Hecla Mining Q4 exploration programs update
Hecla Mining Company announced that an update on its exploration programs during the fourth quarter.
Exploration Highlights
1. San Sebastian continues to expand high-grade, polymetallic zones similar to the Hugh Zone on the Middle and Francine veins.
2. Casa Berardi has expanded and refined resources that could increase the size of the proposed Principal and current East Mine Crown Pillar open pits and discovered mineralization that could lead to new pits in the west part of the mine at the West Mine Pillar and NW-SW zones.
3. Drilling of the 118 and 123 zones at Casa Berardi has discovered high-grade mineralization at depth and to the west.
4. Greens Creek exploration continues to expand the resource by drilling on known mineralized trends.
Mr Phillips S Baker President and CEO said that "Our strategy of investing in exploration continues to add value, with considerable exploration success this year, including the record silver, gold and lead reserves announced last week." He added that "This past quarter was no different than the full year. We continue to expand the polymetallic mineralization at San Sebastian, so much so that we expect to take a bulk sample this year. At Casa Berardi, our exploration continues to confirm the high expectations we had when we acquired it, with expansions of planned pits and discovery of new open pitable material as well as new high-grade lenses underground. Finally, drilling at Greens Creek discovered high-grade mineralization in the central part of the mine that could enhance Greens Creek's already exceptional mine economics and mine life."
During the quarter, exploration with three core drills that were directed towards polymetallic mineralization successfully discovered new high-grade zones along the Middle and Francine veins.
Drilling of the 97 Zone along the West Middle Vein was directed toward a new zone of high-grade, polymetallic mineralization with similar mineral characteristics as the previously discovered Hugh Zone on the Francine Vein. The 97 Zone extends 1,000 feet along strike and 750 feet down-dip and is open to the east and at depth. This mineralization is located about 100 to 300 feet below the new Middle Vein underground mine ramp and a development drift has begun that will facilitate the collection of a bulk sample of the polymetallic mineralization this year. Recent assay results from step-out drilling include 10.2 oz/ton silver, 3% copper, 10% lead, and 18% zinc over 4.4 feet and 12.0 oz/ton silver, 4% copper, 6% lead, and 9% zinc over 5.4 feet. Drilling is planned to the east and at 1,000 feet of depth to evaluate the potential of polymetallic mineralization to extend below the 3,000 feet of strike length of the oxide reserves.
On the Francine Vein, drilling continues to intersect high-grade, polymetallic mineralization extending 600 feet to the west and 800 feet east of the current Hugh Zone resource for a total of over 5,000 feet of strike length. Recent vein intercepts suggest this polymetallic mineralization is closer to surface to the west. Recent assay results from drilling on the Francine Vein include 9.2 oz/ton silver, 2% copper, 5% lead, and 5% zinc over 6.3 feet to the east and 12.8 oz/ton silver, 2% copper, 4% lead and 6% zinc over 3.6 feet to the west.
Exploration Highlights
1. San Sebastian continues to expand high-grade, polymetallic zones similar to the Hugh Zone on the Middle and Francine veins.
2. Casa Berardi has expanded and refined resources that could increase the size of the proposed Principal and current East Mine Crown Pillar open pits and discovered mineralization that could lead to new pits in the west part of the mine at the West Mine Pillar and NW-SW zones.
3. Drilling of the 118 and 123 zones at Casa Berardi has discovered high-grade mineralization at depth and to the west.
4. Greens Creek exploration continues to expand the resource by drilling on known mineralized trends.
Mr Phillips S Baker President and CEO said that "Our strategy of investing in exploration continues to add value, with considerable exploration success this year, including the record silver, gold and lead reserves announced last week." He added that "This past quarter was no different than the full year. We continue to expand the polymetallic mineralization at San Sebastian, so much so that we expect to take a bulk sample this year. At Casa Berardi, our exploration continues to confirm the high expectations we had when we acquired it, with expansions of planned pits and discovery of new open pitable material as well as new high-grade lenses underground. Finally, drilling at Greens Creek discovered high-grade mineralization in the central part of the mine that could enhance Greens Creek's already exceptional mine economics and mine life."
During the quarter, exploration with three core drills that were directed towards polymetallic mineralization successfully discovered new high-grade zones along the Middle and Francine veins.
Drilling of the 97 Zone along the West Middle Vein was directed toward a new zone of high-grade, polymetallic mineralization with similar mineral characteristics as the previously discovered Hugh Zone on the Francine Vein. The 97 Zone extends 1,000 feet along strike and 750 feet down-dip and is open to the east and at depth. This mineralization is located about 100 to 300 feet below the new Middle Vein underground mine ramp and a development drift has begun that will facilitate the collection of a bulk sample of the polymetallic mineralization this year. Recent assay results from step-out drilling include 10.2 oz/ton silver, 3% copper, 10% lead, and 18% zinc over 4.4 feet and 12.0 oz/ton silver, 4% copper, 6% lead, and 9% zinc over 5.4 feet. Drilling is planned to the east and at 1,000 feet of depth to evaluate the potential of polymetallic mineralization to extend below the 3,000 feet of strike length of the oxide reserves.
On the Francine Vein, drilling continues to intersect high-grade, polymetallic mineralization extending 600 feet to the west and 800 feet east of the current Hugh Zone resource for a total of over 5,000 feet of strike length. Recent vein intercepts suggest this polymetallic mineralization is closer to surface to the west. Recent assay results from drilling on the Francine Vein include 9.2 oz/ton silver, 2% copper, 5% lead, and 5% zinc over 6.3 feet to the east and 12.8 oz/ton silver, 2% copper, 4% lead and 6% zinc over 3.6 feet to the west.
Posted By : Amom Remju on Thu, 15 Feb 2018