Maple Gold Mines (MGM-V) has begun drilling at the Nika zone on its Douay gold project in the Matagami area of northwestern Quebec. The company has two rigs operating in what could be a 6,000-metre program. The first hole is targeting a near-surface extension of the best mineralization encountered last spring -- a 50-metre hit that averaged 1.77 grams of gold per tonne -- while the second will test the depth continuity of that same intercept. Mr. Hornor, president and chief executive officer, says that additional holes will test other nearby higher-grade targets in the Nika zone.
The Nika zone and the surrounding NW Gap area "represent an important opportunity for the company," Mr. Horner enthused, pointing out that the drill density in the area is relatively limited. Last spring's discovery at Nika "demonstrated the ability to define brand new zones within the greater resource area," he cheered. He believes that further drilling successes in the area could lead to the definition of more near-surface mineralization and "help us link the Douay West, Porphyry and NW zones."
A new resource update for Douay is expected soon. The current calculation lists 9.38 million tonnes indicated at 1.59 grams per tonne plus 84.15 million tonnes inferred at 1.02 grams per tonne, for a combined 3.24 million ounces of gold. The bulk of that gold lies within the Porphyry zone, although 425,000 ounces exist at somewhat higher grades within Douay West and nearly 400,000 ounces in several other, smaller zones including NW. |
