Resource World Magazine

46 www.resourceworld.com O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 MINING BRAVEHEART RESOURCES plans to reopen BC mine by Jennifer S. Getsinger, PhD, PGeo BRAVEHEART RESOURCES INC. [BHT-TSXV] has acquired a past-producing underground mining property in southeastern British Columbia and intends to transform itself from explorer to producer, providing dozens of jobs for the region. Headquartered in Calgary, the company's focus is "the restart of the newly acquired and 100%-owned Bull River Mine" (copper, gold, and silver). In addition, the company holds an option to acquire the Alpine Project, a past-producing gold mine. The Bull River property is halfway between Cranbrook and Fernie in the east Kootenays and the Alpine Project is near Nelson in the west Kootenays. In a recent interview, Ian Berzins, President and CEO, said mining could begin as soon as early 2020 at Bull River due to the extent of previous expenditures, work, and infrastructure already in place. Because the 750 tpd mill at Bull River needs only minimal upgrades, it would be used to process ore from both projects using dry stack or filtered tailings technology. Current field exploration, including drilling, will add to newly revised resource calculations. Braveheart's online presentation gives the Bull River Project an indicated resource of 1.51 million tonnes grading 2.263% CuEq, and inferred resources of 0.34 million tonnes of 1.86% CuEq. Today's metal value consists of copper 85%, silver 6%, and gold 9%, according to Berzins, who has managed three underground gold mines in Canada, as well as the Mt. Milligan open pit copper and gold mine in northern BC. Berzins estimated that the Alpine deposit has some 270,000 tonnes of ore, which could be mined at an average grade of 16.5 g/t gold, resulting in 140,000 ounces of gold. Ore could be trucked to the Bull River mill. "I'm excited about the assets we have for turning our junior exploration company into a producing mining company," Berzins said, adding that experienced mine workers from nearby commu- nities would be glad to commute to the 80-100 jobs the projects could soon offer, with expected mine lives of at least seven years. Comprising mineral claims and leases (nearly 10,000 ha), the Bull River property lies along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Trench, above the old ghost town of Bull River, an old placer gold locality on the east side of the Kootenay River. Mineralization (primarily Cu, Ag, and Au in sulphides) occurs in quartz-carbonate veins, up to 6 metres thick. In the early 1970s, the Bull River land hosted the Dalton Mine, operated by Placid Oil Company. Recorded recovered produc- tion (1971-1974) from 471,900 tonnes of ore was 126,123 grams gold, 6,353,628 grams silver and 7,256,050 kg copper (Minfile 082GNW002). The old Dalton Mine was later acquired by R.H. Stanfield and Associates (Bull River Mineral Corp.), who explored and attempted development of what they called the Gallowai – Bull River Mine from 1982 to 2000. Underground workings were developed with the intent of mining, and in 2005, a 75,000 tpy mining permit was obtained; however, economic conditions stopped work in 2009. Completed in January 2019, Braveheart acquired the Bull River property by taking over Purcell Basin Minerals Inc. in a complex but favourable deal benefiting shareholders and the tax situation. What's great about the Bull River property is how much devel- opment work has been done toward developing a mine, with infrastructure already in place: millions of dollars expended, a 750 tpd mill, rock crusher, storage buildings, labs and shops, elec- trical and water systems connected, roads to the site, and 22,000 metres of underground development. With a few upgrades such as transformers, flotation and filtration equipment and permits, mining could be started again soon. Exploration programs for both Alpine and Bull River projects are fully funded for 2019 and include drilling on parts of the min- eral tenure that need exploration work, to expand the extent of known resources. "We have drills turning already," Berzins said. Past production (1915-1988) at the Alpine Project included 16,810 tonnes of ore yielding 356,360 grams gold, 222,044 grams silver, 49,329 kg lead and 17,167 kg zinc. Braveheart has sufficient financing for care and maintenance, re-permitting and the next season of exploration. They are also trying to raise more funds for new capital costs as well as working capital for future years of mining. Braveheart plans to work in a cooperative manner with the Ktunaxa Nation and deal with any potential environmental issues. Berzins concluded, "If there are five newly permitted mines in BC in the next few years, we expect to be one of them." n The Bull River surface mill complex in the East Kootenays of southeastern British Columbia. Photo courtesy Braveheart Resources Inc.

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