Geophysics start in Costa Rica

Airborne geophysical surveys are under way on Costa Rican properties held by Barrick Gold (TSE), Lyon Lake Mines (ME) and Placer Dome (TSE).

The three companies hold adjacent ground in the Sarapiqui belt near the Nicaraguan border.

The two majors have concessions of about 300 sq. km each, and Lyon Lake has about 80 sq. km. On Placer Dome’s Cerro Crucitas concession, substantial drilling has outlined a volcanic-hosted, epigenetic gold deposit. Placer Dome’s initial gold discovery in 1994 brought Barrick and Lyon Lake into the area.

The three companies are collaborating on the aerial survey and expect to have results by mid-September.

Lyon Lake plans electromagnetic and radiometric surveys for its Beta Vargas property, about 90 km southwest of Cerro Crucitas. Beta Vargas is a 39-sq.-km land package where a low-grade gold deposit is under development.

Lyon Lake has submitted a final feasibility study and an environmental assessment to regulatory authorities and expects to have approval for production in the near future.