Another gold mining project that was uncovered within the vast wilderness of the Algoma District region was known as the Edwards Gold Mine. Almost all of this discovery was first staked by a guy who was hiking in the bushes that soon came upon a sparkling gold vein. He soon decided to call this project the Edwards Gold Mine as P. Edward was the main guy who came upon this discovery zone. He soon became so fascinated once he had stake his claim and started trenching and stripping the overburden of vegetation and debris. Once he had uncovered this deposit further he would then take his optional rights to the giant of all mining companies at the time. Soon enough the legendary Hollinger Gold Mines Limited had conducted some of their own studies. By 1916, the Hollinger Gold Mines Limited had obtain full option rights from P. Edwards and soon commence further explorations when more trenching and pitting was down. After not keeping the claim owner happy the mine was taken over by another firm who went by the name of Gold Land Syndicate of Algoma.
In 1933, the Gold Lands Syndicate of Algoma had taken over a group of 9 claims, known as the Edwards Property at the time. These claims at the time were located near the center of townships 48, range 27, within the district of Algoma. It was rather located at a distance of six miles southwest of Locklash Station on the Canadian Pacific Railway Line. Development at the time was concentrated on sinking a shaft that was 7 by 11-feet, and had inclined at 080 degrees, which was started on September, 30, and completed to a depth of 100 feet. A level at 100-feet was now cut, and stationed as crosscutting was in progress to extend this level further. Prior to development, the Plant that consisted of a 110 cubic-foot IR gasoline compressor, and a small gasoline hoist was built. Other buidlings at the the time had also followed suit when a power-house, blacksmith shop, and a bunk house was erected.
Mining continued onward before all operations were suspended at the end of January, 1934, at which time 60 feet of crosscutting had been accomplished on the 100-foot level. Surface work at the time was also carried on until July of that year, and at the end of the year this property was optioned to Orecana Trust, Limited, who then started examination work.
The Edward Gold Mines, Limited was the next company to take over the Edward Gold Property with an authorization of 2,000,000 shares of $1 par values. Before the company was reorganized into the Edwards Gold Mines, Limited it was known as the Del Sol Gold Mines, Limited. During 1935, the company had additionally acquired the Edward Gold Mine which was first place under development by the Gold Lands Syndicate. Most of the work by this company was focus on further extending the 2 compartment 080 degree shaft shaft that was reaching an actual depth of 97 feet.Lateral development at the time had consisted of 400 feet of additional work on the 97-foot level. A new plant was made during this time period that included a 110-cubic-foot and 310-cubic foot Gardner Denver Gasoline Compressor, and Gasoline hoist.
In 1936, underground mining operations were once again resumed in February, after being suspended for eight months. Most of this suspension was mainly caused due a 5 1/2 mile power, and the construction of a new 75-tonne amalgamation mill. Much of the milling facility was also equipped with an 9-by 16-inch Jaw Crusher, Marcy Ball Mill, Akins Classifier, Wilfley Table, two blanket tables, and amalgamation equipment. All of this was place into operation on October 20, and the mill had treated a total of 1,690 tonnes of ore from the stockpile.
Development was mainly focus on the 2-compartment shaft operation that was sunk an additional 200 feet, and had reach a depth of 300-feet. Levels at the time were also cut and station on the mines 200- and 300-foot horizons. Lateral development that took place had consisted of 40 feet of drifting on the 100-foot level, and 50 feet of drifting, and 55 feet of crosscutting on the 200-foot level. No additional mining at the time was done on the 300-foot level as it was mainly developed as a station. Other equipment at the time was also added that consisted of an Ingersoll Ranf 624-cubic foot electric compressor that replace the two gasoline compressor. It was also at this time when the Gasoline hoist was also replace by a 10- by 12-inch single drum steam hoist at the start of work in 1936, which was later converter to electrical.
A down fall had occurred in 1937, when mining operation at the Edward Mine were continued until October, 1937, when the mine ceased operation. Most of the work during that year was focus on open-stopes which were mined on all three levels at 100-foot intervals. Production from mining these stopes had ended up totalling 1,573 tonnes of ore that was obtained, and treated in the 75-tonne amalgamation mill. Recoveries from the amalgamation mill had resulted in 485 ounces of gold (Au), and 37 ounces of silver (Ag) Diamond drilling was also done from underground that had totalled a length of 2,500 feet. It was at the end of 1937, when an application was made to surrender the campany's charter, and a new incorporation was made to form the Edwards Consolidated Gold Mines.
No mining was done in 1938, as the newly formed Edward Consolidated Mines was incorporated with a capitalization of 3,000,000 common shares. Work within 1938, was mainly focus on prospecting the area, and constructing a geological map of the structure in better defining this project. A total of 10 surface diamond drill holes were put down on this property that resulted in 3 holes intersecting gold values of 0.38 and 1.09 ounces per tonne. Mining at the time was never renewed as the gold prices had taken an impact due to the outbreak of World War 2 in the 1940's.
