The initial plan for Hay Mountain was to drill two holes of 1,000 feet each. I think they did that. So, estimates to the top of the skarn would put it at from 1,000 feet to some lower depth, not 2,000 feet+.
Call me slow-witted! I am sorry for any confusion and possible anxiety-producing effects of that misunderstanding. An open pit from around 1,000 feet down is doable, I think. 2,000+ may be iffy. But grades can trump everything.
...still haven't seen the PR come across on Yahoo!