Timberline Resources Corp (TLRS)

[silver100]

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/story.asp?S=11569003


Group preparing to dig for gold in Butte Highlands


With gold reaching record high prices as recently as Tuesday there is an increasing demand for the precious metal, and there is a new group preparing to go in after it.

According to Timberline Resources of Idaho and Butte Highlands LLC, ore sample testing suggests more gold is likely to exist in the Butte Highlands Mountain area than initially thought. But that can't truly be known until the mine is fully operational.

Project manager Henry Bogert says he hopes the state can provide a permit to enable the mine to start producing gold in just over a year. In the meantime, it is about gaining access to the ore.

It all begins by creating a portal or entryway into the mountainside, using concrete and steel to give it strong support for the next five to six years of expected activity.

"They've identified a resource in the order of a million or more tons of ore. So we'll be tunneling into that about 6,000 feet in to gain access to the ore. When we get to the ore we'll be between 1,000 and 2,000 feet below the surface of the mountain. We'll haul it by truck from here over to the Golden Sunlight Mine and they'll crush it up and grind it and they'll extract the gold out of it," Butte Highlands joint venture manager Henry Bogert said.

So as Golden Sunlight Mine and many other local businesses are expected to benefit from the workload in the Butte Highlands, it may not be as rewarding for those trying to join the workforce.

Project superintendent Lou Myers says hopes have risen a bit too high with regard to the mine's expected employment.

"We're trying to be very realistic even with people who are talking to us and trying to rustle jobs. It's small, and we don't want them to get the idea that this thing's a big bloom. We're looking at a five to six-year project possibly for 25 people," Myers said.

On January 3 the group hopes to start digging out the portal to the mountain. By March, blasting should be underway to dig that 6,000 foot long, 2,000 foot deep tunnel, which could be completed around this time next year.