During 1988, the property was being explored by Spirit Lake Exploration, Limited, in which had held claims in vicinity of the old Edward Mine. Most of the work was aimed a completing a 49 surface diamond drill holes on two mineralized zones known as the Spirit, and Edward that totalled 29,500 feet in length. These two zone were identifiyed along with additional targets, referred as the Shaynee and Cline Extension Zones. Preliminary drilling that was done had indicated a reserve estimation at 190,288 tonnes grading 0.35 ounces gold per ton. The Spirit Zone rather lies 500 feet south-southwest of the Edwards Shafdtr, and containeds an auriferous quartz vein up to 120 feet long, that strikes about 0120 degrees, and dips 050 degrees to 060 degrees north. The Spirit and Edwards Zones are known to also occur immediately east of the Kremzar Mine Site. Surface trenching that was completed on the Edwards Zone, in 1988, had indicated the presence of a 1 to 2 m wide discontinous shear zone containing quartz veins and silicified sections. The Shear Zone transects a mafic volcanic unit, and consists of chlorite biotite schist, not unlike that which host mineralization at the Kremzar Mine to the west. Infilled drilling was also completed on the Spirit Zone during the year, including a 5,000-foot drill program initiated in the fall of 1989. It was the objective to determine the extent and continuity of the Spirit Zone. Earlier drilling intersected ore-grade intersections, including 24 feet averaging 1.48 ounces of gold per tonne.
Spirit Lake Exploration had also conducted a diamond drilling program on the Edwards Gold Property in 1989, to test a mineralized zone occuring on strike with the Magino and Lockalsh Deposits. All three of these deposits are also determined to have been controlled by a regional structure known as the Goudreau Lake Shear Zone. In total, there are rather two main gold bearing vein systems from which the company hopes to outline a small high-grade deposit. It was also at this time when significant intersections were made from drilling that returned 1.06 ounces of Au per ton over 15 feet from the 400-foot long zone. Plans for future work would also include a drill program to extend the outline deposit and a program of shaft dewatering, rehabilitation, and underground drilling and or development.
By 1990, the Spirit Lake Exploration, Limited had completed 33 surface diamond drill holes to evaluate two vein systems at the Edwards Mine in Eastern Finan Township. It was also believed by the company that the prospect occurs on the on-strike extension, or splay, of the Goudreau Lake Shear Zone, which hosts the Magino Mine, and the Canamax Resoucers Incorporated Lochalsh and Island Gold Zones. One of the major shear zones in the area is up to 100 feet wide, and has been exposed over about an 800-foot east trending strike length in the direction of Canamax Resources Incorporated Property. In addition to this, the company is also continuing a surface exploration program of stripping, and an additional 30,000 feet of diamond drilling.
During 1991, Spirits Lake Exploration Limited had completed further surface explorations consisting of sonic soil sampling, and diamond drilling. The groups of claims includes the former Edwards Mine, and is situated at about 1 km west of the Cline Mine. Gold Mineralization is known to occur in quartz veins hosted in both felsic intrusions being grandiorite or quarz porphyry, and mafic metavolcanics. This was also followed by a thirty hole diamond drilling program that had totalled 10,705 feet, and was completed in the spring on the Edwards Property. Mineralization appear to be concentrated in two high-grade, gold bearijg zone, the Porphyry and the Carbonated Zones. Both of these veins systems occupy the same shear structure that controls the Magino, and Lochalsh Deposits. The Porphyry ZOne is one of the largest of the two zones, which is opened below the 700-feet and has produce assays greater than 1.157 ounces of Au per ton over 10.9 feet. An estimation on the porphyry zone had indicated a reserve of 89,800 tonnes grading 0.86 ounces Au per ton. Estimations were also made in the Carbonated Zone that had contained 66,700 tonnes of ore, grading 1.37 ounces Au per ton, over an average width of 7.5 feet. Assay values from the Carbonated Zone are known to have given off grades of 1.89 ounces Au per ton. In total estimations the Porphyry and Carbonated Zones are known to have contained a reserve of 163,100 tonnes grading 1.08 ounces per ton in Au. In addition to this, Spirit Lake Explorations had not conducted exploratory work on the Shaynee, and New North Horizons, which lie to the east and west pf the main mineralized zones being explored.
On March, 1996, River Gold Mines, Ltd, had entered into a 10 year lease agreement with Vencan Gold Corporation in order to develop the Edwards Deposit in Jacobson Township. Diamond drilling and surface sampling of the Edward Deposit had indicated 434,000 tonnes grading 0.482 ounces of gold per tone. Under terms of agreement the River Gold Mines, Limited had made an advance royalty payment of 500,000 to VenCan Gold Corporation and would pay a $3 per tonne royalty on all production greater than 100,000 tonnes. All the net profits from this venture would also be shared equally by River Gold Mines, Ltd, and VenCan Gold Corporation. Development within 1996, was focusing on developing a spiral decline for a distance of 436.72 m and was completed to the 60 m level. Most of this was done in preparation for removing a bulk sample, 30 m of drifting was completed along each of the carbonated and Porphyry zones on the 20 m level, and along 50 m each of the zones on the 60 m level. Both of these zones had rather contained a drill indicated reserve of 143,000 tonnes grading 0.843 ounces of gold per ton, to yield 121,045 ounces of gold withi 182.88 m of the surface. Sampling of face chip samples in the Carbonated zone sill drift on the 20 m level, had returned weighted average grade of 0.705 ounces of gold per ton over a width of 1.3 m along 38.3 m in the drift. Muck samples at the time were taken after each round along the Carbonated Zone drift averaging 0.78 ounces of gold per ton over 38.1 m. Face chip samples that were taken along 35.8 m of the porphyry zone sill drift on the 20 m level. returned a weighted average grade of 0.21 ounces of gold per ton across 1.3 m. An excellent correlation was also demenstrated between the surface diamond drill data and recent assay results on the 20 m level.
