North of 60 Mining News - The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North

Hecla Mining Company Jan. 12 reported that drilling at Greens Creek continues to tap the high-grade mineralization that will help ensure a long and robust life for this silver mine in Southeast Alaska.

"(D)rilling at Greens Creek discovered high-grade mineralization in the central part of the mine that could enhance Greens Creek's already exceptional mine economics and mine life," said Hecla President and CEO Phillips Baker, Jr.

The fourth quarter drilling at Greens Creek targeted the East Ore, Deep 200 South, Gallagher, Deep Southwest and West zones.

Located near the mine portal, East Ore hosts a large resource – 510,100 ounces silver and 5,500 oz gold in indicated resource; and 12.6 million oz silver and 112,000 oz gold in the inferred category – that is a compelling target for mining at Greens Creek.

Hecla said recent definition drilling at East Ore compares favorably to previously modeled resource estimates, particularly at higher elevations.

One such infill hole cut 19.8 feet averaging 32.3 oz/t silver, 0.18 oz/ton gold, 9 percent zinc and 4.8 percent lead.

Additionally, the company said step-out drilling suggests that strong mineralization at East Ore extends to the south and to depth.

One hole drilled in this expansion area cut 19 feet grading 54.2 oz/ton silver, 0.43 oz/ton gold, 4.25 percent zinc and 1.34 percent lead over 19.0 feet,

Aggressive drilling of the East Ore Zone is planned to continue well into 2018 with the goal of confirming reserves and expanding the known resource.

Deeper in the mine, definition drilling improved the high-grades in the inferred resource in the southern portion of the Deep 200 South Zone and upgraded it to indicated resource.

One hole drilled in this area cut 18.9 feet averaging 40.1 oz/ton silver, 0.03 oz/ton gold, 6 percent zinc and 4.2 percent lead.

Exploration drilling south of the current resource has extended 200 South Bench mineralization another 300 feet with 19.5-foot intercept grading 23.6 oz/ton silver, 0.06 oz/ton gold, 2.5 percent zinc and 1.3 percent lead over 19.5 feet.

Drilling at Gallagher, a deep zone parallel to Deep 200 South, has confirmed modeled thicknesses and may have increased the resource by defining mineralization further to the west and east beyond the current resource.

Highlighted intercepts from drilling at Gallagher include 9.4 feet grading 25.3 oz/ton silver, 0.01 oz/ton gold, 0.7 percent zinc and 0.3 percent lead; and 11.2 feet of 8.4 oz/ton silver, 0.03 oz/ton gold, 11.8 percent zinc and 6.4 percent lead.

The 2018 underground drill program at Greens Creek will focus on the East Ore, Upper Plate, Deep 200 South, and Gallagher zones.

–SHANE LASLEY