Grupo Northair grew out of Lac Minerals efforts in Mexico in the mid 90's. Has been an active explorer ever since.

International Northair Mines Ltd.   INM   (TSVX)

Northair acquired Lac Minerals' Mexican subsidiary Minera Lac de Mexico S.A. de C.V. and transferred assets to their Mexican operating company: Grupo Northair de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

El Tesoro Project, Durango. Located in southern Durango just north of the Nayarit border this  1000 hectare project covers seven zones of high level low sulfidation gold mineralization and alteration. Rock chips sampling with favorable results from 3 km long system with veins from 1.5 to 20m wide. 

Sierra Rosario, Sinaloa. Located in northern Sinaloa just south of the Sonoran border this property includes San Rafael Zone. Property optioned to Kaiture Resources Corp which can earn a 60% interest. 

PDAC Material March, 2003

Since the commencement of the current field phase of the program in September 2001, the Company has evaluated 39 properties and conducted belt reconnaissance in the highly prospective Sierra Madre Occidental geological province of Western Mexico. The program, which is ongoing, is focused on the acquisition of high grade gold as well as polymetallic bulk tonnage deposits. 

Currently, Northair is conducting more detailed investigations of five projects which could meet our corporate objectives and are being considered for acquisition. These properties include two gold projects which appear to have significant size and grade potential. Further work by the Company is necessary before any details can be released.

Since the inception of Northair’s Mexican exploration program in 1995, the Company has evaluated over 500 minerals properties and acquired 5 quality projects. Three projects have subsequently been joint ventured to major companies (Teck Cominco Ltd., Meridian Gold Ltd. and Battle Mountain Gold Ltd.) who conducted detailed exploration which included drilling. The current program is a continuation of our ongoing commitment to exploration of this highly prospective country, and the Company will continue to keep shareholders informed as the program progresses.

Press Release 06Mar02

Lobos Project, Sinaloa. Lobos is located along the western flanks of the Sierra Madre Occidental approximately 40 linear km from Culiacan. Access is excellent. The property can be reached in 90 minutes from the city by a combination of paved and improved dirt roads. Topography is gentle, with elevations ranging from 250 to 400 meters.  Northair has signed an agreement on a 143 ha internal concession with a private owner and staked a surrounding 5 by 6 kilometer concession, providing the Company 100% control of 3000 total ha. The agreement with the owner of the internal concession is being formally ratified under Mexican laws and recorded at the Direction of Mines in Mexico City. In order for Northair to earn 100%, the Company must make option payments totaling US $100,000 over 3 years, with a final buy-out of an additional US $400,000 by the fourth year. A 2% NSR provided to the owner can be bought-out for $400,000. Northair subsequently optioned a 51% interest in the Lobos Project to Leadville Mining and Milling Company in April, 2001. Phase I reconnaissance RC drilling consisted of 837 meters in 24 holes along the main corridor of mineralization. (10Sep01)

Lobos contains epithermal low sulfidation gold mineralization related to a large hot springs type system. Most of the mineralization occurs along the southwest flank of a rhyolitic domal complex, where Company geologists have mapped a corridor of mineralization approximately 1.25 km long. Average widths or thickness of mineralization and alteration within the corridor range from 30 to over 100 m. The mineralization consists of sub-sinter level silica replacement, veining, micro-veinlets, and hydrothermal breccias. The Company believes exploration programs have an excellent potential for defining bulk tonnage as well as bonanza grade  mineralization. Historic production from the property has been minimal. There are abundant small adits, shafts, and prospects that were developed by previous owners in the 1950's who were reportedly selectively mining ores exceeding 60 g/t gold. To date, Northair has taken a total of 210 samples from the property, with a global average of 1.27 g/t gold. The 1.25 km belt of mineralization has been subdivided into three roughly contiguous general target areas with results summarized below. Most of the samples taken to date have been 5 m channel samples from outcrops or within mine workings. Due to much of the surface being covered with a thin veneer of colluvium, continuous channel sampling has been restricted, requiring some panel sampling of small outcrops and limited float grabs. All assaying to date has been performed by Chemex Labs. The Company plans to initiate a substantial road and trenching program to expose the mineralized zone for geologic mapping and continuous channel sampling. These roads will also serve for a first phase drilling program. 

