Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/807573
A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 7 www.resourceworld.com 51 and stability and began to modernize the mining and process- ing equipment and facilities. The company also submitted permit applications to resume mining and processing, and developed a new strategic operating plan to achieve profitable operations. The company has engaged independent engineering profes- sionals to assist in developing a project execution plan to enable production start-up of 100 TPD with expansion to 300 TPD. In addition, they will examine a long term mine plan which includes a change to narrow vein, long hole mining wherever possible, to replace the historic labour intensive shrinkage mining method. The first phase of the program is currently underway and involves engineering and construction work that includes: • Demolition of existing coarse and fine ore bin • Simplification of the crushing circuit with a larger primary and secondary crushing plant, which has the potential for future expansion to 500 TPD • Construction of new fine ore bin • Removal of retired equipment (crushing plant, ball mill foun- dations and pedestals) • Exchange of one bank of float cells with new ones • Construction of new tailings pumping system • Upgrading of existing electrical systems • Construction of a new assay lab The second phase of the Bralorne expansion program is sched- uled to commence in 2018 and involves the installation of a larger ball mill and the relocation and upgrade of the existing classify- ing circuit as well as an upgrade of the mobile crushing circuit. The final stage of the expansion program will be to complete upgrades to the existing flotation, reagent and concentrate fil- tration circuits. Finally, the installation of a new process control system and the completion of camp and surface infrastructure upgrades will allow the company to begin processing ore at a rate of 300 TPD. The company's long term plan is to reach a 500 TPD production goal. Once Bralorne is operating again, the company will carry out exploration underground and on surface aimed at adding to the current resource and discovering further high-grade zones similar to what was mined in the past. Avino has clearly outlined its plans for 2017 which involve maintaining profitable mining operations at its Avino and San Gonzalo mines in Mexico and continue to advance the Bralorne Project towards profitable production. The company also states that it will continue to explore regional targets on its Avino prop- erty as well as assess the potential of processing the oxide tailings on the property. Finally, as any growing producer must do, the company is always looking to identify and evaluate additional projects for acquisition. Avino currently has about 52 million shares outstanding and a market capitalization of $131 million. The company's gold and silver production remains unhedged. n