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Chimo mine

Flagship project, a past producing mine that we are currently exploring with a 34,000-m drill programme to demonstrate that it can once again create wealth. The reader should view the 3D VIDEO, that helps visualize the different gold-bearing structures on the Chimo Mine property.

Highlights

UPDATED : SEPTEMBER 6th, 2016

Project

Chimo Mine

Status

Exploration drilling to delineate extensions of several gold zones of the property and explore the potential to discover new gold zones

Commodity

Au

Location

50 km SE of Val-d’Or, Qc (Figure 1)
NTS map sheet 32C03
Vauquelin Township
Latitude: 48°00’42’’ N (5 320 038 UTM N)
Longitude: 77°15’10’’ W (331 995 UTM E)

Mining titles

The property consists of 12 contiguous claims (Figure 2) covering an area of 334 hectares.

Property rights

The property is held 100% by Cartier Resources Inc.

Royalties

IamGold : 1% NSR applicable to all mining titles constituting the property.

Key points

The Chimo Mine produced 379 012 ounces of gold (MERN DV 85-05 to DV-97-01).

Year-round access by road, proximal to custom mills.

Gold ore was mined intermittently from 14 zones by 3 different producers from 1964 to 1997.

Recent work of data compilation, interpretation and modelling helped to complete the planning of a work program focused on :

  • drilling for delineating the extensions of eighteen (18) gold zones;
  • drilling for exploration of a dozen (12) targets with good discovery potential for new gold zones.

The program takes into account the depth of the gold zones that will be accessible via an existing shaft once it is returned to working order following the installation of surface infrastructure and the completion of shaft dewatering operation.

This volume of potential rock is seen in plan-view (Figure 5), in cross section (Figure 6) and in longitudinal sections for each of the following gold zones:

Drilling targets

North Gold Cluster
Central Gold Cluster
South Gold Cluster

Presentation

UPDATED : SEPTEMBER 6th, 2016

Project caracteristics

  • The Chimo mine is located on the Larder Lake–Cadillac Fault at the south-east end of the Val-d’Or mining camp (Figure 1);
  • The Chimo mine produced a total of 379,012 ounces of gold1 over a production period of 13 years with 3 different companies (Table below).
Date      Company     Tonnage
(tm)		        Grade
Au (g/t)		      Production
Au (oz)
1964-67        Chimo Gold Mines  132,738    14.8 63,168
1984-88    Louvem  521,403    5.7 95,395
1989-97    Cambior     1,790,069    3.8   220,449
Total = 2,4 Mt @ 4,8 g/t Au 379,012 oz

 

  • The mine infrastructure consists of a network of drifts distributed on 19 levels, 80 m to 870 m deep, connected by a 3-compartment shaft 920 m deep. Although the headframe and surface facilities (Picture 1) were dismantled in 2008, the two mining leases are still valid. The property has received certificates of environmental release from the relevant ministries.
  • The mined-out stopes represent 14 gold zones distributed from north to south as follows : 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4B, 5N1, 5N, 5M, 5M2, 5B, 5BS, 6, 6Band 6P (Figures 5 et 6).
  • Gold zones are associated with deformation corridors affecting oxide-facies iron formations (zones 1A, 1B and 2) and mafic to intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks (zones 3 to 6P ; Figures 3, 5 and 6).
  • The mineralization in zones 1A, 1B and 2 consists of non-refractory coarse-grained arsenopyrite present as semi-massive concentrations and veinlets of arsenopyrite associated with pyrrhotite. The other gold zones (3 and 6P) display 3 types of mineralization : i) metre-scale veins of smokey black quartz carrying native gold (veins up to 5 to 6 m thick) (Picture 2) ; ii) a breccia formed by centimetre- to metre-scale veins of whitish quartz in volcanic rocks, with auriferous arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite and pyrite concentrated along the contacts of the quartz veins and veinlets (Picture 3) ; and iii) disseminated mineralization consisting of auriferous arsenopyrite along with pyrrhotite and pyrite in biotite and chlorite altered volcanic rock (Picture 4).
  • The mineralized zones generate geophysical signatures characterized by chargeability (IP anomalies), good conductivity (EM anomalies) and magnetic lows. In contrast, zones 1A, 1B and 2 are located in a magnetic high generated by magnetite-facies iron formations (Figure 4).
  • A 3D model was generated by InnovExplo (Model available in Box DOCUMENT in the top right of this web page). This model incorporates 56,388 gold analyses from 3,335 drill holes with a total length of 247,719 m (see table below) as well as the data from mined-out underground workings, underground drifts and a shaft 920 m deep.
Drill
hole
location		 Number
of
holes		 Total metres
drilled
(m)		 Total number
of gold assays
(g/t)
From surface 256 54,577 14,751
From drifts 3,079 193,142 41,637
Total 3,335 247,719 56,388

 

  • A set of 68 cross sections and 19 level plans were constructed to facilitate the interpretation of the mineralized zones. This work led to the discovery of four new gold zones that had not been mined (no historical workings). From north to south, they are: 4, 6N1, 6C and 6P2 (Figures 5 et 6).
  • The 18 gold zones (14 historical and 4 new) were compiled and are available in different perspectives : plan view (level plan 3 = 175 m deep; Figure 5) and idealized cross section (Figure 6).

