2011 Qualifying Report
for the
Carmacks Copper Deposit,
Yukon Territory
NTS Map Sheet: 115I07
Latitude 62°21'N
Longitude 136°41'W
Report By:
Scott Casselman, B.Sc., P.Geo
Casselman Geological Services Ltd.
33 Firth Road
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Report For:
Western Copper Corporation,
Carmacks Copper Limited,
Copper North Mining Corporation and
Carmacks Mining Corporation
2050 – 1111 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
August 22, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
i
List of Figures
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1.0 | SUMMARY |
The Carmacks Copper Project is located approximately 192 km north of Whitehorse, Yukon, within the Whitehorse Mining District. The property consists of 338 full-size and fractional claims in two claim blocks; one containing 312 claims, the other 26 claims. All of the claims owned 100% by Carmacks Copper Corp., a 100% owned subsidiary of Western Copper Corporation (Western Copper).
Western Copper (formerly Western Copper Holdings Ltd.) and Thermal Exploration Company (Thermal Exploration) acquired the Carmacks Copper Project in 1989 from Archer, Cathro & Associates subject to a 3% Net Smelter Royalty. Western Copper completed a feasibility study on the property which was subsequently updated in 1995. Following this, Western Copper made the decision to proceed with project development and filed for environmental review together with Quartz Mining and Water Licence Applications. In 1998, after completing some early construction work on the project Western Copper suspended work on the project indefinitely due to low copper prices. In 2006, an exploration program was re-initiated on the Carmacks property consisting of diamond drilling, Rapid Air Blast (RAB) drilling and environmental baseline studies. Western Copper continued exploration drilling, environmental studies and geotechnical investigations, seasonally, in 2007 and 2008.
To date, a total of 241 diamond drill holes, 11 reverse circulation holes, and 61 Rapid Air Blast holes, amounting to approximately 38,207 m of drilling, were drilled in the exploration of the property. In addition, 71 geotechnical holes have been drilled for an additional 3,847 m.
The Carmacks copper-gold deposit lies within the Yukon Cataclastic Terrane. The deposit is hosted by feldspathic-mafic gneisses (generally quartz deficient) that form a roof pendant within Triassic hornblende-biotite granodiorite of the Granite Mountain Batholith. The deposit constitutes the No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7 Zones, which are 3 of 14 defined zones containing copper mineralization known on or in the immediate vicinity of the property. The No. 1, 4 and 7 Zones, as presently defined, extend over a 700 m strike length and at least 450 m down dip. The deposit is open at depth. These zones are oxidized to an approximate depth of 250m below surface. Within the oxidized area pyrite is virtually absent and pyrrhotite is absent. Weathering has resulted in 1% to 3% pore space and the rock is quite permeable. Secondary copper and iron minerals line and in-fill cavities, form both irregular and coliform masses and fill fractures and rim sulphides. Primary sulphide minerals and magnetite are disseminated and form narrow massive bands or heavy disseminations in bands.
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The character of the deposit changes along strike leading to a division into northern and southern halves. The northern half is more regular in thickness, dip angle, width, and down dip characteristics. The southern half splays into irregular intercalations, terminating against subparallel faults down dip. Both the north and south ends of the deposit are offset by cross-cutting faults. The No. 4 Zone is interpreted as the southern offset extension of the No. 1 Zone. The northern offset has not been identified yet.
An updated mineral resource was estimated by Wardrop Engineering Inc, in 2007. The updated resource estimate was calculated using historical and recent drill hole data. The oxide sulphide boundary was modelled using a minimum 20% ratio of oxide copper to total copper. Wardrop used a specific gravity of 2.65 for the granodiorite, 2.68 for the oxide mineralization and 2.71 for the sulphide mineralization. Based on these parameters, Wardrop estimated that the Carmacks deposit contained approximately 10 million tonnes of oxide resources in the combined measured plus indicated categories, grading 0.96% Cu Oxide (CuX), 0.17% Cu Sulphide (CuS), 0.519 g/t Au, and 4.938 g/t Ag. The deposit contains an additional 5.7 million tonnes of sulphide resources in the combined measured plus indicated categories grading 0.05% CuX, 0.71% CuS, 0.227 g/t Au, and 2.244 g/t Ag. The mineral resources were reported at 0.25% total copper cut-off grade.
In June 2005, the project entered the environmental assessment process and in April 15, 2009 the company received a Quartz Mining Licence. The company then entered the Yukon Water Board review for a water licence. On May 10, 2010 the company was notified that the Water Licence had been denied with a list of deficiencies in the application and design process.
Western Copper is currently studying alternative heap leach designs to resolve the Water Licence issues, including modifications to the plant design. These may require additional geotechnical investigations to support the design change and an updated capital cost estimate for the project.
Exploration potential for oxide copper and sulphide resources exists in the Zone 2, 12, 13 and 14 areas. Additional drilling will be required to define these zones. Drilling to test and define these areas is estimated at 5,000 to 15,000 m.
The Phase 1 budget estimate for the alternative heap leach and plant design, geotechnical investigation and updating the feasibility study is $600,000. The Phase 2 budget estimate for evaluation of the under-explored zones is $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Although the project does not require the additional zones to be economic.
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2.0 | INTRODUCTION AND TERMS OF REFERENCE |
The Carmacks Copper Project site is located 192 kilometres (km) north of Whitehorse in the Whitehorse Mining Division of the Yukon Territory, Canada. The property consists of 312 full-size and fractional claims in one contiguous blocks, and 26 claims in a second contiguous block.
In 1995, Western Copper commissioned Kilborn Engineering Pacific Ltd. (Kilborn) to prepare a Feasibility Study for the Carmacks Copper Project. This study contains resource estimates that were prepared prior to the inception of National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) but were verified by the authors in a 2007 Aurora Geosciences Ltd. (Aurora) report. Aurora concluded that the resource estimates presented in the Kilborn feasibility study were a reasonable interpretation of the quantity and grade of the mineralization present, and satisfied the definitions and standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM) and as defined under NI 43-101. In the spring of 2007, Wardrop re-estimated the mineral resources for the Carmacks deposit using a 3 dimensional block modelling approach based on both historical (pre-2006) and the new data from the 2006 campaign.
The 2007 drilling program commenced in March and was completed in mid-October. The program further defined zones of mineralization at the No. 1, No. 7 and No. 7A zones, delineated mineralization at the No. 4, No. 12 and No. 13 zones and identified copper-molybdenum mineralization in a new zone, the No. 14 Zone.
This report relies on information and data gathered from existing reports prepared by other consultants and companies. This report relies primarily on information contained in the Basic Engineering Report, dated December 1997 and the Feasibility Study, dated September 1995, both of which were prepared by Kilborn. This report also relies on a technical report prepared by Aurora dated January 8, 2007 and the Resource Estimate Report prepared by Wardrop and Casselman.
In this report, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency unless otherwise specified.
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2.1 | TERMS of REFERENCE |
Western Copper has commissioned Casselman Geological Services Ltd. to prepare an updated report utilizing the 43-101 standard in preparation for a spin-out of assets from Western Copper to a newly formed company. This report relies on the resource estimate of 2007 and is based on historical data plus data from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 exploration campaigns. The mineral resource estimate of 2007 was in conformance with the CIM Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve definitions referred to in NI 43-101 Standards and Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Scott Casselman, B.Sc., P.Geo., of Casselman Geological Services Ltd is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, responsible for the preparation of this report. Mr. Casselman is independent of Western Copper and managed the exploration programs on site in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
3.0 | RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS |
The author relied on data provide by Western Copper for drill data, assay data, resource estimation, surveying, claim status, environmental studies and permitting.
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4.0 | PROPERY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION |
The Carmacks Copper Project is located in the Dawson Range Mountains on NTS map sheet 115I07 at latitude 62°21'N and longitude 136°41'W, some 192 km north of Whitehorse, Yukon as shown on Figure 4.1. The project site is located on Williams Creek, 8 km west of the Yukon River and some 38 km northwest of the town of Carmacks.
The Carmacks Copper Project site, located in the Whitehorse Mining District, consists of 318 quartz claims and quartz claim fractions and 20 quartz leases and quartz lease fractions as shown on Figure 4.2. The term ‘quartz’ for a claim in the Yukon is the nomenclature used to distinguish between a bedrock or lode mineral rights and ‘placer’ claims for placer mineral rights. The registered owner of the claims is Carmacks Copper Corp., a 100% owned subsidiary of Western Copper Corporation.
A list of claims derived from the Yukon Mining Records and Claim Status Report, which describe the status of the Mineral claims and leases comprising the Carmacks property is presented in 4.1 and 4.2, respectively.
