Example of resource estimation
As of 2006, the deposit of the Minto project in the Yukon Territory consisted of 9 Mt of ore with average grades 1.78% copper (mainly chalcopyrite and bornite mineralization), 0.62 g/t gold, and 7.3 g/t silver. The mine life was seven years.
Figure 1 shows a map of the drill locations used to estimate the resource. The resource is classified as one of inferred, indicated and measured depending on the density of drill holes. The measured resource is the area where the most drill hole data are available while the inferred and indicated resources are in areas with fewer drill holes.
The extent and orientation of the inferred and indicated resources are suggested by the geological cross-section shown on the next page which shows a northerly-southerly orientation of the mineralization. Thus, for example, the inferred and indicated resources circled with the dashed red line are oriented as shown even though there is only one drill hole at the center of the indicated resource. Note that no continuity is assumed between these resources and the other resources to the east. However, continuity is assumed between drill holes in the north-south cross-section shown in Figure 2.
