Tulsequah Chief undergoes public review — Redfern continues work at Estaao in Portugal

The Tulsequah Chief polymetallic project in northwestern British Columbia has entered the public review process.

For the next two months, Redfern Resources (RFR-T) will have its mine proposal examined and scrutinized by interested parties as part of the review process prescribed by the Environmental Assessment Act.

A former producer, Tulsequah Chief hosts minable reserves of 7.9 million tonnes averaging 6.35% zinc, 1.27% copper, 1.18% lead, 2.42 grams and 100.9 grams silver per tonne. The deposit is still open to depth and along strike.

These reserves are deemed sufficient for a mine life of nine years, with production pegged at 2,466 tonnes per day and capital costs estimated at $155 million.

In response to the concern, expressed by some environmentalists, that the mine is in a remote region near a river system, Redfern stresses that the project was previously mined, and says it is “proud” of the extensive studies that support the mine plan and provide environmental protection.

“We are confident that this diligence will be recognized throughout the review period and result in a positive decision for a project approval certificate,” says President Terry Chandler.

The public review period will be suceeded by a final 70-day review by members of the project assessment committee, which includes representatives from the state of Alaska and several American agencies, as well as representatives from the Yukon Territory.

Redfern also is a 10% partner in the Estaao base metal project in the Aljustrel area of southern Portugal. Auspex Minerals (APJ-V) holds a 30% interest, while Cumberland Resources (CDB-T) and International Vestor Resources (IVS-V) each have 10%. The government of Portugal holds the remainder.

Recent drilling at Estaao returned encouraging results, including: one hole which intersected 60 metres containing two zinc-rich sections: 7.3 metres averaging 5.5% zinc, 0.14% copper and 1.2% lead, plus 19.9 grams silver and 0.32 gram gold per tonne; and 13.2 metres averaging 3.98% zinc, 0.24% copper, 1.35% lead, 48.6 grams silver and 1.04 grams gold.

The partners note that the latter interval — along with a separate section which assayed 1.28% zinc, 1.3% lead, 0.39% copper, 54.69 grams silver and 1.7 grams gold over 4.65 metres — indicates a gold-enriched zone in this area of the deposit. They add that the copper-rich footwall zone, discovered earlier in the program, was represented by a section of stringer and massive sulphide mineralization (below the main lens) which returned 1.12% copper, 0.02% lead, 0.59% zinc, 10.31 grams silver and 0.03 gram gold.

Results from additional holes are expected shortly.

A second phase of exploration is scheduled to begin this fall. The program will continue to test the extent of the deposit, which has been drilled over a strike length of 300 metres and a dip length of 300 metres and which remains open downdip, and down-plunge to the northwest. The average thickness is 60 metres.