Norita East mine feeding Noranda’s Matagami mill

A new ore deposit in northwestern Quebec has started providing feed to the Matagami zinc-copper mining operation of Noranda Minerals.

The Norita East zone, developed during a 4-year period at a cost of $13.7 million, hosts reserves of about 705,000 tonnes grading 11.3% zinc and 1% copper (with gold and silver credits), good for about three years of operation at 800 tonnes per day. The official opening took place in late August.

The original Norita mine closed in 1991 after almost 16 years of operation and the extraction of about 3.8 million tonnes of ore.

“Although small in size, Norita East will allow us to increase our feed to the concentrator while providing 30 additional jobs in an area that really welcomes them,” Doug Douglass, mine manager of Noranda’s Matagami division, said.

The new zone lies 1,400 metres to the east and 100 metres under the main mining area. Drilling uncovered the zone in 1985.

Also in the Matagami area, Noranda operates the Isle Dieu zinc-copper mine which entered production at the beginning of 1989. Currently, Isle Dieu hosts estimated reserves of 1.4 million tonnes.