The Faro Down Valley Tailing Ponds contain residual quantity of minerals that have a total value of more than a billion dollars, however, only a portion of these minerals may be recoverable through research. A research proposal for the development of an economical reprocessing method for the recovery of this resource, which would create jobs and eliminate an environmental liability, was appoved for co-funding by the Government of Yukon, Department of Economic Development (Canada/Yukon Economic Development Agreement). This ambitious and diligent research program involved Canmet (Mineral Sciences Laboratories), Lakefield Research, Normet and Curragh Inc.
The laboratory test results from the initial research programs are very encouraging with the production of a marketable bulk concentrate of 50% lead plus zinc metal content at a zinc metal recovery of 58%. There is considerable confidence in the Faro Down Valley Tailings reprocessing approach because of the mettalurgical results attained, the implementation of proven new technology equipment, the use of current reagents and the availability of the Faro Mill (low capital requirement) when the known, economic reserves are depleted.
