EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT

Drilling results show 'high tenor' of Eskay Creek

Skeena Resources says further infill drilling results, including 49.6m at 9.12g/t gold-equivalent, continue to demonstrate the “high tenor” of the proposed Eskay Creek openpit mine in British Columbia.

Staff reporter
 Skeena Resources’ Eskay Creek gold-silver project in British Columbia

Skeena Resources’ Eskay Creek gold-silver project in British Columbia

Skeena said the above result, which graded 7.17g/t gold and 146g/t silver, was at the 21C Zone and within the 25m "development buffer" around historic workings which it was previously restricted from drilling.

The company also pointed to "unexpected remnant mineralisation" in the 21B Zone, 200m to the east, where it intersected 2.61m at 13.32g/t Au-eq and 22.8m at 5.63g/t Au-eq in the footwall to the same stope.

It said the phase two drilling programme, focused on resource category conversions for a prefeasibility study, was now complete and six rigs were active doing near-mine exploration.

The company is planning a breakout year in 2021 as it aims to bring the former Barrick Gold mine to a production decision.

A 2019 preliminary economic assessment had outlined initial capex of US$223 million, after-tax NPV5 of $491 million and IRR of 51%, for an 8.6-year mine producing an average annual 236,000 ounces of gold and 5.8 million ounces of silver, or 306,000oz gold-equivalent.

The PEA was based on a $1,325/oz gold price and $16/oz for silver, well below current spot prices around $1,840/oz and $25/oz respectively.

Skeena raised C$8.5 million in a fully subscribed placement priced at $3.50 per share in December, to advance its projects in BC.

It had raised $46 million at $2.35 per share in November.

It's also exploring its Snip project, another former mine in the province it acquired from Barrick.

Skeena shares (TSX: SKE) reached a 12-month high of $3.69 mid-month.

They closed up 2.9% to $3.24 yesterday, capitalising it about $702 million (US$551 million).

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.