Pentland ponders underground programs in Hoyle Twp.

With three gold properties taking shape near the Bell Creek mine in northeastern Ontario, Pentland Firth Ventures (TSE) is formulating underground programs, to be implemented in the third quarter.

Gold resources at the Allerston, Schumacher and Marlhill properties are estimated at 221,700 oz.

Pentland Firth, expects underground development of the three properties to proceed smoothly.

The Allerston project, 100 metres west of Bell Creek, has a high-grade vein containing an estimated 65,000 tonnes grading 18.2 grams gold per tonne. Drifting along the vein could provide development ore for early cash flow.

The Schumacher property, optioned from the estate of Timmins pioneer Frederick Schumacher, was drilled this year. The prospect lies 160 metres southeast of the nearest Bell Creek workings and can be explored from the mine.

The Marlhill property, 500 metres northeast of Bell Creek, has its own decline that could be dewatered to the 100-metre level, allowing drifting and raising along the known M-1, M-2 and M-3 vein structures where the estimated resource exceeds 150,000 oz. gold. Another five veins have been drilled, but the size and grade of the resource have yet to be estimated.

Pentland expects the Marlhill decline will become a secondary access point, and that most of the ore will be hauled along a new drift to the Bell Creek shaft.

Pentland also has $1.8 million earmarked for surface exploration in the first half of 1996. The funds will be applied to properties in the Bell Creek area and on other properties in Murphy and Hoyle twps.