EDI has already commenced a road expansion, run-of-mill processing, maintenance of the open pit, and tailings removal from the leach pad to the holding pad. The start-up of the crushing circuit is projected on or before October 30.

Inception noted that EDI will be excavating, hauling and crushing ore to a predetermined size under its deal, using American-made equipment. The newer, larger calibre equipment should be ideal for its expected goal of 750-1,000 short tons per day (680-907t/d) with a crushing capacity to 2,000 short tons per day (1,814t/d).

"Awarding the contract to EDI will give the company the capacity to continue our expansion and increase total tonnage to an expected 230,000 [short] tons annually," CEO Trent D'Ambrosio said, noting that the per-tonne cost is significantly lower with the new outfit.

"This expected increase will exceed the 2017 (90,356.29 short tons) and 2018 (91,931.49 short tons) rates…and will provide a more consistent crushing size, with the potential to increase recovery."

US-based Inception Mining's Clavo Rico also has a heap leach facility and on-site adsorption - desorption - regeneration (ADR) plant.