Kennecott Continuing Potomac Copper Drilling

POTOMAC - Kennecott Exploration Company (KEC) representatives Regional Communities Manager Matt Jeschke and Principal I Geoscientist Clinton Roberts traveled to Potomac and hosted an informational meeting Feb. 28. They presented their plans for the 2017 field season. They also talked about the current status of the Copper Cliff project, background of KEC local projects and time for questions and answers. More than 20 people attended the meeting.

The continued project will resemble drilling similar to 2013 and 2014 but KEC will not be utilizing the Ashby Creek site again. Water sampling will continue at Union, Cramer and Camas Creeks.

"Near Copper Cliff [southeast of Potomac], one previously used pad will be reopened and a brand new pad will be created," said Roberts. KEC is planning on using two out of three permitted drill sites for their copper drilling project which entails better defining of copper placement.

Advancing the project depends on drilling depth needed to better define that geology and mineralization as KEC will only drill deep enough to access the copper.

To date KEC has drilled 20 holes at Copper Cliff and has defined a copper deposit that is unknown if it can be economically developed or not.

KEC will not be able to start drilling work until the snow is melted and the roads are clear. "We will need to setup our warehouse and prepare drill pads before drilling can commence," said Roberts.

Geologists, core technicians and drilling companies similar to previous years will be involved although exact personnel are still being determined, according to Roberts.

Some questions asked of Roberts and Jeschke included why KEC was resuming their drilling, current environmental practices and whether or not local hiring would take place.

Jeschke explained that past drilling helped find where copper deposits were located. "Previous work had helped define the boundaries of a porphyry copper system, and now we are focusing on specific areas to see if the system can generate the kinds of grades and volumes [of copper] that we would need to continue," Jeschke said.

The environmental questions regarded current practices involving the sealing of completed drill holes, said Jeschke. Sealed drill sites are filled in with concrete, dirt is spread and reseeded to bring the landscape back to its original state.

Local hiring will be dependent on when KEC roles are available and KEC will again support local businesses like Cully's for fuel and meal needs.

There were also questions regarding the history behind the mining company of Kennecott. KEC has been exploring for copper periodically around Potomac and mainly in Copper Cliff which is a historic mining district located eight miles southeast of Potomac. Cliffs near the headwaters of Union Creek are stained bluish from copper oxides.

 Kennecott will be hosting drill site tours again this summer and will maintain an open door policy at their core shed on Morrison Lane starting in the spring.

Jeschke felt their information was well received and said Kennecott hopes to return to Potomac late April for setup and begin drilling in early May.

 

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