McKenzie Break operation studied

The McKenzie Break gold project 35 km north of Val d’Or, Que., might lend itself to small-scale mining of 10,000-12,000 oz. per year.

Western Quebec Mines (TSE) is evaluating the economies of such an operation, based on the grade and shallow nature of the reserves uncovered to date.

Definition drilling (30-metre centres) has outlined the following probable reserve calculations to a depth of 110 metres: 221,903 tonnes grading 8.41 grams gold per tonne (cutoff grade: 2 grams); 161,348 tonnes at 10.86 grams (cutoff: 3.5 grams); and 125,390 tonnes at 12.57 grams (cutoff: 5 grams). Meanwhile, at the Joubi gold mine at Val d’Or, an access drift to the Dubuisson East deposit on the 280-metre level has reached the zone. The company says the zone has a strike length of 65 metres and widths up to 8 metres.

A mining grade of about 5.5 grams is expected. The zone is open at depth. The company is working to update the zone’s reserve calculation based on definition drilling.

Output at Joubi is projected to be 9,000 oz. in 1994.