QC Copper and Gold Inc has announced that Phase 1 drilling, which is part of its 2022 exploration program, will begin in early January at its Opemiska copper project in Quebec.
The company said the primary objective of the Phase 1 program will be to convert additional 'halo mineralization' within the defined open pit resources as per its initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) published in September 2020.
“Additional drilling is expected to expand the halo resource simply because the interpolation algorithm used a very short and conservative search radius due to interpretations of the continuity of grades between holes,” QC Copper and Gold vice president of exploration Charles Beaudry said in a statement.
READ: QC Copper and Gold completes acquisition of in-fill claims on its flagship Opemiska copper project in Quebec
“Although drilling will seek to identify resources outside the conceptual pit, it is clear that our best return on investment will be to convert what is currently considered waste material in the pit into mineralized resources, and we are confident we can achieve this,” Beaudry added.
QC Copper and Gold noted the Phase 1 program will include 50,000 metres (m) of drilling and will focus on expanding the mineralization within the open pit resources, which includes the Springer, Perry, Saddle Zones, and the Eastern Veins.
It added that Phase 1 drilling will also target known mineralization within the Perry Depth Zone, which could form an underground component of an updated MRE.
As well, the company said expects to announce an additional Phase 2 drill campaign in 2022, which will focus on areas outside its current MRE. These areas include the past-producing Perry and Robitaille Mines, the third and fourth mines operated by Falconbirdge as part of the Opemiska Copper Mine Complex, and targets along the Gwillam Fault, in particular where it intersects the Beaver Lake Fault.
QC Copper also reported that it has completed 4,434m of a 6,000m drill program, which was announced on November 2, 2021, and the company expects to receive preliminary results beginning in January 2022.
QC Copper and Gold’s 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 (NYSE:CNI).
Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com