Study underway into feasibility of new silver mine
Wednesday August 12, 2009
Drilling has commenced south of Cobar to confirm the future of a potential new silver mining operation.
Cobar Consolidated Resources (CCR) announced in its quarterly report last week that the first results are expected by September on the Wonawinta prospect.
“Wet weather delayed the start of our drilling program by a few weeks, however it is now underway.
“The resource definition drilling program will focus on the south pit area of the project, aiming to upgrade the resource from inferred to measured and indicated status,” CCR managing director Ian Lawrence said.
The company is also using drill core samples to determine metal recovery rates as well as the treatment required to prepare ore for processing.
“Previous work has indicated that a cyanide leach will produce high metal recoveries
and that little or no ore grinding may be
required.
“It is expected that silver will be produced as bullion and lead will be recovered as a lead/silver concentrate,” Mr Lawrence said.
The feasibility study will also include “baseline studies” to determine the availability of water, power and road or rail transport to the site, as well as seeking preliminary approvals for the project.
“The company remains confident that the simple nature of the mining and processing routes and relatively low capital costs will support positive feasibility results,” Mr Lawrence said.
CCR is also looking to increase the
project potential with new tenements for exploration.
“In June the company made exploration licence applications for areas adjacent to and to the north west of the Wonawinta tenement, where the company believes there is good potential to discover additional silver resources to extend the life of the project,” Mr Lawrence said.
Next story | News home
.jpg)