A major bulk sample extraction had first commenced in late 1996, with much of the ore being stockpiled at the mine site. Other immediate plans at the time were made for stockpiling of 20,000 tonnes which would be transported by truck and milled at the River Gold Mines Mill. At the time, VenCan Gold Corporation had also completed at 3,078 m diamond drill program in 23 drill holes on the Plowman Claim, which was a patented claim located to the east of the Edward Property. Both of these properties are rather located within the Goudreau Lake Deformation Zone. Results from the quartz vein zone included 1.0 feet of 1.607 ounces of gold per tonne in hole #13 and 1.6 feet of 2.233 ounces of gold per ton from hold #19. Three holes that were completed on the Lake Porphyry had confirmed the continuity of the zone including an intersection of 2.3 feet of 0.909 ounces of gold per ton in hole #21. Drilling which was done had indicated favorable gold mineralization similar to that found on the VenCan Gold Corporation's Edward Property, which is also located 1.5 km to the east on the Plowman Claim.
Mining of ore and development had first started in the earlier part of 1997, with all ore being trucked to the company's mill on the Eagle River Property. Production that came from the Edwards Property was also being achieved by transporting 500 tonnes of ore on a daily basis. Milling of the Edwards Ore was rather delayed for two months because of needs to construct an access road to the Magnacon Mill. With this delay in place, the River Gold Mines, Ltd. had decided to concentrate all the 1997 production from the Edwards Property by a single mill run of 45,000 - 50,000 tonnes of ore.
Development at the time had consisted of completion of the decline ramp to the 380-vertical foot level, and stope development was commenced on the 200-foot level. Most of this was done up to the near surface for both of the high-grade zones during 1997. It was at this time when the original mineral inventory was prepared for VenCan, for two zones as indicated by a drill-indication reserve of 45,915 grading o.964 ounces of Au per ton of uncut ore within 200 feet of surface.
During 1998, underground explorations were continued at the Edwards Gold Mine Project within the Goudreau Area of the Algoma District. Explorations from underground were mainly being aimed at testing the Porphyry, Carbonated, and Shaynee Zones below the 100-m level. A chip sampling program was undertaken from the western wall of a crosscut into the Carbonated Zone, and had returned a uncut, weighted average grade of 102.58 g/t gold across the whole zone with a width of 5.65 meters. It was at this time when a sampling program was being conducted from the Eastern Wall that returned equally impressive values of 84.53 g/t gold across 5.4 meters. Drifting was then being driven into the Porphyry Zone which returned an uncut, weighted average sample grade of 31.75 g/t gold across an average width of 2.03 meters. Exploratory work was also concentrated on driving a crosscut into the New North, and Edwards Zones, in which sampling from the New North II Zone had assay 50 g/t gold. The whole entire mine at the time was also accessed by a spiral ramp to a depth of 120 meters within 1998. All the ore that came from the Edwards Mine was trucked, and stockpiled before running through the mill in a single batch. Production that was taken from the Edwards Gold Mine had produce a total of 12,800 ounces of gold (Au) from 34,162 tonnes of ore with an average grade of 13.84 g/t Au. The total production to the end of 1999, was set at 97,125 tonnes grading att 14.0 g/t gold, in which the recovery was 43,846 zo Au.
Another change to the property was made in 1999, when River Gold Mines, Limited had made agreements to purchase the two lease of the former Edwards Gold Mine from VenCan. This would also included VenCan's Plowman Claim that was situated not to far from the Edwards Gold Property. During 1999, the Eagle River Mines had purchase these two leases, and the Plowman Claim for $1.5 Million, plus a 3% net smelter royalty on all mine production after January, 2000.
Within the operating year of 1999, the company was well focus with the Edwards Gold Project in Jacobson Township, which is 100 km from the River Gold Mill at the time. Ore that came from the mine was also being trucked to the mill, stockpiled and then run through the mill in a single batch. By the end of November,8, 1999, a total of 26,600 ounces of gold was recovered from 69,000 tonnes of milled ore that average a grade of 12.0 g/t god per tonne. Development was also further advancing the Decline Ramp that had reach the 227 m vertical level with sublevels developed on the 200 and 225 m level. Most of the sub-levels were mainly developed in order to acess ore from the three main zones under development at the time. Further development had continued to show encouraging results in the Carbonated, Porphyry, and Shaynee Zones in regards to grade, continuity, and predictability. All three of these zones had shown an increase in mineable strike lengths within the operating period of 1999. It was also the Carbonated Zone that had shown the much needed increase in mineable widths with depth, allowing for the employment of less costly long-hole mining methods. Ore reserves to the end of 1999, were rather estimated at 146,600 tonnes with a grade of 19.75 g/t gold.
By 2002, Strike Minerals, Inc. would entirely acquire the Edwards Gold Property from River Gold Mines on claims 490470 and 490471. and the adjacent Plowman Claim on SSM2183. From 1996 to 2001, River Gold Mines had recovered 140,000 ounces of gold (Au) from a total of 387,000 tonnes of ore extracted from only 3 of the 16 identified gold bearing zones on this property. Strike Minerals at the time had also estimated that approxiamately one-third of the orginal drill indicated reserves remain on the 3 claims
A follow up on the review was undertaken from previous diamond drilling record o both VenCan Gold Corporation, and River Gold Mines, Ltd. Strike Minerals at the time had also completed a two diamond drill hole program on the Edwards Property in 2002. Much of the drill program was also aimed at testing two zones closest to the existing ramp, the New North One, and Two Zones. One of the holes drilled had returned grades of 0.077 ounces of gold per tonne over 4 feet, and 0.062 ounces of gold per tonne over 2 feet in the iron formation. A second drill hole at the time had returned grades of 0.05 ounces per ton of gold over 2 feet, 0.108 ounces of gold per ton over over 2.5 feet, and 0.413 ounces of gold per ton over 1 foot.
