EXPLORATION ROUNDUP — AMT boosts inventory at North Copper Creek

Toronto-based AMT International Mining (AAI-T) has expanded its copper inventory in southern Arizona.

Reserves and resources rose to 3 billion lb. copper from 2 billion lb., following drilling at the Childs-Aldwinkle, Creek and Old Reliable deposits and the calculation of a new resource estimate for the recently acquired North Copper Creek property.

Reserves and resources now consist of 8 million tons of leachable material grading 0.86% copper per ton, plus 40.5 million tons grading 2% copper from shallow sulphide deposits. A deep sulphide resource consists of 76.6 million tons grading 0.8% copper.

Total resources stand at 125 million tons at an average grade of 1.19% copper, equivalent to 3 billion lb.

Drilling at Childs-Aldwinkle, Creek and Old Reliable consisted of 61 diamond and 45 reverse-circulation holes. Hole 32-2, which intercepted 160 ft. of mineralization grading 2.83% copper, was drilled at the Creek breccia body.

The three deposits remain open at depth, and mine planning and engineering studies are in progress.

Two rigs are currently drilling the Creek breccia, as well as a new breccia — the Doreen. In December, the rigs will be moved to the North Copper Creek property where core drilling will be carried out.

AMT holds a 50% interest in the main Copper Creek property through a joint venture with BHP (BHP-N) and can buy an additional 25% upon delivery of a feasibility study.

AMT is earning a 51% interest in the North Copper Creek property from Phelps Dodge (PD-N).