Overview
Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. is conducting exploratory drilling for the Palmer VMS Project - a sulphide mine in pursuit of copper, silver, gold, and zinc. The drilling site is located above Glacier Creek, a tributary of the Klehini River and approximately 15 miles upstream from Klukwan.
Constantine is a Canadian company financed 49% by Dowa Metals & Mining Co. of Japan.
Source: Constantine
Geological details
Below the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska runs a large mineral deposit known as a “Late Traissic Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Belt” or VMS. This deposit also feeds Greens Creek Mine outside of Juneau. At the Glacier Creek site, Constantine discovered two major mineral deposits: The Palmer Deposit and the AG Zone Deposit.
Source: Constantine
History
1969 - Merrill Palmer, a local prospector, discovered surface mineralization.
2007 - Constantine commenced exploratory drilling.
2010 - Constantine completed the first resources estimate for the South Wall & RW Zone.
2013 - Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. of Japan agreed to pursue a Joint Venture with Constantine through contributing US$22,000,000 over the course of four years. Constantine commenced 4000 meter exploratory drilling.
2016 - Constantine commenced a 1700 meter exploratory drill program and road construction after approval from BLM.
2017 - Dowa Metals became a 49% partner. Constantine commenced a 7000 meter drilling program and discovered a new deposit: the AG Zone.
2018 - Constantine commenced a 10,000 meter drill program at the South Wall & RW Zone and the AG Zone.
2019 - Constantine completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment and received approval for underground mining exploration.
Source: Constantine
Land
The Palmer VMS Project exploration site is located on Jilkaat Kwaan traditional territory. The state of Alaska legally recognizes this land as owned by others. Specifically, the exploratory drilling site is located on Mental Health Trust land while some of the operational property is within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land (Source: “Plan of Operations” p.7).
The legal title of this land impacts the permitting process. For example, the most recent permit for underground exploration was approved by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Lands Office, The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Source: “Plan of Operations”