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Page 8 January 1982 Cassiar Courier

ORE VEIN f

Stewart McSwain

CAMP COMPLEX UNDER CONSTRUCTION
SUMMER 1981

SAN ANTONIO JOINT VENTURE LTD.

PROJECT MANAGER

Jim Hogan

MINE SUPT. MILL SUPT.

Roy Tucker

RAISE BORER HEAD — UNDERGROUND

MILL FLOTATION - Ist DAY OF OPERATION
Roy Tucker, Frank Ablett and Lorne Hull

PLANT SUPT. CHIEF ENGINEER
Fred Cousins

BISSETT MANITOBA

MINE MANAGER
Frank Ablett

Dave Olszowiec

MILL AND MINE COMPLEX

The gold deposits near Rice’ Lake about one hundred miles
north and east of Winnipeg were first discovered in the middle
twenties and serious exploration was started in 1928. Drilling that
year indicated sufficient ore to start underground work, and the
shaft was collared in the spring of 1929. The mill was built and
started operation in 1931, with a capacity of one hundred and
fifty tons per day plant.

The San Antonio Gold. Mines Limited processed 4,474,921

tons for a total gross production of about 1,199,898 ounces of -
gold and 192,205 ounces of silver.

Several times between 1966 and 1968 mine closure had been
announced. A fire destroyed the hoist room in 1968, resulting in
closure of the mine and although: the hoist was replaced the mine
never opened. In July of 1980 a fire destroyed the mill com plex.
The crushing plant, headframe, shops, hoist room, office build-
ing were not damaged. '

Brinco Limited and New Forty-Four Mines Limited com-
pleted a joint exploration program on the Old San Antonio Gold
Mine in early 1981. The 2.5 million dollar program confirmed
that sufficient ore reserves existed to justify reopening the mine.

The mine was returned to production at an estimated cost
of some 14 million dollars. Production is projected at a rate of
22,000 ounces of gold per year.

A total of 197 employees are anticipated at the property, utiliz-
ing modern methods and equipmentito maintain a safe operation.

This project draws many employees from the local area and

»an extensive training program is-underway. Total property oper-

ating costs are expected to be in the 10 million dollar per year
range, providing a significant positive economic impact on the
area. The operation is very labor intensive, resulting in an annual
payroll of some 6 million dollars.

A new concentrator has been constructed which has Capacity
for treating 550 tons per day or about 200,000 tons per year. Hav-

ing excess capacity, the plant will be equipped to treat ore from

surrounding deposits on a custom basis. Shes -

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ACCOUNTING ~ PURCHASING

TRAINING & SAFETY

SUPERVISOR
Fred Boulette . °

CHIEF GEOLOGIST
SUPERVISOR Frank Gentile

John Hogan

ASSAY LAB

BUNKHOUSE ACCOMMODATION

Cassiar Courier January 1982 Page 9

ROCK FACE UNDERGROUND

EXAMINING ROCK SAMPLES

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