Neighbours World's Largest Primary Gold Mine
The Tonkin Project is a gold mining property located within the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in Eureka County, Nevada. Located just 8 miles south of Barrick Gold’s Cortez Mine (producing ~1.2 million ounces gold in 2011), this area continues to be one of the most prolific gold trends in the world. Recent discoveries by Barrick (Goldrush and Red Hill) have demonstrated that there remains excellent potential for new large discoveries with good grade.
Summary of April 2008 Resource Estimate
| |
Tonnes (000s) |
Grams per tonne |
Ounces (000s) |
| Measured |
17,541 |
1.4 |
820 |
| Indicated |
14,736 |
1.3 |
627 |
| Measured + Indicated |
32,278 |
1.4 |
1,447 |
| Inferred |
8,426 |
1.13 |
311 |
Historical Production:
From 1985 through 1989, Tonkin produced approximately 30,000 ounces of gold utilizing an oxide heap leach and a separate ball mill involving bioxidation to treat the problematic sulphide ore. Due to cost escalation and recovery issues associated with the refractory and preg-robbing carbonaceous mineralogy, the operation was forced to shutdown.
Current Test Work:
McEwen Mining has additional metallurgical test work underway further evaluate conventional flotation and bioxidation possibilities at Tonkin. We believe with today’s gold price environment and newer technology, this historical producer may able to contribute future production to our portfolio. If a viable solution is found to extract the gold economically, the company will proceed with a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). Tonkin has not been assumed in the Company’s production forecasts.
The Tonkin resource estimates on this page were derived from the report titled "Technical Report on Tonkin Project" with an effective date of May 16, 2008. The report was prepared by Alan C. Noble, P.E., Ore Reserves Engineering and Richard Gowans, Micon International, all considered independent of the Company as defined in Section 1.5 of NI 43-101. All other resources were prepared by Steven Brown, of US Gold Corporation. To access the report click here.
All resource and reserve estimates reported by McEwen Mining Inc. are calculated in accordance with 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.