***OFF THE WIRE***
Twin Mining's Atlanta Gold Project Metallurgical Drilling Program Completed - Advancing Toward Feasibility
/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION
IN THE UNITED STATES./
TORONTO, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - Twin Mining Corporation (TWG:TSX) announced today
that it completed the core drilling program on the Atlanta Gold Project. This
program was undertaken to retrieve fresh ore samples for metallurgical testing
by an independent laboratory to confirm previous testing carried out by the
Company and to obtain new and improved gold recoveries. A Scoping Study
prepared in 1998, updated in 1999, based on recovery grades obtained in an
earlier test series, concluded, that from a measured mineral resource of more
than one million ounces, gold could be produced at estimated site cash costs
of U.S.$160 per ounce (see press release Nov.14, 2002).
During the 13-hole campaign a total of 1,284 meters (4,211 feet) was
drilled. Nine holes were drilled in the Monarch zone with dip angles ranging
from 45 to 69 degrees. All holes were drilled across the full width of the
shear zone that ranges from 18 to 55 meters (60 - 180 feet). The hanging wall
and foot wall contacts are clearly visible. Geological logging of the core
confirmed earlier ore zone interpretations based on results from reverse
circulation drill holes. Strongly altered mineralization with quartz veining,
typical of the Atlanta ore zone, was intersected in every drill hole.
The Idaho zone was tested with four angle holes at 56 to 60 degrees of
dip. Three of the core holes recovered metallurgical samples while the fourth
hole was drilled into the wall rock to provide material for environmental
testing. The environmental hole intersected 4.8 meters of a previously unknown
alteration zone at the end of the hole at a depth of 98.8 to 103.6 meters.
This intersection will be sampled for gold/silver content. The alteration zone
is open at depth.
The recovered HQ core (63.5 mm / 2.5 inch diameter) was sawed lengthwise
with one-half of the core designated for metallurgical testing, one-quarter
for assaying, and one-quarter saved for reference. Samples of wall rock were
selected for environmental testing in support of the permitting process. The
assay samples, collected in 3-meter increments, will be analyzed for gold and
silver. In addition a 500-gram cyanide bottle roll test will be performed on
ore grade core sections to determine gold extraction characteristics.
The results of the metallurgical testing will be used for the feasibility
of a 5,000-ton per day open pit heapleach operation.
ALS CHEMEX has been awarded the contract for assaying and bottle roll
testing. The samples have been delivered to the laboratory and assay results
are expected within 2-3 weeks. Gold extraction data will follow in early to
mid January. The gold extraction information will be used to select
metallurgical samples to be used in the column leach test program scheduled
for completion in June 2003.
Mr. Derek Rance, P.Eng., Behre Dolbear's Canadian President, is Twin
Mining's "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Twin Mining, in addition to the gold mining project in Idaho, United
States of America is exploring the Jackson Inlet diamond project on Baffin
Island and the TORNGAT diamond project on the east side of Ungava Bay in
northern Québec.
Regards
Vaughn |
