Emperor Metals Inc. has announced a substantial increase in the estimated gold resources at its Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec. The initial Mineral Resource Estimate reveals a 104% increase over historical figures, with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 26.9 million tonnes grading 1.69 g/t gold, totaling 1.460 million ounces. This development marks a significant milestone for the company, showcasing the project's growing potential and the effectiveness of its exploration strategies.
The breakdown of the resource indicates that approximately 44% is suitable for open-pit extraction, while 56% is amenable to underground mining. High-grade intercepts, such as 22.7 meters at 35.2 g/t gold, underscore the quality of the deposit. Emperor Metals Inc. has planned a summer drill campaign of 8,000 to 10,000 meters to further expand the resource, with ambitions to exceed two million ounces by 2025. CEO John Florek highlighted the discovery cost of $7 per ounce as a testament to the company's capital efficiency, especially relevant in the current context of strong gold prices.
For more details on the announcement, visit https://ibn.fm/fJp54. This update not only reflects Emperor Metals Inc.'s progress in exploration but also positions the Duquesne West Gold Project as a significant asset in the Canadian Shield's gold mining landscape. The resource expansion demonstrates the potential for substantial gold production in a mining-friendly jurisdiction, which could contribute meaningfully to regional economic development and the global gold supply chain.
The combination of open-pit and underground mining potential provides operational flexibility, while the high-grade intercepts suggest the possibility of profitable extraction even at conservative gold price assumptions. The planned drilling program represents a logical next step in the project's development pathway, with the two-million-ounce target representing a meaningful threshold for potential mine development consideration. The low discovery cost of $7 per ounce compares favorably with industry averages, indicating efficient use of exploration capital and enhancing the project's economic attractiveness to potential investors and development partners.
