Mining News: Northern Neighbors: ATAC completes mine optimization work at Tiger

ATAC Resources Ltd. Oct. 26 announced the completion of a 2015 work program focused on completing optimization work recommended in a 2014 preliminary economic assessment for the Tiger deposit, an oxide gold deposit located within the Rau trend of at the western end of its Rackla gold project, Yukon Territory. The PEA envisions a seasonal open-pit mine that would produce 221,558 ounces of gold from 2.06 million metric tons of oxide material at an average diluted grade of 3.72 grams per metric ton gold over a four-year mine life. “The Tiger Deposit is a unique at-surface, high-grade oxide gold deposit that will be an essential component to the future development of the Rackla gold project,” said ATAC President and CEO Graham Downs. “The completion of this year’s prefeasibility level work allows us to refine the current mine plan and gets us another step closer to having a road-accessible shovel-ready gold deposit.” This year’s program included 14 shallow infill and expansion holes drilled to better define the high-grade and near-surface oxide portion of the deposit. Additionally, eight trenches were completed to test the near-surface extension of the deposit. ATAC says the results from the 2015 drilling and trenching program were comparable to adjacent holes from earlier work. The remaining four 2015 diamond drill holes were completed to support further geotechnical studies aimed at steepening the PEA pit slope angles to potentially access known oxide gold mineralization below the current pit design. Two of these holes were fitted with vibrating wire piezometers to initiate groundwater surveys for future studies and permitting. A small bulk sample also was collected and stored on-site in preparation for additional metallurgical or process studies. In view of the PEA recommendations and ongoing work, the company is also evaluating the possibility of a year-round, agitated tank processing scenario accessed via an all-season road. Initial work indicates the agitated tank process has the potential to enhance the mine plan, improve recoveries and reduce project costs.

- Shane Lasley