Responsible Mineral Exploration in Haines, Alaska
The Palmer Project
Responsible Mineral Exploration in Southeast Alaska
Responsible mineral exploration enhances our future without compromising the pristine beauty of Southeast Alaska’s vibrant natural and cultural environments. With advanced technology and industry expertise, we’re committed to leaving a positive impact for generations to come.
Project Details
The Palmer Project is an advanced-stage mineral exploration initiative located in Southeast Alaska.
Our team of local experts is currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the Palmer project. This includes exploration of the volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit potential for copper, zinc, silver, gold, and barite, alongside a thorough assessment of the project’s social, environmental, and economic impacts. This aligns with our commitment to responsible development along Palmer’s multi-year plan.
This commitment also translates into a comprehensive pre-project phase. Detailed environmental studies and engineering programs are underway, guided by all relevant state and federal permits and authorizations. These extensive environmental and social assessments are conducted to identify potential challenges and opportunities. Consultation with local communities also ensures concerns are heard and addressed — and this serves to promote a collaborative environment for long-term success.
Our technical teams plan every aspect of the current and planned activities. By investing heavily in the preparation phase, we aim to minimize environmental impact, ensure the safety of our workers and surrounding communities, and ultimately, set the stage for future success.
Brief Project History
Before a mineralized area can even be considered for an operating mine, decades of work, studies and analysis need to occur. What is now known as the Palmer Deposit was initially discovered in the late 1960s by a local prospector. Constantine has been actively exploring the area through core drilling, environmental baseline data collection, engineering studies and community outreach since 2006.
1969: Copper and zinc mineralization is discovered by local prospector Merrill Palmer.
1969 – 2006: Various exploration companies completed regional geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys and diamond drilling (7,545 meters in 37 drill holes)
2006:Constantine acquired the Palmer Project.
2008: Environmental baseline data collection and reporting began with water quality and wildlife observations.
2010: Initial resource estimate completed on the project.
2013: Dowa Metals and Mining, a 100+ year-old responsible and dedicated metals company from Japan, entered into an option agreement with Constantine.
2015: Updated resource estimate completed for the project.
2017: A second deposit 3 miles (5km) from the Palmer Deposit discovered and named AG Zone.
2018: Updated resource estimate for Palmer Deposit and Initial resource estimate completed for AG Zone.
2021-2022: Geotechnical studies and road/campsite construction initiated to support safe operations headquartered at the Klehini site.
2022: American Pacific Mining Corp acquired Constantine Metals.
2023: Klehini camp constructed, an experienced technical and operational management team join Constantine and the highest-grade copper results ever are drilled on the property.
Project Geology
The current mineralized ore bodies at the Palmer Project are made up of two deposits, Palmer Deposit and AG Deposit, which were created over 200 million years ago through volcanic activity on an ancient seafloor. Tectonic activity caused transport, folding and faulting, bringing the Chilkat Valley landscape to its current position along with the mineralization in what is known as the Alexander Terrane.
Core drilling has and will continue to be focused on the Palmer Deposit, defined by RW and South Wall Zones. The AG Deposit was initially discovered in 2017 and will also be a large part of our exploration drilling over the next 3-5 years.
Constantine’s highly-skilled Geology Team use the core samples to reconstruct the primary depositional environment. They study the samples as soon as they are retrieved during the field season to determine which are sent for detailed laboratory analysis. They spend the off-season using those results to plan drilling for the upcoming season.
Project Deposit
The Palmer Project hosts a NI43-101 mineral resource estimate in two define deposits, the Palmer and AG Deposits. The total consolidated mineral resource is 4.68 million tonnes of 10.2% zinc equivalent in the indicated category and 9.59 million tonnes of 8.9% zinc equivalent in the inferred category.
From NI 43-101 Reports with effective date September 27, 2018 (Palmer Deposit) and December 18, 2018 (AG Zone Deposit). Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) equals (US$16.01 x Zn% + US$48.67 x Cu% + US$23.45 x Au g/t + US$0.32 x Ag g/t). NSR formula is based on estimated metallurgical recoveries, assumed metal prices, and assumed offsite costs that include transportation of concentrate, smelter treatment charges, and refining charges. Assumed metal prices are US$1.15/lb for zinc (Zn), US$3.00/lb for copper (Cu), US$1250/oz for gold (Au), US$16/oz for silver (Ag). Estimated metal recoveries for Palmer Deposit are 93.1% for zinc, 89.6% for copper, 90.9% for silver (70.8% to the Cu concentrate and 20.1% to the Zn concentrate) and 69.6% for gold (49.5% to the Cu concentrate and 20.1% to the Zn concentrate) as determined by 2018 metallurgical locked cycle flotation tests. No recovery data is available for AG Zone deposit. CuEq and ZnEq values from 2019 Amended PEA using assumed metal prices and 90% recovery (excludes barite).
Our frequently asked questions
The exploration activities at the Palmer Project do not create any pollutants or discharge. As our technical team continues to evaluate all aspects of the project they will also analyze every opportunity to protect the environment. Everyone at Constantine enjoys clean water and healthy fish populations and will make every effort to preserve what Southeast Alaska has to offer.
This website is a start, and where we encourage everyone to visit for the latest Palmer Project information. We will also be continually hosting public forums and project tours to share information on project activities. All those activities are guided by dozens of authorizations from state and federal agencies and regular reporting is required. We also encourage reaching out to our local employees on their commitment to ensuring everything we do is in the best interests of all Chilkat Valley resources.
By listening. All perspectives are equally valid and it is in Constantine’s best interests to consider feedback from all interested and affected people.
Constantine will spend the next 3-5 years exploring and evaluating the Palmer Project’s economic potential, social conditions responsibility and environmental sustainability. At that time a detailed, yet Preliminary Assessment will be conducted to help decide if the project meets the necessary criteria to advance to the next stage, which is likely a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), which will take another 2-3 years. Reclamation is concurrent with exploration activities as they are completed and Constantine files an annual Statement of Reclamation with the State of Alaska.