Rouyn, Lac plan new shaft for Francoeur gold property

The sinking of a 3-compartment, 2,500-ft shaft for an advanced stage of exploration and development of the Francoeur property near Rouyn-Noranda, Que., has been announced by Rouyn Mining Resources.

The property is jointly owned by Rouyn Mining and Lac Minerals; the companies will share equally in the $8-million cost of the shaft, which is scheduled for completion in late 1989. The new shaft will be located 2,500 ft northeast of the existing No 6 shaft on the No 3 zone.

Rouyn Mining reports potential reserves have been doubled to about three million tons averaging 0.2 oz gold per ton, the latest estimate the result of a new discovery situated about 1,500 ft west of the newly planned shaft with additions to the down dip extension of the No 3 zone below the 11th level.

The No 6 shaft has been rehabilitated and the company confirms probable reserves of 450,000 tons (included in the above figure) grading 0.19 oz. These reserves are located between the 11th level and surface. The companies plan to take a bulk sample from this area that will be treated at Lac’s Est-Malartic mill.

In other news, surface and underground exploration is in progress at the Wasamac property, also located near the city of Rouyn, which is equally owned by Rouyn Mining and Lac. The companies say rehabilitation of the underground workings is well advanced and re-evaluation of the reported underground reserves is proceeding on schedule.

The 900,000-ton crown pillar grading 0.09 oz gold will be developed this fall. A 10,000-ton bulk sample will be extracted and processed at Lac’s Est Malartic mill.