This case study reviews the Charters Towers vein systems for potential open-pittable bulk tonnage resources in' stockworks, horsetails or multiple vein systems. The review summarises district evaluation undertaken over the last 18._x000D_
months before specific drill evaluations._x000D_
Historical mining from Charters Towers includes in excess of six million ounces at head grades of one ounce per ton. A review and structural studies show most veins as simple, tight systems without significant horsetails or multiple sheeted systems. In addition the normal gold content of the pyritic selvages ('formation') is low and disseminated gold is virtually absent. Shoots are structurally controlled on vein/vein and vein/contact intersections. Historically high production vein systems are hosted by .,.t o of the younger granodiorite phases._x000D_
Geometrically most veins dip shallowly (from 45 to as low as 200) in a north or easterly quadrant. Flat dips permit open cut exposure of considerable vein area at a favourable stripping ratio.