This resulted in a much bigger drilling program when Strike Minerals had commence a 13 hole surface diamond drilling program, totalling 10,000 feet on the Plowman Claim. Most of the drilling program was aimed at testing a subparallel Plowman No. 1 and No. 2 Zone. It was reported that the No. 1 Zone has a strike length of at least 300 feet, and returned drill intersections up to 2.23 ounces of gold (Au) per ton over 1.6 feet. Another zone known as the Plowman No. 2 has a strike length of 300-feet, and had returned a drill intersection up to 0.807 ounce of gold (Au) per ton over 1 foot.
It was by the 2003, when Strike Minerals had completed the follow diamond drilling program on the Edward-Plowman Claims in Jacobson Township. Assay results that were released by Strike Minerals in 2003, from the Plowman One Zone had included values up to 30.84 gram per ton of gold over 1 foot core length from drill hole P-01-02. Diamond drill hole 03-02, was completed in the fall of 2003, which intersected a stockwor of veins at depth in sericitized quartz prophyry dike. Strike Mineral had interprets this intersection as a new discovery of second, deeper tier of ladder veins lying about 75 m south of the Edwards Shaft, and at a vertical depth of 290 m. A 1-foot section of drill core from drill hole 03-2 returned 3.859 ounces per tonne gold between 1105.0 and 1106.0 feet.
In 2006, Strike Minerals Inc. had conducted explorations on the Edwards Property in which was place under review. Much of the main objective of this review was mainly to provide a preliminary assessment of the quantity, and grade of gold mineralization. Most of this was done on the direct downward extension of the porphyry, and carbonated zones below the 281 m level. From 1996 to 2002, the Porphyry, and carbonated zones were additionally mined by River Gold Mines, Ltd, which a total of 144,000 ounces was recovered from 453,000 tonnes tonnes of ore. There are up to five different horizons of mineralization that are indicated within a 100-m radius of the 281 m level, which were defined by widely spaced drill holes. A model of the existing data had suggested that there was significant potential to be obtained below the 281 m level. Strike Minerals at the time had used two different scenarios in their review. The first of these being applied to the same width, and strike length as the existing stopes above the 281-m, and 20 m vertical projection to give approximately 26,210 tonnes grading 5.08 g/t gold, in which contained 4282 ounces of gold with a cut to 50 g/t gold. A second scenario had used a reduced width and strike that better reflects known mineralization and yielded 7975 tonnes grading 9.73 g/t gold, which would produce 2496 ounces of gold with cut to 50 g/t gold. This resulted in a projected grade, and ounces using uncut assay data of 12.93 g/t gold, and 3316 ounces of gold. In terms, both past producing Cline Lake, and Edwards Mines lie within the east-northeast trending Goudreau-Lockalsh deformation zone. These two properties also lie within a localized high-strain zone called the Cline-Edwards Shear, with a strike of 070 degrees across the Edwards Property onto the Cline Lake Property to the east.
By December, 2006, Cline Mining Corporation had signed a joint venture agreement with Strike Minerals for exploration and development of the Edwards Gold Property. This property rather lies continuous with the Cline Mine property in Jacobson Township, Algoma District. The Edwards Gold Mine was first operated by Edwards Gold Mines, Limited from 1933 to 1937, and then by River Gold Mines, Limited from 1996 to 2002. Production that was achieved from 1997 to 2002 had produce 140,258 ounces of gold from 389,309 tonnes milled. In 1938, production by Edwards Consolidated Gold Mines had amounted to 1,537 tonnes, in which the recovery from the shaft was 485 ounces of gold at a grade of 3.2 grams per ton in gold.
Diamond drilling within the Edwards Gold Property was mainly designed in order to investigate the area below the 900-foot level underground mine in the vicinity of the past producing Porphyry and Carbonated Zones. Much of the program was aimed at covering the previously discovered shallow gold structures of the New North 1 and 2, which had located an up-dip and to the east of the porphyry and carbonated zones. Anamoulous values at the time were intersected from the drilling program, which included 0.175 ounces of gold per ton over 10.5 feet between the 301-311.5 foot horizons. This had also included an additional 0.325 ounces per ton gold over 3.0 feet at 799.3 to 802.3 feet in ST 06-5, and 0.973 ounces per ton gold over 10 feet between the 382.0-392.0 foot horizons, including 2.410 ounces per ton gold over 4.0 feet and 0.427 ounces per ton gold over 1.5 feet between the 1803.5 to 1805.0 foot horizons in ST-07-2. Another intersection of 0.371 ounces per tonne of gold over 4 feet was obtained between the 774.0 to 778.0 foot horizons, and 0.347 ounces per ton gold over 3.0 feet between the 801.0 to 804.4 foot horizons in CL-07-14. Results from the drilling at the time had suggested that the porphyry and Carbonated zones are pinching out, but a new zone had been identified.
Within 2011, Strike Minerals had dewatered the Decline Ramp to the 60 m level in preporation for underground exploration work by drifting and, diamond drilling on the 5 mineralized zones that had been identified on the property since 2002. Diamond drilling was also continued on the surface when 12 drill holes, totalling 2,998 feet were completed on the property in early 2011. Most of the purpose for doing this drilling program was to test the continuity, structure, and the extent of the mineralization in known zones up to date. As a result of this program, the strike extent of the Plowman No. 1 zone had been extended to 152 m, and a vertical depth of 158.2 m. This had also determined the strike extend of the Plowman No. 2 Zone that had been extended to 198 m and a vertical depth of 229 m. At the Plowman No. 3 Zone, Strike Minerals had extended this zone to 122 m and a depth of 122 m. Data from the drill program would also included an updated mineral resource calculation, in which closing reserves were at 96,000 tonnes grading 11.3 gram per ton in gold by the end up 2000.
