Excelsior Commences Hydrological Program

 

VANCOUVER - Excelsior Mining Corp. reported that its hydrological drilling program has commenced at the Gunnison Copper Project in Arizona.

The primary component of the hydrological program will comprise 26 hydrology test wells totaling approximately 28,000 feet. Extensive geophysical logging and long term pump tests will be conducted on all holes with the objective of characterizing aquifer properties and the variations that control the movement of fluids through the mineralized bedrock. Because hydraulic conductivity, effective porosity, and aquifer continuity are critical in the mining process, the investigations of potential conduits or barriers to groundwater flow will prove invaluable to the ultimate design and success of the production well field. Results will be used to construct a numerical groundwater flow and transport model to simulate the planned in-situ recovery operations, and to demonstrate hydraulic control during operations. Additional long-term aquifer testing will also be conducted on previously constructed wells.

Hydrological data and modeling will be used for both the permitting application process and the feasibility study. All drilling, data interpretation, and modeling are expected to be completed in Q2 2015.

Commenting on the hydrological program, Stephen Twyerould, President & CEO, stated, "The economic advantages of the Gunnison Project are based largely upon the hydrology elements that define the project. The results of the hydrological program will represent the largest and perhaps the most important component of our feasibility study. We look forward to reaffirming that the conditions at Gunnison are optimal for safe and effective in-situ recovery copper mining."

Excelsior is a mineral exploration and development company that is advancing the Gunnison Copper Project.