Titan Mining discovered promising near-surface zinc deposits at its Empire State Mine in New York through an ongoing surface drilling program, the company said Thursday.
The drilling program targeted the Hoist House zone, a mineralized extension of Titan's historic #2 mine at the Empire State Mine complex, which consists of one operating mine and six historic mines.
"We have identified several near-surface targets at the mine site, and in the district, which we believe present an opportunity for ESM to add low-cost, near-term production," Titan CEO Don Taylor said in a statement, referring to Empire State Mine. He added that the near-surface deposits are ideal for open-pit mining.
"The current drill program will allow us to evaluate the zones quickly for potential mining. We are initially focusing on targets near the existing infrastructure, and, if economic, these new zones could provide incremental mill feed to help fill existing capacity at ESM," he said.
Titan obtained samples from three holes at the Hoist House zone. Notable higher-grade extractions from the various holes that were assayed included samples drilled at 11 feet with a zinc grade of 6.4%, 8.0% grade zinc samples at 15.5 feet, and 12.4% grade zinc samples at 15 feet, according to the company's statement. Titan will continue drill testing at this site.
Titan has also begun a second round of drilling at the Turnpike zone near the company's historic #1 mine.
The Canada-based miner has rehabilitated various areas of Empire State Mine since acquiring the rights to the property in 2017. Titan began producing zinc concentrate at its #4 mine, the only mine currently in operation, in March 2018.
