Talapoosa gold property now in permitting stage

Permitting work is proceeding at the Talapoosa project in Nevada.

Miramar Mining (TSE) acquired the property early this year through a takeover of Athena Gold and has since drilled more than 73,000 ft. as part of an exploration program.

The program included more than 64,000 ft. of reverse-circulation drilling and 5,753 ft. of core drilling. Drill spacing was tightened to 150-ft. centres, and the work included condemnation holes in the proposed north and south waste dump areas, as well as in the primary leach area.

Some of these holes returned significant gold values, including an 85-ft. intersection grading 0.051 oz. on the western fringe of the north dump area.

Talapoosa contains a proven and probable geologic resource estimated at 56 million tons grading 0.026 oz. gold and 0.4 oz. silver per ton.

Metallurgy of the predominantly unoxidized resource, combined with expensive option deals on the property, has delayed development. Both Placer Dome and, more recently, Pegasus Gold had optioned the Talapoosa project from Athena, but they dropped these options before earning an interest.

Miramar is proceeding with plans to develop an open-pit, heap-leach operation at the site, with gold recoveries estimated at 55-60%.

Production and cost estimates have yet to be released; a final feasibility study is expected by year-end.