Desktop Study Of The Van Dyke Project In Arizona
CALGARY - Copper Fox Metals Inc. through its subsidiary, Desert Fox Copper Inc., reported the following the recommendations of the 2020 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) The Company has retained Montgomery & Associates to complete a data gap analysis of the Van Dyke oxide copper project in relation to current EPA and ADEQ requirements to obtain a Class III well permit for the project.
Elmer B. Stewart, President and CEO, said, "The results of the 2020 PEA indicated the Van Dyke deposit to be a technically sound, potential mid-tier, in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) project. To enhance the value of the project, the PEA recommended a multi-purpose program including completion of an in-situ pilot scale test recovery program. The Data Gap analysis will form the basis for preliminary discussions with the EPA and ADEQ and would be instrumental in establishing a cost-efficient, multi-purpose program to enhance value while providing options on the future direction of the project."
The Van Dyke ISCR project is located in the Globe-Miami Mining District, Arizona. Historically the project has been permitted for production of copper using ISCR methods on several occasions, with copper production of four million pounds reported. The study consists of; Data Review, Conceptual Site Hydrogeological Model (CSM), Refining Permitting Guidance and Field Program Scoping. The study is expected to outline the timeline and estimated cost should Copper Fox decide to enter the formal permitting process for the project. To advance the project, receipt of the following permits is required: An Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and An Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This part of the study will review all available hydrogeological and geotechnical reports, well logs, site water level and water quality data, regional water well data and groundwater recharge and discharge studies for the project and surrounding area to identify data gaps based on current permitting requirements of the EPA and ADEQ. This work will constrain the appropriate model domain boundaries.
In addition, this part of the study facilitates pre-application meetings to present the Conceptual Site Model for the project to the EPA and ADEQ. Input from EPA and ADEQ would be used to refine and guide proposed future work plans to support APP and UIC permitting.