Narrow surface and sub surface gold veins mining is a real challenge for mining engineers and geologists as well. Though strike and dip are clear and almost regular but discrepancies in grades are significant. high stripping ratio is annoying and might eliminate the project; in addition to the challenge of controlling dilution and contamination. In north and sub Saharan african countries open pit mining method is a favoured option because of lack of technology and equipment to go underground. Though numerous optimisation softwares are available but results and revenues from the extracted ore might not be satisfying enough. Viewpoints on the optimum workable design differ as how the planners and designers are reserved and very strict about geotechnical parameters. As a planner and designer it's your role to decrease and optimise costs and to maximise revenues. Complexities of rock formations are annoying for designers if encountered where first thought comes to mind is how to balance between stability and stripping ratio and hence operating cost, stability will for sure outweighs all other considerations but will not be digested easily as a justification by minds of those investors who are just been convinced to develop from artisanal mining into organised registered project. These complexities could be utilised in changing design parameters (face angle, bench width and height) in a single bench and other benches after been examined against stability of the single bench and overall mine slope; that will bring tangible effect on decreasing stripping ratio and maximising revenues as well. We are still comfortable about stability when taking into account the very long arid seasons and very deep water table and if we do consider controlled blasting. I am very satisfied using this strategy that makes both me and the investor happy. Eng. Mohamed Tawfig https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mohamed-tawfig-k-wahbi-78707739_mining-minedesign-mineplanning-activity-7205473784764575744-80J8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAgEupcB-Hj1pBs5MO3Hwpz-mSY0JVAJGkI