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In addition to extensive geological mapping, geochemical surveys and induced polarization (IP) surveys, previous owner Cominco (now Teck) undertook ~75,000 feet of drilling in 164 holes from 1988 to 1997. Since 2001, Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership have expanded surface investigations and completed another ~800,000 feet of core drilling in 921 holes.
In total, the Pebble deposit and surrounding exploration lands have undergone 886,177 feet of drilling in 1,085 holes. That's more than 150 miles of drilling, making Pebble one of the most intensively studied, undeveloped mineral systems in the world.
Core drilling at Pebble is undertaken for a number of purposes, including:
- exploration holes to define subsurface mineral resources;
- geotechnical holes to support engineering design of mine facilities;
- metallurgical holes to support engineering design of ore processing;
- holes for groundwater monitoring wells.
The January 2010 Pebble mineral resource estimate is based on results from 509 core holes. At a 0.30% copper equivalent (CuEQ) cut-off, total known mineral resources are:
- 5.94 billion tonnes of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources grading 0.78% CuEQ, containing 55 billion pounds of copper, 67 million ounces of gold, and 3.3 billion pounds of molybdenum; plus
- 4.84 billion tonnes of Inferred Mineral Resources grading 0.53% CuEQ, containing 25.6 billion pounds of copper, 40.4 million ounces of gold, and 2.3 billion pounds of molybdenum.
Drilling Summary
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