NWT - The Canadian Zinc Corporation is launching an approximately $1.5 million diamond drill exploration project at Prairie Creek Mine.

Heavy equipment was used to move a diamond drill rig at the Fort Simpson airport on July 23 in preparation for the rig to be airlifted to the Prairie Creek Mine. The drill will be used as part of a diamond drill exploration project to test the extent of the mineral resources at the site. - photo courtesy of Wilbert Antoine

The project will test the amounts of the lead, zinc and silver mineral resources at the site. Using a diamond drill rig am 1,500 metre-deep hole will be drilled in a valley 1.5 km away from the edge of the currently defined mineral resources.

Mapping, analysis and geography suggest the same geological structure that contains the known mineral resources extends that far, said Alan Taylor, the company's vice-president of exploration.

To drill the hole, a new diamond drill rig, along with other equipment and supplies, is being airlifted to the mine site in a Buffalo DHC-5 rear loading aircraft from Fort Simpson. The mine already has a drill rig but a larger one is needed to drill this deep, Taylor said.

The project is expected to be challenging both geologically and technically because of the depth of the hole. The deeper the hole, the less straight it is and the curves have to be controlled, Taylor said. If there are faults in the hole, part of the drill could shear off and the hole would have to be abandoned.

"It's a pretty risky hole," he said.

If successful, this will be the deepest test hole that has been drilled at the site. A team of specialized drillers will be running the rig. Approximately eight people will be working on the program in addition to the other seven people that are at the mine.

The equipment airlift is expected to take place on July 28 or 29 and the drilling will commence in the first week of August. The project is scheduled to last into October and possibly November.

The project will also likely continue next year. Depending on what is found, either more test holes or a deeper hole will be drilled. There are also plans to drill multiple holes stemming off of the original 1,500 meter hole to explore resources further, said Taylor.

"We want to enhance the property," Taylor said to explain the reason behind the project.

The mine is undergoing an environmental assessment. The company thought something more, besides the assessment, was needed for the stock market to enhance shareholders' values, he said.

If additional mineral resources are found, it would extend the mine's lifespan, Taylor said. The mine currently has enough resources to run for at least 20 years.

The drill program is the primary project being conducted at the mine this season. Additional studies are also ongoing at the site for the environmental assessment process, while some work is also being done to repair the winter road.