Cartier presents the strong hoisting capabilities of the shaft on the Chimo Mine Property
Highlights:
- With simple adjustments, the shaft on the Chimo Mine Property could extract 1.7 million metric tons per year (4,921 mt/day).
- This study is one of four engineering studies carried out in tandem with a preparatory study for a new mineral resource estimate on the Chimo Mine Property to reveal its full value.
Val-d’Or, September 22, 2020 – Cartier Resources Inc. (TSX-V: ECR) (“Cartier”) reports the results of an engineering study on the hoisting capacity of the underground mining infrastructure on the Chimo Mine Property. This property, owned 100% by Cartier, is located 45 km east of the Val-d’Or mining camp.
The study reveals that the components of the internal shaft structure could be used to hoist skips with a loading capacity of 20 metrics tonnes each, travelling at a cruising speed of 2,200 feet/minute (40 km/h). This hoisting rate would raise 492 mt/hour of rock to the surface for a total of 4,921 mt/day in 10 hours of hoisting operations per 24-hour day or 1.7 M mt/year.
To date, two internal engineering studies have been completed with positive findings, including the study that is the subject of this press release. Two other internal engineering studies are still underway, as well as an internal preparatory study for a new mineral resource estimate on the Chimo Mine Property.
No PEA, PFS or FS has been completed and disclosure of results from this internal study does not support or imply the technical feasibility and/or economic viability of the project. In addition, while current mineral resource estimates have been completed on separate zones on the property, mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Table of current and future features of the shaft infrastructure on the Chimo Mine Property:
Current shaft features
Dimensions of excavated shaft
914 m x 6 m x 2.7 m (represents 15,000 m³ of excavated rock)
3 compartments
Each measuring 5'0" x 5'6"
State of internal rock walls
In good condition at the time of mine closure
Internal shaft structure
8" x 8" beams of Douglas (BC) fir
State of internal shaft components
In good condition at the time of mine closure
Wood submerged under oxygen-free water remains intact* from deterioration for decades
Key additional features required
Weight of hoisted rock material
4,921 mt/day in 10 hours of operation per 24-hour period
492 mt/hour
Type of skips
2 skips with a loading capacity of 20 t each, in compartments Nos. 2 and 3
Each skip is 14 m height instead including the cage
Number of hoisted skips per hour
30
Skip cruising speed
2,200 ft/min (40 km/h)
Type of cage
4-deck Mary Ann-type cage with 36-person capacity in compartment No. 1
Height of headframe
57 m
Weight suspended below wheel
56 mt
Type of hoist
Drum hoist 5.1 m in diameter with AC drive force of 4880 RMS HP
Type of hoisting cable
Single cable 56 mm in diameter or multi-cable system
*: Careful inspection of shaft components will be required, as will the replacement or reinforcement of components that do not meet the standards.
About the Chimo Mine Project
- Cartier holds a 100% interest in the property for which a 1% NSR royalty (Net Smelter Return) was granted to IAMGOLD Corporation. No right of first refusal (“buy-back”) was granted.
- The most recent mineral resource estimate for the Chimo Mine Property (FIGURE), detailed below, uses a gold price of US $1,300 per ounce and a cut-off grade of 2.5 g/t Au:
Gold Corridor
Cut-off Grade
2.5 g/t Au
Indicated Resources
Inferred Resources
Metric Tons
(t)
Gold Grade
(g/t)
Troy Ounces
(oz)
Metric Tons
(t)
Gold Grade
(g/t)
Troy Ounces
(oz)
Central(1)
3,263,300
4.40
461,280
3,681,600
3.53
417,250
North(2)
505,300
5.35
86,850
715,700
4.59
105,710
South(2)
249,000
4.63
37,060
480,600
4.84
74,840
Total
4,017,600
4.53
585,190
4,877,900
3.82
597,800
- The property, accessible year-round, is located near several concentrators in the Val d’Or region.
- Fourteen gold zones were mined by three producers between 1964 and 1997 for a production of 376 217 ounces of gold (MERN DV 85-05 to DV-97-01).
- The mining infrastructure consists of a network of 7 km of drifts on 19 levels, connected by a shaft with a depth of 914 m. The bridge and surface facilities were dismantled in 2008 but the 25 kV power line and sandpit are still in place.
- Cartier’s drilling programs to date on the Chimo Mine Property amount to 124 drill holes for 58,054 m and 21,867 gold samples collected.
About Cartier
Cartier Resources Inc., founded in 2006, is based in Val-d’Or, Quebec. The province of Quebec has consistently ranked as one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world, primarily because of its favourable geology, attractive fiscal environment and pro-mining government.
- The Company has a strong cash position with more than $13.9 million and significant corporate and institutional endorsements, including Agnico Eagle Mines, Meridian Global, and Quebec investment funds.
- Cartier’s strategy is to focus on gold projects with features that offer potential for rapid growth.
- The Company holds a portfolio of exploration projects in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world.
- The Company is focused on advancing four key projects through drilling programs. These projects were acquired at reasonable costs in recent years and are drill-ready, with targets along the geometric extensions of known gold deposits.
- Exploration work is currently focused on the Chimo Mine Property to maximize value for investors. The Company is also planning a major drilling program for the Benoist Property. Drilling on the Fenton and Wilson properties will follow the Benoist program.
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical information of the Company and the Chimo Mine Project, included in this press release, have been prepared and reviewed by Mr. Gaétan Lavallière, P.Geo., Ph.D., Vice President, and Mr. Ronan Déroff, P.Geo, M.Sc., Senior Geologist, Project Manager and Geomatician, both qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Lavallière approved the information contained in the press release.
Author of the Engineering Study
The study on the hoisting capacity of the mining infrastructure on the Chimo Mine Property was prepared by Mr. Paul Bonneville, P. ing., Mining Manager, President and Director of PRB Mining Services Inc.
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For more information, contact:
Philippe Cloutier, P.Geo.
President and CEO
Telephone: 819-856-0512
philippe.cloutier@ressourcescartier.com
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