Reserve increase at Prairie Creek

By incorporating results from last year’s drill program, San Andreas Resources (VSE) has beefed up reserves at its Prairie Creek property.

Situated west of Yellowknife, N.W.T., the deposit is now estimated to contain (in all categories) 4.2 million tons averaging 13.01% lead, 14.65% zinc and 5.9 oz. per ton silver, up from 3.2 million tons of comparable grade. Results from drilling in Zone 3 also enabled the company to build structural and stratigraphic models of both vein and stratiform sulphide deposits. The best intersection in 1993 cut 43.6 ft. grading 18.38% lead, 15.14% zinc, 7.79 oz. silver and 0.633% copper. This hole intersected the vein 410 ft. north of the main reserve block and revealed the existence of a fault, believed to be responsible for displacing the main structure (Zone 3) to the west.

San Andreas is planning 40,000 ft. of additional drilling, using two rigs, to start this spring. It expects its 5-million-ton reserve target for a feasibility will be exceeded early on.

The drilling will test extensions of the stratiform and vein deposits within Zone 3, as well as stratiform mineralization in Zone 6. This year’s drilling also aims at testing for stratiform deposits and expanding the existing vein reserves within Zones 7 and 8.

Two showings discovered last year, Zebra and Rico, will be tested by either drilling or trenching in 1994.

The project already has a mill capable of processing 1,200 tons per day, which can be expanded to 2,000 tons.