Trevali Mining drills 110.47 metres of 7.76% zinc at Halfmile
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Trevali Mining Corp. [TV-TSX, Lima; TREVF-OTCQX; 4TI-FSE] reported results from its 2016 to 2017 resource definition drill program on its 100%-owned Halfmile deposit in the Bathurst mining camp of northeast New Brunswick, about 60 km southwest of Bathurst. The program was designed to validate historical data as well as to expand and improve upon the existing geological model. Trevali completed 28 holes (15,175 metres), testing a variety of targets within and around the Upper and Lower zones of the Halfmile deposit that remains open for expansion.
Highlights include:
- 5 metres of 7.86% zinc and 2.34% lead, including 37.2 metres of 11.38% zinc and 4.05% lead;
- 1 metres of 10.71% zinc, 4.16% lead and 69.97 g/t silver.
The Halfmile deposit has a currently defined indicated resource of 6.26 million tonnes grading 8.13% zinc, 2.58% lead, 0.22% copper and 30.8 g/t silver, and an additional inferred resource of 6.08 million tonnes of 6.69% zinc, 1.83% lead, 0.14% copper and 20.5 g/t silver. The 2016 to 2017 Halfmile drill program was initiated with a variety of goals:
- Validate the historical drilling and geological model in the lower zone of the deposit;
- Define limits of mineralization;
- Test geologic and geophysical exploration targets in the general vicinity of the currently defined mineralization;
- Collect geotechnical data for future engineering and mine planning studies;
- Test working geologic interpretations/models.
In general, results from the 2016 to 2017 drilling campaign corroborates the historical drilling completed on the project. This latest drilling dramatically increases Trevali’s confidence in the resource model and provides further information about precious metal values in the upper and lower zones as previous drill programs did not consistently analyze for silver or gold. The recent drilling has also facilitated an improved understanding of the local geology and thus allowed for a more realistic model of mineralization that will ultimately facilitate future engineering studies.
See company website for complete assays table.
An orientation AMT survey was also completed over Halfmile with the goal of testing the efficacy of this geophysical method as an exploration tool. Initial results are promising, with the survey clearly identifying known mineralization over 800 metres below ground surface. The program also identified a possible new deep target approximately 800 metres below the north zone; however, additional geophysical infill is required to better define this area.
Halfmile is a fully permitted mine with infrastructure in place, including underground production development, water treatment facilities and a camp. In 2012, Trevali mined approximately 120,000 tonnes of mineralized material from Halfmile and processed it on a toll mill basis at Xstrata’s nearby Brunswick 12 mill complex prior to its ultimate closure in 2013. During this period, the Halfmile trial operation produced saleable zinc, lead-silver and copper-gold concentrates.
In 2016, a new independent preliminary economic assessment (PEA) engineering study by SRK Consulting Engineers commenced on the company’s Halfmile and Stratmat deposits in New Brunswick. The study is examining development strategies for the deposits, including the potential for a stand-alone milling solution. The PEA is anticipated to be completed imminently and will direct the company’s medium-term strategy for the region where it owns the largest repository of undeveloped massive sulphide deposits in the prolific Bathurst mining camp.
Trevali also has a 100% indirect interest in the 2,000 tonne-per-day zinc-lead-silver mine and mill complex in the Central Peruvian Polymetallic Belt.