Imperial Metals provides Red Chris update

The improved production was a result of higher throughput (2.6 million t vs 2 million t), higher head grades (0.48% Cu and 0.39 g/t Au compared to 0.41% Cu and 0.36 g/t Au) and higher recoveries (80.5% Cu and 60.6% Au vs 72.6% Cu and 51.9% Au) in 1Q22.

Imperial’s 30% portion of the second quarter production was 6.6 million lbs Cu and 5862 oz Au.

Exploration update

Exploration drilling at the East Ridge zone continues to define and expand the high grade mineralisation which remains open to the east and depth. An additional 32 holes were completed during the quarter for a total of 30 482 m. All exploration holes intersected mineralisation. Five dedicated geotechnical holes were also drilled. The East Ridge mineralised corridor (>0.4% Cu and >0.4 g/t Au) extends over 900 m long, up to 1000 m high and 125 m wide, with higher grade (>0.8% Cu and >0.8 g/t Au) in several smaller pods over an area 500 m high, 400 m long and 100 m wide.

An exploration target has been defined for East Ridge. The exploration target ranges from a lower tonnage of approximately 170 million t at 0.5% Cu and 0.5 g/t Au containing 2 billion lbs Cu and 2.8 million oz Au to an upper tonnage of approximately 300 million t at 0.4% Cu and 0.4 g/t Au containing 2.9 billion lbs Cu and 4.3 million oz Au. The grades and tonnages are estimates based on continuity of mineralisation defined by exploration diamond drilling results (previously reported including relevant sections and plans) with the lower range estimate in the area having a nominal drill hole spacing of 100 x 100 m and the upper range estimate extended into the area with a nominal drill hole spacing of 100 x 200 m.

The East Ridge exploration target is outside of the current mineral resource estimate. The potential tonnage and grade of the exploration target for East Ridge is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a mineral resource.

Progress toward block cave mining is continuing with the development of the exploration decline having reached 1703 m as of 13 July 2022. The feasibility study is expected to be released in 1H23.

Underground drilling of the East Ridge zone from the exploration decline has been initiated. This drilling will focus on extending the East Ridge mineralisation to depth and to the east. Drilling from underground will significantly reduce the meterage required to further test the East Ridge and the surface disturbance required to construct drill pads and roads.

Drilling results from the second quarter include:

• Hole RC786, which returned 482 m of 0.43% Cu and 0.26 g/t Au from 712 m, including 32 m of 0.8% Cu and 0.88 g/t Au from 948 m. This hole is 100 m above previously reported hole RC773, testing the upward extent of the East Ridge on this section, and confirms the mineralisation remains open up-dip on this section.
• Hole RC789W was drilled on the same section and returned 154 m from 1242 m of 0.47% Cu and 0.46 g/t Au, including 16 m of 1.2% Cu and 1.5 g/t Au from 1370 m and 10 m of 1.5% Cu and 2 g/t Au also from 1370 m. Hole RC789W is located 100 m below hole RC773 and 100 m above hole RC779, both of which have been previously reported.
• Hole RC795 returned 92 m of 0.55% Cu and 0.41 g/t Au from 1324 m, including 16 m from 1390 m of 0.97% Cu and 0.59 g/t Au. Hole RC795 is 100 m above previously reported RC785.
• Hole RC797 returned 152 m at 0.41% Cu and 0.12 g/t Au from 1288 m and demonstrates the system is present and remains open to the east.

Approximately 50 000 m of growth-related drilling targeting mineralisation definition and continuity is planned for 2H22 with eight drill rigs.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/27072022/imperial-metals-provides-red-chris-update/