Orogrande tests Burnt Pond

In a small drilling program, junior Orogrande Resources (org-v) is testing the Burnt Pond massive sulphide property in north-central Newfoundland.

The 7.25-sq.-km property, which lies 35 km east of the town of Buchans, was originally explored by Noranda (nor-t) in 1973. A follow-up program, including 10 shallow holes, was carried out by Inco (n-v) in the 1980s.

Orogrande plans to drill five holes to test the favourable horizon at a depth of 300 metres, three times deeper than previous drilling. The first two are finished and, not surprisingly, returned stringer and disseminated sulphides in large swaths of alterted volanics. Results are pending.

Meanwhile, partners Thundermin Resources (thr-t) and Queenston Mining (qmi-t) are continuing a feasibility study on the neighbouring Duck Pond copper-zinc property. The study is focusing on the Upper Duck and Sleeper lenses, as well as the open-pit potential of the Boundary deposit.

Combined resources at Duck Pond are pegged at 5.4 million tonnes grading 3.5% copper, 6.4% zinc, 1% lead, 65 grams silver and 0.9 gram gold per tonne.