GoldCorp agreement made on basis of geology T
h
e
É
l
é
o
n
o
r
e
P
r
o
j
e
c
t
•
2
0
0
6
S
u
s
t
a
i
n
a
b
i
l
i
t
y
R
e
p
o
r
t
3
The first recording of exploration
w
ork on the Éléonore property dates
back to 1964 when Noranda
E
xploration discovered and drill
tested a copper showing located
within the Ell Lake diorite intrusion
(a significant geological feature on
t
he
property). This copper showing is
located approximately 6 km
southwest of the Roberto Deposit
and is included within Goldcorp’s
Éléonore Property. At that time,
Noranda judged that results were
insufficient to pursue exploration in
this remote location and the project
was abandoned.
In 2001, Virginia Gold Mines’
(“Virginia”) regional reconnaissance
work in the area led to the “re-
discovery” and evaluation of
Noranda’s Ell Lake showing; among
other findings,
V
irginia recognized
that gold was associated with copper
mineralization. Virginia’s 2002 - 2003
exploration program led to the
discovery of angular boulders of
intensely altered
meta-sediments gr
ading up to
22.9 ppm in gold. The following year,
Virginia traced back the gold bearing
boulders glacial train to
an
outcrop located some 6km
northeast. This outcrop became
the Roberto Deposit after an
aggressive exploration drilling
program by Virginia was initiated
in S
eptember 2004.
V
ir
ginia
continued drilling until
December 2005.
After completion of its due-diligence,
Goldcorp entered into a binding
agreement with Virginia and
completed the tr
ansaction in late
March 2006. Starting on April 1,
2006 Goldcorp-Opinaca’s project
team took over management of all
site activities, doubled the drilling
meterage done on the property,
confirmed the mineralization
continuity within the previously
identified zones, and extended the
limit of the deposit later
ally and at
depth.
The deposit is still open at
depth and laterally