Niblack Gold Prospect


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  1. Summary
  2. Current Status

Summary

The Niblack Project is a copper-zinc-gold-silver deposit located on Prince of Wales Island, about 30 miles southwest of Ketchikan. The current “indicated resource” consists of 2.6 million tons of ore, composed of 1.18% copper, 2.19% zinc 2.33 g/t gold, and 33.18 g/t silver.

The project is being undertaken by Heatherdale Resource Ltd., a member of the Hunter Dickinson Mining Group (which also includes Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., a partner in the proposed Pebble Mine project). Heatherdale also owns the rights to the nearby Cayenne and Ruby Tuesday properties, both of which contain non-operating historic mining operations. Power at the site might come from development of hydropower resources in the area, but no details have emerged. Another possibility is that the company would barge the ore to a milling site near Kethikan to take advantage of existing hydropower. Site assessment for this arrangement is currently underway. The state is also considering constructing a road to the mine that would facilitate access.

Current Status

In June 2011, the company proposed an “optimistic” opening date of 2015 but no permit applications have yet been filed. Exploration in 2012 was expected to consist of around 5,000 meters of drilling. Also in October 2012, work began on establishing the feasibility of locating the tailings facility and mill on Gravina Island. However, work slowed during 2013 due to a lack of security and funding in the mining industry and the project is in stasis until at least 2014. Meanwhile AIDEA signed an agreement to support the facility on Gravina Island.



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By Ground Truth Trekking

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Created: Jan. 19, 2018