Canadian microcap copper and gold explorer Northstar Gold Corp says its is looking to establish a “sustainable mining operation” using keyhole extraction methods at its Cam Copper property in Ontario’s Kirkland Lake district.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with privately-owned Novamera to examine the use of Novamera’s proprietary “Surgical Mining” equipment and technology, and to “model, develop and mine a potentially economically viable mineral resource” at 100%-owned Cam Copper.
Northstar, which currently has a sub-C$4 million market capitalisation, recently raised C$1 million of equity funding to conduct a modest diamond drilling program at Cam Copper. It describes the southernmost of three road-accessible, historic shaft mines at its Miller lease area as a “satellite high-grade copper system” to its Allied gold target. Limited copper production from the Cam, Amity and Patterson mines along the estimated 4km-long Boston Creek copper trend was reported between 1926 and 1955.
A copper-rich, near vertical zone reportedly outlined in a volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) horizon at Cam Copper is being targeted by Northstar and Novamera. “Zone 2 is the largest of three narrow, steeply dipping tabular copper horizons estimated by a previous operator to average 10% copper over a 0.85m true width, 42m strike length and a minimum 140m depth extent from surface,” said Northstar, which reported a 2.45m diamond drill intercept grading 14.8% copper last year.
Under their MOU Novamera will need to secure funding to mine the Cam Copper zone, “subject to the definition and permitting of an economic deposit”.
“The MOU provides the framework for both parties to gain a clear understanding of the value of Surgical Mining at the project, as well as the necessary stages for commercial deployment and extraction,” Northstar said.
CEO Brian Fowler said the Novamera alliance “strengthens Northstar’s ability to explore and develop the narrow, high-grade copper zones at Cam Copper”.
“Looking ahead, this partnership could pave the way for further agreements to explore and exploit a 3km stretch of VMS copper horizons, including the historic high-grade Amity and Patterson mines on the adjacent Boston Creek mines property,” he said.
Surgical Mining combines five-year-old Novamera’s mapping, positioning and steering technologies which it uses with conventional drilling equipment to exploit narrow, high-grade mineral deposits.
“Through our advanced AI and machine learning technologies we enable mining companies to leverage conventional large-diameter drilling equipment to surgically extract deposits with minimal upfront capital and a quicker path to profitability,” Novamera CEO Dustin Angelo said.
“This innovative approach offers a transformative model for the industry, allowing mining companies to capitalise on deposits that would otherwise be untapped using traditional methods.”
