Cominco to continue work on Estella

After identifying high base metal values during soil sampling in 1989, Cominco (TSE) plans further work on the Estella property near Kimberley, B.C., in 1990. The work will include geophysical surveying, geochemical surveying, and diamond drilling. The property is the result of a pooling of interests by Bethlehem Resources (VSE), Bakra Resources (VSE) and Cominco. Under the agreement, Cominco must fund and carry out $2 million in exploration, after which a joint venture will be formed and expenditures split according to each company’s working interest. Bethlehem and Bakra each will have a 20% interest in the joint venture while Cominco will hold 60%.

The Estella property, about 28 km east of Kimberley, produced 118,000 tons of material grading 3.5% lead, 8.2% zinc, and 1.7 oz. silver per ton in the 1950s and 1960s.