Business / Companies
New Dawn initiates 8,000 meter exploration project in Zimbabwe
17 Apr 2012 at 08:20hrs | Views
New Dawn Mining has commenced an 8,000 meter diamond drilling program at its Camperdown Mine gold project, which is part of the Company's Gweru Gold Camp located in the Shurugwi District of Zimbabwe.
Camperdown Mine has been operated in the past as both an open-pit and a small underground operation and is considered to have good future potential as a low grade-high tonnage open-pit proposition. Historical production (up to 1992) was reported to be 220,000 ounces of gold from 3.3 million tonnes of ore at a recovered grade of 2.0 grams per tonne of gold.
Mineralisation occurs in a number of discrete zones within a domal-shaped banded iron formation, cross-cut by numerous quartz veins which themselves can also be mineralised. The banded iron formation dome which is being explored has relatively shallow dips of less than 30 degrees in all principal directions. The lateral extent of this mineralisation is not yet known.
The program aims to test the down-dip extent of the known mineralised zones within the claims area, with 58 inclined holes to depths of between 100 to 200 meters, and with a drill pattern on a 200 meter grid. Hole positions, orientations and depths may be modified during the program dependent on drilling results as they are generated. To provide efficient drill rig positioning, initial drilling will be sited around the areas of previous underground operations, with the objective of testing the down-dip extent of mineralisation below the current 2 level, approximately 90 meters below the surface.
Contingent on drilling parameters, the program is expected to take up to 6 months, with analysis of the results expected to be completed by the end of December 2012. Based on the results of this drilling program, the Company may consider additional exploratory work to further define and develop this opportunity.
NewDawn said while drilling is occurring, extensive geological mapping and structural analysis will be conducted. Also, approximately 650 meters to the southwest of Camperdown, within the claims area, there is another small open pit, known as the Redhill deposit. A small amount of mining has taken place here in the past with recovered grades on the order of 1.5 grams per tonne gold. The exact geological relationship and stratigraphic position of Redhill relative to Camperdown is not fully understood, and will be investigated during this exploration program. The Redhill deposit is not a material property to the Company.
Camperdown Mine has been operated in the past as both an open-pit and a small underground operation and is considered to have good future potential as a low grade-high tonnage open-pit proposition. Historical production (up to 1992) was reported to be 220,000 ounces of gold from 3.3 million tonnes of ore at a recovered grade of 2.0 grams per tonne of gold.
Mineralisation occurs in a number of discrete zones within a domal-shaped banded iron formation, cross-cut by numerous quartz veins which themselves can also be mineralised. The banded iron formation dome which is being explored has relatively shallow dips of less than 30 degrees in all principal directions. The lateral extent of this mineralisation is not yet known.
Contingent on drilling parameters, the program is expected to take up to 6 months, with analysis of the results expected to be completed by the end of December 2012. Based on the results of this drilling program, the Company may consider additional exploratory work to further define and develop this opportunity.
NewDawn said while drilling is occurring, extensive geological mapping and structural analysis will be conducted. Also, approximately 650 meters to the southwest of Camperdown, within the claims area, there is another small open pit, known as the Redhill deposit. A small amount of mining has taken place here in the past with recovered grades on the order of 1.5 grams per tonne gold. The exact geological relationship and stratigraphic position of Redhill relative to Camperdown is not fully understood, and will be investigated during this exploration program. The Redhill deposit is not a material property to the Company.
Source - newdawn
