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Key Highlights
- Milling Operations Initiated: North Bay Resources has commenced test milling at the Bishop Gold Mill, processing ore from its Fran Gold Project.
- Positive Initial Shipment Results: The first shipment of 22 tons returned assay grades of 1.2 to 2.3 ounces of gold per ton, with 5,000 tons of ore prepared for future shipments.
- Future Mining Development: Plans are in motion to begin operations at the Mt. Vernon and Taber gold mines, with ongoing rehabilitation and sampling efforts underway.
The sector involved is metal sector, as North Bay Resources Inc. has initiated test milling operations at the Bishop Gold Mill in Inyo County, California. This milestone follows the first shipment of gold ore from the company’s Fran Gold Project, situated in British Columbia. The commencement of these operations is a significant step in the company’s gold production strategy.
Milling Process Overview
The initial phase of milling operations involves the testing of the jaw crusher, which is designed to break down the ore to less than ½ inch. Once crushed, the material will be fed into the ball mill for further reduction to minus 150 mesh. Following this, the ore will be converted into a slurry and processed through a gravity separation table to extract free gold and other valuable metals.
The subsequent steps include optimizing and testing flotation cells and reagent formulation, which will enhance the recovery of precious metals. A second gravity table will be used for further upgrading of the flotation concentrate before sending the remaining material to the tailings.
The extracted free gold and any concentrated precious metals will be melted in an on-site furnace to create Dore bars or similar high-grade products, which will be securely stored or transported to a gold refinery located in Reno, Nevada.
Initial Shipment and Future Operations
The initial shipment from the Fran Gold Project comprised 22 tons of surface material, yielding assay grades between 1.2 and 2.3 ounces of gold per ton. Currently, approximately 5,000 tons of ore are prepared for shipment, with a substantial quantity of near-surface material available in trenches.
In addition to milling activities, North Bay is conducting environmental and operational assessments for the mill, including inspections of the tailings pond and water testing. These evaluations are critical for ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and environmental best practices.
Cost Reduction and Future Mining Plans
To reduce material transportation costs, North Bay is exploring equipment acquisition and evaluating rail transport options. The company is also progressing towards initiating mining operations at its Mt. Vernon and Taber gold mines. Preparations for mining activities are already underway.
At the Mt. Vernon site, the mine engineering consultant is updating the extraction plan for a 500-ton high-grade bulk sample, with site preparations expected to follow shortly. Meanwhile, at the Taber Gold Mine, rehabilitation of the Wild Boar Zone, located 700 feet within the mine, is ongoing. Sampling of three known mining faces will commence once rehabilitation efforts are completed.
Additionally, North Bay has engaged the Sabean Group for media and management consulting, bringing on board industry veterans such as Tim Sabean and Al McGowan to enhance its operational strategies.
