The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Prospects in the Snow Lake area appear to be rapidly falling into place for the Foran Mining Corporation. In a May 14, 2004 news release, updating the progress made on their North Star Gold Project, the company announced that the first phase of the decline and drift excavation of the North Star Vein has been completed. "Approximately eight thousand tons of vein material was excavated at the 30 metre level, in 7.5 m intervals along the North Star vein," read the release. This, and a previous 450 kg sample taken from the back (ceiling) of the drift along the vein, will be processed at the SGS Lakefield Research Laboratory in Peterborough, Ontario under the direction of Melis Engineering of Saskatoon. The release further advised that these samples will have detailed (lock cycle) flotation and gravity tests done on them and the testing, coupled with results from some previous testing reported in early March, will provide enough information to finalize a mill design appropriate for the property. Additionally, Foran has signed an agreement with Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, to purchase approximately half of a decommissioned area rail bed. This rail bed has been converted to a road and approximately 42 km of it will be used to access the project area as well as allow access to other mineral exploration properties held by Foran. The company has also received a permit to acquire the rights for the old Dickstone Mine Road, which provides access to the North Star claims from the rail bed road. Moreover, Foran is currently flying a terrain survey over the North Star Property area. "This will provide detailed contour maps and a engineering base for site planning, including a potential tailings facility for an onsite mill. The survey will further provide a detailed base for water and biological reference studies," the release stated. The release concluded stating that in preparation for a potential mine and mill, Foran is currently completing preliminary mine planning based on the existing drill and underground data acquired during this past winter's underground development. This information will be used to determine the mining method, stope development and extension of underground development to the 75-92-meter level. However, this future development hinges upon final grades of the aforementioned samples, in addition to drill results. In order to further evaluate the North Star Vein and to determine continuity of veining and gold grades within it and other veins in the structure, the company will conduct a 10,000-meter drill program this summer. On another matter, J.H. Kerr School's kindergarten to grade 8 students recently took part in three weeks of Fine Arts programming. Over the period of May 3 - 21, students enjoyed: folk art painting with Kim Burton; Ukrainian Easter eggs with Lynore Spruyt and Joanne Roberts; pottery and ceramics with Cindy Santo; guitar with Alan Beilman; digital photography with Clarence Fisher; rag rug and crafts making with Wilma Pockett, Leone Langan, and Claire Young; painting and drawing with Alice Shipowich; slumping and fusing glass with Connie Polh; and music with Gwen Foord. It's great that Snow Lake has so many talented people willing to step forward and share their gift on a volunteer basis.Æ
