Exploration

For CC&V, exploration and the discovery of new gold and precious metal reserves are vitally important for continued operation. For this reason, CC&V is committed to an aggressive exploration program.

In most cases, an exploration program initially involves the identification of areas in which a target commodity or "prospect" may be located. This research effort includes analysis of information from a variety of sources such as academic and governmental publications, as well as the use of aerial photography and remote sensing techniques.

After exploration rights are acquired, and exploration environmental permits are obtained, prospects are explored by geologic mapping, collection and analysis of surface rock and soil samples, geophysical survey techniques, and initial exploration drilling.

In the event the initial phases of drilling indicate the possibility of a commercial mineral deposit of ore resources, substantial expenditures may be made to establish ore reserves through additional drilling and to determine the correct metallurgical process to extract the metals from the ore. There can be no assurance that a mineral deposit can be profitably mined until ore reserves are established, a commercially viable ore beneficiation and metal extraction technique is identified, governmental permits and approvals are obtained, and mining, processing, and capital costs are determined. Commodity price fluctuations will dictate whether the ore can be profitably mined and processed.