Cominco testing two deposits at Kinsley

A second- phase drill program has been completed at the Kinsley Mountain property of Cominco Resources International in Nevada. U.S. Minerals Exploration is the company’s joint venture partner in the project.

The latest program involved 18,000 ft of drilling in 112 holes, bringing the total footage so far to 42,000 ft or 199 holes. Most of the work was along a 6,000-ft mineralized trend which includes two potentially mineable gold deposits located from surface to a depth of 200 ft. Cominco Resources notes that a recent hole in the main zone (No 86) returned 135 ft averaging 0.09 oz gold which is pretty respectable for a heap leach situation.

The joint venture has established drill-inferred reserves of approximately one million tons ranging from 0.06-0.08 oz gold per ton. This reserve is based on 17 holes drilled on 100-200-ft centres. The deposit is conformable within a limestone bed which outcrops and dips gently to the east. In the upper zone, 13 more widely-spaced holes suggest potential for larger tonnages, possibly at a slightly lower grade, says Cominco Resources.

Both deposits are open at depth and along strike. A third deposit, the Access zone, requires further drilling to define continuity and metallurgical characteristics. Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates that the main and upper zones are amenable to heap leach recovery; column testing is currently under way which should provide additional metallurgical data.

A $600,000(US) drill program is in progress to define and expand existing reserves and test several other attractive targets. Three drills are being utilized and the program should be completed by April. Cominco Resources has a 60% interest in the venture and usmx the balance.