Drilling on the Bralorne mine project in the Bridge River area of southwestern British Columbia has returned gold values for partners Avino Mines & Resources (VSE) and Bralorne-Pioneer Gold Mines (VSE).
The drilling targeted extensions of production veins between the old Bralorne and Pioneer mines. The two mines, which are separated by a 2,000-ft. gap of relatively unexplored ground, produced more than 4.1 million oz. gold over a 50-year period.
Hole 95-1 targeted the 52 vein, intersecting 3 ft. grading 0.42 oz. per ton at a depth of 606 ft. The hole went on to intersect a second, previously unknown vein, returning a half-foot intersection grading 1.27 oz. Hole 95-2 targeted the Taylor vein, returning a 1-ft. intersection grading 0.16 oz., as well as a 3-ft. intersection grading 0.36 oz.
Holes 3, 4 and 5 intersected 1.5 ft. grading 0.11 oz., 1.5 ft. grading 0.31 oz. and 1 ft. grading 0.056 oz., respectively.
The joint-venture partners plan to re-open the mine following receipt of a mine development certificate from the provincial government. Development plans involve mining reserves, left behind by previous operators, above the 800 level; workings below this level are flooded.
In 1988, Corona spent about $3 million exploring and rehabilitating the mine’s old workings in an effort to block out a minable reserve. That company estimated the accessible reserves above the 800 level at 56,500 tons grading 0.33 oz.
Reserves above the 800 level are estimated at 182,000 tons grading 0.35 oz., and additional ore will be outlined as development proceeds. Mining and milling operations will start at about 200 tons per day, ramping up to 450 tons at a later date. The initial capital cost is estimated at $5 million, based on a 200-ton-per-day operation with annual output of 20,000 oz. at an average cash cost of US$250 per oz.
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