Based on underground test mining at its Siwash North gold project near Merritt, B.C., Fairfield Minerals (TSE) estimates mining costs will be less than US$150 per oz.
A 230-ton bulk sample mined from a representative section of the Siwash North vein system averaged 2.46 oz. gold per ton. The continuity and high grade of the vein were confirmed and ore was mined with much less dilution than anticipated, thus resulting in higher-than-expected recovered grades. A 1,350-ft. decline was driven at a 15% gradient, and subdrifts totaling 300 ft. provided access to the vein on two levels, 250 ft. and 350 ft. downdip from the open pit. This drifting, which provided access for the three raises that produced the bulk sample, yielded an additional 250 tons averaging 1.16 oz.
Late last year and earlier this year, Fairfield carried out test mining of the open-pit portion of Siwash North. Bulk samples totaling 2,030 tons were shipped to a smelter in Quebec, resulting in the sale of 8,700 oz. gold produced at a cost of about US$250 per oz.
Current work is focused on an ore shoot last reported to host 135,000 tons averaging 1.59 oz. Other targets have yet to be explored in detail.
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