Altiplano Metals Inc (CVE:APN) has upgraded the ventilation system at its Farellon copper-gold mine near La Serena, Chile.
The company said the implementation of the new ventilation system is part of the ongoing development at Farellon as Altiplano prepares for optimizing mine output over the next few months in advance of the mill start-up.
Altiplano said the upgrade in ventilation improves operational efficiencies by increasing the number of allowable operating equipment, reducing the time needed for restart after production blasts, and increasing the number of active mine faces.
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And these changes provide the opportunity to employ greater selective mining methods which are designed to improve the grade and increase the total tonnes extracted from about 3,500 tonnes/month currently to the maximum permitted limit of 5,000 tonnes/month.
Also, the company said the upgrade of the ventilation system focuses on ensuring optimal ventilation is available to maintain the underground health and safety protocols and the well-being of the work crew as the Farellon mine advances to lower levels and operates on multiple headings. The new system will also add additional safe exit points through escape ways as part of the raise system that will be created to support air flow between the working levels.
Altiplano said the ventilation system is designed to achieve a flow rate of 53 kCFM (cubic feet per minute) and involves the installation of a new 125 HP main exhaust fan, located in the northwest outside area of the mine, and three auxiliary fans located in the operational levels of the mine.
Mine development and civil work on the system have begun with final completion expected in mid-June, the company added.
"Investing in infrastructure to ensure the well-being of our staff while increasing operational efficiencies are top priorities,” said CEO Alastair McIntyre in a statement. "The ventilation system upgrade not only reduces the contaminants produced by the equipment inside the mine but also reduces the time after advancement rounds by 70%. With improved airflow, we are able to reduce the time to complete a mining cycle by 20% and thus our time underground and output is optimized."
He added: "With the ventilation upgrade in place, we can improve on our mining costs and grade while positioning ourselves to receive an increased output of high-grade material at the mill to take full advantage of lower processing costs."
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