QC Copper and Gold Inc said it had now published the technical report for its pit-constrained resource estimate for its Opemiska deposit in Quebec, which showed over 532,000 tonnes or 1.17 billion pounds of contained copper and 816,000 ounces of gold in the higher confidence Measured and Indicated (M&I) category and a further 109,000 tonnes, or 240 million pounds of copper, and 209,000 ounces of gold in inferred.
As reported by the company on September 20 this year, the deposit comprises 81.7 million tonnes at 0.88% copper-equivalent in the M&I category and 21.4 million tonnes 0.73% copper-equivalent in the inferred.
This initial resource includes over 1.05 million metres of drilling completed by QC Copper and former operators at the site, and notably, more than 79% of the total resource is in the M&I classification.
Within the larger resource, the company has also identified a high-grade potential starter pit of 10.6 million tonnes of M&I resources grading 1.26% copper-equivalent.
QC Copper has also outlined multiple targets for expansion and discovery drilling this coming winter.
READ: QC Copper and Gold announces pit constrained mineral resource estimate for its Opemiska deposit
These targets include extensional drilling to expand the existing Mineral Resource envelope, proximal former mines including the adjacent Cooke & Robitaille deposits, and other prospective targets along the Gwillim and Beaver Lake fault zones.
At this time, the company is focused on expanding the initial resource estimate by drilling targets that could add significant open-pit tonnage to Opemiska.
A follow-up drill program is currently underway that will complete 6,000 metres (m) before the end of 2021, with a more extensive, multi-drill rig program planned for 2022.
The Opemiska property covers 12,782 hectares and covers the past producing Springer, Perry, Robitaille, and Cooke mines, which were previously owned and operated by Falconbridge between 1953-1991.
The project hosts excellent on-site infrastructure, including a power station and direct access to Highway 113 and the Canadian National Railway.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com