The 2022, multi-purpose, US$10.4 million work programme at the Palmer Project, focused on preparations for initiating an extensive underground exploration programme in 2023.

The major elements of the 2022 programme included:

  • An engineering review of the underground portal access road and 60% of the access road construction was completed.
  • Lease, permitting and site preparation for a 60-person all-season camp slated for occupancy in June 2023 to support the planned exploration activity.
  • A seven-hole exploration drilling programme totalling 3546 m to test the offset of the South Wall deposit and the Terminus and Jasper Mountain targets.
  • Environmental and permitting, including on-going environmental baseline studies and compliance work.
  • Engineering studies including a metallurgical sampling programme completed with sample compilation in progress, and a production site evaluation that provides an alternate production portal, mill and tailing management analysis.

Warwick Smith, CEO and Director, American Pacific, comments:

“We are pleased with the progress made during the last year at Palmer with the total aggregate investment in exploration and development to-date over US$68.7 million.

“We look forward to collaborating with our joint venture partner Dowa to finalise the budget and workplans for 2023 during 1Q23.”