An underground exploration program at Vista Mines’ (TSE) Rio gold deposit near Creighton, Sask., is producing some encouraging results, the company said recently.
The Rio is one of two gold zones (the other is the Henning-Maloney) which promise a 2-5-year mine life if, as expected, production begins later this year at the Bootleg property.
As reported (N.M., Apr 18/88) reserves on the Rio zone stand at 221,479 tons of grade 0.138 oz gold per ton while the Henning-Maloney contains an additional 14,960 tons of grade 0.450 oz.
Underground drifting on the AJ-1 and AJ-2 zones which promise to prolong the life of the mine, has indicated good continuity over mineable widths, according to a Vista report.
Mining of a 1,500-ton bulk sample from the B zone was completed recently and muck samples from a 60 ft stope between the 135 and 215 levels averaged 0.39 oz.
Underground drilling on the WC zone (No 2 lens) is currently under way, Vist a said. Results indicate better continuity and higher grades between the 300- and 400-ft elevations than anticipated from surface drilling.
Highlights from the 16 holes drilled are as follows: Drill Hole Core Width Oz Gold/ton D-23-1 22.0 0.16 D-23-2 69.8 0.16 D-23-3 31.5 0.13 D-23-4 24.5 0.13 D-23-5 15.0 0.10 D-23-6 24.5 0.15 D-23-7 27.7 0.16 D-23-8 18.5 0.18 D-23-9 32.0 0.13 D-23-10 26.6 0.13 D-23-11 37.5 0.17 D-23-12 63.1 0.25 D-23-13 12.2 0.21 D-23-14 2.4 0.14 D-23-17 26.2 0.11 D-23-18 56.0 0.17
The No 2 lens appears to extend from the 300 ft elevation to below 600 ft., said Nathan Hollick, Vista’s chief operations officer. A third lens (No 3) may lie south of, and deeper than the No 2 lens. Further underground drilling is anticipated in the near future and will test the No 2 lens below the 400-ft elevation and explore the No 3 lens, he said.
Milling of a bulk sample from the WC zone above the 225 level is also continuing and a second dore bar, weighing 271 oz., was recently poured. The bar assayed 94.3% gold and 3.7% silver.
Reserves have not been recalculated since March, 1988. Current published drill-indicated reserves above the 500-ft elevation include only the WC (Nos 1 and 2 lenses) and AJ-1. Recent successes in the AJ-2 and PlC zones, as well as the suspected presence of a third lens in the WC zone are expected to expand the reserves.