The historic Emerald Tungsten Property located near Salmo, in southeastern British Columbia was Canada's second largest tungsten producer. The former Placer Dome mine produced tungsten (WO3) from 5 deposits prior to its closure due to low metal prices in 1973. The property is also home to BC's second and third largest lead-zinc mine. (Please see Lead-Zinc Page)
The property hosts a measured and indicated resource of 19.46 million pounds of WO3 at a grade of 0.358% and an additional inferred resource of 15.93 million pounds of WO3 at a grade of 0.341% both at a cut off grade of 0.15% WO3. A recent NI 43-101 Technical Report shows the resource could support a potentially commercial 1,100 ton per day mining operation at current prices. The tungsten resource is currently being significantly expanded with ongoing drill programs in the historically mined areas and on the recently discovered East Emerald Zone.
Sultan's 2009 exploration program discovered new mineralization as confirmed by sampling and drilling (Lost Creek Zone) located 2km south of the historic Emerald tungsten mine. Sultan also acquired the Victory Tungsten Deposit (3.5 km north of the historic tungsten mines) which has a historical resource of 84,000 tons of 0.54% WO3. Sultan's 2009 drill hole intersected 13 ft. of 0.76% WO3.
The property has excellent infrastructure including $150 million in underground development, road access, power, water and a nearby workforce. Baseline environmental studies have been completed in order to expedite the possibility of reopening the mine.