LOS FILOS

PROCESSING

The project has been designed as a heap leach operation utilizing a multiple-lift, single-use leach pad.  Crush leach (higher grade) ore will be processed by crushing, agglomeration and heap leaching.  Low grade ore will be processed by ROM heap leaching.

Crushing of the higher grade ore will comprise a two stage, closed circuit system.  The crushed product will discharge via a specially developed mine shaft to an overland conveyor and radial stacker system to a stockpile.  Ore will be reclaimed from the stockpile and fed to an agglomeration drum where cement will be added to the crushed material together with barren process solution and mixed with high strength cyanide solution.

A series of pad overland conveyors will transport the agglomerated crushed material to a Rahco system that will construct the heap.  ROM ore will be stacked using trucks and bulldozers.  The stacked ores will be leached using a drip irrigation system for solution application.

Gold and silver recovery will take place in a carbon adsorption-desorption-recovery plant utilizing four trains of five cascade columns each.  Commercial production at Los Filos began January 1, 2008 and gold production for the year is expected to be approximately 280,000 ounces.