McEwen says Fox drilling returned up to 24 g/t gold from Stock
McEwen Mining (TSX: MUX; NYSE: MUX) says drilling at the Fox gold complex 65 km east of Timmins, Ontario, continues to return promising grades both to extend the Stock zones and delineate the Froome mine.
The company is beginning to receive assays from drilling at the Stock Main zone (the historic Stock mine). Hole SM21-024 returned 9.1 metres of 7.43 g/t gold, including 2.6 metres of 23.72 g/t gold within 25 metres of the surface. Hole S21-202 intersected 21 metres grading 4.29 g/t gold, and it will be further drilled next year.
McEwen says if the intercept connects to mineralization at Sock West, it will materially enlarge the boundaries of the Stock West system.
The host lithology of the Stock West mineralization, which was intersected by hole S21-202 was also recently encountered in the footwall of the Stock mine.
At the Froome mine, 317 underground drill holes were completed this year to delineate the orebody. Bulk mining began earlier this year with results that have met expectations for gold grade, dilution and total ounces produced. The Froome mine is 900 metres west of the Black Fox open pit and is expected to lengthen the life of the Fox complex by at least 2.5 years beyond its current 10 years.
McEwen is working on a preliminary economic assessment for the expansion of the Fox complex, and it is in the final stages of preparation.
The company assembled the Fox complex in 2017 with the takeover of Lexam VG Gold in April and the acquisition of the Stock and Black Fox properties in October.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)