MPH VenturesMPS
Projects Pidgeon
Show printable version of 'Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit Project' item in a New Window
Email 'Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit Project' item to a friend

OVERVIEW - PIDGEON MOLYBDENUM DEPOSIT PROJECT

Google Earth Download Program is required

Molybdenum (Mo), or "Moly" for short, is used as an alloying agent in steel to enhance strength and resistance to wear and corrosion. It is also used in lubricants developed for high-temperature and high-pressure applications. There are no known substitutes for molybdenum's unique properties which are used in most of the present day super-alloys. The price of molybdenum oxide has gone from $3 per pound to $35 per pound over the last couple of years due to the strong demand and short supply.

Pidgeon Moly Deposit Rock Sample

Click to Enlarge

In November 2007, MPH Ventures concluded its purchase of all common shares of Pidgeon Molybdenum Mines Limited held by Rio Algom Limited ("Rio"), a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE: BHP) and Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G). Pidgeon Molybdenum Mines Limited holds a 100% interest in the 3,420 acres "Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit", located at the east end of Lateral Lake near Dryden, in the Echo Township, Kenora mining district of Northwestern Ontario.

Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit
Location Map, Ontario


Click to Enlarge
Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit
Claims Map, Ontario


Click to Enlarge

Several historical resource estimates, produced in the late 1970's, have been prepared on the Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit that include reports by Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd. and T. Bottrill for BHP Billiton stating the surface mineralized zone contains an estimated 9,000,000 tons of 0.10% molybdenum (Mo) (2 pounds/ton) of drill indicated resource (Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd. for BHP Billiton July 16, 1980) and 55,000,000 tons with grades of 0.08% molybdenum (Mo) inferred resource (T. Bottrill for BHP Billiton Sept. 17, 1979). The tonnage varies depending on the parameters used and the assumptions made with respect to molybdenum grades, limits of the mineralization, and geometry of the mineralized body. The historic estimates were based on a total of 62 diamond drill holes completed in mineralization on the property. Since the resource estimates are historical in nature and predate and are non-compliant with NI 43-101 standards, the estimates should not be relied upon and is listed only for reference purposes on this website.

In November 2007, the Company commissioned Wardrop Engineering Inc, to complete a National Instrument 43-101 compliant report on the Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit and confirmation drilling is now in progress.

With this acquisition, MPH Ventures has acquired a significant molybdenum (Mo) property asset with a historical near surface drill indicated and inferred resource. The property is ideally situated for transportation routes and power. A paved road is located 7 kilometres to the south and the CP Railway is 5 kilometres to the north. Power lines run north-south through the property.

Highlights

       Previous property owners include Goldcorp, BHP Billiton and
                Pidgeon Molybdenum Mines Ltd.

       Widely spaced historic drilling demonstrates high potential
                for a significant high grade and tonnage molybdenum deposit.

       Historic moly grades and mineralization zone may be substantially                 understated.

       The mineralized system remains open in all directions.

       Ideally situated with transportation routes and power.

In November 2007, MPH Ventures announced a diamond drill has been mobilized to its Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit project. A 10,000 metre diamond drill program has begun with an initial 4,000 metres to verify and confirm the historic data recently compiled by Wardrop Engineering Inc. Infill drilling will then be done to improve the confidence of the molybdenum resource to a level sufficient for an economic assessment.

2007 Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit Magnetic Data

Click to Enlarge

It is the Company's intention to quickly verify and confirm the existing resource as indicated by the Wardrop Report as well as to undertake an expansion program with the goal of significantly increasing the mineral resource of its Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit.

Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit with Untested Potential

Click to Enlarge

In January and February 2008, MPH Ventures released results from the first 6 drill holes completed on its Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit project confirming historic results.

HOLE_ID From M. To M. Length M. Mo %
PM07-1 112.5 145.0 32.5 0.11%
incl. 112.0 113.0 1.0 0.88%
incl. 124.0 126.0 2.0 1.20%
PM07-2 85.7 116.7 31.0 0.07%
incl. 111.7 116.7 5.0 0.12%
PM07-3 94.9 134.4 40.5 0.08%
incl. 122.9 124.9 2.0 0.32%
incl. 130.4 131.9 1.5 0.37%
PM08-4 138.9 165.3 27.4 0.04%
PM08-5 135.5 182.0 46.5 0.14%
inclu 135.5 143.0 7.5 0.30%
PM08-6 126.5 168.0 41.5 0.12%
inclu 126.5 133.0 6.5 0.15%
inclu 128.5 131.0 2.5 0.29%

Historical Exploration

The property was acquired by Rio Algom and Dickenson Mines in the 1970's, and subsequently by BHP Billiton and Goldcorp (respectively) through ongoing mergers and acquisitions. Prior records indicate that historical data on the Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit dates back to 1946 with the original owner, G. L. Pidgeon. Approximately 95 holes have been drilled in 11,500 metres on the property to date, with diamond drilling carried out in the 1950's, 60's and 70's. The most extensive work was conducted by Rio Algom in the late 1970's with reports written by Strathcona Mineral Services on behalf of BHP Billiton in 1980.