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Table 4.1 Quartz Claim Status
Claim Name and No. | Grant No. | Expiry Date | Registered Owner | % Owned |
BOY 20 | Y51118 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
BOY 51, 53 | Y51149, Y51151 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
BOY 52, 54 | Y51150, Y51152 | 2014/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
BOY 83 | Y51181 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
DUN 1 | Y59382 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
TT 1 | YB97068 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
TT 2 | YB97251 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 11, 13 | YB96620, YB 96622 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 17-18 | YB96626-YB6627 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 19–21 | YB96628–YB96630 | 2016/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 23, 25 | YB96632, YB6634 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 27–38 | YB96636-YB96647 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 40-50 | YB96986-YB96996 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
VW 60-61 | YB96997-YB96998 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
REM 1-14 | YC39221-YC39234 | 2012/04/11 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
REM 19-30 | YC39239-YC39250 | 2012/04/11 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
REM 32-35 | YC39251-YC39254 | 2012/04/11 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 1-6 | YB26708-YB26713 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 7-10 | YB26714-YB26717 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 11,13,15,17,19,20 | YB26718,20,22,24,26,27 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 12,14,16,18 | YB26719,21,23,25 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 21-24 | YB26728-YB26731 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 25-28 | YB26732-YB26735 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 29-30 | YB26736-YB26737 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 31-37 | YB26738-YB26744 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 41-43 | YB26748-YB26750 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 50-53 | YB36249-YB36252 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 55 ,W 57 | YB36254, YB36256 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 91-93 | YB36929-YB36931 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
W 95 | YB36933 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
X 3-4 | YB36898, 899 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
X 5-7 | YB36962-YB36964 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WC 5-18 | YB36693-YB36706 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WC 23-36 | YB36711-YB36724 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WC 40-54 | YB36728-YB36742 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WC 57-72 | YB36745-YB36760 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 22 | Y59373 | 2016/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 23-29 | YB36240-YB36246 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 30-31 | YB36247-YB36248 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 32-37 | YB36446-YB36451 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 38-44 | YB36765-YB36771 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 45 | YB36772 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 46 | YB36773 | 2015/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WAR 47-50 | YB36774-YB36777 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
WCC 1-40 | YC60381-YC60420 | 2013/05/10 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
GAP 1-5 | YC65320-YC65324 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
HIP 1-12 | YC65554-YC65565 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
HIP 13, 14 | YC65566-YC65567 | 2012/14/08 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
HIP 15-27 | YC65568-YC65580 | 2013/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
JIM 1-30 | YC66844-YC66873 | 2012/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 |
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Table 4.2 Quartz Lease Status
Claim Name and No. | Grant No. | Expiry Date | Registered Owner | % Owned | Quartz Lease |
AC # 2-3 | Y91722–Y91723 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00070-71 |
BOY 22 | Y51120 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00061 |
BOY 24 | Y51122 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00062 |
BOY 55–58 | Y51153–Y51156 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00063-66 |
BOY 85 | Y51183 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00067 |
DUN 2-3 | Y59383–Y59384 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00068-69 |
W 38-40 | YB26745-YB26747 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00072-74 |
W 44-48 | YB26751-YB26755 | 2019/10/28 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00075-79 |
W 49 | YB26756 | 2025/03/09 | Carmacks Copper Corp. | 100 | OW00080 |
The above claim information has been verified with the Yukon Mining Recorder NMRS database, current to August 12, 2011, which states that the expiry dates listed are valid and that all the claims and leases are in good standing (www.yukonminingrecorder.ca). Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited, at the election of Western Copper retain a 3.0% NSR royalty to a maximum of $2.5 million. Annual advanced royalty payments of $100,000 are made whenever the average annual price of copper is above US$1.10/pound. To date $300,000 of the royalty has been paid.
In the Yukon, claims are good for one year and may be renewed yearly provided annual assessment work of $100 per claim is carried out or a payment of $100 per claim in lieu of work is made. A fee of $5 per claim per year of work recorded is also applicable to record the assessment work. Assessment work on a full-size fraction (greater than 25 acres) is the same as a claim but on a small-size fraction (less than 25 acres) only $50 per year assessment work is required. Quartz leases have a term of 20 years and may be renewed.
The property lies near LSC R-9A, First Nations Surveyed Lands, Class A Land Reserve, where both surface and mineral rights are reserved for First Nations, in this case the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation.
In 1972, the leases on the property were surveyed as per one of the requirements of obtaining a lease. In 2007, the majority of the claims in the center part of the claim block, covering the No. 1, 4, 7, 7A, 12, 13, and 14 zones were legally surveyed. The far northern claims (WC claims), southern claims (VW, TT and X) and eastern claims (REM) have not been legally surveyed.
Figure 4.2 shows the location of the claims and leases.
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For exploration (and development) in the Yukon, the Quartz Mining Act and Quartz Mining Land Use Regulations require that:
• | all areas disturbed must be left in a condition conducive to successful regeneration by native plant species. | |
• | all areas disturbed must be re-sloped, contoured, or otherwise stabilized to prevent long-term soil erosion. | |
• | structures must be removed and the site restored to a level of utility comparable to the previous level of utility. |
Western Copper has had environmental baseline monitoring programs in place since 1992. An Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) was compiled in 1994 and since then four addendums to the IEE have been filed by Hallam, Knight Piésold Ltd. (HKP), Knight Piésold Ltd. and Kilborn to detail additional information on the environmental parameters of the project. Programs have consisted of, but are not limited to, the following:
• | overburden and waste characterization studies. | |
• | in 23 waste rock samples, only one was over detection limit in elemental sulphur, overall Neutralization potential was NP/AP of 90:1, recent work using rainwater through waste sections of core, all three samples returned net NP greater than five and, although metals were present in the rock, the leachate metal content was low to very low for all metals. | |
• | leach pad neutralization, initial difficulty in increasing pH above 4 has been rectified by using sodium carbonate instead of lime for treatment of the leached material. |
In June 2005, Western Silver filed a Project Description with the Yukon Territorial Government (YTG) to initiate an environmental assessment under the Yukon Environmental Assessment (YEA) process and at the same time made application for both a Water License and a Quartz Mining License. Federal legislation passed in November of 2005 required Western Copper to enter into a second, parallel, assessment process pursuant to the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act (YESAA). A Project Proposal prepared in accordance with YESAA requirements was formally submitted in February 2006 and deemed adequate for public review in February 2007. On April 15, 2009 the company received a Quartz Mining Licence.
Prior to conducting the review of the Water Licence application, the Yukon Water Board required the recommendations of the Quartz Mining Licence. This review commenced shortly after April 15, 2009. On May 10, 2010 the company was notified that the Water Licence had been denied. The Water Board indicated a number of deficiencies and concerns in the application, which the company is currently working to address.
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Western Copper will need to place environmental reclamation bonding to cover future and current potential environmental liabilities that at this time would consist of re-contouring and re-vegetating the camp areas and any old exploration trenches that remain intact.
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5.0 | ACCESIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE and PHYSIOGRAPHY |
The project site is currently accessible by way of the Freegold Road that leads northwest of Carmacks for 34 km then by the Carmacks Copper access road for 13 km to the property. The property access road is narrow and rough with steep sections and requires 4x4 capabilities in inclement weather conditions. The Freegold Road is maintained by the territorial government and is currently open seasonally, generally from April through September. Carmacks, on the Yukon River, is 175 km by paved road north of Whitehorse, which is 180 km north of the year-round port at Skagway, Alaska. A new 13 km access road is proposed to be constructed as a part of the project development; brush clearing in preparation of this has occurred. Vegetation in wet areas, especially along the Williams Creek valley, consists of willows and alders. Drier areas are covered by spruce and pine trees. The property as a whole is below the tree line.
The climate in the Carmacks area is marked by warm summers and cold winters. Mean daily temperatures range from -30°C in January to 12°C in July. The location close to the Arctic Circle provides 22 hours of daylight in late June but similarly long nights in late December. Precipitation is light with moderate snowfall, the heaviest precipitation being in the summer months. The average annual precipitation is approximately 375 mm (water equivalent) with one third falling as snow. July is the wettest month. Mean annual evaporation is approximately 404 mm to yield a net loss of 29 mm. Maximum evaporation occurs in July. The weather does not impede year round commercial operations in the Yukon, including outdoor activities in the winter, except in the harshest cold snaps when temperatures may plummet to -50°C. The Cyprus Anvil open pit lead/zinc mine at Faro and the Brewery Creek open pit/heap leach gold mine, not far from the project, both operated successfully for many years in this climate.
Winter conditions may be considered to extend over the period where daytime maximum temperatures average below zero, November to March. The extreme cold temperatures in the region make outside construction in the winter difficult. In general, the outdoor construction season will be from May to October.
Topography at the property area is subdued. Topographic relief for the entire property is 515 m. In the immediate area of the No. 1 Zone, topographic relief is 230 m. Elevations range from 485 m at the Yukon River to 1,000 m on the western edge of the claim block.
Outcrop is uncommon because of the subdued topography and lack of glaciation. The major portion of the claim block lying north of Williams Creek is unglaciated above the 760 m elevation. The claim block area south of the Williams Creek valley and peripheral portions of the claim block, especially to the east, are covered by a veneer of ablation and lodgement boulder till with a sandy to silty matrix, generally less than 1 m thick.
