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Project History and Previous Exploration

Gold was first discovered in the Kenora District in the 1890’s. A number of small deposits produced approximately 250,000oz of gold, prior to the cessation of all operations before the Second World War. Subsequently, there has been no gold production from the District, however a number of discoveries have been made in the region, particularly in the 1980’s.

The Cameron Gold Deposit was discovered by prospectors working for Noranda in 1960. Two mineralised zones at surface were identified extending over a strike length of more than 300 metres. Between 1960 and 1973 these zones were tested by limited drilling, trenching, geophysical surveys and geological mapping by Noranda in two separate exploration phases and under option by Zahavy Mines.

 

Noranda 1960 Discovery Hole on Stripped Outcrop

 

In 1980 Nuinsco Resources (Nuinsco) acquired the Project from local prospectors and staked additional claims over the area. Between 1981 and 1983 Nuinsco conducted prospecting and geological mapping, geophysical surveying and shallow drilling (19 holes for 1,734 metres). Follow-up work during 1983-1985 included drilling a further 136 diamond drill holes (31,819 metres) and 62 shallower reverse circulation drill holes (754 metres) in joint venture with Lockwood Petroleum.

During 1986 Nuinsco completed a further four diamond drill holes (744 metres) prior to entering into a joint venture with Echo Bay Mines Limited. Through this joint venture Echo Bay earned a majority equity position in Nuinsco by completing 3,238 metres of underground development. This comprised a decline and three levels of lateral drifts, as well as a further 347 metres of raise development. An underground diamond drill program was subsequently completed, comprising 552 drill holes for 28,913 metres.

 

Flooded Portal Entrance to Cameron Decline with Ore Stockpiles in Background

 

In 1988 Deak International purchased Echo Bay’s interest in Nuinsco and extended the decline to a vertical depth of 243 metres. A further 16 surface diamond drill holes and 55 underground diamond drill holes were completed before Deak withdrew from the Project, after which Nuinsco regained 100% ownership.

 

365 Level Plan Map showing mineralisation relative to underground development

 

The Project remained dormant until December 1995, when Cambior entered a joint venture agreement with Nuinsco. Cambior completed 13 diamond drill holes (8,012 metres) targeting the western and eastern extensions of the mineralisation, and testing the main zone at depth. The results received from this work lead Cambior to withdraw from the Project as it did not fit the corporate objectives of the company.

In November 2003 Nuinsco completed a further 13 diamond drill holes for 1,846 metres, evaluating the area above the 243 metre level for the extension of high-grade mineralisation intersected in earlier drilling. This program was later followed up with a small, two-hole diamond drilling program (1,063m) in December 2004.

Only minimal field work has been completed subsequently.

A total of 757 surface and underground drill holes, totalling 84,541 metres, have been completed at the deposit.

 

Nuinsco Diamond Drilling Core Racks

 

Outside of the deposit, the surrounding claim group was mainly explored by Nuinsco, mostly during the 1980’s. This work has identified at least 12 known prospects and occurrences within the project area. At the Victor and Monte Cristo prospect, significant mineralisation was intersected in diamond drilling. Elsewhere through the claim group, a number of gold in till anomalies outlined from overburden RC drilling also remain to be followed up.