Pit materials are generally classified into Ore materials and Waste Materials. Ore materials contain the valuable metals (Copper, Zinc, Gold and Silver) and delivered to the Process Plant for processing. Materials encountered during the mining of ore that has little or no metallic value are called waste. The waste materials are being used in the construction of the Tailings Dam embankment. Waste materials are further classified into PAF (Potentially Acid Forming) materials, NAF (Non-Acid Forming) materials, unsuitable materials and clay materials.

To distinguish Ore from Waste, Grade Control drilling is conducted ahead before excavation. Benches are drilled and sampled in every 3 meters northing, 3 meters easting and 2.5 meters depth pattern. Samples are assayed to determine the metal contents of the bench. Blocks with high metal contents will be identified as ore, else the blocks will be deemed as waste. Ore blocks will be marked afterwards for proper identification.

Benches are drilled and blasted first to break the rocks before loading and hauling of materials. Blasting is done in every 5-meter elevation intervals. After blast, the materials are carefully identified, excavated and dumped in to their respective dump sites in accordance to their material classifications.

To ensure timely and efficient delivery of materials, haul roads and bench floors are maintained with proper grade and water management. To keep the higher benches dry, all water from rain and seepages are drained to the bottom-most bench of the pit, where pumps are located, and pumped out to the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF).