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

Kutcho Copper Corp. Feb. 14 announced the resumption of environmental baseline studies at the Kutcho Copper project in northern British Columbia. The program will continue with and confirm the environmental and socio-economic data that had been collected previously by Capstone Mining Corp.

Under its former name, Desert Star Resources Ltd., Kutcho Copper acquired the project from Capstone in 2017.

A prefeasibility study prepared for Kutcho Copper outlines a mine at the Kutcho project that would produce 378 million pounds of copper and 473 million lb of zinc, plus by-product gold and silver, over 12 years of production.

The company has developed plans to complete a feasibility study for Kutcho in 2019.

This year's program includes additional geotechnical work on the deposits; a drill program to upgrade a portion of the inferred mineral resources to the measured and indicated categories; additional metallurgical test work; and environmental baseline studies.

Baseline data collected will include the physical, biophysical, and human environments, including: meteorology; water quality and quantity; fish and aquatic biology; ecosystem and vegetation; wildlife; human health; traditional knowledge; archaeology; land use; and socio-economics.

Kutcho has also initiated engagement and consultation programs with First Nations, governments, and area stakeholders to discuss value components, opportunities, issues and concerns to ensure that development of the Kutcho Project will be undertaken in a responsible manner that considers all area interests.

"The key to successfully moving our project through feasibility, environmental assessment, permitting and development is having robust baseline data and strong relationships with First Nations," said Kutcho Copper President and CEO Vince Sorace. "With this in mind, the company is engaging technical consultants who share Kutcho Copper's values, commitments, and goals."

–SHANE LASLEY