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Gold was first discovered around Laonil Lake in 1947 by prospectors acting on behalf of Cominco Inc. (“Cominco”). Between 1947 and 1950, Cominco conducted an extensive program of prospecting, trenching, geological mapping and diamond drilling. The latter activity involved 79 holes totaling 4,414 metres and identified four gold-bearing structures or zones on the property. The property remained dormant until 1974, although in 1958 Cominco applied for and was granted 10 Quartz mining leases covering the property. In 1961, Cominco drilled 2 shallow holes of 41 metres as part of an overall review of the known property data. This review allowed Cominco to estimate the property contained a small gold resource. Cominco resumed exploration in 1974 and drilled 16 holes totaling 458 metres to test additional vein structures. In 1982-83, Cominco resumed work and drilled 3,776 metres in 20 holes, but they did not complete the entire program as Cominco sold the property to BEC International Corporation who subsequently reached an agreement with Claude which became the owner. After its acquisition of the Seabee property, Claude drilled 3 holes totaling 226 metres to corroborate Cominco’s prior work and property estimates. In June 1985, Claude optioned the property to Placer Development Limited (subsequently Placer Dome Inc. “Placer”). Placer carried out an extensive exploration program, which included geologic mapping, trenching and stripping, geophysical, geochemical, environmental and metallurgical studies, as well as both surface and underground drilling: 95 surface drill holes were completed and 72 underground drill holes were drilled from an underground exploration decline on Zone 2. The decline was 305 metres long and diamond drill stations were cut from one of two drives. At the completion of this program, Placer determined the property did not meet its criteria for development and allowed its option on the Seabee property to expire in June 1988 and returned the property to Claude. After the return of the property, Claude initiated geological compilation and analytical studies designed to correlate and substantiate the work done by Placer. The Company engaged Cominco Engineering Services Limited (“Cominco Engineering”) to conduct bulk sampling and drilling as part of a feasibility study. A.C.A. Howe International Limited (“A.C.A. Howe”) completed a reserve estimate for the property in December 1988 and Cominco Engineering submitted a positive Feasibility Study in August 1989 and subsequently revised the study in May 1990. At that time, Claude made the decision to put the deposit into production and construction of the mine began in the summer of 1990. Mining commenced at Seabee in December 1991.
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