Historical work

Outcrops of bedrock are rare around the mine. Early prospecting yielded some gold showings, generating interest in the area, but the main discovery was made by drilling magnetic anomalies.

The description below of historical work is mainly limited to work conducted in the vicinity of the Chimo mine. The small amount of work done on the remainder of the property is not included.

1936-38 – Quemartic Mines

The original land holdings of the future mine were staked in the fall of 1936 and sold to Quemartic Mines Ltd in September 1937, who then transferred them to a subsidiary, Quemartic Mines (Québec) Ltd. In 1937-38, prospecting work yielded visible gold at two locations in volcanic rocks. Two exploration drill holes totalling 336 m did not encounter any mineralization of economic interest and the claims were eventually abandoned.

1943-48, 1963-67 – Chimo Gold Mines

The land was staked again in 1943 and acquired in 1945 by Chimo Gold Mines Ltd. In 1945-47, a magnetometer survey was completed and 45 holes were drilled for 5,800 m. The first holes near the original discovery were disappointing, but results were encouraging further south where 6 gold zones were recognized. In 1948, preparatory work commenced for the shaft sinking (Zone 2, west of the mine) and machinery was transported to the site and readied for work, but activities were suspended until 1963.

In 1963, a detailed magnetometer survey and an airborne electromagnetic survey were completed, followed by a 44-hole drilling program totalling 8,390 m, at a distance of 300 m to the east of the known zones. Four new zones were discovered (notably, zones 1, 2 and 3). From November 1964 to June 1965, a 3-compartment vertical shaft 183 m deep was excavated with drifts at 80, 120 and 175 m. Production started on January 1, 1966 and the first gold brick was poured in February. Production ceased at the end of August 1967 once the near-surface reserves had been depleted. The ore was shipped to the Bevcon Mill, 22 km away, which had been bought by Chimo Gold Mines Ltd the year before.

1978-89 – SOQUEM – LOUVEM

The property was acquired by SOQUEM in 1978, and magnetic and electromagnetic surveys soon followed. A 12-hole drilling program (1,548 m) took place in 1978 and a second program of 25 holes (6,230 m) was completed in 1980. SOQUEM transferred the mining titles to its subsidiary Louvem. Between 1981 and 983, Louvem dewatered and rehabilitated the old mine and developed exploration drifts, in addition to diamond drilling 10,750 m. Commissioning work began, ending in August 1984 when production started. In 1984, a drilling program of 33 surface holes discovered a new gold zone (Zone 5) 150 m south of the mined zones. Mining work on the old zones was suspended to accelerate development of Zone 5. Production started up again in mid-August 1985. Twenty-nine (29) new holes (5,755 m) were drilled along the extensions of the known zones and on geophysical targets, leading to the discovery of Zone 6 in April 1985. The aim of two successive drilling programs (1986: 11 holes, 1,878 m; 1987: 14 holes, 1,118 m) was to better define the known zones.

1989-97 – CAMBIOR

On May 8, 1989, Cambior acquired a 50% interest in Louvem and became the operator. In 1990, Cambior acquired Louvem’s remaining 50% interest. From 1989 to 1995, the focus was essentially on construction, production and development work: the shaft was deepened to 920 m with development on two additional levels (levels 18 and 19), the concentrator at the Lucien Béliveau mill was moved to the Chimo mine, a paste plant for backfill was built, and an administration building was erected. During this period, no exploration was carried out at surface, although the lateral extensions of Zone 6 were verified on the Nova property belonging to Cambior (1989-1990 program: 12 holes, 2,141 m). In 1995, exploration holes (11 holes: 3,492 m) tested the lateral extensions of Zone 5 and succeeded in locating the potential extension of Zone 5, approximately 750 m to the east.

2001-13 – Exploration Malartic-Sud, Ressources X-Ore et Blue Note Mining

On January 24, 2001, Malartic-Sud Exploration acquired 100% of the mining titles in the Chimo and Nova properties. On April 24, 2007, Malartic-Sud Exploration changed its name to X-Ore Resources, which was amalgamated with Blue Note Mining on January 15, 2010. The first exploration work since 1997 took place in 2010-2011 when Blue Note Mining carried out a 12-hole drilling program of 3,427 m to test the lateral and depth extensions of gold zones 1 to 3, 5 and 6.

