Yukon-Nevada Gold achieved positive results with recent stack tests at its wholly owned subsidiary Queenstake Resources’ Jerritt Canyon gold mine, near Elko, Nevada. The developing mercury recovery and control technology there has produced positive results. Six stack tests, conducted by an independent contractor, all showed mercury levels at approximately 50% and SO2 levels of less than 2% of the levels allowed under the Consent Decree recently signed with the State authorities.

Graham Dickson, the COO of the company, and the developer of the technology stated, “The support we received from the State in allowing us the time to develop a technology specifically designed for Nevada applications has been key to our success. We are continuing to optimise all of the important parameters and believe when we do so this technology will enable us to achieve significantly lower emission levels than those recently documented.”

Robert Baldock, the company’s President, commented, “We are clearly excited by this developing technology and expect that it could lead Jerritt Canyon to become an example and demonstration Alpha site for the industry.”

Patent protection for the new technology is being pursued and it is hoped that the technology will be adopted by other companies which have difficulties in meeting their mercury emission levels.

Queenstake is presently operating its Jerritt Canyon roasting facility processing ore from its own stockpiles and from its recently re-opened underground Smith mine. The SSX-Steer complex is being readied for re-opening at the end of 2010 and permitting continues for its proposed mine at Starvation Canyon. All of these mines are on the Jerritt Canyon property. 

The company continues to look at opportunities to mill ore from other properties in the near locale. It believes this would enhance the profitability of the Jerritt Canyon operation.