Mining News: Northern Neighbors: BC issues permits to go underground at KSM

Seabridge Gold Inc. Oct. 11 reported the receipt of permits necessary to develop an exploration adit into the Deep Kerr Deposit at its KSM Project in northwestern British Columbia. The proposed 2,100 meter long adit is designed to facilitate cost-effective underground drilling of the Deep Kerr Deposit. The adit would be collared in the Sulphurets Valley at the base of Kerr Mountain, declining at a 12 percent grade parallel to the footwall of the Kerr deposit, allowing access to mineralized zones that have only been tested to depths approximately 1,800 meters below surface. To date, all drilling at Deep Kerr has been from surface, resulting in very long holes which are slow and expensive to drill. A preliminary economic assessment released on Oct. 6 recommends that mining of both the Kerr and the Deep Kerr deposit should proceed together by underground block caving. The PEA predicts improved economic returns and a significantly smaller environmental footprint for the KSM Project compared to a preliminary feasibility study published in September. The permits include discharge authorizations for the operation of a water treatment facility; a mining permit authorizing the construction of the exploration adit and associated infrastructure including a rock storage facility; and a water license approving the surface water management system associated with the adit infrastructure. The permits include requirements for posting reclamation securities with the provincial government to cover full reclamation and closure costs associated with the proposed exploration activities. “I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts of BC’s regulatory agencies and representatives from the Tahltan Central Government for their dedication in reviewing and approving our permit applications. I would also like to acknowledge the continued involvement of the representatives of the state of Alaska in KSM’s permit reviews, thus assisting in the ongoing responsible advancement of our project,” said Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk.

-Shane Lasley