Noranda to produce from Isle Dieu mine in July ’88

Production from the rich Isle Dieu zinc deposit near Matagami, Que., is scheduled to begin by July, 1988. Discovered in late 1985 by Noranda Exploration, the Isle Dieu deposit hosts reserves of 2,064,200 tons grading 17.78% zinc, 1.03% copper, 2.34 oz silver per ton and 0.013 oz gold per ton. This figure incorporates a 15% dilution factor, a company spokesman told the The Northern Miner during a mining convention here. The property is controlled by Isle Dieu Mattagami Mines, a Noranda affiliate.

Shaft sinking, which will continue to a depth of 2,125 ft, is currently at the 1,100-ft level. The $35- million project comes as a blessing to the town of Matagami which depends on Noranda’s mining operations in the area. The Isle Dieu mine will replace some of the lost production from the Matagami Lake mine, expected to close down sometime next year. The latter mine is located approximately one mile southeast of the Isle Dieu deposit.

Although Isle Dieu will be mined at 850 tons per day — a rate which will replace only half the lost production from Matagami Lake — the difference in grade will result in twice the amount of concentrate being produced. Zinc grades at Matagami Lake range around 5%-6%.

Also, continuing exploration of the Isle Dieu property is yielding encouraging results. Two deep holes completed in May, 93 and 94, intersected the important tuffite horizon which hosts the Isle Dieu deposit. These holes, drilled near the southern boundary of the property, cut the favorable geology at a depth of 3,000 ft. A spokesman at Noranda’s display at the convention noted that hole 94 displayed 1%-2% visible sphalerite, the primary mineral of zinc. Assays from the holes are expected shortly.

For 1987, Noranda plans to spend another $500,000 on five deep drill holes which will be spotted south of the deposit.