Amador County – The Sutter Creek Gold Mine, which currently serves as a tourism facility, is coming much closer to the possibility of functioning as a working gold mine. Sutter Gold Mining Incorporation, or SGM, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, refers to it as the Lincoln Project, named after the original Lincoln Mine from which prospector Leland Stanford made his fortune. Stanford went on to found Stanford University and to partner in financing the Central Pacific Railroad. According to SGM, technical updates and initiatives in process “are directed towards determining the Lincoln Project development costs, schedule and future production decision.” A number of technical studies have already been completed though the hiring out of companies and consultants. A Metallurgical Process and Mill Design Report, Phase I of the Preliminary Mill Installation Estimate and a conceptual Study for a Paste Backfill System have all been completed. Clayr Alexander, President and CEO said, "With the completion of initial test work and conceptual engineering we have now developed a base plan from which we can begin to optimize our process and development costs.” Upcoming studies and tests include developing a Water Quality Standards Report, 3D modeling of the project, various underground testing, and determining a rock storage area. SGM controls over three miles of Mother Lode property, 90 percent of which has yet to be explored. The current resource estimate for the Sutter Gold Project indicates that a collective 700,000 ounces of gold could possibly be extracted from this area. The mine is now open exclusively for one hour underground tours “deep into the heart of the Mother Lode. No comments have been made as to when the mine could open for production. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.