Building a Polymetallic Mine Starts With a Bulk Sample
Taranis was issued a permit for a Bulk Sample at Thor in July of 2021. Taranis' targets for 2022 include finalizing permit conditions and beginning site preparation for a 10,000 tonne "Bulk Sample" mining operation in summer 2023. The bulk sample will be used to gain understanding of the chemical and physical characteristics of the deposit, but is also used to gather immediately actionable data that can be applied to full-scale extraction and processing activities, culminating in safe and effective long-term reclamation.
Changes in the British Columbia mine permitting means Taranis was required to permit the bulk sample via the full Joint Environmental and Mine Permitting ("JEMA") process. Though the JEMA process requires much more up-front work such as "baseline" data collection, the permitting process which applies to constant commercial production is already well underway, and most if not all of the data collected for the bulk sample will form the basis for further mine permitting, also known as Phase III.
The bulk sampling project plan outlines the removal of surface stockpiles from the Broadview and True Fissure stockpiles. The stockpiles will be transported to the historic True Fissure mill area for pre-concentration.
Changes in the British Columbia mine permitting means Taranis was required to permit the bulk sample via the full Joint Environmental and Mine Permitting ("JEMA") process. Though the JEMA process requires much more up-front work such as "baseline" data collection, the permitting process which applies to constant commercial production is already well underway, and most if not all of the data collected for the bulk sample will form the basis for further mine permitting, also known as Phase III.
The bulk sampling project plan outlines the removal of surface stockpiles from the Broadview and True Fissure stockpiles. The stockpiles will be transported to the historic True Fissure mill area for pre-concentration.
|
|
The Broadview and True Fissure stockpiles are made up of coarsely-broken ore left over from mining activities in the 1930's (Broadview) and 1970's (True Fissure). This material will be fed to a crusher at the True Fissure mill site, producing material that is nominally 1.5 cm in size. The material is then introduced to the Inline Pressure Jig system (pictured top) and sulfide concentrates enriched in precious metals are produced. Gangue material, primarily quartz, is rejected for disposal in a modern, lined coarse rejects storage facility. Small-scale metallurgical testing has shown that roughly 1/3 of the head material will be concentrated. ~3,300 tonnes will be shipped to a hydrometallurgical facility that can float the sulfide concentrates and produce an even more concentrated product that can be shipped to a smelter facility. This material will then form the basis for formulation of a smelter contract that could be used for finalizing a Pre-Feasibility Study, or a PEA.
The company has remained laser-focused on performing not just the exploration activities needed to grow the deposit and develop its potential to be an economic driver, but to also carefully catalogue and attack the engineering, environmental, social, and socio-economic factors which are critical to the responsible and practical development of a successful mining operation.
The company has remained laser-focused on performing not just the exploration activities needed to grow the deposit and develop its potential to be an economic driver, but to also carefully catalogue and attack the engineering, environmental, social, and socio-economic factors which are critical to the responsible and practical development of a successful mining operation.