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Overburden is generally thin; a few centimetres(cm) of moss and organic material overlie 5 to 20 cm of white felsic volcanic ash (White River ash, approximately 1,250 years old). In unglaciated areas, the white ash is underlain by 10 cm of organics or peat and 15 to 50 cm of soil. Bedrock is extensively weathered, particularly the gneissic units. At the eastern end of Trench 91-6, bedrock is 7 m below surface, the deepest recorded in the unglaciated area. In the glaciated areas, the white ash is underlain by tills, generally 1 m thick, except along Williams Creek valley where till and colluvium to 55 m deep has been measured in the centre of the valley. Northeast of the deposit, in the North Williams Creek valley, overburden has been measured up to 100 m deep. Permafrost is present at varying depths on most north facing slopes and at depth in other areas. Facilities should be located to avoid frost-susceptible, poorly drained soils.
The project is 220 km from Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon Territory. Whitehorse has a population of around 26,000, which is roughly 3/4 of the entire Yukon. Whitehorse is serviced by daily commercial flights from British Columbia and Alberta to the south and other northern communities and all-weather paved highways to the south and west to Alaska. Historically, mining has been the Yukon’s most important industry. In the past, the Yukon & White Pass Route (Y&WPR) railroad provided rail service from Whitehorse to port at Skagway, Alaska. In fact, concentrate from the Faro mine was transported in this way after being trucked from the mine but when Faro closed down so did the railroad, except for tourist excursions. Concentrate from the Minto Mine is currently trucked to Skagway, for shipping over-seas.
Carmacks has little infrastructure but may provide a location for camp or town site for the project. The nearest access point to the power grid is 9.5 km east-northeast of the deposit, to the power line along the Klondike Highway. Running a transmission line from here to the property would require the line to be strung across the Yukon River.
There are no permanent facilities on the property as all previous work was performed from a tent and trailer camp. Some clearing of brush has been performed in the areas of the pit and leach pad locations. Areas sufficient for all leach pads, waste dumps, and other mine facilities have been located and designed in the feasibility study. Although it is planned to use a local well water source, make up water could also be brought from the Yukon River, which runs year round.
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6.0 | Hist or y |
The first reported copper discovery in this region was made by Dr. G.M. Dawson in 1887 at Hoochekoo Bluff, on the Yukon River, 12 km north of the property. In 1898, the first claims were staked to cover copper showings that were associated with copper bearing quartz veins located in Williams Creek and Merrice Creek Canyons, east of the present Carmacks Copper deposit.
In the late 1960's, exploration for porphyry copper deposits in the Dawson Range led to the discovery of the Casino porphyry copper deposit, 104 km to the northwest of the Carmacks Copper deposit. This discovery precipitated a staking rush that led to the staking of the Williams Creek property in 1970 by G. Wing and A. Arsenault of Whitehorse. The Dawson Range Joint Venture (Straus Exploration Inc., Great Plains Development of Canada Ltd., Trojan Consolidated Minerals Ltd., and Molybdenum Corporation of America) optioned the property and contracted Archer, Cathro and Associates to conduct reconnaissance prospecting and geochemical sampling. During this program, the present No. 1 and No. 2 Zones were discovered.
Extensive drilling campaigns were undertaken on the property in 1971 (5,583 m of diamond drilling in 25 holes) and 1972 (1,531 m of diamond drilling in 8 holes) along with other exploration activities such as trenching, access road construction, ground magnetic surveys, ground VLF-EM surveys, airborne geophysical surveying, geological mapping, soil and rock sampling. From 1972 to 1990 there was no significant work performed on the property.
The property was purchased by Western Copper Holdings and Thermal Exploration Ltd in 1991. Later that year, they performed 3,464 m of diamond drilling in 36 holes and initiated a baseline environmental study. In 1992, they drilled 1,164 m in 11 diamond drill holes and 856 m in 11 reverse circulation holes. The companies also conducted additional metallurgical test work, baseline environmental testing, a biophysical assessment of the area and contracted Knight Piesold Ltd to conduct geotechnical studies on the deposit consisting of test pit excavation, overburden sampling, oriented diamond drill core logging and geologic mapping.
In 1994, Kilborn Engineering Pacific Ltd. was contracted to perform a Feasibility Study. The study indicated that, based on the copper price at the time the project was viable using open pit mining methods and solvent extraction-electrowinning.
In 1995, Western Copper Holdings and Thermal Exploration Ltd. merged to become Western Copper Holdings Ltd. The company contracted Knight and Piesold Ltd. to initiate a preliminary mine design and also initiated clearing and grubbing of a site access road and leach pad area. The company submitted a mine permit application later that year.
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While the company was awaiting a mine permit, they contracted Kilborn Engineering to produce a basic engineering report, in 1997. The permit was not forthcoming and, due to changing market conditions the company withdrew the permit application. The property sat dormant until the re-initiation of permitting in 2004.
In February 2003, Western Copper Holdings Ltd. changed their name to Western Silver Corporation as a result of a corporate redirection toward silver mining.
In late 2004, based in part on renewed optimism in the price of copper, Western Silver agreed with the Yukon Territorial Government to re-enter the permitting process and re-engaged in the environmental review process under the YEA process and more recently the newly enacted Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act (YESAA) process.
In early 2006, Glamis Gold Ltd. purchased Western Silver Corporation and spun off a separate firm named Western Copper Corporation (WCC). WCC retained the rights to the Carmacks Copper Project.
The Carmacks deposit has been subject to some historical tonnage and grade estimations over the years as summarized in Table 6.1. The historic resources are presented here to show the progression of development of the resources over the years on the property.
Table 6.1Historical Tonnage & Grade Estimates of the Carmacks Copper Deposit
Year | Source | Tons | Cu ox. % | Cu % | Au oz/t | Comments |
1991 | MPH Consulting Ltd.(No. 1 Zone) | 14,564,600 | 0.90 | 1.05 | - | Conventional by section 76% proven, 13% probable |
1991 | MPH Consulting Ltd.(No. 1 Zone) | 14,564,600 | 0.88 | 1.00 | - | IDS block model 78% proven, 10% probable |
1993 | Western Copper Audited by Kilborn | 12,984,240 | 0.911 | 1.195 | 0.016 | Measured and indicated at cutoff of 0.8% total copper |
1993 | Western Copper Audited by Kilborn | 15,867,140 | 0.829 | 1.096 | 0.014 | Measured and indicated at cutoff of 0.5% total copper |
1993 | Western Copper Audited by Kilborn | 19,062,390 | 0.725 | 0.972 | 0.013 | Measured and indicated at cutoff of 0.01% total copper |
1997 | Western est. Audit by Kilborn/SNC | 13,300,000 | - | 0.97 | - | Cutoff grade 0.29%T Cu Mine use 4.6:1 strip ratio |
2007 | Wardrop (No. 1, 4 and 7 Zones) | 10,000,000 | 0.96 | 1.13 | 0.017 | Oxide Resource, Measured and indicated at cutoff of 0.25% total copper |
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With the exception of the 2007 resource estimate, the mineral resource calculations presented in Table 6.1 have not been classified in accordance with the CIM approved standards as required in NI 43-101. These estimates have been obtained from sources believed reliable and conform to disclosure standards in use at the time of their publication, but have not all been independently verified. The historical resource estimates are no longer relevant and should not be relied upon, as they are replaced by the 2007 estimate which is re-presented in Section 16.0 of this report.
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7.0 | GEOLO GICAL SETTING |
The regional geology was described by Bostock in 1936 and more recently by Tempelman- Kluit in 1981 and 1985 and is shown in Figure 7.1. The Carmacks region lies within the Intermontane Belt, which in the Carmacks map-area is divisible into the Yukon Cataclastic Terrane, Yukon Crystalline Terrane and Whitehorse Trough.
The Whitehorse Trough lies to the east of the Hoochekoo Fault, east of the Carmacks Copper Project. The Whitehorse Trough comprises Upper Triassic intermediate to basic volcanic capped by carbonate reefs (Povoas Formation) and Lower Jurassic greywacke, shale and conglomerate, derived from the underlying Upper Triassic granitic rocks (Laberge Group).
The Yukon Cataclastic Terrane includes hornblende-biotite-chlorite gneiss with interfoliated biotite granite gneiss, Permian Selwyn Gneiss and is intruded by Early Jurassic Aishihik Suite Granite Mountain Batholith. Weakly foliated, mesocratic, biotite-hornblende, Granite Mountain granodiorite contains screens or pendants of strongly foliated feldspar-biotite-hornblende-quartz gneisses that host the Carmacks Copper deposit.
Younger plutonic rocks intrude all three divisions of the Intermontane Belt and the contacts between them. Carmacks Group and Mount Nansen volcanic rocks overlie portions of all older rocks, suggesting that they should not be classified in the Yukon Crystalline Terrane, but are younger rocks that obscure relationships between the older terrane rocks. Tempelman-Kluit (1985) has included the Carmacks Group in the Yukon Crystalline Terrane.
Mesozoic strata of the Whitehorse Trough are only exposed in fault contact with the Yukon Crystalline Terrane and Yukon Cataclastic Terrane, but may rest depositionally on them or certain of their strata. The relationship between the Yukon Crystalline Terrane and Yukon Cataclastic Terrane is unknown.