In 1933, the Gold Lands Syndicate of Algoma had taken over a group of 9 claims, known as the Edwards Property at the time. These claims at the time were located near the center of townships 48, range 27, within the district of Algoma. It was rather located at a distance of six miles southwest of Locklash Station on the Canadian Pacific Railway Line. Development at the time was concentrated on sinking a shaft that was 7 by 11-feet, and had inclined at 080 degrees, which was started on September, 30, and completed to a depth of 100 feet. A level at 100-feet was now cut, and stationed as crosscutting was in progress to extend this level further. Prior to development, the Plant that consisted of a 110 cubic-foot IR gasoline compressor, and a small gasoline hoist was built. Other buidlings at the the time had also followed suit when a power-house, blacksmith shop, and a bunk house was erected.
Mining continued onward before all operations were suspended at the end of January, 1934, at which time 60 feet of crosscutting had been accomplished on the 100-foot level. Surface work at the time was also carried on until July of that year, and at the end of the year this property was optioned to Orecana Trust, Limited, who then started examination work.
The Edward Gold Mines, Limited was the next company to take over the Edward Gold Property with an authorization of 2,000,000 shares of $1 par values. Before the company was reorganized into the Edwards Gold Mines, Limited it was known as the Del Sol Gold Mines, Limited. During 1935, the company had additionally acquired the Edward Gold Mine which was first place under development by the Gold Lands Syndicate. Most of the work by this company was focus on further extending the 2 compartment 080 degree shaft shaft that was reaching an actual depth of 97 feet.Lateral development at the time had consisted of 400 feet of additional work on the 97-foot level. A new plant was made during this time period that included a 110-cubic-foot and 310-cubic foot Gardner Denver Gasoline Compressor, and Gasoline hoist.
In 1936, underground mining operations were once again resumed in February, after being suspended for eight months. Most of this suspension was mainly caused due a 5 1/2 mile power, and the construction of a new 75-tonne amalgamation mill. Much of the milling facility was also equipped with an 9-by 16-inch Jaw Crusher, Marcy Ball Mill, Akins Classifier, Wilfley Table, two blanket tables, and amalgamation equipment. All of this was place into operation on October 20, and the mill had treated a total of 1,690 tonnes of ore from the stockpile.
Development was mainly focus on the 2-compartment shaft operation that was sunk an additional 200 feet, and had reach a depth of 300-feet. Levels at the time were also cut and station on the mines 200- and 300-foot horizons. Lateral development that took place had consisted of 40 feet of drifting on the 100-foot level, and 50 feet of drifting, and 55 feet of crosscutting on the 200-foot level. No additional mining at the time was done on the 300-foot level as it was mainly developed as a station. Other equipment at the time was also added that consisted of an Ingersoll Ranf 624-cubic foot electric compressor that replace the two gasoline compressor. It was also at this time when the Gasoline hoist was also replace by a 10- by 12-inch single drum steam hoist at the start of work in 1936, which was later converter to electrical.
A down fall had occurred in 1937, when mining operation at the Edward Mine were continued until October, 1937, when the mine ceased operation. Most of the work during that year was focus on open-stopes which were mined on all three levels at 100-foot intervals. Production from mining these stopes had ended up totalling 1,573 tonnes of ore that was obtained, and treated in the 75-tonne amalgamation mill. Recoveries from the amalgamation mill had resulted in 485 ounces of gold (Au), and 37 ounces of silver (Ag) Diamond drilling was also done from underground that had totalled a length of 2,500 feet. It was at the end of 1937, when an application was made to surrender the campany's charter, and a new incorporation was made to form the Edwards Consolidated Gold Mines.
No mining was done in 1938, as the newly formed Edward Consolidated Mines was incorporated with a capitalization of 3,000,000 common shares. Work within 1938, was mainly focus on prospecting the area, and constructing a geological map of the structure in better defining this project. A total of 10 surface diamond drill holes were put down on this property that resulted in 3 holes intersecting gold values of 0.38 and 1.09 ounces per tonne. Mining at the time was never renewed as the gold prices had taken an impact due to the outbreak of World War 2 in the 1940's.
During 1988, the property was being explored by Spirit Lake Exploration, Limited, in which had held claims in vicinity of the old Edward Mine. Most of the work was aimed a completing a 49 surface diamond drill holes on two mineralized zones known as the Spirit, and Edward that totalled 29,500 feet in length. These two zone were identifiyed along with additional targets, referred as the Shaynee and Cline Extension Zones. Preliminary drilling that was done had indicated a reserve estimation at 190,288 tonnes grading 0.35 ounces gold per ton. The Spirit Zone rather lies 500 feet south-southwest of the Edwards Shafdtr, and containeds an auriferous quartz vein up to 120 feet long, that strikes about 0120 degrees, and dips 050 degrees to 060 degrees north. The Spirit and Edwards Zones are known to also occur immediately east of the Kremzar Mine Site. Surface trenching that was completed on the Edwards Zone, in 1988, had indicated the presence of a 1 to 2 m wide discontinous shear zone containing quartz veins and silicified sections. The Shear Zone transects a mafic volcanic unit, and consists of chlorite biotite schist, not unlike that which host mineralization at the Kremzar Mine to the west. Infilled drilling was also completed on the Spirit Zone during the year, including a 5,000-foot drill program initiated in the fall of 1989. It was the objective to determine the extent and continuity of the Spirit Zone. Earlier drilling intersected ore-grade intersections, including 24 feet averaging 1.48 ounces of gold per tonne.
