Galleon Gold On Track To Becominig The Next Timmins Camp Producer

Market-watchers and investors are standing by in anticipation of the next milestone in the Galleon Gold story, a company poised to make a big name for itself in the historic and prolific Timmins gold camp.
The Eric Sprott-backed company continues to deliver impressive drill results on its West Cache Project, which sits in the shadows of Pan American Silver Timmins West mining complex.
In October, Galleon reported additional drill results from its 2022 drill program at the 100% owned Project.
Those results included the company’s best Zone #9 intercept to date (as determined by grade x thickness) in core hole WC-22-218. The assays showed 15.6 g/t Au over 7.6m within a broader zone of 7.41 g/t Au over 18.1m.
The company says this intercept will be included in a block model update for a detailed design of an underground bulk sample program.
The interval intersected at a near perpendicular angle, representing about 98.5% true thickness.
“The results provide additional support for our plan to test mine this portion of Zone #9,” said R. David Russell, President and CEO.
“We believe that the bulk sample will provide important work for prefeasibility studies and potentially be a profitable endeavor at the same time. From an advanced exploration perspective, once we bring the ramp alongside the ore body, we will drill the zone on close spaced centers, providing a full picture of the potential of Zone #9.”
The bulk sample is the next big step in the company’s march toward a production decision. A month earlier, Galleon outlined, in detail what that permit would entail.
“We are very pleased that our two-fold strategy for developing the West Cache Project continues to progress in a timely manner.  We have been conducting the baseline and technical studies required to apply for permits for an underground bulk sample in concert with our exploration and infill drill programs.  By focusing on both permitting and increasing the mineral resource we continue to advance the project in a meaningful way,” said Russell.

Detail Engineering Design

The proposed West Cache Advanced Exploration Program, includes:
1) the development of a ramp and portal to access the Zone 9 deposit,
2) collection of a bulk sample (up to 100,000 tonnes)
3) exploration drilling at depth.

The company is pleased to report that it has awarded the contract for the Detailed Engineering Design to Nordmin Engineering Ltd., and work will begin immediately.

Design of Raise and Portal
 
The portal will be designed to incorporate required services such as ventilation, drill water, compressed air, power and communications with a stable face and overhead protection to the entry as needed. This work will provide a basis for tendering the mining work and a closure cost estimate/recovery plan per Ontario Reg 240/00.

Crown Pillar Assessment
 
A geo-mechanical and ground control specialist will complete a crown pillar stability report, ground control support plan for the excavation work and recommendations for underground construction excavation approaches.

Design of Mine Service Infrastructure

This work will focus on power, dewatering, mine air heating and mine ventilation services – all in support of the proposed mining effort. The design will be carried through to equipment specification and information, including costs and delivery schedules currently under consideration for the project. Geotechnical studies will be conducted on any planned infrastructure areas.  

Design of Surface and Ancillary Infrastructure

Design of the surface stockpiles (both ore and waste) haul roads, underground shop and offices, fuel storage, and explosives magazines.

Detailed Development Plan and Schedule
 
The proposed underground working design by P&E Consultants (Preliminary Economic Assessment published February 23, 2022) will be refined, as needed, to develop a detailed layout for the ramp and its headings. The Deswik scheduling tool will be utilized to establish the development plan, schedule and working requirements.

Baseline Studies
 
The company commenced baseline studies in 2020 and engaged Story Environmental in collaboration with Blue Heron to manage the programs and data collection required for the Advanced Exploration permit application.  A baseline water sampling program was initiated and several years of data has now been collected; in addition, groundwater and hydrogeology monitoring sites were established early and data has been documented accordingly. Aquatic and terrestrial programs have been completed during each season and the archeological assessment is complete.

 

For this article and more visit the digital copy of: The Northern Ontario Mining Report

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