Fairfield Minerals sells ore to Asarco

Another gold sale was made by Fairfield Minerals (TSE) from test-mining activities at its Siwash North deposit near Merritt, B.C.

The company sold 2,200 tons of high-grade ore to Asarco, to be processed at the East Helena smelter in Montana. This shipment is estimated to contain up to 7,000 oz. gold and a similar amount of silver.

Fairfield expects to continue open-pit production at Siwash North until mid-October. This is expected to add a further 5,000 oz. gold to the 1993 test-mining program.

Fairfield recently completed a 1,300-ft. decline to provide underground access to the high-grade vein system at two locations, about 300 ft. below the pit.

The company said initial mining along the vein has been “encouraging.” The underground program will continue into November and provide information for a production decision. Fairfield President John Stollery said the Siwash North project has potential for gold output of up to 50,000 oz. per year by 1995.