Jonpol seeks partner while proceeding quietly at Garrison

Although still seeking a joint venture partner for its Garrison gold project, near Matheson, Ont., Jonpol Explorations (TSE) continues to probe the gold zones which remain wide open in all directions on the property. Jonpol sees the possibility of extending the main “JP” zone to the west, where limited drilling has indicated grades of over 0.15 oz. per ton. The company would also like to probe the depth potential of the gold zones, but will need additional funds for the expensive deep drilling.

Above 1,000 ft., Jonpol has outlined preliminary reserves of 513,800 tons grading 0.28 oz. gold per ton at a cutoff grade of 0.15 oz.

Drawing comparisons to Freewest Resources’ (TSE) Harker- Holloway property, 10 miles to the east, Jonpol’s consulting geologist Daryl Drummond said if Jonpol could only secure the money for further drilling, “we’d be right up there with Freewest.”

Both projects lie along the prolific Porcupine-Destor fault zone, and both exhibit a similar type of alteration zoning. Drummond, speaking at the company’s annual meeting, said that having seen some of the Freewest core, it was difficult to discern the difference between the two deposits.

But while the jury is still out on the kind of recoveries Freewest can expect, Jonpol is assured of a high arsenic content in its ore. Earlier this year, LAC Minerals (TSE) pulled out of the project because of the high percentage of refractory ore in the mineralized zones.

Still, recent testing shows that by producing a flotation concentrate, Jonpol can recover 85-95% of the contained gold at Garrison. Deak Resources (TSE), which is seeking a $4-million loan from the Ontario government to refurbish the old Kerr Addison mill in Virginiatown, Ont., has offered to mill the ore at a rate of $36 per ton.