Unless the exploration potential outside Opasura East and West...

Unless the exploration potential outside Opasura East and West is shown to exist (moderate chance it will IMO) the ultimate deposit size is unlikely to exceed 5M tons at 5-12% Zn+Pb and more likely to be 2-3Mt or even less. At the latter range AZS have made it their flagship project and are probably intend to proceed to production in some form. Not a view shared by some on this thread but for me the way I have interpreted chats with management at meetings.

The resource calculation below suggests the 5 Mt could be in danger if extensional drilling comes up trumps. Be good - Maybe what Soothsayer's sources were intimating??

Here are some tonnage estimates for Opasura based on the sectional work reported in other posts.
For reference:
Opasura West Sections - ended up in the wrong thread.
Opasura East Sections.

Global Resource Estimate for Opasura Combined.

Approximately 3.4 Mt ~inferred. Higher than I expected in several ways but given the limited accuracy of the calculations a strong confirmation of AZS's original Exploration resource estimate.

Grades may be a couple of percentage points lower but something I had been expecting.

Separating out Opasura East and West:



I have probably over estimated the open pit potential but something Glenn Jardine mentioned at a meeting surprised me a bit so I have chosen this optimistic estimate.
The possible open pit data from the sections was transferred to the plans below. The area outlined in yellow line are zones where the strip ratio and/or grade and/or thickness may preclude open pit operations - some 50% or so?


Supporting data for the very brave non geo or even geo.
Basic Methodology

Opasura East - Sections with block models and break down of block model used.


Opasura West - Sections with block models and break down of block model used.



AZS timelines show their resource estimates are due by the end of the month. I will be interested to see how it compares to the above. What is mineable is another matter which the PEA will deal with in due course.

As always DYOR - there will be errors and omissions in the above work.......