The predominant northwest structural trend is represented by the major Hoochekoo, Tatchun and Teslin faults to the east of the Carmacks Copper Project and the Big Creek Fault to the west. East to northeast younger faulting is represented by the major Miller Fault to the south of the Carmacks Copper Project.
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7.1 | PROPERTY GEOLOGY |
The Carmacks Copper-Gold deposit lies within the Yukon Cataclastic Terrane. The deposit area is underlain by intrusive and meta-intrusive rocks of the Granite Mountain Intrusion. Compositions range from granodiorite to diorite. These rocks are equigranular to porphyritic, and massive to moderately foliated. The porphyritic phases contain phenocrysts of K-(potassium) feldspar, plagioclase and/or quartz. In some instances the K-feldspar phenocrysts range up to 3 cm long. Post mineralization granitic pegmatite and aplite dykes are widespread in the area.
Hornblende is present in dioritic intrusive rocks and locally in the granodioritic phases. Quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase are present in all intrusive phases. Plagioclase is subhedral and very locally displays growth zoning.
The host rocks for copper and gold mineralization at the No. 1, 4 and 7 Zones can be divided into three types:
• | biotite-rich gneiss and quartzo-feldspathic gneiss | |
• | ‘siliceous ore’ | |
• | fine-grained ‘amphibolite’ and biotite schist. |
In addition, 13 identified zones containing Cu mineralization are known on, or in the immediate vicinity of, the property.
Most of the geological information shown in Figure 7.2 comes from geophysics and drill core, as there is only limited outcrop on the property found along spines on the ridges and hill tops. Float, derived locally because the area was not glaciated by continental glaciation, can be seen in the old trenches on the property and along the cuts of the drill roads.
Petrographic examination indicates Granite Mountain granodiorites have a varied mineralogical content with areas of silica under-saturation and plagioclase oversaturation. These variations are probably the result of the assimilation of precursor rock to the gneiss units.
The general lack or very low quartz content and the high mafic content suggest a volcanic origin for the gneisses. Occasional drill intercepts of the “gneiss” in Zone No. 4 and in Zone No. 12 returned rock that resembled an arkosic sediment, possibly derived from a mafic volcanic or indicating the gneiss is from a mixed volcano-sedimentary environment. An andesitic to basaltic pyroclastic volcanic, probably tuffaceous, agglomeratic or breccia precursor rock with some sedimentary re-working is considered the most likely.
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Post mineralization aplite and pegmatites are common. They range in thickness from a few centimetres up to three metres. Quartz veins are uncommon and average two to five centimetres in thickness. Thin mafic dykes that were feeders for Carmacks Group volcanic are also uncommon. The only copper mineralization in these dykes and veins is non-sulphide secondary copper in aplite and pegmatite.
All of the historically estimated resources are contained in the No. 1 Zone which extends over a 700 m strike length and at least 450 m down dip. The deposit is open at depth and is oxidized to approximately 230 metres in depth. Copper-gold mineralization at Carmacks Copper is hosted by feldspathic-biotite-hornblende-quartz gneisses. These gneisses have been subdivided into nine categories based on coarseness and biotite-hornblende content. All of the gneisses are silica undersaturated and mafic rich.
The character of the No. 1 deposit changes along strike leading to a division into northern and southern halves. The northern half is more regular in thickness, dip angle, width, and down dip characteristics. The southern half splays into irregular intercalations and appears to terminate against sub-parallel faults down dip. At the north end the deposit pinches out. At the south end the No. 1 deposit appears to splay into the No. 7, 7A zones and was pulled apart, or fault offset into No. 4 Zone. The copper and gold mineralization in No. 7 and 7A are similar to No. 1, with the exception that in some locations the depth of oxidation is shallower.
The No. 4 Zone varies from biotite-hornblende gneiss, as seen in the No. 1 zone, in the northern part to a more granular, meta-volcano-sedimentary host rock in the south. The copper content is lower in the No. 4 zone and there is a shallower depth of oxidation. The shape of the No. 4 zone is an irregular, wavy, shallowly dipping body, which forms a large “bowl” shape in the centre of the zone.
In the northern half of the No. 1 zone, copper grades are higher in the footwall relative to the hanging wall. Oxide copper grades increase with depth in both the footwall and hanging wall. There is no association of copper values with rock type, mafic mineral content, or grain size. Gold values are higher in the north half of the deposit. They average 0.022 ounces (oz) gold per ton (0.75 grams per tonne (g/t)) compared with 0.008 ounces gold per ton (0.27 g/t) in the south half. There is no apparent increase in values with depth and the highest grade gold values are not associated with the highest copper values; however, gold values in the northern half are higher in the footwall section. This lack of increase in gold values with depth suggests that the gold distribution reflects a primary distribution rather than a secondary distribution, such as oxide
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copper values. As with oxide copper, gold content does not correlate with rock type, mafic constituents, or grain size. The majority of the gold occurs in a higher-grade zone between section 1700 N and section 1200 N.
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8.0 | DEPOSIT TYPES |
The Carmacks Copper deposit is similar to the Minto deposit, located 50 km to the northwest (Sinclair, 1976; Pearson, 1977), except that the Minto deposit is flat lying and primarily a sulphide deposit. A number of theories for the genesis of the Carmacks Deposit have been postulate over the years and by different operators. Evidence from the 2006 and 2007 drilling campaigns suggests the deposit was formed by assimilation of older, copper-bearing volcano-sedimentary rocks into the Jurassic Granite Batholith. These “rafts” of mineralized rock would have been variably metamorphosed, and in places completely assimilated into the granodiorite. The volcano-sedimentary rafts would tend to pull apart along bedding planes forming large tabular sheets as observed in the No. 1, 7, 7A, 8, 12 and 13 zones. Evidence suggests the sulphide mineralization has been re-mobilized out of the rafts into the surrounding granodiorite and in some locations the sulphur has been driven off leaving native copper in the granodiorite matrix. At a later time, when the upper parts of the batholith where eroded and the gneiss was exposed to the atmosphere and meteoric waters, the sulphide mineralization began to oxidize and precipitate as the oxide minerals.
The Minto deposit is owned by Sherwood Mining Corporation and began production in June of 2007. The Minto deposit has been interpreted as a either a metamorphosed stratiform sedimentary copper deposit or a metamorphosed porphyry copper deposit.
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9.0 | MINERALIZATION |
The majority of the copper found in oxide portion of the No. 1, No. 4, No. 7 and No. 7A zones are in the form of the secondary minerals malachite, cuprite, azurite and tenorite (copper limonite) with very minor other secondary copper minerals (covellite, digenite, djurlite). Native copper occurs as dendritic secondary precipitates on fractures, occasionally up to 50 m from the deposits. Other secondary minerals include limonite, goethite, specular hematite and gypsum. Primary copper mineralization is restricted to bornite and chalcopyrite. Other primary minerals include magnetite, gold, molybdenite, native bismuth, bismuthinite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and carbonate. Molybdenite, visible gold, native bismuth, bismuthinite, and arsenopyrite occur rarely.
Alteration minerals that could be considered strictly related to the mineralizing event rather than weathering or dyke intrusion are not recognizable. Epidotization and potassium feldspathization are obviously related to a pegmatite dyke intrusion, which is a post-mineralization event. Clay (montmorillonite type) and sericite development are clearly weathering products. Silica introduction, usually as narrow veinlets, is not common and may be related to aplite dyking or metasomatism. Chloritization of mafics, biotitization of hornblende, rare garnets, carbonate, and possibly anhydrite all appear related to metasomatism and assimilation of precursor rocks to the gneissic units.
The upper 230 m of the No. 1 Zone is oxidized. Within the oxidized area, pyrite is virtually absent and pyrrhotite is absent. Weathering has resulted in 1% to 3% pore space and the rock is quite permeable. Secondary copper and iron minerals line and in-fill cavities, form both irregular and coliform masses, and fill fractures and rim sulphides. Primary sulphide minerals and magnetite are disseminated and form narrow massive bands or heavy disseminations in bands. Non-copper sulphides are not common in the weathered zone and are usually intergrown or associated with each other when they do occur. They most commonly occur in hematite but also occur in copper sulphides and in the gangue minerals. Gypsum occurs as microveinlets. Carbonate occurs as pervasive matter, irregular patches or microveinlets, not commonly but on the order of 1% where present. Gold occurs as native grains, most commonly in cavities with limonite or in limonite adjacent to sulphides, but also in malachite, plagioclase, chlorite, and rarely in quartz grains. Gold is rarely greater than five microns in size.
Secondary copper mineralization does not appear to be preferential to a particular rock type. In the north half of the No. 1 Zone, copper mineralization forms high and low grade zones that are reasonably consistent, both along strike and down dip, and these zones transcend lithologic boundaries. Higher grades tend to form a footwall zone, while lower grades form a hanging wall zone.
