Ruddock Creek is a high grade zinc-lead project located 155 km northeast of Kamloops in British Columbia. The project is held in a joint venture between Imperial Metals (50%), Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd. (30%) and Itochu Corporation (20%). The zinc-lead mineralization is hosted by a sequence of high grade metasedimentary rocks of Paleo-Proterozoic age and is associated with a calc-silicate sequence. The main deposit is known as the E Zone, which is continuous for more than 1.1 km in strike and up to 400 metres in width. Other zones of mineralization include Creek, U, V, and Q Zones.
The first steps of project permitting for the underground mine began in 2014 with the submission of the Project Description to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO). In 2016, the BCEAO accepted a report from Imperial Metals identifying components of the project requiring special focus in future studies. Baseline field studies in support of the environmental assessment permitting are ongoing.
Ruddock Creek has Indicated Mineral Resources of 6.3 Mt at 6.50% zinc and 1.33% lead. The Inferred Resource is 6.7 Mt at 6.33% zinc and 1.20% lead. The Resources are effective as of February 2013 and used a 4.00% zinc and lead cut-off grade.
Imperial Metals announced results from a diamond drill program focused on expanding the Q and V zones. Highlights include 40.9 metres at 16.83% zinc, 3.46% lead and 4.74 g/t silver from 760.0 metres including 20.1 metres at 18.93% zinc, 4.15% lead and 6.11 g/t silver from 780.0 metres.