Proving up resources is different from mining. Yes, it would be much easier to drill on the top than to drill in the confines of the Sinker. If the veins are fairly homogeneous, then some relatively widely spaced holes could prove up quite a bit of resources according to the 43-101 standard. But then you still have to get the gold and silver out. On top of the mountain they would be restricted in how much of the year they could operate because of snow. That's why the Sinker was constructed, so that there could be access to the veins all year round. But then underground mining (i.e. Sinker) is more expensive and complicated than surface mining- at least to a point. I think even on top the gold is concentrated enough in veins that open pit mining (such as is done on the neighboring mountains) would not be the first choice, and would also run into a lot of opposition as far as permitting. Even getting permits for new underground mines on the top, maybe even just for reopening older shafts, would probably be a more complicated and lengthy process than permitting the Sinker.

There are a lot of decisions to be made here. Which is more expedient, drilling on top or in the Sinker? Which will produce more quickly, which will prove up resources faster (even if not to 43-101 standards), which will lead to mining more quickly? Is it better to start mining the top, even if it means mining only part of the year? These are not easy questions, and certainly not ones that should be answered by amateurs. I really wish they had some real mining professionals in charge.