Bralorne updates resource

Vancouver — Bralorne Gold Mines (BPM-V) is encouraged by the estimated size of the resource at its Bralorne-Pioneer mine in southwestern British Columbia.

The Upper Peter vein has a measured resource of 3,425 tonnes grading 8.4 grams gold per tonne, plus an inferred resource of 22,738 tonnes grading 9.7 grams gold; the 51B FW vein has an indicated resource of 17,729 tonnes grading 11 grams gold; and there is another inferred resource, comprising 389,964 tonnes of 10.4 grams gold, above the 800 level.

These resources represent a total of about 7,195 oz. gold in the indicated category, and a total of 137,484 oz. inferred.

Bralorne reactivated the mill a year ago after 30 years of dormancy. The company expects to recover half the gold by gravity separation and the remainder by flotation.

The mill is now running at 40 tons per day and will be ramped up to 120 tonnes as feed becomes available from Area 51. The company estimates development work will last six weeks.

In the past, the Bralorne and Pioneer mines produced a total of 4.1 million oz. gold.

The company is eyeing four areas for further exploration, including the Peter vein, five secondary veins, the gap between the Bralorne and the Pioneer mines (where drilling has met with success), and several deep zones.

Before the mine was shut down in 1971, grades in the Peter vein exceeded 1 oz. per ton, and Bralorne Gold is considering extending the vein at depth, though this would require a fair amount of dewatering and underground rehabilitation work.