SURFACE

NorZinc ready to rock at Prairie Creek

NorZinc is stepping even closer to a planned 2020 production start at its Prairie Creek zinc-lead-silver operation in Canada’s Northwest Territories now that it has received the final crucial permits for the mine to go active

The Prairie Creek mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada

The Prairie Creek mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada

Parks Canada issued the water licence to NorZinc for the complex on November 22, as well as the land use permit that will grant it use of its portion of an all-season access road.

It had received the mine operating permits already, and on November 13, NorZinc was granted road permits from the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB).

NorZinc will now progress with the two-phase development of Prairie Creek. Before main construction begins, the first phase will include work for an initial 170-kilometre winter road in the March quarter of next year.

"Working with the road contractor and local First Nations, [we have] developed an alternative road construction schedule, the success of which will be dependent on the timing of approval of the management plans," it said, noting it will know more in the coming weeks.

President and CEO Don MacDonald said: "The timely approval of the management plans will be critical for us to continue to meet our development schedule outlined over 16 months ago. It is also critical that we develop the Prairie Creek mine in a manner that is the most environmentally sustainable and with the strongest local indigenous support."

NorZinc owns 100% of Prairie Creek, located 250km west of Fort Simpson. Mineralisation at the site was first discovered in 1928.

Prairie Creek has a 15-year estimated mine life. According to NorZinc, it will produce 95 million pounds of zinc, 105 million poounds of lead and 2.1 million ounces of silver on average annually for the first 10 years of the operational life.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalog of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.