Northstar Gold Corp. (CSE:NSG) CEO Brian Fowler joined Proactive to discuss the company’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Novamera, focusing on a revolutionary approach to mining at the Cam Copper Mine.
Novamera specializes in surgical mining, using advanced AI and diamond drilling techniques to exploit narrow, high-grade copper-gold deposits cost-effectively.
Proactive: You’ve signed another MOU with a company called Novamera. This is all in relation to the Cam Copper Mine. So, I’ll let you take it from here. Tell me about this company and what this means.
Brian Fowler: Certainly. We’re very pleased to announce the signing of an MOU with Novamera. They are an Ontario-based company that specializes in surgical mining using diamond drill techniques. This technology allows them to successfully mine near-surface, narrow, high-grade deposits at a fraction of the cost of conventional mining. It also simplifies permitting and reduces the environmental footprint. So, we're very excited to have reached this agreement.
That sounds interesting. Could you explain what surgical mining is and how it works?
Surgical mining is Novamera’s proprietary mining process. It combines mapping, positioning, and steering technologies with conventional drilling equipment, utilizing proprietary AI and machine learning. This method allows for the successful exploitation of narrow, high-grade copper and gold deposits. The MOU focuses on the number two high-grade copper zone on our Cam Copper Mine.
And you’ve done some work in this area already, right?
That's right. The Cam Copper Mine was a historic high-grade copper producer, shipping ore to Noranda in the 1940s and 1950s. It’s a shallow mine with a 200-foot shaft. Recently, Northstar drilled four holes, confirming some historic grades and widths. Last November, we intersected 14.8% copper over 2.5 meters. This area hosts a 42-meter long zone averaging 10% copper over 0.85 meters true width. Zone 2 is one of three zones we've defined, and all remain open to depth. This near-surface high-grade zone is what Novamera will focus on mining.
What are the next steps now? What should investors expect?
The MOU defines a four-stage process that will take 12 to 18 months. Stage one is conceptual surgical mining and a desktop evaluation, along with the development of a 3D block model, which is nearly complete. Stage two will involve boots-on-the-ground guidance and tool calibration, alongside mine permitting and environmental impact assessments. This approach is much cheaper and faster than conventional mining.
Stage three involves initial surgical mining using rotary drilling methods, and what's really exciting for Northstar shareholders is that Novamera will finance this, leveraging their industry contacts and government grants. After that, we'll evaluate the rest of the zone, with about four kilometers of prospective geology hosting this mineralization.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and style