Sterling
PropertiesSterling Property
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The Sterling property and mine is owned by Sterling Gold Mining Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Imperial. The property is located in Nevada, 185 km northwest of Las Vegas. Total land claims [Sterling, Tungsten Canyon, Fluorspar Canyon and Mary-Goldspar] comprise 682 lode mining claims encompassing 5,453 hectares.

In 2001 Imperial discovered a deep high grade gold zone located south of the historic Sterling mine workings. The 144 zone is in an entirely new setting similar to the structurally controlled sediment-hosted, disseminated gold deposits in the Carlin trend. Extensive drill programs were carried out between 2001-2003.

A 1,021 metre decline to access the 144 zone was completed in 2007. Two exploration drifts off the main decline below the 144 zone, and drill stations to provide for detailed drilling of the 144 zone from underground, were also completed.

In 2008 expenditures for underground drilling of the 144 zone totaled $1.2 million. Drilling was also conducted on potential targets within the Sterling area.

Plans for 2009 are to further delineate and expand the 144 zone, and complete underground development to provide additional underground drill stations within the 144 zone. An operations plan has been submitted and approved, and the required bonding has been placed with the State of Nevada and the Bureau of Land Management that would permit the restart of mining and heap leach operations.

The Sterling 144 zone mineral resource indicated and measured estimate [Sterling Report Feb/2006] is 46,334 troy ounces from 214,554 short tons of ore with an average grade of 0.216 ounces per ton (7.41 g/t) gold. The February 2006 report will be updated when underground drilling is completed.

The Sterling mine operated both as an underground and open pit mine from 1980-2000 during which time the mine produced 194,996 troy ounces from 941,341 short tons of ore with an average grade of 0.217 ounces per ton (7.44 g/t) gold.

For additional information, refer to the Company's Quarter Reports, the Sterling section in the current Annual Information Form or the 2006 Sterling Technical Report in PDF Format (7.4 Mb).

Ref: news releases Jan/Mar/May/Jul 2008; May/Nov 2007; 2003; 2002

UD:06.09  
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