Spirit Lake Exploration had also conducted a diamond drilling program on the Edwards Gold Property in 1989, to test a mineralized zone occuring on strike with the Magino and Lockalsh Deposits. All three of these deposits are also determined to have been controlled by a regional structure known as the Goudreau Lake Shear Zone. In total, there are rather two main gold bearing vein systems from which the company hopes to outline a small high-grade deposit. It was also at this time when significant intersections were made from drilling that returned 1.06 ounces of Au per ton over 15 feet from the 400-foot long zone. Plans for future work would also include a drill program to extend the outline deposit and a program of shaft dewatering, rehabilitation, and underground drilling and or development.
By 1990, the Spirit Lake Exploration, Limited had completed 33 surface diamond drill holes to evaluate two vein systems at the Edwards Mine in Eastern Finan Township. It was also believed by the company that the prospect occurs on the on-strike extension, or splay, of the Goudreau Lake Shear Zone, which hosts the Magino Mine, and the Canamax Resoucers Incorporated Lochalsh and Island Gold Zones. One of the major shear zones in the area is up to 100 feet wide, and has been exposed over about an 800-foot east trending strike length in the direction of Canamax Resources Incorporated Property. In addition to this, the company is also continuing a surface exploration program of stripping, and an additional 30,000 feet of diamond drilling.
During 1991, Spirits Lake Exploration Limited had completed further surface explorations consisting of sonic soil sampling, and diamond drilling. The groups of claims includes the former Edwards Mine, and is situated at about 1 km west of the Cline Mine. Gold Mineralization is known to occur in quartz veins hosted in both felsic intrusions being grandiorite or quarz porphyry, and mafic metavolcanics. This was also followed by a thirty hole diamond drilling program that had totalled 10,705 feet, and was completed in the spring on the Edwards Property. Mineralization appear to be concentrated in two high-grade, gold bearijg zone, the Porphyry and the Carbonated Zones. Both of these veins systems occupy the same shear structure that controls the Magino, and Lochalsh Deposits. The Porphyry ZOne is one of the largest of the two zones, which is opened below the 700-feet and has produce assays greater than 1.157 ounces of Au per ton over 10.9 feet. An estimation on the porphyry zone had indicated a reserve of 89,800 tonnes grading 0.86 ounces Au per ton. Estimations were also made in the Carbonated Zone that had contained 66,700 tonnes of ore, grading 1.37 ounces Au per ton, over an average width of 7.5 feet. Assay values from the Carbonated Zone are known to have given off grades of 1.89 ounces Au per ton. In total estimations the Porphyry and Carbonated Zones are known to have contained a reserve of 163,100 tonnes grading 1.08 ounces per ton in Au. In addition to this, Spirit Lake Explorations had not conducted exploratory work on the Shaynee, and New North Horizons, which lie to the east and west pf the main mineralized zones being explored.
On March, 1996, River Gold Mines, Ltd, had entered into a 10 year lease agreement with Vencan Gold Corporation in order to develop the Edwards Deposit in Jacobson Township. Diamond drilling and surface sampling of the Edward Deposit had indicated 434,000 tonnes grading 0.482 ounces of gold per tone. Under terms of agreement the River Gold Mines, Limited had made an advance royalty payment of 500,000 to VenCan Gold Corporation and would pay a $3 per tonne royalty on all production greater than 100,000 tonnes. All the net profits from this venture would also be shared equally by River Gold Mines, Ltd, and VenCan Gold Corporation. Development within 1996, was focusing on developing a spiral decline for a distance of 436.72 m and was completed to the 60 m level. Most of this was done in preparation for removing a bulk sample, 30 m of drifting was completed along each of the carbonated and Porphyry zones on the 20 m level, and along 50 m each of the zones on the 60 m level. Both of these zones had rather contained a drill indicated reserve of 143,000 tonnes grading 0.843 ounces of gold per ton, to yield 121,045 ounces of gold withi 182.88 m of the surface. Sampling of face chip samples in the Carbonated zone sill drift on the 20 m level, had returned weighted average grade of 0.705 ounces of gold per ton over a width of 1.3 m along 38.3 m in the drift. Muck samples at the time were taken after each round along the Carbonated Zone drift averaging 0.78 ounces of gold per ton over 38.1 m. Face chip samples that were taken along 35.8 m of the porphyry zone sill drift on the 20 m level. returned a weighted average grade of 0.21 ounces of gold per ton across 1.3 m. An excellent correlation was also demenstrated between the surface diamond drill data and recent assay results on the 20 m level.
A major bulk sample extraction had first commenced in late 1996, with much of the ore being stockpiled at the mine site. Other immediate plans at the time were made for stockpiling of 20,000 tonnes which would be transported by truck and milled at the River Gold Mines Mill. At the time, VenCan Gold Corporation had also completed at 3,078 m diamond drill program in 23 drill holes on the Plowman Claim, which was a patented claim located to the east of the Edward Property. Both of these properties are rather located within the Goudreau Lake Deformation Zone. Results from the quartz vein zone included 1.0 feet of 1.607 ounces of gold per tonne in hole #13 and 1.6 feet of 2.233 ounces of gold per ton from hold #19. Three holes that were completed on the Lake Porphyry had confirmed the continuity of the zone including an intersection of 2.3 feet of 0.909 ounces of gold per ton in hole #21. Drilling which was done had indicated favorable gold mineralization similar to that found on the VenCan Gold Corporation's Edward Property, which is also located 1.5 km to the east on the Plowman Claim.
