Echo Bay to test Cameron grades with sampling tower

In the absence of available custom milling facilities, Echo Bay Mines (TSE) and Nuinsco Resources (TSE) are taking the only route open to them, by bringing in a sampling tower to test ore grades at the Cameron Lake gold project in northwestern Ont.

Widely used on archaen-type gold deposits, the tower pulverizes and blends the ore to provide a representative sample of the material inserted.

The erratic distribution of the Cameron Lake ore means that drilling alone cannot determine if grades are sufficient to support an economic mining operation.

As part of a feasibility study, operator Echo Bay will spend about $100,000 to conduct bulk sampling tests on about 15,000 tons of stockpiled ore.

The ore was extracted recently from the 365-ft, 490-ft and 685-ft levels where Echo Bay is conducting a 17,000-ft drill program from two lateral drifts.

As reported (N.M., May 16/88), the program is designed to place 875,200 tons grading 0.175 oz gold per ton of possible reserves in the proven category. An additional 32,700 tons grading 0.182 oz of probable reserves is also waiting at Cameron Lake to be proven up.

“One of the main purposes of the bulk sampling program is to evaluate the distribution of gold and establish the actual grades of mineralized zone which yield inconsistent assay results from drilling alone,” said Nuinsco President Douglas Hume.

“Testing of stockpiled ore is expected to prove within reasonable limits over-all grade of the mine,” Hume said. Approximately 9,500 ft of ramp and underground drifting from surface to the 685-ft elevation will be in place by the end of May.

Having completed 62,000 ft of underground drilling on the 365-ft, 490-ft, and 685-ft levels, Echo Bay will also do another 10,000 ft of core drilling. That will include 5,000 ft of deeper drilling to test the ore zone below 685 ft.

When the underground program is completed at the end of June, Echo Bay and Nuinsco will spend about three months evaluating data before deciding whether or not to go ahead with production.