Property access

The Chimo Mine Projerty is located 40 km southeast of Val-d’Or and 15 km southeast of Louvicourt (Figure 1). Access to the property is year-round via provincial 117 highway and by a network of gravel forestry roads totalling 11 km.

Geological setting

The region is located at the southeast end of the South Volcanic Zone in the volcano-sedimentary Abitibi Subprovince. This Archean belt is bounded to the north by granitic rocks of the Opatica Subprovince, to the east by the metamorphic rocks of the Grenville Province, and to the south by the sedimentary rocks of the Pontiac Subprovince. The southern boundary between the two subprovinces is marked by the Larder Lake–Cadillac Tectonic Zone.

The Chimo Mine property is located in the volcano-sedimentary Trivio Group, near the sheared contact with the volcanic Val-d’Or Formation to the north (Figure 3). The Trivio lavas represent andesitic basalt and andesite accompanied by thin tuffaceous horizons of intermediate composition. The Trivio sediments are greywackes and argillites with local horizons of conglomerate, oxide-facies iron formations, and slices of ultramafic lavas. The volcanic rocks were affected by the Kenorean N-S compressional phase, resulting in well-developed E-W schistosity. The end of this orogenesis was marked by the development of NE-SW to NNE-SSW extensional faults.

The intensity of regional metamorphism is low to moderate, ranging from greenschist facies up to amphibolite facies near intrusions and the Grenville Front.

Characteristics of gold zones 1 (1A and 1B), 2, 3 and 5 (5B, 5M, 5N and 5BS) (Figures 5 and 6)

Zone 1 generally follows the northernmost iron formation. The mineralization is primarily characterized by a juxtaposition of centimetre- to decimetre-scale veinlets of coarse arsenopyrite. Semi-massive layers of pyrrhotite with minor pyrite may also be present, but these sulphides are almost completely barren and are not accompanied by arsenopyrite. Lenses and veins of white quartz that border the sulphide zones do not contain economic gold grades. In some places, the arsenopyrite veinlets define small tight folds and occasionally cut the bedding at a low angle.

Zone 2 roughly follows the contact between the southernmost iron formation and a mafic intrusion. The sulphides are found in a brown biotite-rich zone. Pyrrhotite and coarse arsenopyrite define rough banding parallel to the schistosity. The margins of the mineralized zones are marked by finely banded pyrrhotite or disseminated arsenopyrite. Bluish quartz forms lenses and irregular veins and contains visible gold but few sulphide minerals.

Zone 3 is located at the southern contact of a schistose and carbonatized mafic intrusion. Mineralization generally consists of 3-5% disseminated sulphides and multiple veins of bluish quartz with good continuity. The veins display banding that may include layers of wall rock containing disseminated sulphides. The sulphides dominantly consist of fine arsenopyrite with lesser amounts of pyrrhotite and small quantities of pyrite-chalcopyrite. Quartz veins contain abundant visible gold, particularly along vein walls, but few sulphide minerals.

Zone 5 is located within schistose and carbonatized grey lava and includes thin units of graphitic schist. The sheared zone may have followed a thin layer of tuff, but deformation and alteration have overprinted the volcanic wall rocks. In the upper portion of mine level 5, the main form of mineralization is a large concordant lens of black quartz cutting abundant graphitic veinlets. The vein contains visible gold but few sulphides. At its extremities, the lens may truncate abruptly against a cone of graphitic schist. Elsewhere, the lens branches out or separates into parallel quartz veins that locally cut across each other or the schistosity. These digitations or multiple veins give the impression that the large lens gradually formed by accretion in a dilatational zone. Outside the graphitic quartz lens, the host rock contains numerous quartz veins and veinlets with some arsenopyrite in the veins but greater concentrations in the vein walls. These quartz and arsenopyrite veins are devoid of graphite. They yield good gold grades, and are straight and lenticular in form. Some are parallel to the foliation and others cut it. In the lower portion of mine level 5, the graphitic quartz lens disappears, replaced by graphite-free quartz veins with disseminated arsenopyrite along their margins.

1 MRNF (DV 85-05 à 97-01)

Cartier Resources’ Exploration work

Compilation, modeling and interpretation of all the project data used to generate drill targets present at the bottom of the previous page of this project.

Planned works

Drilling in Fall 2016 in the Eastern part of the Chimo Mine property.

Documents

Main results
Other documents
  • 3D Model - September 25th 2013 (For assistance in visualization of the 3D model, contact us !) Download
  • Chimo Mine project presentation Download
  • Factsheet project Chimo Mine Download
Externals documents
  • Chimo mine project video See

Photos

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