Pan American Silver Corp (TSX: PAA) and Orko Silver Corp (TSX-V: OK) said in a joint statement they commenced a comprehensive exploration and delineation drilling program at the La Preciosa silver project in Mexico.
The groups expect to complete approximately 30,000 meters of drilling on the property between now and the end of December of this year. The initial delineation drilling is specifically designed to upgrade Martha Vein inferred resources to measured and indicated status, while the exploration drilling will focus on several untested prominent vein structures within the joint venture property, that had been previously discovered by Orko.
Pan American, operator of the La Preciosa joint venture, plans to spend a total of US$5.7 million in 2009, to complete the drill programs, as well as to initiate other project development related activities, including advanced metallurgical testing.
The JV partners have agreed to delay the completion of a preliminary economic assessment until the 2009 drilling and metallurgical test program has been completed.