By late November, 2000 International Northair Mines had received very encouraging assay results from a recently completed mechanical trenching program at the company's Lobos property located in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. The property covers a highly altered and mineralized flow banded unit that borders the southwest flank of a large rhyodacite domal complex. Significant gold values have been encountered, with recent trench results of up to 35 m of 1.58 grams per tonne gold. Thirteen trenches totaling approximately 600 m were mechanically excavated in three main areas. The objective of the program was to provide continuous sampling within zones of mineralization which are 75 per cent covered by colluvium and soil. The main corridor of mineralization is presently over 2.2 km in length and remains open to the northwest. True widths of alteration and mineralization within the corridor range from 25 m to over 100 m. Prior to the trenching program, the company had taken 294 samples with an average of 1.20 g/t gold. The mechanical trenching program tested less than 40 per cent of the corridor and focused within three defined zones (northwest, central and southeast) which, due to the presence of old mine workings and frequency of outcrop, have received the majority of exploration to date. A map showing the trenching is available on company's Web site.

SIGNIFICANT TRENCH RESULTS

Trench Area Interval Average gold
number (m) (g/t) 
1 Northwest 5.5 3.45
2 Northwest 9 0.71
3 Northwest 15 1.19
4 Northwest 7 1.35
5 Northwest 15 2.95 open
6 Northwest 8 2.25 open
7 Northwest 31 0.64 open
8 Northwest 27 0.70
11 Central 10 1.47 open
11 Central 30 1.29
12 Central 35 1.58 open
13 Southeast 20 1.08 open

The trenching program was highly successful in demonstrating that much of the concealed zone within the corridor contains potentially economic gold grades. Trench 12, which has no nearby outcrop, returned an average of 1.58 g/t gold over 35 m and remains open. Exposing the full width of the intensely silicified zones of mineralization was difficult in several trenches, indicating that true widths of mineralization in those areas could be greater than those reported. As well, an effort was made in all cases to excavate trenches perpendicular to the postulated strike of the mineralization. However, due to topographic restrictions, trenches 11 and 12 were excavated subparallel to the zone.

The sampling program was closely supervised by Jim Robinson, vice-president, exploration. All samples were continuous channel chips with an average sample weight of 2.5 kilograms to three kilograms. Assaying was performed by Chemex Labs. 

Press Release 22Nov00
Press Release 16May00

Venturina Property, Chihuahua.  (Dropped it) A surface drilling program totaling 4,000 m in 21 RC drill holes has been completed. Although high-grade gold and silver intercepts were encountered in several holes, the program failed to indicate continuity of precious metals mineralization at depth. Drilling revealed a consistent decrease in gold and silver values, with increasing but generally low base metals. Meridian Gold terminated its option on the property. Intl. Northair also subsequently dropped two of its four concessions in the area. It terminated its options of the Arcoiris II and 10 de Mayo claims held by Visionary and Cominco respectively. 

Press Release 01May00
Press Release 24Mar00

The drilling program mentioned above commenced the first week of February at the Company's Venturina property located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. In June of 1999, the Company formed an alliance with Meridian Gold Company to explore and develop the property. Meridian initiated their exploration program at the property in September of 1999 with an objective of defining drill targets for 2000. A minimum of 5 zones of mineralization have been identified to date within the 5 x 6 km property position. The majority of the exploration work completed to date has concentrated on the roughly 2 km long Venturina Zone. The initial Meridian drilling program includes approximately 4000 total m from 21 RC drill holes. An additional 800 m of core drilling is planned to begin approximately February 25. Meridian's initial program is designed to test portions of the entire strike length of the Venturina Zone. Since last September, Meridian's exploration program has advanced the project and confirmed valid drill targets. Northair's target objective for the property is at least one million ounces gold equivalent. Results from the drilling program will be released after the initial program is complete and all results have been received. This initial drill program is expected to continue at least into March.