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Primary mineralization, below the zone of oxidation comprises chalcopyrite, bornite, molybdenite, magnetite, pyrite and pyrrhotite. Primary copper mineralization appears to be zoned from bornite on the north to chalcopyrite, and finally to pyrite and pyrrhotite on the south. Narrow veinlets of anhydride were found in the deepest drill hole.
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10.0 | EXPLORATION |
A considerable amount of exploration and drilling has been carried out on the property leading up to and during the discovery and definition of the Carmacks Copper deposit. In addition to drilling, the main mode of exploration has been trenching. The main No. 1, 4, 7 and 7A zones has been trenched at 200-foot spacing and one or two trenches have been excavated on most of the other known anomalies (Figure ).
Ground geophysics was carried out in 1991 over the No. 1 Zone area and continued north and south over a total 20,000-foot strike length. The survey was done at 200-foot line spacing for a total of 52.4 line miles. The VLF-EM and magnetometer survey identified numerous structures assumed to be faults as well as the main zone style mineralization.
In 1993, Sanders geophysics conducted an airborne magnetic, radiometric, and VLF-EM survey over an even larger grid. Two hundred and fifteen line km were flown at 100-metre line spacing.
The Carmacks area in general was also covered by a regional fixed wing airborne geophysical survey conducted by Fugro Airborne Surveys for the Yukon government in 2001 (Shives et al, 2002).
In 2006, Western Copper conducted 7,100 m of diamond drilling in 34 holes, 1,200 m of rotary air blast drilling in 61 holes, and re-initiated environmental baseline studies. In 2007, the company continued the exploration and environmental sampling program and conducted geotechnical studies of the proposed heap leach pad, waste rock storage area, processing plant and camp location. The 2007 program consisted of 17,000 m of diamond drilling in 123 holes, 845 m of geotechnical drilling in 34 holes, 31.7 line km of induced polarization surveys and surveying of all drill hole locations including all the historic drill holes, geotechnical holes, and rapid air blast drill holes.
The surveying was conducted by Lamerton and Associates of Whitehorse, Yukon and was performed by Differential GPS. The hole markers at a few of the historic holes were destroyed during later road building, trenching or drill pad construction and these sites were located approximately. The accuracy of the post processed survey points is estimated at approximately 20 mm.
In 2008, Western Copper drilled 6 geotechnical holes (1,492 m) in the pit area, 2 water wells in the camp area (253.5 m), one water monitoring well below the heap leach pad (151 m) and conducts a small soil geochemical sampling program.
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Figure 10.1 General Plan Map
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11.0 | DRILLING |
Prior to 2006, a total of 80 diamond drill holes and 11 reverse circulation holes, amounting to approximately 12,900 m of drilling, were drilled in the exploration of the property. Five very short holes totalling 63 m were also drilled on the property. The drill holes prior to 2006 are numbered by zone, so hole 101 would be the first hole drilled on the No. 1 Zone and hole 1302 would be the second hole in No. 13 Zone.
Core drilling of the No. 1 Zone utilized BQ size in 1971, NQ size in 1990, and HQ size in 1991 and 1992. Three NQ size holes drilled in 1990 had variable recoveries. Hole 118 recovered virtually 100% of the core, hole 119 averaged in the high 80% range, and the third hole, hole 120, averaged in the low 90% range. Core recovery for the HQ size holes averaged in the mid to high 90% range.
In 1992, an NQ size hole, number 158, was drilled using the triple (split) tube system. Except for rare instances where the core tube failed to latch, core recovery was 100%. Friable or broken sections were more completely recovered using larger diameter core (HQ) and the triple tube system.
Three reverse circulation down-hole hammer holes were drilled on the No. 1 Zone in 1992. They were drilled to twin diamond drill holes 119 (NQ), 125 (HQ) and 126 (HQ). The purpose of these holes was to determine if significant quantities of copper mineralization were lost through water circulation during diamond drilling and to determine if the expected higher recovery of friable or broken mineralized gneiss in large diameter holes would improve the grade.
The three reverse circulation holes, RC-4, RC-5, and RC-6, were drilled dry through the mineralized section so that no losses to washing could take place. Hole RC-4 twinned HQ-core hole 125 and was similar in grade and width, 39.62 m averaging 1.40% Cu versus 48.16 m averaging 1.36% Cu, respectively. Hole RC-5 twinned HQ-core hole 126 and improved the grade, 48.77 m averaging 1.07% Cu versus 44.50 m averaging 0.83% Cu, respectively. Hole RC-6 twinned NQ-core hole 119 and also improved the grade, 44.20 m averaging 1.11% Cu versus 49.68 m averaging 0.96% Cu, respectively. Hole 125 recoveries averaged in the mid-90% range while holes 126 and 119 both averaged in the high 80% range. The improved grades in RC-5 and RC-6 suggest that when core recoveries were below the mid-90% range, grades are possibly understated by diamond drill results; however, a t-test comparison of reverse circulation holes versus diamond drill holes indicates there is no statistical difference in the results.
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For the 2006 and 2007 drill programs, each hole started with HQ core (63.5 mm) and most holes reduced to NTW (56.0 mm) with the occasional hole having to reduce down to BTW (42.0 mm) at greater depths. In general, core recovery for the 2006 and 2007 programs was greater than 97%.
The object of the 2006 program was to examine the down-dip extension of the No. 1 Zone, with a goal to delineate the oxidation-reduction front at depth on the deposit; confirm historic drill results by twinning two of the previously drilled holes and explore along strike to search for lateral extensions of the No. 1 Zone, and to expand the knowledge of some of the other mineralized zones.
In addition, a RAB drilling program commenced in August 2006, which was designed to condemn areas of the property for future plant development.
The object of the 2007 program was to define the northern and southern limits of the No.1, 7 and 7A zones, to delineated the No. 4 Zone, to further test and define the N. 12 and 13 zones, exploration drilling at the newly discovered No. 14 Zone and condemnation drilling in the proposed waste rock storage, heap leach pad and the processing plant areas.
The 2008 program was designed to complete the geotechnical studies initiated in 2007.
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12.0 | SAM PLI NG MET HOD and APPROACH |
Drill core in 1971 and 1990 was sampled in 10-foot (3.05 m) intervals. In 1991 and 1992, drill core was sampled by rock type for geological information but sampling was largely within 10-foot intervals to facilitate later statistical analysis of assay data.
Reverse circulation holes were sampled over five foot (1.52 m) intervals within the No. 1 Zone and at 10-foot intervals for 25 to 50 feet (7.62 m to 15.24 m) on either side of the mineralization. Duplicate 12.5% splits were collected with one sample for assay and one sample kept at the core storage area.
All trenches across the No. 1 Zone were channel sampled with 5 or 10 foot (1.52 m or 3.05 m) sample lengths. Trenches parallel to the zone were not sampled. In 1971, rock assays were performed by Whitehorse Assay Office in Whitehorse. Two batches of sample rejects were sent to ALS Chemex Labs Ltd. (Chemex) in North Vancouver, B.C. for check assays. The first batch results from Chemex were 5.9% higher than the originals but the second batch returned values 5.7% lower on average. In the 1990s programs, trench and drilling samples were sent to Chemex for analysis. All samples were dried and crushed to better than 60% minus 10 mesh. An appropriate size split then underwent Chrome-steel ring pulverization until >90% was minus 150 mesh size.
Total copper was assayed by HCIO4 – HNO3 digestion followed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) with a 0.01% detection limit. Non-sulphide copper was assayed by dilute H2SO4 digestion followed by AAS with a 0.01% detection limit. Gold was assayed by 1/2 assay ton fire assay followed by AAS with a 0.002 oz/ton (0.0686 g/t) detection limit and an upper limit of 20 oz/ton (685.71 g/t). Silver was assayed by aqua regia digestion followed by AAS with a 0.01 oz/ton (0.34 g/t) detection limit and an upper limit of 20 oz/ton (685.71 g/t).
All 1990 to 1992 drill samples were assayed for total copper, non-sulphide copper, gold, and silver. Most trench samples were assayed for the same elements but a few peripheral trench samples were not assayed for non-sulphide copper, gold, or silver. In 1971, any drill sample without obvious copper oxides or carbonates was not assayed for non-sulphide copper and deeper intercepts were generally not assayed for gold or silver.
For the 2006 and 2007 programs, all drill core sample intervals were marked at 1.0 m intervals by a qualified geologist. All samples were cut using a diamond core saw to obtain the best possible representative sample. Samples were packaged and shipped using industry standard secure packaging and were sent to Chemex for processing.
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Samples were processed by crushing to >70% <2 mm and pulverizing a 250-g split to >85% -75 mm according to Chemex’s Prep 31 procedure. The samples were then analyzed for 27 elements by “Near Total” digestion and Inductively Couple Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES) by Chemex’s ME-ICP61 or ME-ICP61a procedures.
