ZINC-LEAD-COPPER: Trevali begins mining at Caribou project

NEW BRUNSWICK – Trevali Mining Corp. of Vancouver has begun mining at its Caribou zinc-lead-copper mine in the Bathurst Mining Camp. Ore is being stockpiled until the mill is commissioned in Q2 2015.

The new 3,000-t/d semi-autogenous grinding mill is installed and aligned. The two older ball mills have been refurbished and can be turned over as soon as the trunnion seals are upgraded. The three M1000 IsaMills are ready to go now that motor bearings have been replaced.

The zinc and lead flotation circuits along with their pumps have been refurbished and are ready for commissioning. The design of the copper circuit is done and tendered, with the majority of the equipment sourced from the former Brunswick No.12 mill and already at the Caribou site. The zinc-lead circuit will be commissioned in the next quarter, and the copper circuit will follow at a later date.

The underground mine is about 80% dewatered and sufficient development has been done to support the first three years of mining, approximately 1.0 million tonnes of mineralization. The ramp, levels and access to the first four production areas is complete, and the fifth area is 80% finished. The ramp connecting the existing conveyor portal is complete and will shorten the haulage distance and costs considerably.

The mine is roughly 80% dewatered with approximately 100 vertical metres remaining. The capacity of the water treatment plant is being doubled to 76 L/sec and the settling ponds are being upgraded. All other critical surface works are ready for commissioning.

Read the highlights of the preliminary economic assessment and independent resource estimate at Trevali.com.