The mine tour was excellent. These men not only showed us the operation, but also took the time and effort to explain the nature of their work and some of the challenges that face them.
Ben Viljoen took us into the underground workings at the Mary mine, and demonstrated a real knowledge of the history and layout of the workings. Ben is 32 years in mining, 16 years at Mineral Ridge through several operators. When I asked him whether he had another 16 years left in him, he replied, "You damn right I do". That's exactly what I wanted to hear. He's a man with a passion for that project.
He walked us through, talked over the history, showed us some of the identified ore grades on the walls, and the 300,000 ounce Cord Stope, and explained how with the layer effect of the deposit existing mineralization lies overhead in some areas.
Ed Falk showed us the Drinkwater pit, and worked up a chart demonstrating how the current drill program was expanding resources around the periphery/edge of the existing pit. He also gave us a good explanation on the drilling/time/resources and statistics involved in turning a few drill holes into a significant resource/reserve. Ed's been "volunteering" his time/working with the Phoenix for over 10 years...and applying his skills at chasing down and identifying these deposits.
Rich Dixon gave us an explanation of the geologic nature of mineral ridge.(excuse my layman's explanation.)He worked up a drawing which demonstrated how the deposit, which is striated layers of alaskite, quartz, and limestone overlays a granite core. He explained that both the quartz, and the limestone host gold mineralization, and that anticline (peak) structures tend to concentrate the gold deposits in high grade occurence.
Rich explained that Mineral ridge is one of the few anticline(peak)/syncline(valley)type gold deposits that have not weathered away and the structure overlays the entire 3600 acre property. The structure takes sort of a wave formation, may also contort/convolute back on itself. In its development stage, the alaskite expanded, thereby segregating the layers of gold bearing limestone/quartz. It is the combination of the striated/layered effect of the gold bearing limestone/quartz, with the convolutions of the deposit, along with the steep mountain contours which have the potential to create multiple ore zones, creating the exploration challenge and also potential for overlooked/previously unexplored resources at depth.
Wayne Colwell, Technical Services Mgr./bus driver/tour guide walked us through his lab, and explained the details of his work in doing atomic absorption, fire assay, and work with the handheld xray flourescence equipment. Wayne used to run his own environmental lab, and has developed much mine related experience beyond analytical work. Very few mining operations have that level of technical capability and expertise in house and on-board.
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