As well, each sample was analyzed for:
• | gold by fire assay and AAS on a 30-g sample by procedure Au-AA23 | |
• | total copper content by four-acid (HF-NNO3-HClO4-HCl) digestion and Atomic Absorption according to procedure Cu-AA62 | |
• | non-sulphide copper by sulphuric acid leach and AAS according to procedure Cu-AA05. |
Duplicate samples were collected regularly, nominally every 20th sample, and were given unique sample numbers. For the first portion of the program, the duplicates were sent along with the original samples to Chemex for processing and were processed as described above. For the latter portion of the program the duplicates were sent to Acme Analytical Laboratories (ACME) in Vancouver for analysis. The samples sent to Acme were processed by crushing to >70% <-10 mesh and pulverizing a 250 g split to >95% -150 mesh according to the Acme R1 50 procedure. The samples were then analyzed for 43 elements by “Four Acid” digestion and Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) by Acme’s 1T-MS procedure. As well, all samples were analyzed for gold by fire assay and Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES) on a 30 gm sample by procedure 3B ICP-ES. Total copper content was determined by four-acid (HF-NNO3-HClO4-HCl) digestion and ICP-ES according to procedure 7TD and, for non-sulphide copper, by sulphuric acid leach and AAS according to procedure 8.
For the 2007 program a set of 3 standards were included with each sample shipment to Chemex and ACME. These standards were collected from the property and represented “high-grade” oxide mineralized material (AGL-1), “low-grade” oxide mineralized material (AGL-2) and a blank which was comprised of unmineralized granodiorite (AGL-3). The standard samples were collected in the 2006 exploration season and prepared by CDN Resource Laboratories in Vancouver with assay certification by Smee and Associates of Vancouver, BC. The processed standards were received in February of 2007, hence were not available in time to be included in the 2006 sample shipments.
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12.1 | SECURITY OF SAMPLES |
Standard sample handling practices of the era were used on the property in pre-2006 work. No special security precautions were noted in the sampling, shipping, and analysis of the mineralization from the deposit. No irregularities were found in the historical data, and some check assays were performed.
The 2006 and 2007 sampling and shipping procedure was handled in a secure manner. The sampling procedure was set-up by Scott Casselman, P. Geo. and all shipments were supervised by a representative of Aurora Geosciences Ltd. to the point that they were delivered to the trucking company in Whitehorse for trucking to Chemex or Acme in Vancouver. There has been no indication from either of the labs that samples or shipments had been tampered with.
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13.0 | DAT A VERI FI CATION |
In 2007, Wardrop carried out a test of digital assay data integrity by verifying 69% of the database records against the original electronic assay certificates. It should be noted that original assay sheets were missing for 24 of the drill holes; therefore, comparisons could not be made to these original assay certificates.
Of the 53 drill holes verified, a total of 8 data entry errors were found as a result of the check. All of the discrepancies found were negligible based on their low-grade values. All errors were corrected in the digital database. Collar coordinates were checked against the database entries. No discrepancies were observed. Wardrop concluded that the assay and survey database is sufficiently free of error to be adequate for resource estimation of the Carmacks deposit.
In August 2006, two historical diamond drill holes were twinned to verify the validity of the historical assay results using current diamond drilling, sample handling, and assaying practices.
The twin holes, WC-003 and WC-004, were drilled to test historical holes 91-140 and 91-141 respectively, drilled in 1991. The locations and orientations of the holes are listed in Table below:
Table 13.1 Coordinates of Twin Drill Holes
Hole | NAD83UTME | NAD83UTMN | Az_True | Dip |
1-40-91 | 411878 | 6913907 | 248.5 | -50 |
WC-003 | 411875 | 6913902 | 245 | -50 |
1-41-91 | 411902 | 6913855 | 248.5 | -50 |
WC-004 | 411905 | 6913857 | 245 | -50 |
A comparison between the historical and current assay results can be found in Table below. The hanging wall and footwall contacts were well defined in all four drillholes. The lengths of the intercepts listed in the table are from the hanging wall contact to the footwall. There were well-mineralized intersections below the footwall contact in all four holes, but these were not used in the comparison below.
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Table 13.2 Comparison of Check Drilling and Historical Drilling
1-40-91 | WC-003 | Difference | 1-41-91 | WC-004 | Difference | ||||||
Total | OX | Total | OX | (%) | Total | OX | Total | OX | (%) | ||
Cu | Cu | Cu | Cu | (new-old) | Cu | Cu | Cu | Cu | (old-new) | ||
Length | 39.6m | 39.6m | 39m | 39m | -1.54% | 48.8 | 48.8m | 48m | 48m | -1.67% | |
Average | 1.24 | 0.84 | 1.67 | 0.97 | +15.77% (OX Cu) | 1.23 | 0.98 | 1.13 | 0.99 | +1% (OX Cu) | |
SD (%) | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.87 | 0.44 | 1.45 | 1.05 | 0.94 | 0.87 | |||
Var (%) | 0.59 | 0.41 | 0.7 | 0.34 | 0.91 | 0.66 | 0.65 | 0.59 |
The historical grade and geological interpretations are repeatable using modern drilling, core handling and sampling methods, and assay procedures. The differences in section widths are a function of the fact that the historical drill results were sampled on a 10-foot interval while the 2006 drilling was sampled on a three-metre interval. The small discrepancy between total copper values in hole 91-141 and WC-004 are caused by a short intersection of anomalously high grade copper (6.5%) over a length of 9 feet (2.74 m) in 91-141 that was not present in hole WC-004.
A number of check samples were also collected from selected portions of 1991 drill core stored on the property. The samples were selected by Aurora Geosciences Ltd. personnel and were collected by quartering remaining split core with a rock saw. The samples were collected at one-metre intervals falling within 1991sample intervals for comparison purposes. The sample handling, shipping, and preparation control procedures followed were the same as those employed for the 2006 diamond drill program.
Table 13.3 Comparison of Check Drilling to Historical Drill Intersections
1991 Sample Intervals | 2006 One Metre Re-Assays | ||||||||||||
Hole | Total | ||||||||||||
No. | From | To | Length | Oxide | Total | Au | From | To | Length | Oxide | Cu | Au | |
(m) | (m) | (m) | Cu pct | Cu pct | ppm | (m) | (m) | (m) | Cu pct | pct | ppm | ||
1-22-91 | 38.40 | 42.06 | 3.66 | 0.77 | 1.60 | 1.10 | 39.92 | 40.84 | 0.92 | 0.51 | 1.32 | 0.748 | |
1-27-91 | 34.75 | 37.80 | 3.05 | 2.95 | 3.11 | 0.34 | 36.88 | 37.79 | 0.91 | 2.43 | 2.80 | 0.289 | |
1-28-91 | 23.77 | 26.82 | 3.05 | 1.61 | 1.72 | 0.41 | 24.68 | 25.60 | 0.92 | 3.00 | 3.34 | 1.925 | |
1-32-91 | 50.90 | 53.95 | 3.05 | 1.81 | 2.02 | 0.07 | 51.81 | 52.70 | 0.89 | 2.93 | 3.25 | 0.250 | |
1-35-91 | 77.42 | 80.47 | 3.05 | 1.82 | 1.96 | 0.27 | 77.41 | 78.33 | 0.92 | 3.14 | 3.54 | 0.296 | |
1-38-91 | 117.81 | 119.18 | 1.37 | 1.12 | 1.20 | 0.55 | 118.56 | 119.48 | 0.92 | 0.93 | 1.04 | 0.399 | |
1-50-91 | 64.53 | 67.00 | 2.47 | 0.90 | 1.00 | 0.07 | 64.31 | 65.22 | 0.91 | 0.90 | 1.14 | 0.454 | |
1-56-91 | 54.86 | 57.91 | 3.05 | 1.86 | 1.90 | 0.45 | 54.86 | 55.77 | 0.91 | 1.28 | 1.39 | 0.944 | |
1-57-91 | 79.25 | 81.69 | 2.44 | 1.20 | 1.33 | 3.63 | 78.94 | 79.85 | 0.91 | 0.81 | 1.03 | 0.181 | |
1-58-91 | 88.39 | 91.44 | 3.05 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 88.39 | 89.30 | 0.91 | 0.37 | 0.42 | 0.013 | |
Average | 1.42 | 1.60 | 0.689 | 1.63 | 1.93 | 0.550 |
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It was not possible to sample exactly the same intervals of drill core as were sampled in 1991; nonetheless, the results are consistent with the previous sampling. On average, the new assay values are close to, and in most cases are higher than, the historic values. In fact, the average values of the re-assays are substantially higher than the historic assay results.
In addition, Wardrop carried out a site visit between May 15 and 16, 2007. The purpose of the visit was to examine the property access, surface geology, take representative samples of the mineralization, and locate drill hole collars with GPS. A total of sixteen drill hole collars were located and all the locations agreed well with the data entered in the geology database used for resource estimation.
Wardrop collected three representative samples from surface trenches. The samples contain visible copper oxide mineralization and appeared representative of the oxide mineralization of Zone 1 oxide at Carmacks. Results of the samples collected are shown in Table .
Table 13.4 Assay results of Representative Samples of No. 1 Zone
Sample No | Description | Total Cu % |
C048024 | Trench 1 grab sample | 2.09 |
C048025 | Trench 1 grab sample | 1.08 |
C048026 | Trench 1 grab sample | 2.16 |
Wardrop check samples were assayed by ICP at ALS Chemex in North Vancouver. The purpose of the sample was to demonstrate that copper mineralization was present on the property in the range of values that had been previously reported by past exploration programs.
