Water problems challenge Echo Bay at Cove project

The ramp, about 600 ft below surface, is designed to mine high grade parts of the sulphide gold zones as a supplement to the lower grade ore from the Cove open pit.

Until recently, progress had been hampered because of heavy underground water flows at the working face of the ramp. Since the ramp bottomed late last month, however, the situation has been improving, the company says. The ramp is proceeding upward at a slight incline toward the ore zone, allowing water to drain away from the working face, thereby facilitating progress.

The company says assistance in lowering the water table is also being provided by two additional dewatering wells.

An extension of the ramp is planned to explore the sulphide zone at even greater depth of 1,200, but that program will be delayed beyond 1990 in light of the high costs experienced to date in ramping through the water table.

The vast majority of Cove’s sulphide ore lies beneath the bottom of the planned 1,100-ft open pit. The company says more than 13 years remain in the current 14-year mining plan before the pit will reach that depth.

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