Minig exploration

Other highlights of the province’s active exploration scene include a gold showing in the Gaspe, a potentially large nickel-copper showing in the Lac St. Jean region which is struggling to prove itself, and graphite exploration in an area near the Labrador border known for its iron ore deposits.

The base-metal find which caught everyone’s attention is in Louvicourt Twp., east of Val d’Or, where reserves could total as much as 40-50 million tons, according to some analysts. At presstime, published geological reserves stood at 25 million tons, including 18 million tons grading 2.8% copper and 2.8% zinc.

Joint venture partners in the project are Aur Resources (TSE) and Societe Miniere Louvem (TSE), a couple of small gold producers in the province. Their discovery attracted the attention of the seniors, in particular Teck Corp. (TSE) and Cominco Ltd. (TSE), which have an option to acquire shares in Aur, and Noranda Inc. (TSE), which through an affiliate has a similar arrangement with Louvem.

In the Gaspe region, near Matapedia, three prospectors uncovered a quartz vein containing calcite and stibnite, samples of which graded 0.23-0.9 oz gold per ton. The Gaspe is best known today for its copper deposits being mined by Noranda’s Mines Gaspe at Murdochville. Geologists at Murdochville continue to explore for copper in the area of the mine.

The most highly publicized company involved in the Lac St. Jean staking rush is perhaps McNickel Inc. (COATS), whose shares raced ahead as interest peaked, then dropped back, following the release of not-so-exciting drilling results.

By the end of September, the company had completed 46,000 ft of drilling representing 140 holes, covering a length of 7,500 ft within the large sulphide zone which crosses the property. Complete analyses from 58 of those holes, and partial results from a few other holes, indicate a widespread nature of mineralization, the company reports. Using a cut-off grade of 0.2% nickel, the intersections in 21 of the holes graded 0.27% nickel, 0.15% copper and 0.04% cobalt along an average core length of 47 ft.

Near the town of Fermont and the Labrador border, Societe d’Exploration Miniere Mazarin (ME) continues to increase tonnage at its high grade flake graphite Lac Knife deposit. Reserves of almost 9.4 million tons (all classes) grading 16.7% graphitic carbon have been outlined to date.

Zinc exploration has been commanding more exploration attention. One such zinc project undergoing a thorough drilling program is the Grevet M property near Quevillon, in the Matagami region of the province’s northwest.

VSM Exploration (ME) is earning a 50% interest in the Grevet M property from Serem-Quebec, an exploration company controlled by French interests. At summer’s end, the companies were reporting reserves of almost three million tons averaging 8.9% zinc, 0.48% copper and 1.16 oz silver per ton. The companies are anticipating a near doubling of reserves to about 5.5 million tons, following completion of a drilling program this autumn.

Planning to bring a zinc-silver project near La Sarre into production are Normetal Mining Exploration (ME) and La Sarre Mining Exploration (ME). The property hosts a former polymetallic producer, the Normetal mine. Proven and probable reserves of 160,000 tons grading 13.5% zinc and 1.4 oz silver have been outlined to 450 ft below surface. Additional geological reserves of 431,000 tons averaging 12% zinc and 1.5 oz silver have been uncovered to a depth of 1,300 ft. About 30 miles north of Val d’Or, operator Abcourt Mines (ME) and project partner Resource Val d’Or (ME) are hoping to have thei r Vendome zinc prospect in production by spring, 1990. Lead, copper, zinc and gold mineralization is also associated with the deposit.

Three deposits have been identified on the property, which was explored previously and hosts underground workings. The largest deposit contains estimated reserves of 542,000 tons grading 7.9% zinc, while the other two deposits combined contain estimated 408,240 tons of reserves.

Turning to gold prospects, Minnova Inc. (TSE) and Thunderwood Resources (TSE) have been wrapping up a feasibility study at the Donalda property near Rouyn- Noranda. Drill-indicated reserves of 804,000 tons grading 0.25 oz gold have been outlined.

In the Casa Berardi area, Inco Gold and Golden Knight Resources (TSE) are gearing up to open a second gold mine, at their West zone property, by mid-1990. Underground work has included the extension of the ramp to the 1000-ft level, which will allow for exploration below that level. Diluted, mineable reserves to 1,000 ft are estimated to exceed 2.2 million tons averaging 0.24 oz gold. The companies opened their Golden Pond (East zone) mine in September, 1988.

Radisson Mining Resources (ME) and its wholly owned subsidiary Duquesne Gold Mines are planning to extract an 11,000-ton bulk sample this year from the Duquesne gold property, 20 miles north of Rouyn-Noranda. Probable reserves at the project stand at 565,330 tons averaging 0.26 oz. Possible reserves of 183,000 tons grading 0.21 oz are also indicated.

Also near Rouyn-Noranda, Aunore Resources (ME) and Nova Beaucage Mines (TSE) are awaiting the results of a feasibility study into how best to treat material (on-site or custom milling) from their Elder project. Development work at the property, a former producer hosting reserves (all classes) of more than one million tons grading 0.155 oz, has been placed on hold pending improved market conditions.

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