If the company needs money (which it desperately does)
Why do you think that? Do you see any indication that they have been unable to proceed on any aspect of their business plan? Or that they have had to cut back on operations? Seriously, where did you come up with this (I can only think of one source...). You should know as well as I do that SFMI has had no problem getting financing.
why not start extracting all of that visible gold (which is flowing through the tunnel) and bring it to market.
Again, you should know as well as I do that they need a permit to do that. But I'm sure those areas will be among the first targets when they do get the mining permit.
SFMI doesn't need drills or mining equipment if it is so abundant.
You still need a permit even if you're mining using a pickaxe. Removing even loose stuff might be considered mining and require a permit.
Why bother anymore with the tailings?
Because they are profitable to process.
Mine the visible now and use the money to fund the drilling and exploration.