Press Release 02Feb00

Company gained control of previous historic mining district sporadically active since the late 1800's by exercising option on two privately held concessions. Property is located just 7 km south of paved Hermosillo to Chihuahua highway. Property lies in Sierra Madre Occidental at elevation of 2000m. Target is low-cost OP/HL Au-Ag operation. Southern end extends on to ground 51% optioned from Visionary Mining. Zone of mineralization mapped at the time of property acquisition was 75m wide and 500m long and characterized by silicification and stockwork in felsic volcanic package. Now extended to 1650m long by 100m wide in places and remains open along strike. Report "average" of 67 samples taken to date as 2.0 gram Au and greater 30.0 gram Ag. Initial bottle rolls "average" around 86% recovery for Au and 90.3% for Ag. Mapping and sampling leading up to drilling all took place in 1998. Thirteen RC holes totaling 814 meters tested 400m of a 1650m strike length of the main Venturina target. This main zone has been sampled with over 400 rock chip and channel samples which average 1.67 gpt Au and 39 gpt of Ag. Mine maps from the 1930's have been acquired and show workings continuing several hundred meters from areas of previous detail mapping and sampling. Drill results when using "gold equivalent" approach of 60:1 ($300 Au, $5 Au) gives significant intercepts reported from 0.54 gpt to 6.69 gpt over widths of 3 to 23 m. Northair's website press releases give tabulated results. A 116 sample cross check between original Chemex results and re-assaying by Intertek Testing (Bondar-Clegg) showed good correlation. Present exploration will include detailed in-fill mapping and sampling focusing on the southern half of the Venturina Zone as well as the other areas previously defined as highly prospective: Salvador, San Jose West, Erika and San Jose East.

GCN #28 10Feb99
LAMR January, 1999
CSW 15Jan99
GCN #236 9Dec98 (Tabulated significant drill results)
GCN #234 7Dec98
GCN #218 13Nov
GCN #193 7Oct98
GCN #142 24Jul98
GCN #132 10Jul98
GCN #4 7Jan98

10 de Mayo Property, Chihuahua.  Company optioned 100% interest in property from Cominco

GCN #135 15Jul98
GCN #132 10Jul98

Lachato Property 35 km NE of Oaxaca. Formed a JV with Teck Resources in May, 1996 to explore 64 sq km property (8 by 8 km) optioned surface and mineral rights from La Communidad de los Pueblos Mancomunados. Teck returned option on property mineral rights to International Northair Mines as of mid-1998.

Reported potential of 30 MT of 1.59 g/t Au from results of trenching in fall 1996. Immediate focus has been San Pedro-San Pablo vein system. A nine hole RC drill program totaling 1215m in Oct-Nov., 1996 produced encouraging results. Five holes encountered mineralization in the 0.5 to 2.5 gpt range over significant intervals. Six holes bottomed in mineralization. Drilling intersected massive vein, stockwork and disseminated gold in lithic tuffs and altered volcanics. Teck has committed to $450,000 at Lachatao in 1997. Phase II drilling at San Pedro-San Paulo was scheduled to begin prior to July, 1997. Trenching revealed a new zone the Veta Nueva which is adjacent to the San Pedro-San Paulo and around 250m NE of closest drill hole. Channel sampling returned 5.69 gpt over 16m. Phase II DDH drilling commenced in November and 2,500m in 12 holes is planned to test 6 targets identified in 1997: Veta Nueva, Benitez, La Colorada, Corazon de Oro and San Luis (Purisima) . These targets occur within a curvilinear alteration zone some 3 km wide and 8 km long that tracks the northern contact of a large dacite/andesitic porphyry. Additional targets to be tested in 1998 include Aguacate, Riflero, Tennesssee, Santa Maria Espinal and San Jose de Gracia. Teck considers the Veta Nueva, San Pedro-San Pablo and La Colorado as a single large target area with a surface expression of 500 by 1,500m.

GCN #18 27Jan98
GCN #9 14Jan98
GCN #216 10Nov97
GCN #193 7Oct97
PDAC Literature March, 1997
GCN #138 18Jul97
GCN #23 3Feb97
LAMR February, 1997
GCN #18 27Jan97
CSW 24Jan97
PointCast Network 23Jan97
CSW 29Nov96

Las Minas Cu-Au skarn Project, Veracruz. A 5km by 2.25 km Au-Cu skarn property. Calc-silicate endo and a 30m thick exoskarn is exposed in drainages along an irregular 2.0km zone. results from 320 assays to date commonly show values of 1-5 grams Au and 0.5% to 2.0% Cu. International Northair signed a formal agreement with Minera BMG de Mexico (Battle Mountain Gold Co.) to explore commencing late in 1996. BMGC can earn up to 70% in property. Battle Mountain terminated it's interest in the area in August after over 840 chip samples of outcrop and mine workings reportedly returned an average (?) of 1.75 gpt Au and 0.38% Cu . (The Old Prospector would like to see 840 of his samples "average" 1.75 ppm Au - damn!).

MBD August, 1997
PDAC Literature March, 1997