Project operator NovaGold Resources (TSE) is drilling the holes to provide data on 50-m centres, for a copper-rich zone located immediately below the gold- and silver- rich gossan, scheduled to be mined by open pit methods beginning later this year. Significant lead/zinc values have been intersected below the copper-rich zone.
The first hole in the program (89-15) returned three high-grade intersections between depths of 157 and 170 ft. They include 5 ft grading 1.58%, 5 ft of 10.6% and 3.4 ft of 10.88% copper, according to Exploration Manager Donald Burton.
Approval in principle has been given to the mining project by the provincial government, NovaGold’s Vice-president William Young says. All that is required for final approval is the final engineering design for the mine and mill.
Ultimate pit limits may be extended to provide access to the deeper copper zone, should results of the drilling program justify the extension of the pit, Young says.
Engineering work is being conducted by Fredericton-based Robert Grant & Associates. Eastern Designers, a civil engineering firm is preparing the site to pour footings for the mill foundation.
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