Discovery of national interest24 Jan 2025 19:10
Some historical information and today’s valuation of what was found in the 1980’s
The Molaoi deposit, located approximately 5 km north of the town of Molaoi in southeastern Peloponnese, Greece, was initially discovered in 1938 through regional assessments by the Greek Geological Survey, now known as the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME). The deposit comprises nine stratabound massive sulfide orebodies extending over a strike length of about 7 km, grouped into three mining zones: west (one orebody), central (six orebodies), and east (two orebodies). These orebodies are situated along two major fault systems, forming "flower structures" trending between N20° and N40° W, and N20° E, with dips ranging from 40° to 80° eastward. The thickness of the orebodies varies between less than 1 meter to 15 meters, located at elevations between +165 meters and -50 meters.
Limited work was conducted on the deposit until the early 1970s, when IGME performed semi-regional lead isotope studies and geophysical surveys. By 1979, exploration had focused on the Molaoi deposit, and diamond drilling commenced the same year. The drilling exploration included 173 drill cores, covering approximately 1,500 meters along strike (north to south), 200 meters across dip, and reaching depths of about 300 meters.
In 1981, an initial non-compliant mineral estimate was calculated, followed by a second in 1988, which was significant enough for IGME to commence feasibility studies into mining at Molaoi. These studies included the construction of an exploration portal and a decline approximately 700 meters in length, with development on two levels to access the upper sections of the mineralization, located about 50 meters below the surface. Operations ceased in the late 1980s due to a significant drop in the international price of zinc, and the portal was subsequently sealed.
The economic value of the Molaoi ore deposit is based on geological, geochemical, geophysical, and core-logging data that indicate it contains approximately 10.6% to 26.5% zinc (Zn), 1.5% to 2.9% lead (Pb), and 60 to 90 grams per tonne (g/t) silver (Ag).
Using the data from the 1980s and today's prices, the estimated value of the known mineralization at the Molaoi deposit is as follows:
Zinc: $95.4 million
Lead: $13.86 million
Silver: $1.81 billion
Total estimated value: $1.92 billion
This estimate assumes an average zinc grade of 10.6%, lead grade of 2.2%, and a silver grade of 75 g/t, with a total resource of 30 million tonnes.
So with limited drilling and only going down 300m $2 billion was proven up.