Mining and Processing the Ore;
Protecting the Environment

At this time, at the Birch Lake Bob Bay deposit site, Franconia plans to extract the low-sulfide ore using, at least in part, a common technique known as “room-and-pillar” mining.  Because the Maturi deposit geometry is different, it will require a different mining technique.  Since both will be underground mines, their surface footprints will be much smaller than that of open pit mines.  In addition, much less waste rock will be excavated during development and concurrent with mining operations than would be true of open pit operations.  The waste rock (part of which may be sulfur bearing)  will initially be stored at the surface in an engineered facility.  Later, it may be placed with tailings in the tailings impoundment that will control any potential for acid drainage during the life of the mine and after closure.  During operations, part or all of the waste may be placed underground in the mined-out rooms. 

The ore will be processed in a plant on the Project site, in a two stage operation that will first extract the sulfide minerals that contain the valuable metals .  There is no smelting involved in the processing.  The metals will be separated from the sulfur to go to market or further refining; the remaining sulfur will be neutralized to form gypsum.