Project Manager Dave Busch, PGeo
in front of Old Pidgeon Adit - Summer 2007


Click to Enlarge

Several historical resource estimates, produced in the late 1970's, have been prepared on the Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit that include reports by Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd. and T. Bottrill for BHP Billiton stating the surface mineralized zone contains an estimated 9,000,000 tons of 0.10% molybdenum (Mo) (2 pounds/ton) of drill indicated resource (Strathcona Mineral Services Ltd. for BHP Billiton July 16, 1980) and 55,000,000 tons with grades of 0.08% molybdenum (Mo) inferred resource (T. Bottrill for BHP Billiton Sept. 17, 1979). The tonnage varies depending on the parameters used and the assumptions made with respect to molybdenum grades, limits of the mineralization, and geometry of the mineralized body. The historic estimates were based on a total of 62 diamond drill holes completed in mineralization on the property. Since the resource estimates are historical in nature and predate and are non-compliant with NI 43-101 standards, the estimates should not be relied upon. For this reason, MPH Ventures has commissioned Wardrop Engineering Corp. to bring the reported estimates to NI 43-101 compliant standards.

Magnetic Survey
With Historic Drill Holes


Click to Enlarge

The Pidgeon Molybdenum Deposit mineralization is contained within what has been referred to as a "mineralized shell". This shell has a strike length of 1500 metres and an average true thickness of 30 metres and dips 45 degrees to the south. Only a small portion of the prospective geology on the property has been drill tested. The property covers an elongated granodiorite that has intruded metavolcanic rocks. The granodiorite trends almost east-west and forms the core of an anticline. Molybdenum mineralization occurs within the granodiorite along the contact with the metavolcanic rocks. Molybdenum mineralization is associated with abundant aplitic sills that intrude the outer margins of the granodiorite. The simple geology with 30 metre widths and shallow dips indicate potential for profitable development as an open pit mine. Only a small portion of the prospective geology on the property has been adequately tested. The possibility of increasing the tonnage significantly is very real.

Regional Geology

The property covers an elongated granodiorite that has intruded metavolcanic rocks. The granodiorite trends almost east west and appears to form the core of an anticline. Molybdenum mineralization occurs within the granodiorite along the contact with the metavolcanic rocks. Molybdenum mineralization is associated with abundant aplitic sills that intrude the outer margins of the granodiorite. The limbs of the anticline have generally shallow dips away from the granodiorite. Along the south margin dips are 45 degrees to the south and along the north margin dips are as shallow as 30 degrees to the north.

Comparative Molybdenum Companies

  Symbol Close (06/11/07) Year Low Year High Market Cap
Developers  
Adanac Molybdenum TSX: AUA 1.84 0.9 2.75 135m
Mercator Minerals TSX: ML 7.29 1.6 7.56 532m
Northern Orion TSX: NNO 5.6 3.85 6.26 870m
Quadra Mining TSX: QUA 12.28 6.93 13.94 514m
Roca Mines TSX.V: ROK 2.82 0.51 3.34 202m
Explorers  
Copper Fox Metals TSX.V: CUU 1.06 0.36 1.64 73m
Eagle Plains Resources TSX.V: EPL 0.78 0.47 1.00 38m
Galway Resources TSX.V: GWY 1.25 0.35 1.96 36m
Moly Mines TSX: MOL 3.63 0.95 4.95 184m
Virgin Minerals TSX: VGM 0.56 0.245 0.97 42m
Tenajon Resources TSX.V: TJS 0.72 0.2 1.26 30m

Molybdenum Market Overview

Molybdenum is a hard, grey, metallic element used primarily in the production of hardened steel alloys, accounting for 63% of the world's consumption. Molybdenum is used because its addition enhances strength, hardening, welding toughness, elevated temperature strength, and corrosion resistance. As such, molybdenum is commonly found in applications such as desalination plants, oil rigs, nuclear plants, and oil/gas pipelines, where versatility and strength are paramount. As an example, it is estimated that 1,200 km of pipe requires 1.9 million lbs of molybdenum. Currently, there are roughly 80,000 km of pipelines planned for development worldwide. The second largest usage of molybdenum is within the chemical industry with the largest application being the production of ultra-low sulphur diesel. Chemical usage of molybdenum accounts for 14% of molybdenum consumption.

Limited Molybdenum Global Supply

Roughly 65% of the molybdenum global supply is mined as a bi-product from copper mines. As pure moly deposits are even scarcer, global demand and price for molybdenum is anticipated to rise.

Desjardins Securities (April 2007) predicted a world demand on molybdenum to increase by approximately 20 million lbs per year, with limited build-up in new mines and several producers reporting production should fall significantly year-over-year as higher grade ore is depleted from deposits and focus is on the lower grade. These companies include Codelco down 5.4% to 30m lbs, Kenecott down 12.4% to 17m lbs, and Antamina down 7.3 % to 7.6m lbs. As a result, Desjardins Securities describe their forecast increase in demand of 5.3% in 2007, and 3.9% in 2008, as conservative.

 

MPH Ventures