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Altiplano Improves on Ventilation at Farellon to Increase Productivity
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 17, 2021) - Altiplano Metals Inc . (TSXV: APN) (WKN:...
About this update from Altiplano Metals Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Altiplano Improves on Ventilation at Farellon to Increase ProductivityEdmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 17, 2021) - Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) (\"Altiplano\" or the \"Company\") is pleased to provide an update on the underground operational activity at the Farellon Copper-Gold (Cu-Au) mine located near La Serena, Chile.As part of the continuous improvement practices at Farellon, the Company has engaged an engineering firm to design and install a new ventilation system for the Farellon mine. The implementation of the new ventilation system is part of the ongoing development at Farellon and prepares the Company for optimizing mine output over the next few months in advance of the mill start-up. 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. 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 the current approximately 3,500 tonnes/month to the maximum permitted limit of 5,000 tonnes/month. The upgrade in the ventilation system also 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. 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. CEO Alastair McIntyre commented, \"Investing in infrastructure to ensure the well-being of our staff while increasing operational efficiencies are top priorities. The ventilation system upgrade not only reduces the contaminants produced by the equipment inside the mine but also reduces the time after advancement rounds...