Although Aim-listed Armadale Capital has reported progress in its efforts to open up historic workings at the Canyon Silver project in Idaho, in the US, for further evaluation and sampling, the company acknowledges that progress has been slower than expected owing to challenging ground conditions.

Once the reopening of the site is complete, the company said on September 9, further sampling would be conducted to assess the potential of the project. Initial assay results at the project have indicated high-grade mineralisation, with silver reaching up to 1 010 g/t and lead concentrations of 18%.

Work at the Canyon Silver project since the restart of activities has included the widening of the first 100 ft of the Canyon Silver No 2 tunnel from its original 1.2 m by 1.5 m to 2.4 m by 2.4 m to allow for the passage of essential equipment.

This tunnel, originally driven by hand in 1892 to intersect the Formosa vein, required significant timbering and barring down, as well as rock-bolting to ensure safety for all operations. The widened tunnel now accommodates a slusher station, a geophysical station, a diamond drilling pad, and small-scale trackless operations.

The company also recommissioned the 1905 winze in the No 2 tunnel. This winze has been outfitted with new timbering and steel ladders, and its bottom was cleared of 10.7 m of accumulated debris dating back to 1930.

The winze, which provides access to the No 3 Level parallel portal tunnel, is now fully equipped and operational, the company noted. The Formosa vein is visible along the entire 30.5-m stretch between the No 2 and No 3 levels.

Outside the No 3 portal, Armadale said it had completed the rebuilding of the original change room building and the compressor and generator room. However, the company noted that electrical and plumbing installations would only proceed once year-round operations were underway.

Additionally, the company has re-established the original Canyon Silver mine outside main haulage and entry road, which has been rebuilt and graded from the No 3 portal down to the base of the property.

Once the necessary permits are secured, Armadale said a 30 t bridge would be installed to create a circular one-way route to and from the mine. Work on the No 1 portal and the road above it was progressing rapidly, despite the difficulties presented by the steep, virgin mountainside.

In addition to the developments at Canyon Silver, Armadale said it was monitoring progress at its Mahenge graphite project in Tanzania.

The company added that it was encouraged by recent advancements toward securing project development funding in the country, a process that had been challenging for the junior mining sector in recent years.

Armadale said it was actively exploring strategies to maximise the value of the Mahenge project as it continued to assess its options for advancing the development.