Eagle Mountain Mining Limited (ASX:EM2) has unveiled plans to recommission parts of the existing underground mine at its 100% owned Oracle Ridge Copper Project in Arizona, USA.
CEO, Tim Mason, said the company’s increased confidence in the resource potential of the project has provided the impetus to bring forward plans to invest in the recommissioning of parts of the existing underground mine. This will enable underground diamond drilling from a range of new and existing drill sites along with access for various studies.
The Oracle Ridge mine includes over 18 kilometres of existing underground development, accessed from two portals. More than 90% of the existing mine is accessible and does not require dewatering.
The recommissioning will include installation and/or servicing of electrical, water and air services followed by progressive checks and rehabilitation of underground tunnels as required. The mine benefits from a variety of existing infrastructure including electrical transformers, reticulated pipes and cabling, electrical starter boxes and ventilation fans.
These were installed approximately 10 years ago and will assist in recommissioning the mine from both a time and cost perspective.
“Drilling from underground will be a massive step-change for our exploration and move us closer to feasibility studies,” Mr Mason said.
“We are very fortunate to have an existing underground mine in very good condition with development in the right location to continue to build and upgrade our Mineral Resources.
“We don’t need to de-water the mine to access the drill sites and rehabilitation is expected to be relatively minor. Along with drilling shorter holes, it also enables better access to the orebody for taking bulk samples for metallurgical test work for optimisation of processing design and recoveries.
“Importantly, two drill rigs will continue to focus on resource expansion and upgrade drilling at the Talon as results have demonstrated the growth potential of the Resource.
“Given the large number of assays pending (56 holes), results will continue to be received whilst we recommission the underground mine. With the reduction of one drill rig and the recommissioning of the mine, we do not expect a significant impact on our rate of expenditure. However, it is setting us up for the future with drill platforms to efficiently build out the resource and potentially install a drill drive to the south into the Talon zone which is growing with almost every drill hole.
“We are currently in discussions with underground drilling contractors, and we are working to secure a drill rig for mobilisation around Q3 2022.
This transition to underground drilling is an exciting advancement for Eagle Mountain Mining as we work towards a preliminary feasibility study commencing later this year. “
For further information please visit: https://eaglemountain.com.au/
