YUKON - The optimized feasibility study for the Wolverine zinc-silver project of Vancouver's YUKON ZINC indicates that "technically and economically" it is a "viable project". The study was prepared by WARDROP ENGINEERING.
Located in the Finlayson District 195 km northwest of Watson Lake, Wolverine is to be an underground mine with a conventional flotation-based concentrator. Mine development began with a 5-m x 5-m drift, and test mining was completed in 2005. Stopes will be mined in 4-m-high horizontal lifts in blocks 20-m high. A fleet of diesel-powered LHDs and 50-t trucks will be used. Paste fill has been selected for most areas of the mine. The mill will include a 1,700 t/d DMS pre-concentration circuit ahead of a 1,400-t/d conventional flotation plant.
The total initial capital cost is Cdn$207.5 million. Annual output for the first three years is estimated at 53,400 t of zinc, 4,860 t of copper, 6,010 t of lead, 4.9 million oz of silver and 20,200 oz of gold in concentrates. Separate 89.4% Zn, 79.9% Cu and 46.0% Pb concentrates will be produced.
If travelling to the Yukon in January doesn't appeal, take a virtual visit of the Wolverine project via the photo gallery at www.YukonZinc.com.
Reserves are sufficient for 9.5 years of operation, including 1.5 years of pre-production development. Proven and probable reserves total 5.2 million t grading 9.66% Zn, 271.8 g/t Ag, 0.91% Cu, 1.36 g/t Au and 1.26% Pb. Conversion of inferred resources into mining reserves could extend the mine life another three years.
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