Beaufor Mine

Brief history:

Intermittent exploration fieldwork has been conducted on the Beaufor property since the 1930s. Following an initial development period, commercial production started in January 1996. In the spring of 2001, Richmont Mines bought 50% of the mining rights of the Perron, Beaufor, Pascalis, Colombière and Courvan properties for CAN $1.8 million. In September 2001, Richmont Mines undertook construction work to secure the crown pillar, and in January 2002, resumed commercial production at the mine jointly with Louvem Mines. The Beaufor Mine has produced gold on an annual basis since then. On June 30, 2010, Richmont became the 100% owner of the Beaufor property, following the Company’s acquisition of the outstanding 30% of Louvem shares not previously owned by Richmont.

 

Geological characteristics:

Gold-bearing veins at the Beaufor Mine consist of quartz-tourmaline-pyrite veins, typical of Archean epigenetic lode gold deposits, that cross-cut the Bourlamaque Batholith. Mafic dykes that predate the mineralization are associated with shear-hosted gold-bearing veins. Shallow dipping extensional gold-bearing veins are commonly observed at the Beaufor Mine. Shear zones striking N070° and dipping steeply to the southwest, control the opening and gold enrichment of veins.