Oracle Ridge Copper Mine - Tucson, Arizona
2.17% copper - Production facility construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2012
Oracle Mining Corp. TSX: OMN; is a Vancouver, Canada-based corporation with a focus on uncovering overlooked deep-value projects to achieve superior shareholder returns.
The Corporation is the sole owner and operator of Oracle Ridge Mining LLC and copper mine located 24 km northeast of Tucson, Arizona.
Our current focus is development of the 100%-owned Oracle Ridge Copper Mine located in northern Pima County, Arizona just 24 kilometers northeast of Tucson.
Our current focus is development of the 100%-owned Oracle Ridge Copper Mine located in northern Pima County, Arizona just 24 kilometers northeast of Tucson.
An underground mine, Oracle Ridge operated at 1,000 tons-per-day (tpd) from 1991 until 1996 when it closed primarily due to low copper prices (averaging US$1.09/lb in 1996).
The property's potential has not been realized; considerable ore remained at the time of shutdown, and two-thirds of the ground has not been drill tested.
Upgrading the Historic Resource
The mine's historic reserve base of 8.3M tons (not NI 43-101 compliant) averages 2.31% copper.* While operating, the mine achieved recoveries of 90% with a concentrate grade of 30% copper plus a significant silver by-product.
Oracle Mining's current work focuses on upgrading the resource to NI 43-101 standards, confirming technical data to complete a production feasibility study for a 2,000 tpd operation, rehabilitating the mine and obtaining permits for operation.
Funding
With more than US$12M in cash, ( Jan. 2012) Oracle Mining is well-funded to carry out its current Stage 1 confirmation drilling program (currently budgeted at US$2.5M) and provide general working capital.
Once the production feasibility study is complete, management expects to move quickly to a production decision. Construction financing may take a number of forms, including debt and off-take agreements.
Production facility construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2012