Roddy Res. getting Bighorn into shape

Plans to put the Bighorn project in Arizona back on track are progressing slowly but steadily, says Roddy Resources President Steven Harapiak.

“We’re methodically clearing out the problems,” at the heap leach operation which has the capacity to produce 1,000 oz gold per month but which was beset by metallurgical and other problems, he says. Between now and the end of the year, the company hopes to be producing at a rate of 500 oz per month, which is the operation’s cash break- even point. Cu rrent reserves at the project stand at one million tons grading 0.06 oz gold per ton. In an effort to boost the tonnage, Roddy has undertaken a program of stripping, mapping and sampling on property at or near Bighorn. Primarily, the company is looking for ore that can be readily trucked to the mill, Harapiak says. Roddy is confident it has overcome problems associated with copper found in the mineralization.

Bighorn is operated by Belmoral Mines (TSE), which earlier this year entered into an agreement with Roddy to acquire up to a 51% interest in the latter by way of a convertible debenture and a share purchase option. Harapiak is also president of Belmoral.