Condor Gold PLC (LON:CNR )(TSE:COG) has commenced a 4,000-metre close-spaced infill diamond drilling programme within the permitted open pit at La India project, Nicaragua.
The programme's objectives are to tighten the drill hole spacing within the planned high-grade starter pits on the principal La India vein, to provide the sample density required to finalize pit designs and mine schedules ahead of production.
The drilling is also targeting nearby inferred resources to upgrade to the indicated level, with a view to including them in the mine plan.
Historical reverse circulation drilling within the main La India open pit will also be replaced with diamond core drilling to enhance sample quality and the database.
"As Condor progresses towards production it has been decided to initiate mine production with high-grade starter pits within the permitted main La India open pit and the permitted high-grade Mestiza open pit,” said Condor Gold chief executive Mark Child in a statement.
La India open pit hosts a probable mineral reserve of 675,000 ounces of gold and is likely to be operated with all-in-sustaining-cash costs of US$690 per ounce.