Huldra silver find looks impressive 1 col 18TR

A high grade silver discovery has been made 55 miles north of Hope, B.C., by Huldra Silver. Diamond drilling has proven to be unreliable in delineating the extent and grade of the discovery which typically occurs over narrow widths in a fault- controlled vein structure.

The company has stripped part of the C vein on surface to obtain a more representative sample. In the process, Huldra accumulated 2,400 tons of silver-bearing material 25% of which had a gross value of $1,500 per ton. Magnus Bratlien, president, anticipates smelter returns of $600,000 from this material which will be used to exploit the underground potential of the property.

Channel sampling last year on the C vein at approximately 3-ft intervals yielded average values of 64 oz silver and 11% lead across 2.2 ft for a length of 815 ft. But Mr Bratlien notes the 1987 mining program on the centre half of the zone exposed even greater widths. Considerable stockwork veining was also found which could be indicative of some bulk tonnage potential.

Vein material is very friable so drilling has not provided representative samples. But Mr Bratlien says the company has been careful to sample only metallic ore on surface to alleviate concerns of surface enrichment, of which he argues there is no evidence. He says the fault system is deep-seated and there could be en echelon structures nearby which are unexplored.

Underground development is under way in the C vein. A contract has been awarded to A. J. Beaton Mining for 1,050 ft of drifting and 400 ft of raising which will be financed by a $523,000 flow- through offering. A second adit level is planned to delineate the structure at depth at a later date.