The sample standards submitted with each batch of samples to each of the analytical labs for the 2007 program returned results that are considered consistent. The greatest variability occurred with the gold and copper values in the high grade standard, which can be expected due to the potential for the nugget effect from such a high grade sample. These results are considered acceptable. The following table lists the statistical results from the standards analyses from both Chemex and Acme:
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Table 13.5 2007 standard samples analytical statistics.
AGL-1 (high grade Cu) | AGL-2 (moderate grade Cu) | AGL-3 (blank) | ||||||||
Total | Total | |||||||||
Au | Non Sul. | Cu | Au | Non Sul. | Total | Au | Non Sul. | Cu | ||
(ppm) | Cu (%) | (%) | (ppm) | Cu (%) | Cu (%) | (ppm) | Cu (%) | (%) | ||
Certification value | 0.60 | 1.616 | 1.713 | 0.45 | 0.885 | 0.913 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.05 | |
Maximum | 0.713 | 1.711 | 1.96 | 0.495 | 0.935 | 0.98 | 0.021 | 0.025 | 0.02 | |
Minimum | 0.531 | 1.430 | 1.64 | 0.391 | 0.754 | 0.82 | 0.004 | 0.006 | 0.01 | |
Standard | ||||||||||
Deviation | 0.041 | 0.061 | 0.06 | 0.020 | 0.039 | 0.03 | 0.003 | 0.003 | 0.00 |
The duplicate samples submitted in 2007 returned generally acceptable values. Below are six tables that show the comparison between original samples and duplicate samples, submitted to Chemex and between original samples submitted to Chemex and duplicate samples submitted to ACME for gold, non-sulphide copper and total copper analyses:
Figure 13.1
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Figure 13.2
Figure 13.3
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Figure 13.4
Figure 13.5
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Figure 13.6
The greatest variability is seen in the gold analyses, which can be expected due to the coasre free-gold that has been observed from petrographic work on the core and due to the nugget effect of gold. The copper analyses show acceptable correlation.
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14.0 | ADJACENT PROPERTIES |
BC Gold has claims immediately north, south and east of the Carmacks Copper Property. In 2007 and 2008, they conducted exploration programs consisting of airborne geophysical surveying, mobile metal ion soil geochemical sampling (MMI sampling), prospecting, geological mapping and 1,360 m of diamond drilling in 7 holes and in 2008 drilled a further 5 holes for 1,235 m. The most significant results included 4.69 m grading 0.46% copper in hole ICE 07-02, 5.47 m grading 0.39% copper in hole ICD07-04 and 63.1 m grading 0.17% copper in hole WS08-08.
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15.0 | MINERAL PROCESSING and METALLURGICAL TESTING |
A series of metallurgical tests have been carried out on the Carmacks property beginning in 1971 and continuing, intermittently, to the present. The testing programs focused mainly on the recovery of acid soluble copper mineralization in the oxide cap of the No. 1 Zone as summarized in Table 15.1.
Table 15.1 Summary of Metallurgical Testing on the No. 1 Zone
TestDate | Company | Test By | Ore Classification, Sample or Composite Description | Test Type |
9/1971 | Treadwell Corp. | Goodwin, J | Unknown | B. Roll |
10/1989 | Coastech Research | Lawrence, R | Unknown | Reactor & column |
6/1990 | BD&A | Unkown | Ore Composite | B. Roll |
5/1992 | BD&A | Beattie, M | Drill Core Composite | B. Roll |
6/1992 | Lakefield | Webster, S. | Drill Core Composite | B. Roll |
4/1994 | Brown & Root, Inc. | Schlitt, W.J. | Ore Composite | Crib |
5/1994 | Beattie Consulting, PRA | Beattie, M | Unknown | Column |
2/1/1996 | Beattie Consulting, PRA | Beattie, M | Drill Core Composite | Column |
2/1/2001 | Beattie Consulting, PRA | Beattie, M | Ore Composite | Column |
4/20/2005 | Westcoast Biotech | Bruynesteyn, A. | Ore Composite | Column |
3/1/2006 | Westcoast Biotech | Bruynesteyn, A. | Ore Composite | Column |
Tests carried out by Beatties Consulting PRA (Beattie) between 1996 and 2001 closely mimic the conditions being considered commercially. These use samples crushed to -20 mm and agglomerated; columns were greater than 5 m in height, and the columns were irrigated with solution at a pH of 1-1.5 for 160-190 days.
Copper extraction for all of these tests exceeded 80%, and columns that were leached for longer periods of time reached 85% or greater. As well, 80% recovery with 85% recovery after an extended leach time was observed in several other tests. The 1990 composite columns both achieved greater than 85% copper extraction. Bottle rolls on assay rejects performed by Beattie in 1992 all achieved greater than 85% extraction except for the lower grade (<0.5% copper).
The best indication of copper recovery for the resource comes from sequential leaching tests run by PRA Labs in 2007. The sequential leaching results were reduced to the following equations:
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If Cu(oxide)/Cu(total) > 0.79, Leachable Copper = 85%
If Cu(oxide)/Cu(total) < 0.79, Leachable Copper = 95% x Cu(oxide)/Cu(total) + 10%
The acid consumption rates calculated during the sequential leaching tests indicated average acid consumption of 25 kilograms per tonne (kg/t). These tests were performed on pulverized samples; the actual acid consumption from this material at the planned coarser crush size would be expected to be lower.
The test results indicate that acid consumption during leaching of the Carmacks Copper ore increases with the level of acid addition and with a decrease in particle size for the various ore types. Excess acid provided is readily consumed by the constituents of the rock.
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16.0 | MINERAL RESOURCE and MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES |
The current resource estimate for the Carmacks Deposit was calculate in 2007 by Mr. Michael Waldegger and Dr. Gilles Arseneau, of Wardrop. The estimate can found in the report,“Resource Estimate of the No. 1 and No. 7 Zones, Carmacks Deposit, Yukon Territory”. Mineral resources were classified in accordance with definitions provided by CIM as stipulated in NI 43-101. The resources were estimated using 3D modeling software and are classified as Measured, Indicated, and Inferred.
Historical drill hole data (pre-2006) was converted from a local Imperial grid to the Metric coordinate system, NAD83. Drill hole data from the completed 2006 and 2007 drilling campaigns was imported without conversion.
The two assay populations, pre-2006 and 2006 to 2007 drilling, were analyzed separately to determine any variances between the two drilling campaigns. Wardrop determined that there are no appreciable differences between the historical data and the 2006/2007 drill hole data.
Grade capping was considered and evaluated by examining the cumulative frequency distribution and histograms for copper oxide and total copper. Wardrop decided not to apply grade capping to the assay data because the assay data were observed to be log normal distributed and did not appear to reflect multiple populations or contain significant high-grade outliers.
Assays were composited to a fixed length of five metres, within the geological solids. Composites were generated from the base of the hole upwards to ensure that the higher gold values found associated with the footwall of the zones did not get eliminated by the compositing routine.
The mineralized zones were interpreted on the basis of total copper grade. Surfaces were generated based on grade data to represent the hangingwall and footwall contacts of the mineralized zones.
The oxide sulphide boundary was modelled using a minimum 20% ratio of oxide copper to total copper. All assays that contained at least 20% of the total copper value as oxide copper were coded as oxide in the model. The oxide and sulphide boundary is illustrated in Figure 16.1.
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Figure 16.1 Cross Section Showing Oxide Copper to Total Copper Proportion in Drill Holes in Oxide & Sulphide Solids
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The density model was created by rock type to values as outlined in Table 16.1.
Table 16.1 Density by Rock Type
Rock Type | Density (g/cc) |
Air | 0 |
Waste | 2.65 |
Zone 1 Oxide | 2.68 |
Zone 7 Oxide | 2.68 |
Zone 1 Sulphide | 2.71 |
Zone 7 Sulphide | 2.71 |
Metal grades were interpolated into blocks using ordinary kriging with weighting parameters based on correlogram data. The block model contained 16,037 blocks classified as Measured, 41,643 as Indicated, and 14,492 as Inferred (Figure 16.2) .
Figure 16.2 Three Dimensional Representation of Block Model
Note: Magenta colour blocks are Measured mineral resource and Red blocks are Indicated mineral resource.
