Since re-opening its heap leach operation at the Union Mine near Grand Forks, B.C. in April, Sumac Ventures (VSE) produced 282.7 oz gold and 8,552.5 oz silver to early August. The company is treating the tailings of a gold-silver mine that had been the principal producer of the historic Franklin Camp between 1904 and 1946.
Last year the company produced 241.5 oz gold and 9,153.9 oz silver from its first heap of 12,000 tons, with a gold recovery estimated at 73% (3% more than expected).
Sumac says two more heaps of similar size are now being leached with a fourth being loaded onto another pad. The company notes that tonnage of the old tailings proved to be about 10% higher than expected; close to 80,000 tons. One of the areas of leachable tailings, previously covered with some mine waste, also provided higher grade; 0.096 oz gold and 3.78 oz silver with at least 10 ft in thickness.
Dr. R. Seraphim, president, says progress is also being made towards processing old dumps (about 5,000 tons) with a recorded grade of 0.108 oz gold and 3.54 oz silver.
Sumac also acquired rights to the old Mascot tailings at Hedley, B.C., but recent legal proceedings have raised questions concerning title to the property which the company hopes to resolve soon in order to begin processing tailings estimated at 685,000 tons with a grade close to 0.06 oz gold per ton.
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