Mining of ore and development had first started in the earlier part of 1997, with all ore being trucked to the company's mill on the Eagle River Property. Production that came from the Edwards Property was also being achieved by transporting 500 tonnes of ore on a daily basis. Milling of the Edwards Ore was rather delayed for two months because of needs to construct an access road to the Magnacon Mill. With this delay in place, the River Gold Mines, Ltd. had decided to concentrate all the 1997 production from the Edwards Property by a single mill run of 45,000 - 50,000 tonnes of ore.
Development at the time had consisted of completion of the decline ramp to the 380-vertical foot level, and stope development was commenced on the 200-foot level. Most of this was done up to the near surface for both of the high-grade zones during 1997. It was at this time when the original mineral inventory was prepared for VenCan, for two zones as indicated by a drill-indication reserve of 45,915 grading o.964 ounces of Au per ton of uncut ore within 200 feet of surface.
During 1998, underground explorations were continued at the Edwards Gold Mine Project within the Goudreau Area of the Algoma District. Explorations from underground were mainly being aimed at testing the Porphyry, Carbonated, and Shaynee Zones below the 100-m level. A chip sampling program was undertaken from the western wall of a crosscut into the Carbonated Zone, and had returned a uncut, weighted average grade of 102.58 g/t gold across the whole zone with a width of 5.65 meters. It was at this time when a sampling program was being conducted from the Eastern Wall that returned equally impressive values of 84.53 g/t gold across 5.4 meters. Drifting was then being driven into the Porphyry Zone which returned an uncut, weighted average sample grade of 31.75 g/t gold across an average width of 2.03 meters. Exploratory work was also concentrated on driving a crosscut into the New North, and Edwards Zones, in which sampling from the New North II Zone had assay 50 g/t gold. The whole entire mine at the time was also accessed by a spiral ramp to a depth of 120 meters within 1998. All the ore that came from the Edwards Mine was trucked, and stockpiled before running through the mill in a single batch. Production that was taken from the Edwards Gold Mine had produce a total of 12,800 ounces of gold (Au) from 34,162 tonnes of ore with an average grade of 13.84 g/t Au. The total production to the end of 1999, was set at 97,125 tonnes grading att 14.0 g/t gold, in which the recovery was 43,846 zo Au.
Another change to the property was made in 1999, when River Gold Mines, Limited had made agreements to purchase the two lease of the former Edwards Gold Mine from VenCan. This would also included VenCan's Plowman Claim that was situated not to far from the Edwards Gold Property. During 1999, the Eagle River Mines had purchase these two leases, and the Plowman Claim for $1.5 Million, plus a 3% net smelter royalty on all mine production after January, 2000.
Within the operating year of 1999, the company was well focus with the Edwards Gold Project in Jacobson Township, which is 100 km from the River Gold Mill at the time. Ore that came from the mine was also being trucked to the mill, stockpiled and then run through the mill in a single batch. By the end of November,8, 1999, a total of 26,600 ounces of gold was recovered from 69,000 tonnes of milled ore that average a grade of 12.0 g/t god per tonne. Development was also further advancing the Decline Ramp that had reach the 227 m vertical level with sublevels developed on the 200 and 225 m level. Most of the sub-levels were mainly developed in order to acess ore from the three main zones under development at the time. Further development had continued to show encouraging results in the Carbonated, Porphyry, and Shaynee Zones in regards to grade, continuity, and predictability. All three of these zones had shown an increase in mineable strike lengths within the operating period of 1999. It was also the Carbonated Zone that had shown the much needed increase in mineable widths with depth, allowing for the employment of less costly long-hole mining methods. Ore reserves to the end of 1999, were rather estimated at 146,600 tonnes with a grade of 19.75 g/t gold.
By 2002, Strike Minerals, Inc. would entirely acquire the Edwards Gold Property from River Gold Mines on claims 490470 and 490471. and the adjacent Plowman Claim on SSM2183. From 1996 to 2001, River Gold Mines had recovered 140,000 ounces of gold (Au) from a total of 387,000 tonnes of ore extracted from only 3 of the 16 identified gold bearing zones on this property. Strike Minerals at the time had also estimated that approxiamately one-third of the orginal drill indicated reserves remain on the 3 claims
A follow up on the review was undertaken from previous diamond drilling record o both VenCan Gold Corporation, and River Gold Mines, Ltd. Strike Minerals at the time had also completed a two diamond drill hole program on the Edwards Property in 2002. Much of the drill program was also aimed at testing two zones closest to the existing ramp, the New North One, and Two Zones. One of the holes drilled had returned grades of 0.077 ounces of gold per tonne over 4 feet, and 0.062 ounces of gold per tonne over 2 feet in the iron formation. A second drill hole at the time had returned grades of 0.05 ounces per ton of gold over 2 feet, 0.108 ounces of gold per ton over over 2.5 feet, and 0.413 ounces of gold per ton over 1 foot.