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Table 16.2 Mineral Resources at 0.25% Total Copper Cutoff
Rock | Grade | Density | Tonnage | Tcu | CuX | CuS | Au | Ag | ||
Group | Group | (t/m3) | t(000) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (g/t) | (g/t) | Class | |
Oxide | Meas | 2.680 | 3288 | 1.23 | 1.03 | 0.20 | 0.652 | 6.135 | 1 | |
Ind | 2.680 | 7084 | 1.09 | 0.93 | 0.16 | 0.458 | 4.382 | 2 | ||
Meas+Ind | 2.680 | 10372 | 1.13 | 0.96 | 0.17 | 0.519 | 4.938 | |||
Inf | 2.684 | 82 | 0.82 | 0.62 | 0.21 | 0.207 | 1.502 | 3 | ||
Sulphide | Meas | 2.710 | 1256 | 0.72 | 0.04 | 0.67 | 0.227 | 2.398 | 1 | |
Ind | 2.710 | 4399 | 0.78 | 0.06 | 0.72 | 0.227 | 2.200 | 2 | ||
Meas+Ind | 2.710 | 5655 | 0.77 | 0.05 | 0.71 | 0.227 | 2.244 | |||
Inf | 2.710 | 3161 | 0.69 | 0.07 | 0.62 | 0.180 | 1.644 | 3 |
Wardrop also estimated the mineral resources using a 0.50% TCu and 0.80% TCu cutoff, as indicated in Table 16.13 and Table 16.14.
Table 16.3 Mineral Resources at 0.50% Total Copper Cutoff
Rock | Grade | Density | Tonnage | Tcu | CuX | CuS | Au | Ag | ||
Group | Group | (t/m3) | t(000) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (g/t) | (g/t) | Class | |
Oxide | Meas | 2.680 | 3164 | 1.26 | 1.05 | 0.20 | 0.672 | 6.318 | 1 | |
Ind | 2.680 | 6820 | 1.12 | 0.95 | 0.16 | 0.468 | 4.481 | 2 | ||
Meas+Ind | 2.680 | 9983 | 1.16 | 0.98 | 0.18 | 0.533 | 5.063 | |||
Inf | 2.684 | 81 | 0.83 | 0.62 | 0.21 | 0.209 | 1.516 | 3 | ||
Sulphide | Meas | 2.710 | 1055 | 0.77 | 0.05 | 0.73 | 0.239 | 2.478 | 1 | |
Ind | 2.710 | 3474 | 0.89 | 0.06 | 0.82 | 0.247 | 2.437 | 2 | ||
Meas+Ind | 2.710 | 4528 | 0.86 | 0.06 | 0.80 | 0.245 | 2.446 | |||
Inf | 2.710 | 1952 | 0.89 | 0.10 | 0.78 | 0.255 | 2.380 | 3 |
Table 16.4 Mineral Resources at 0.80% Total Copper Cutoff
Rock | Grade | Density | Tonnage | Tcu | CuX | CuS | Au | Ag | ||
Group | Group | (t/m3) | t(000) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (g/t) | (g/t) | Class | |
Oxide | Meas | 2.680 | 2657 | 1.37 | 1.15 | 0.22 | 0.753 | 7.054 | 1 | |
Ind | 2.680 | 5721 | 1.20 | 1.02 | 0.18 | 0.503 | 4.846 | 2 | ||
Meas+Ind | 2.680 | 8378 | 1.25 | 1.06 | 0.19 | 0.582 | 5.546 | |||
Inf | 2.687 | 18 | 1.13 | 0.67 | 0.46 | 0.333 | 3.292 | 3 | ||
Sulphide | Meas | 2.710 | 372 | 1.00 | 0.04 | 0.96 | 0.294 | 2.632 | 1 | |
Ind | 2.710 | 1862 | 1.10 | 0.08 | 1.03 | 0.276 | 2.662 | 2 | ||
Meas+Ind | 2.710 | 2235 | 1.09 | 0.07 | 1.02 | 0.279 | 2.657 | |||
Inf | 2.710 | 1106 | 1.09 | 0.12 | 0.97 | 0.341 | 3.287 | 3 |
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Wardrop completed a detailed visual validation of the Carmacks block model by checking for proper coding of drill hole intervals and block model cells, in both section and plan. Coding was found to be properly done and the checks showed good agreement between drill hole composite values and model cell values (Figure 16.3) .
Figure 16.3Cross Section with Drill Hole Composites Showing Total Cu Against Interpolated Block Model Grades
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17.0 | INTERPRETATION and CONCLUSIONS |
In the 2007 resource estimate, Wardrop concluded that both the historical and current drilling databases were of sufficient quality for the purpose of resource estimation. The Carmacks deposit is sufficiently defined for the estimation of Measured, Indicated, and Inferred mineral resources.
Wardrop concluded that, at a 0.25% total copper cutoff, the Carmacks deposit contains approximately 10 million tonnes of oxide resources in the combined Measured plus Indicated categories grading 0.96% CuX, 0.17% CuS, 0.519 g/t Au, and 4.938 g/t Ag.
Wardrop estimated the deposit contains an additional 5.7 million tonnes of sulphide resources in the combined Measured plus Indicated categories grading 0.05% CuX, 0.71% CuS, 0.227 g/t Au, and 2.244 g/t Ag.
Western Copper is currently studying alternative heap leach designs to resolve the Water Licence issues, including modifications to the plant design. These may require additional geotechnical investigations to support the design change and an updated capital cost estimate for the project.
Exploration potential for oxide copper and sulphide resources exists in the Zone 2, 12, 13 and 14 areas. Additional drilling will be required to define these zones. Drilling to test and define these areas is estimated at 5,000 to 15,000 m.
The Phase 1 budget estimate for the alternative heap leach and plant design, geotechnical investigation and updating the feasibility study is $600,000. The Phase 2 budget estimate for evaluation of the under-explored zones is $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Although the project does not require the additional zones to be economic.
Respectfully Submitted
“signed and sealed”
Scott Casselman, P.Geo
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18. | 0 CERTIFI CAT E of QUALIFIED PERSON |
I, Scott Casselman of Whitehorse Yukon, do hereby certify that as author of this “2011 Qualifying Report for the Carmacks Copper Deposit, Yukon Territory”, dated 15 August, 2011, make the following statements:
• | I am employed of Casselman Geological Services Ltd, 33 Firth Road, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 4R5. | |
• | I have a B.Sc. in Geology from the Carleton University of Ottawa, obtained in 1985. | |
• | I am a member in good standing of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, License #20032. | |
• | I have practiced my profession in mineral exploration continuously since graduation. I have over twenty five years of experience in mineral exploration. | |
• | I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and certify that, by reason of my education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “qualified person” for the purpose of NI 43-101. | |
• | I am responsible for this technical report. I was field supervisor on this project from July 10 to October 21, 2006, from February 3 to October 16, 2007 and from March 31 to May 30, 2008. I most recently visited the property on June 29, 2011. | |
• | I have no prior involvement with the Property that is the subject of theTechnical Report. | |
• | As of the date of this Certificate, to my knowledge, information and belief, this Technical Report contains all scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the Technical Report not misleading. | |
• | I am independent of the Issuer as described in Section 1.4 of National Instrument 43-101. | |
• | I have read National Instrument 43-101 and the Technical Report has been prepared in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 and Form 43-101F1. |
Signed and dated this 22thday of August, 2011 at Whitehorse, Yukon.
“signed and sealed”
Scott Casselman, P.Geo.
Geologist
Casselman Geological Services Ltd
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19.0 | REFERENCES |
Arsenault, G. and Casselman, S, November, 2007, Resource Estimate of the No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7 zones, Carmacks Deposit, Yukon Territory.
Aurora Geoscience, January 2007, Mineral Resource Estimate for the Carmacks Copper Project, 88p.
BC Gold Corp., 2007, BC Gold Corp. website, August 13, 2011.
Beattie Consulting Ltd., 2001, Western Copper Holdings Leaching and Decommissioning of Samples from Carmacks Oxide Copper Deposit.
Bostock, H.S., 1936, Carmacks District, Yukon, G. S. C. Memoir 189.
Casselman, S., 2007, 2006 Assessment Report for the Carmacks Copper Project. Yukon Mining Recorder assessment report.
Kilborn Engineering Pacific Ltd., 1995, Carmacks Copper Project Feasibility Study.
Kilborn Engineering Pacific Ltd., 1997, Carmacks Copper Project, Basic Engineering Report and Definitive Cost Estimate.
Orequest Consultants Ltd., 2005, Technical Report on the Carmacks Copper Project, 37p.
Pearson, W. N., 1977, The Minto Copper Deposit, Yukon Territory: a metamorphosed orebody in the Yukon Crystalline Terrane. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, 193p.
Shives, R.B.K., Carson, J.M., Ford, K.L., Holman, P,B, and Abbott, J.G., 2002 Airborne multisensor geophysical survey, Minto, Yukon. Geological Survey of Canada, Open Files 4331 and 4332.
Sinclair, W.D., 1976, Geology and Minearl Deposit of the Minto Area, Yukon Territory, in North of 60, Mineral Industry Report 1976, Yukon Territory, EGS 1977-1, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.
Tempelman-Kluit, D., 1981, Yukon Geology and Exploration, 1979-80, Geology Section, Dept. of Indian and Northern Affairs, Whitehorse, Y.T. p. 22, 262, 263.
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Tempelman-Kluit, D., 1985, Geology Laberge (105 E) and Carmacks (115 I), Open File 1101, Exploration and Geological Services Division, Dept. of Indian and Northern Affairs, Whitehorse, Y.T. p. 22, 262, 263.
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