I am still watching Polymet for a buy later this year. EIS delays which will delay final permits but still shaping up:
PolyMet expands Magenta zone, preparing for estimate
2007-07-10 08:50 ET - News Release
Mr. William Murray reports:
POLYMET DRILL PROGRAM CONFIRMS EXPANSION OF "MAGENTA" ZONE AND DEMONSTRATES CONTINUITY OF NORTHMET ORE ZONES
PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX:POM)(AMEX:PLM) ("PolyMet" or the "Company") reported today receipt of all assays from a successful winter in-fill drill program at its 100%-owned NorthMet Project. NorthMet comprises a copper-nickel-precious metals ore-body and the nearby Erie Plant, located near Hoyt Lakes in the established mining district of the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota.
Most of the 19,100-foot, 47-hole drill program took place on the southwestern end of the planned 20 year open pit. The program produced 2,802 core samples and 383 quality assurance samples and achieved its objectives of confirming geologic and grade continuity between previous holes in the main mineralized zones. Sample preparation was carried by ALS Chemex in Thunder Bay, Ontario with analysis in their laboratory in Vancouver BC.
The in-fill drilling program was intended for mine scheduling. It also expanded the "Magenta Zone" (the "Zone"); a near surface zone of mineralization measuring approximately 5,000 feet by 2,000 feet and located mostly within the western part of the 20 year pit plan, as submitted for environmental review and permitting. The Magenta Zone is a sheet of continuous mineralization in the upper units of the Duluth Complex, averaging 130 feet thick. To date it has been intercepted in over 60 drill holes. The Magenta Zone is copper and palladium-rich relative to other mineralization at NorthMet.
A limited drilling program currently underway will further test the margins of the Zone by stepping off from the known mineralization on 200 foot centers.
As a result of this drilling within and near the currently planned pits, PolyMet anticipates that some material previously classified as waste will be reclassified as ore. In addition, some material previously in the inferred mineral resource category is expected to be moved up into the measured and indicated resource categories.
Richard Patelke, PolyMet's Chief Geologist observed, "The focused drill program achieved our objectives of demonstrating the continuity of the main ore zones. As with previous work, drill results continue to be very predictable in terms of grade and mineralogy."
William Murray, President and CEO added, "The results of this latest round of drilling will be used in optimization of our mine planning and scheduling within the overall outline established for environmental review and permitting. This work is continuing in parallel with our review of the production ramp-up schedule in order to continue optimizing project economics."
The Company expects to publish a National Instrument 43-101 compliant updated resource estimate in August, 2007. This report will deal with the expected expansion of the mineral resource including the Magenta Zone, the anticipated conversion of material previously classified as waste within the 20 year pit plan and material outside the 20 year pit plan.
Information contained in this news release was prepared by Richard Patelke, Senior Project Geologist and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
PolyMet Mining Corp. (www.polymetmining.com) is a publicly-traded mine development company that owns 100% of the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore body and 100% of the Erie Plant, a large processing facility located approximately eight miles from the ore body in the established mining district of the Mesabi Range in northeastern Minnesota. PolyMet has completed a Definitive Feasibility Study that has demonstrated the technical and economic viability of the project and is seeking environmental and operating permits in order to commence production in early 2009. The NorthMet project is expected to require approximately one million man hours of construction labor and create at least 400 long-term jobs, a level of activity that will have a significant multiplier effect in the local economy.
POLYMET MINING CORP.
William Murray, President
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