A BREAKNECK PACE JOE MANN

It is sometimes said that the best place to look for a new mine is an old mine — and the Joe Mann gold operation in Chibougamau, Que., is a good example. The mine has operated twice before, under various names. From 1954 to 1960, Anacon Lead Mines extracted close to 700,000 tons grading 0.22 oz gold per ton. But financial problems forced the company to abandon the operation. Then in the early 1970s another company, Chibex Mining, took control. It dewatered the mine and rebuilt the whole plant in an attempt to mine low grade material from the existing stopes, without deepening the shaft past 1,850 ft.

However, that company ran out of money too, which forced it to pull out in the mid-70s. All in all, a total of 869,000 tons had been mined out of the upper levels before 1984 when Meston Lake Resources became the 100% owner. That company subsequently entered into an agreement with Campbell Resources, which became operator. (Campbell now owns 65% of Meston.) Since June, 1985, the mine has been studied extensively for new sources of ore, and a complex reverse fault system has manifested itself. (The geology consists of quartz vein in volcanic rocks bounded by acidic and porphyry dikes.)

Last April, the mine started up yet again and it is now turning out 700 tons per day (with 730 tons per day planned). What’s more, that production rate is expected to continue for at least the next five to six years — in fact, Campbell Resources is hoping for an even longer mine life. The company believes the real basis for excitement is the strong indication of future potential ore both to the east and west of the shaft.

In addition to the Joe Mann mine, 1987 saw the start-up of Campbell’s S-3 gold/copper mine (see accompanying article). Both operations are helping to sustain Chibougamau’s position as one of Canada’s leading mining camps. Joe Mann Notebook Location: ……. Chibougamau, Que. Major owners: ……. Campbell Resources, 64.3% equity interest; Societe Development Baie James Commodities: ……. gold, silver, copper Discovery date: ……. 1951; it has been operated twice in the past. Start-up: ……. April, 1987 Capital costs: ……. $8.6 million Operating costs: ……. $62.64 per ton (mining, development, milling, administraion, marketing) Reserves: ……. 910,000 tons at 0.220 oz gold and 0.30% copper (proven and probable — diluted) Means of access: ……. 3-compartment shaft to a depth of 1,850 ft Extent of vertical workings: ……. 900 ft to 1,650 ft Mining method: ……. 90% long-hole, 10% shrinkage Mining equipment: ……. track with 3-ton locos and 3-ton mine cars Production rate: ……. 730 tons per day (planned) Milling plan: ……. muck trucked to Camchib mill, 38 miles from the mine site Major contractors: ……. Chibougamau Diamond Drilling Status: ……. production