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Overview
Location:The five exploration properties are located in Argentina in the north-east of the mining Province of Jujuy within the Departments of Rinconada and Cochinoca, close to the Pirquitas Sn-Ag-Zn mining area and close to the south-east Bolivian border and north-east limits of Chile.
Silver Standard Resources Inc, Pirquitas Mine was recently completed at a cost of approx $US250 million, and is expected to produce 10.9 million ounces of silver, 2,500 tonnes of tin, and 6,500 tonnes zinc per year over its 14.5 year mine life, based on current reserves. With proven and probable reserves of 195 million ounces, Silver Standard reports that Pirquitas is the largest silver mine in Argentina and one of the largest primary silver mines in the world.
Geology and Mineralization: The geology of north-west Argentina is divided into three sub-parallel northerly-trending structural belts comprising from east to west, the Sub-Andean Range, the Eastern Cordillera and, the Altiplano (Puna). The exploration area is included in the latter structural belt which comprises Ordovician marine sediments, Tertiary continental sediments and, younger intrusives and volcanic rocks.
Mineral deposits in the region are dominated by base and precious metals as well as sulphur, borax and salts. Proterozoic rocks are dominant and include interbedded sandstones, shales and greywackes of the Ordovician Acoite Formation. These rocks are folded, typically with steeply-dipping axes that strike north to N30oW.
Mineralization at the Pirquitas Mine comprises a polymetallic deposit rich in tin, silver and zinc in the form of veins, stockwork veinlets and disseminations, hosted in the Ordovician Acoite Formation. The mineralization is located on various groups of fractures of which the most important are orientated
N 75 W and N 45 W.
Accessibility: Given the remoteness of this high Andean location it has good and well maintained access comprising the asphalted Highway 9 which heads northwards from the capital town of Jujuy (San Salvador de Jujuy) to the Bolivian border. To the west there is access to the port of Antofagasta in Chile on the newly constructed Highway 52. The nearest commercial airport is at Jujuy. There is a 2km gravel runway at the Pirquitas Mine site and Silver Standard Resources Inc plan to extend this to 3km.
Climate: The Pirquitas area is typical of the Argentine Altiplano: steep, rugged terrain with a distinct wet-dry season with moderate to cool days, cool to cold nights and, frequent strong winds from the west by north-west. The climate is typical for higher Andean regions with cold, dry conditions in winter, more evaporation than rainfall and, an annual temperature of around 80 C. Annual precipitation is around 300mm and is characterized by infrequent torrential rains.
Local Resources: The nearest community is the Nuevo Pirquitas village approximately 10 km from the new mine construction site. This small community has a population of around 200 people who are already benefiting from work at the Pirquitas mine site. The nearest towns are at Susques, situated on the Trans-Andean Highway and, Abra Pampa. Both are 2 to 3 hours drive from the Artha properties.
The nearest larger towns or cities are Jujuy and Salta in Argentina and Calamaand and Antofagasta in Chile
Infrastructure: In 2005, the Chile-Argentina paved highway was completed and allows access from the Chilean port of Antofagasta to the town of Susques in Argentina. From Susques to Pirquitas (a total length of 110km) access is by roads 74 and 74B. These gravel roads are currently being upgraded.
Access from Argentina is also by paved Highway 24 north from Jujuy to Abra Pampa and continuing northwards to the Bolivian border. There are several fairly well maintained gravel roads which head westwards across the Altiplano in the direction of the Chilean border.
There is an existing 2km long gravel airstrip at Pirquitas which allows access by light aircraft, that can fly from Jujuy or, Calama in Chile. The nearest commercial airport is at Jujuy.
Electrical power at the Pirquitas mine is generated from natural gas. The Norandino Argentina-Chile gas line was recently installed and passes to within 36km south of Pirquitas and where a 3" connection has been installed.
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