matt, i try not to say too much here because i hav'nt been on site and am definately not a geologist.

however, i'm still not clear why there seems to be such a reluctance toward the open pit approach here?

it's very early to speculate on feasibility but, it seems to me that with a lower grade/high tonnage/large area situation an open pit (or some hibrid type pit) would be a natural choice. to me, it means the difference between paying $10ton and $40ton processing.

in my laymans mind, if we are looking at an underground approach we're going to need more than 1gr/ton to make it profitable if the $40ton # is reliable. if a pit design (or multiple pits) is possible that number can be lower. i guess time will tell.