Feasibility Study and Technical Report - Pretivm

16.2 MINE DESIGN16.2.1 ACCESS AND RAMP INFRASTRUCTUREThe upper elevations of the West Zone and the VOK Zone bulk sample area on the 1,345Level are currently accessible via the existing West Zone portal. The infrastructuredevelopment program will utilize this existing development, effectively developing themine from the bulk sample access drive.The new main access decline will join the main surface portal to the crusher tip andworkshop area on the 1,330 Level. A main cross-over drive on the 1,330 Level will jointhe main decline to the two independent ramps servicing the VOK Zone and West Zone.Figure 16.1 illustrates the general development arrangement.The internal ramps will connect all levels of the mine. The West Zone portal will be usedfor underground access until the completion of the twin declines and portal construction.The southern ramp (VOK ramp) which will service the VOK and Galena Hill zones, and thenorthern ramp (West Zone ramp) which will service the West Zone, were both designed ina race-track configuration for safety, haulage efficiency, and to minimize wear on mobileequipment.The VOK ramp will be developed up and down from the bulk-sample access developmenton the 1,345 Level. The West Zone ramp will be developed up and down from the maincross-over drive on the 1,330 Level.The use of an independent ramp for each zone−as opposed to a single ramp servicingboth zones−was selected in the interest of access and capital efficiency, given that theWest Zone ramp will not be required until mid-way through the mine life.For ease of entry and exit, ramps were designed with a 25 m turning radius and a 15%gradient, levelling out to a 5% gradient in proximity to a level access intersection.Passing bays were incorporated where required, typically at the level access. Figure 16.2shows the ramp system for both zones in perspective view.Pretium Resources Inc. 16-2 1291990200-REP-R0012-02Feasibility Study and Technical Report on the BrucejackProject, Stewart, BC