Re: Smithers Presentation
posted on
Mar 23, 2013 08:48PM
Hi Chappy the impression I was given was that they stopped drilling because the drill holes kept "blowing out" due to the surface rock being like a rubble pile instead of solid rock. After researching the situation further, they now believe they have devised a proper method to drill through the rubble pile to get to the paydirt below.
I know this is only a half answer based on my impressions of the way they described that area, but I believe it to be relatively accurate. At the time they didn't understand why they kept blowing out the holes, and they didn't want to blow through tons of money while figuring it all out. Now they believe the surface material to be rock that has slid into place when an overhang above gave way (thus explaining why there are such large variations in the types and densities of materials to go through). Now that they do know what they're dealing with they believe thy have devised an appropriate way to succesfully drill through it all to get at what they need.
I wish I could go back to the presentation to get more concrete confirmation that this is true and that I'm not just making it up due to my possible misunderstanding what they did say.
My instincts tell me from their level of excitement when talking about that area specifically is that we will see them drill that arena at depth this year. They definitely made the statement several times that they now "believe they know exactly how to drill through it successfully."