Can Tung Ramped Up

摘要

North American Tungsten has completed ramp-up of its CanTung tungsten mine in Canada's Yukon Territory. In February, the mill reached targeted throughput of 1,000 st/d at grades averaging more than 1 percent WO_3. Additional exploration programs are being developed for both CanTung and the company's wholly owned MacTung property approximately 100 miles north of the CanTung mine. Feasibility studies are slated to begin at MacTung during the second half of 2006. At CanTung, North American Tungsten has been working to increase operating efficiencies. Underground mining operations have been improved through the introduction of long-hole mining for pillar recovery, which both increases ore tonnage availability and lowers the impact of the cyclical nature of cut-and-fill mining. Access to seven long-hole pillars was scheduled for completion by the end of March. Routine cut-and-fill underground mine development will continue throughout the year. Recent equipment additions of a rebuilt, two-boom electric hydraulic jumbo and a scissor lift have also contributed to improved overall operating efficiencies.