Underground Pre-Feasibility Study
Chinova Resources
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Chinova Resources engaged Auryn Mining Advisory to review and develop underground mine designs and schedules for the Starra 222 target in Northwest Queensland. This work formed a critical component of the Starra 222 Pre-Feasibility Study, providing the technical foundation needed to assess near-term underground mining potential and support informed investment and operational decisions alongside ongoing open-pit operations. The engagement focused on evaluating previous mine designs, assessing resource models, and testing multiple mining method options and design scenarios to support the Pre-Feasibility Study outcomes.
Working collaboratively with Chinova’s projects, technical services, and operations teams, our consultants completed a comprehensive review of prior mine designs, geological resource models, geotechnical inputs, and earlier project assessments. Existing designs were imported into Deswik.CAD for validation and analysis, with drilling data, block models, and wireframes reviewed to identify potential target mining areas. Using stope optimiser tools, the team evaluated mining inventory across a range of cut-off values, developed key design inputs, and ran optimisation scenarios to define efficient extraction sequences. In parallel, ventilation requirements, mobile equipment needs, and infrastructure considerations were assessed. The mine schedule, prepared using Deswik.Sched, provided the framework for the subsequent economic analysis and cash-flow modelling. Site visits, technical reviews, and weekly progress meetings ensured that all design assumptions, scheduling parameters, and outputs remained fully aligned with Chinova’s operational priorities, risk-management expectations, and project timetable.
The engagement delivered a six-year optimised Life-of-Mine plan that incorporated multiple mining methods, remnant opportunities, and interactions with both historic workings and concurrent open-pit operations. Key outputs included a detailed underground mine development plan, a comprehensive mining cost model to inform pre-feasibility cash-flow analysis, and a practical scheduling framework that—when integrated with other nearby underground resources—supports a stable long-term ore supply to the processing plant. This work provided a technically robust and economically grounded foundation for the Starra 222 Pre-Feasibility Study, helping advance Chinova Resources toward potential project execution.
“Auryn Mining Advisory (Tully Davies) was engaged by Chinova as an independent expert with a scope to produce a PFS level evaluation on the Starra 222 UG.
Tully’s services were selected from a suite of independent consultants based on his technical expertise, adaptability to meet deliverables within a dynamic time frame and his relatability to the wider site team.
The net effect of his deliverables produced a robust evaluation to enable Chinova to make an informed commercial decision based on sound engineering and economic principals.
Tully has an innate ability to understand your business and tailors the services accordingly. It was a privilege to work with him on this project, and I would thoroughly recommend his service offerings for any aspirational junior and/or mid-tier mine developers”.