"Perhaps herb's ideas deserve to be aired further as I sure would like to find an alternative to the massive dilution full-scale mine development would inevitably bring."

Even an exploratory ramp requires considerable time in design and permitting to meet eco requirements. A mine of any kind whether small or "full scale" requires the necessary protocol to be observed. One can't just air drop some heavy machines and start blasting and trucking rock out of the area. Everything takes longer than expected. Oh yes, we'd need some roads to put those trucks on too.