This resulted in a much bigger drilling program when Strike Minerals had commence a 13 hole surface diamond drilling program, totalling 10,000 feet on the Plowman Claim. Most of the drilling program was aimed at testing a subparallel Plowman No. 1 and No. 2 Zone. It was reported that the No. 1 Zone has a strike length of at least 300 feet, and returned drill intersections up to 2.23 ounces of gold (Au) per ton over 1.6 feet. Another zone known as the Plowman No. 2 has a strike length of 300-feet, and had returned a drill intersection up to 0.807 ounce of gold (Au) per ton over 1 foot.
It was by the 2003, when Strike Minerals had completed the follow diamond drilling program on the Edward-Plowman Claims in Jacobson Township. Assay results that were released by Strike Minerals in 2003, from the Plowman One Zone had included values up to 30.84 gram per ton of gold over 1 foot core length from drill hole P-01-02. Diamond drill hole 03-02, was completed in the fall of 2003, which intersected a stockwor of veins at depth in sericitized quartz prophyry dike. Strike Mineral had interprets this intersection as a new discovery of second, deeper tier of ladder veins lying about 75 m south of the Edwards Shaft, and at a vertical depth of 290 m. A 1-foot section of drill core from drill hole 03-2 returned 3.859 ounces per tonne gold between 1105.0 and 1106.0 feet.
In 2006, Strike Minerals Inc. had conducted explorations on the Edwards Property in which was place under review. Much of the main objective of this review was mainly to provide a preliminary assessment of the quantity, and grade of gold mineralization. Most of this was done on the direct downward extension of the porphyry, and carbonated zones below the 281 m level. From 1996 to 2002, the Porphyry, and carbonated zones were additionally mined by River Gold Mines, Ltd, which a total of 144,000 ounces was recovered from 453,000 tonnes tonnes of ore. There are up to five different horizons of mineralization that are indicated within a 100-m radius of the 281 m level, which were defined by widely spaced drill holes. A model of the existing data had suggested that there was significant potential to be obtained below the 281 m level. Strike Minerals at the time had used two different scenarios in their review. The first of these being applied to the same width, and strike length as the existing stopes above the 281-m, and 20 m vertical projection to give approximately 26,210 tonnes grading 5.08 g/t gold, in which contained 4282 ounces of gold with a cut to 50 g/t gold. A second scenario had used a reduced width and strike that better reflects known mineralization and yielded 7975 tonnes grading 9.73 g/t gold, which would produce 2496 ounces of gold with cut to 50 g/t gold. This resulted in a projected grade, and ounces using uncut assay data of 12.93 g/t gold, and 3316 ounces of gold. In terms, both past producing Cline Lake, and Edwards Mines lie within the east-northeast trending Goudreau-Lockalsh deformation zone. These two properties also lie within a localized high-strain zone called the Cline-Edwards Shear, with a strike of 070 degrees across the Edwards Property onto the Cline Lake Property to the east.
By December, 2006, Cline Mining Corporation had signed a joint venture agreement with Strike Minerals for exploration and development of the Edwards Gold Property. This property rather lies continuous with the Cline Mine property in Jacobson Township, Algoma District. The Edwards Gold Mine was first operated by Edwards Gold Mines, Limited from 1933 to 1937, and then by River Gold Mines, Limited from 1996 to 2002. Production that was achieved from 1997 to 2002 had produce 140,258 ounces of gold from 389,309 tonnes milled. In 1938, production by Edwards Consolidated Gold Mines had amounted to 1,537 tonnes, in which the recovery from the shaft was 485 ounces of gold at a grade of 3.2 grams per ton in gold.
Diamond drilling within the Edwards Gold Property was mainly designed in order to investigate the area below the 900-foot level underground mine in the vicinity of the past producing Porphyry and Carbonated Zones. Much of the program was aimed at covering the previously discovered shallow gold structures of the New North 1 and 2, which had located an up-dip and to the east of the porphyry and carbonated zones. Anamoulous values at the time were intersected from the drilling program, which included 0.175 ounces of gold per ton over 10.5 feet between the 301-311.5 foot horizons. This had also included an additional 0.325 ounces per ton gold over 3.0 feet at 799.3 to 802.3 feet in ST 06-5, and 0.973 ounces per ton gold over 10 feet between the 382.0-392.0 foot horizons, including 2.410 ounces per ton gold over 4.0 feet and 0.427 ounces per ton gold over 1.5 feet between the 1803.5 to 1805.0 foot horizons in ST-07-2. Another intersection of 0.371 ounces per tonne of gold over 4 feet was obtained between the 774.0 to 778.0 foot horizons, and 0.347 ounces per ton gold over 3.0 feet between the 801.0 to 804.4 foot horizons in CL-07-14. Results from the drilling at the time had suggested that the porphyry and Carbonated zones are pinching out, but a new zone had been identified.
Within 2011, Strike Minerals had dewatered the Decline Ramp to the 60 m level in preporation for underground exploration work by drifting and, diamond drilling on the 5 mineralized zones that had been identified on the property since 2002. Diamond drilling was also continued on the surface when 12 drill holes, totalling 2,998 feet were completed on the property in early 2011. Most of the purpose for doing this drilling program was to test the continuity, structure, and the extent of the mineralization in known zones up to date. As a result of this program, the strike extent of the Plowman No. 1 zone had been extended to 152 m, and a vertical depth of 158.2 m. This had also determined the strike extend of the Plowman No. 2 Zone that had been extended to 198 m and a vertical depth of 229 m. At the Plowman No. 3 Zone, Strike Minerals had extended this zone to 122 m and a depth of 122 m. Data from the drill program would also included an updated mineral resource calculation, in which closing reserves were at 96,000 tonnes grading 11.3 gram per ton in gold by the end up 2000.