Name and Location
Murray Brook polymetallic massive sulphide deposit, New Brunswick, Canada.

Client
El Nino Ventures.

Project Description
The Murray Brook deposit is a polymetallic, volcanic hosted massive-sulphide deposit in the Bathurst Mining Camp, in New Brunswick.

A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) completed on the project has demonstrated the potential technical and economic viability of establishing a new mine and mill complex on the property.

The PEA expects the start of the openpit mining operations at an average process plant production rate of two-million tonnes a year over a mine life of about 9.5 years, with life-of-mine production estimated at 239 000 t of copper concentrate, 122 000 t of lead concentrate and 770 000 t of zinc concentrate. The envisaged mining operation is a conventional openpit. Mining operations will reach a sustained total yearly material movement of 11.6-million tonnes, using 11.5 m3 diesel hydraulic excavators, 90 t haulage trucks and track-mounted diesel-powered drill rigs, with up to 100-mm-diameter blastholes drilled on 6-m-high benches.

Value
Preproduction capital requirements are estimated at $261-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Further technical studies on the Murray Brook project will focus on additional metallurgical studies designed to evaluate potential techniques of improving metal recoveries. The first step is a small pilot plant project proposal to test three to five tonnes of drill core material.

The largest impact on the potential value of the project is likely to be achieved by increasing the mineral resource base available for mining, thereby increasing the mine life and/or yearly mill throughput.

Potential exists for additional discoveries along and adjacent to the favourable geological horizon, which extends from the former Restigouche mine to the west of the Murray Brook deposit to Trevali’s productive stratigraphy, and could significantly increase the scale of the project prior to development.

A 2 000 m exploration programme is proposed to drill-test five priority geophysical and geochemical anomalies this summer.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
El Nino Ventures, tel +1 604 685 1870, fax +1 604 685 8045 or email info@elninoventures.com.