Bayhorse Silver (TSX-V:BHS) is resuming underground drilling at its Bayhorse Silver Mine in Oregon, US, after a wildfire in the mine area was extinguished.
The company suspended drilling on Friday afternoon after the Fox Creek wildfire started about seven miles north of the mine. Access restrictions were lifted late Monday, allowing CEO Graeme O’Neill to inspect the access road and mine facilities.
Bayhorse reports that its infrastructure and equipment sustained no damage, despite the fire burning vegetation close to the ore-sorter shelter. All personnel evacuated after an evacuation order was issued.
“The wildfire started seven miles north of the Bayhorse Mine on Thursday, and while it grew to 7,000 acres fairly quickly, the winds were to the north,” O’Neill says.
“On Saturday evening winds shifted to the south and by Sunday evening the fire rapidly advanced the seven miles [11km] to overrun the mine and quickly advanced another 10 miles [16km] to threaten the town of Huntington.”
The company had extended the cleared area around the mine portal from the regulatory minimum of 100–200 feet (30–61m) because of the region’s wildfire risk. Bayhorse says a non-flammable cover also protected the ore-sorter shelter and its contents.
US Mine Safety and Health Administration regulations require at least 100 feet around mine portals to remain clear of flammable structures and stored materials.
Bayhorse says underground drilling will recommence immediately.
The Bayhorse Silver Mine hosts a National Instrument 43-101 inferred resource of 292,300 tons (265,171 tonnes) grading 21.65 ounces per ton, or 673 grams per tonne silver (Ag), for 6.3 million tonnes Ag. The mine can process up to 200 tons per day and includes a 40-ton-per-hour ore sorter designed to reduce waste rock entering the processing stream by up to 85%.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
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