Partners Aunore, Nova Beaucage begin bulk-sample program

A program to extract a 15,000-ton bulk sample from the Elder gold project in the Rouyn-Noranda area of northwestern Quebec is under way, joint venture partners Aunore Resources and Nova Beaucage Mines report.

Estimated cost of the work program is $7.8 million. In order to remove the bulk sample, a further 6,000 ft of drifting will be required to gain access to ore reserves and also to areas which drilling has indicated to be highly promising, the companies say.

Also, a further 12,000 ft of surface and underground drilling is planned.

In 1987, the companies spent $7.5 million on exploration and development work, including 30,500 ft of surface drilling and 8,700 of underground drilling. In addition, the companies rehabilitated 9,700 ft of old drifts and dug 1,700 ft of new drifts and 2,500 ft of ore and waste passes.

Aunore is the operator and has a 65% interest in the project, while Nova Beaucage retains a 35% interest.