TSX-V-listed Skeena Resources has started a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for its Eskay Creek gold and silver project, in British Columbia.
The goal of the PFS is to technically further de-risk Eskay Creek while developing an appropriate execution strategy to ensure fast-tracked development towards commercial production.
Given the success of the team that developed the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) study for Eskay Creek, Skeena will again partner with Ausenco Engineering Canada, SRK Consulting, and AGP Mining Consultants to complete the PFS.
The target completion date for the PFS is summer 2021.
According to Skeena COO Shane Williams, the PFS is the next step in the evolution of Eskay Creek as the company moves the high-grade, openpit project towards development and through to commercial production.
A key work programme as part of the development of the PFS will be an extensive infill drilling programme to convert a large portion of the inferred resources into the measured and indicated category and following completion of the PFS, declare maiden reserves for Eskay Creek.
Following the completion of the Eskay Creek PEA in 2019, several areas were identified that could be optimised and enhanced with further work. This includes optimising the metallurgy and the concentrate quality and to better optimize the flow sheet, which will further enhance the consistency and value of the final concentrate produced allowing for key concentrate offtake discussions to begin.
Another focus area will be to gain a better understanding of the geotechnical characteristics in the openpit, which will allow for further pit optimisation studies. Preparations and planning for these work programme are ongoing.