Exploration drilling by
Hole 3146-16, the deepest so far, intersected zone 20N at a depth 7,400 ft. below surface (350 ft. below the previous deepest intersection) and 1,560 ft. west of shaft 3. True-width intersections include: 13.1 ft.
grading 0.18 oz. gold per ton and 0.15 oz. silver per ton; 26.2 ft. of 0.22 oz. gold, 1.25 oz. silver, 0.79% copper and 0.09% zinc; and 9.8 ft. of 0.02 oz. gold, 1.69 oz. silver and 11.31% zinc. Within the 26.2-ft. intersection, gold is hosted by massive-pyrite mineralization, with grades higher than those previously encountered in zone 20N.
The company notes that, within a footwall zone, this is the first gold occurrence of 20% massive-pyrite stringers without the usual associated copper. The latest results also confirm a trend within zone 20N, of silver-zinc mineralization on the upper horizons grading to gold-copper mineralization at depth.
Zone 20N has now been traced over a vertical distance of 5,100 ft.; it remains open at depth and to the west. Deep drilling will test an area west and down-plunge of drill hole 3146-16.
Agnico-Eagle, which is carrying out definition drilling at the mine, intends to recalculate Laronde’s reserves and resources once drilling on the 10th and 11th levels is complete. The new estimates are to be released in February.
The company is studying the possibility of increasing production beyond the planned expansion rate of 3,600 tons per day. Agnico has already acquired a semi-autogenous-grinding mill with a capacity of 5,000 tons per day.
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