NEW MINES ROUNDUP — Noranda looks to 1999 start for Bell Allard

Operator Noranda (NOR-T) is looking to start production at the Bell Allard zinc-copper mine in Quebec’s Matagami region by the second quarter of 1999.

Capital costs for the 2,000-tonne-per-day operation are estimated at $106 million. Current reserves of 3.2 million tonnes grading 13.77% zinc, 1.5% copper, 43.45 grams silver per tonne and 0.76 gram gold are sufficient for five years of production.

Also planned for 1999 is the development of a exploration ramp from Bell Allard to the Orchan West deposit. Reserves at that deposit are currently pegged at 300,000 tonnes grading 15.85% zinc, 1.72% copper and 29.25 grams silver.