Fenix Project > Drill Program

A diamond core drilling program using HQ tools and equipment began on the project in April, 2005 and work has continued through 2006 and 2007. The program in support of the feasibility study was completed in January 2006 and achieved a total of around 34,000 m in 1459 holes.  Boart Longyear Guatemala, the contractor, operated 6 drills on the property during this phase of the program. Since 2006 the program has employed up to 3 drills to enlarge and improve the measured and indicated resource inventory in the designated mining areas.  Over 20,000 metres of drilling was drilled 2006 and another 20,000 m are anticipated for 2007.

The goal of the initial program to delineate sufficient measured and indicated resources for a minimum 20-year mining project has been met with the completion of the 30-year Fenix Project Feasibility Study.   The drill program was conducted in two stages; a twin hole program and an in-fill program.  The twin hole program was designed to twin a statistically significant number of the historic drill holes in the deposits which had been most intensely examined by the historic exploration and mining work.  Original drill sites were re-surveyed and in many cases the original hole was located.  The twin hole was sited next to the original hole, usually within 2 metres.  The program achieved the objective of verifying the substantial historic database for use in the current mineral resource estimates.

Following the twin hole drilling, a program of drilling at 50 by 50 metre hole spacings was completed in Areas 217, 251 and 215.    This drilling provides a more complete geological interpretation of the deposits, comprehensive multi-element chemistry and sufficient measured and indicated resources to support the Feasibility Study mining plans and schedules.  

The 2006 and 2007 drilling programs have focused on improving the confidence in resource estimates for Areas 217 and 215.  In addition, a large deposit area between these two, Area 216, has been drilled at 75 m spacings.  The new resource estimate for Area 216 which is expected later in 2007 will add to the Fenix mineral resource inventory since there has been no previous evaluation of resources in this deposit.  Following completion of Area 216, the new resource estimates will be used to re-optimize the Fenix mine plan.

Quality control/quality assurance of logging, sampling and analytical techniques are the responsibility of independent Qualified Person Dr. Paul Golightly, a recognized expert on the geology and formation of nickel laterite deposits.  The methods used under Dr. Golightly’s guidance are described under Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports.