The geological modelling shows that postmineralization faulting has caused minor offsets in the mineralization and that some of the low RQD zones are due to hydrothermal fracturing as well as postmineral faulting. These aspects help to better understand the geotechnical aspects of the deposit for pit slope stability modelling.

I phoned the office to get an explanation of the significance of this comment. In essence it means that Teck, through the optimization studies, is trying to make a steeper pit slope on the east side. For every degree that they can go steeper it adds many $millions in revenue so there is a strong advantage. Of course, safety cannot be compromised.