Getty, Noranda drilling expands Tundra potential

The first two holes of the 1987 exploration season on the Tundra property have confirmed the continuation of gold-bearing zones both at depth and along strike, partners Noranda Inc. and Getty Resources say. Located 130 miles northeast of Yellowknife, N.W.T., the Tundra property is shared 51% and 49% by Noranda and Getty respectively.

Hole F-46, collared 330 ft south of previous deep drill holes, cut the zone at a depth of 1,600 ft. This, the partners say, correlates with high grade gold mineralization intersected by previous drilling 1,400 ft along strike to the north. As a result, Noranda and Getty are anticipating an increase in tonnage. Based on previous work, Noranda calculated probable reserves of 1.28 million tons grading 0.28 oz to a depth of 400 ft.

Some of the better sections in hole F-46, which cut multiple economic intercepts, include 19.7 ft grading 0.26 oz and 11.5 ft grading 0.33 oz. Other sections within the same hole included 8.2 ft grading 0.2 oz, 8.2 ft assaying 0.21 oz and a wide 63.3-ft section grading 0.26 oz. All the sections were cut above a vertical depth of 1,600 ft.

Drilling by the partners has to date traced the mineralized zones along strike for 2,400 ft and to a depth of 1,600 ft. Using an average width of 20 ft, the area has potential for hosting reserves in excess of 6.5 million tons, The Northern Miner estimates. The zones remain open at depth and along strike, thereby adding potential to substantially increase reserves.

The initial 1987 drill program is expected to be completed by the end of April. This will be followed by a reserve calculation, which a Getty spokesman says could be completed by the end of May.