased with the grades we are encountering, and the fact these grades are significantly higher (83%) when compared to the geologic model; this gives us great confidence in our ore body,” said CEO and President Kevin Drover.
Aurcana Silver Corporation owns both the Revenue-Virginius mine in Colorado and the Shafter-Presidio silver project in Texas. Both are fully permitted for production.
Source: Aurcana Silver Corp.