Substantially higher revenue and earnings were enjoyed by MSV Resources (TSE) in 1994, compared with 1993.
Greater production and improved metal recoveries enabled the company to almost double revenue to $51.1 million from $27.4 million, which caused net earnings to soar to $5.1 million from $533,000.
The rise in output is attributed to the operation of both the Copper Rand and Portage copper-gold mines near Chibougamau, Que., for the full year. (They had operated only marginally for 10 months in 1993.)
MSV expects production to increase further, as the Eastmain gold project, also near Chibougamau, comes on-stream this year.
Mine development and preproduction work at the Eastmain started last September, with the opening of the main ramp. To date, more than 5,577 ft. of ramp development have been completed, and both the A and B zones have been opened on several levels.
About 55,000 tons of ore were delivered to Chibougamau, where milling has just commenced, before the winter road was closed in March.
In 1995, MSV expects to process about 550,000 tons for the Copper Rand and Portage mines, over and above the Eastmain material. This is expected to yield roughly 15 million lb. of copper and 74,000 oz. gold.
In addition to giving consideration to opening the Cedar Bay mine, MSV is carrying out underground development of the Inner Block copper property, held by Corner Bay Minerals (TSE). Both projects are also near Chibougamau. Reserves at the Inner Block stand at 1.06 million tons averaging 5.28% copper. MSV and Cache Explorations (ME) can acquire the property by spending $16 million on underground development.
Be the first to comment on "Quebec mines add lustre to MSV"