Impressive values hit at Sumac gold project

Sumac Ventures has completed a $350,000 exploration program at its Union mine property, 45 miles north of Grand Forks, B.C. The work involved extensive underground sub-level drifting and raising which encountered impressive gold and silver values.

One of the raises returned 35 ft of 0.31 oz gold and 9.1 oz silver across a width of 5 ft. A second raise averaged 0.36 oz gold and 15 oz silver across a 4-ft width over a length of 47 ft. There was a 40-ft section in one sub-level that averaged 0.21 oz gold and 9.5 oz silver for a distance of 40 ft. Impressive values were also reported from the No 3 level.

The company says a drill program is being considered to test a faulted-off section in the lower reaches of the mine. Surface drilling has also located some gold- bearing sections in the south wall of the old main stope but data is still being compiled.

Metallurgical test work is under way to determine whether the underground reserves will provide better cash flow from custom milling or heap leac hing. There are 18,000 tons of dump material with an estimated grade of 0.065 oz gold and 1.9 oz silver which could be leached. Tests will determine what size material will yield the highest recoveries and the fastest leach time.

Metallurgical test work has already demonstrated a recovery rate of 78% for gold and silver on the 77,000 tons of mine tailings. Those tailings are thought to average 0.046 oz gold and 1.4 oz silver. Sumac controls the property under a leasing arrangement that provides a 6% net smelter return to the original owners.