Archive for category Case study

The new Matagami-type VMS Camp

Posted by AP on Monday, 31 May, 2010
MacDonald Mines Exploration  has announced today that the 2010 exploration drilling program on its McNugget Property has discovered new volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralization of substance. Preliminary assays are reported below with follow-up full assays pending and will be reported when received. An analysis of technical data completed in February 2010 found magnetic and electromagnetic (“EM”) targets that were not previously explained. During the May portion of the 2010 drilling campaign, a Crone Geophysicsdown-hole EM system was used for drill target control – it has been established that McNugget VMS horizons show strongest conductivity where copper (Cu) content is highest.
A new VMS camp with characteristics similar to those seen at Matagami or Noranda in Quebec is now conceivable (i.e., larger VMS deposits with satellite deposits along strike).”
Massive sulphides were intersected in all May 2010 drill locations with widths varying from 2m to greater then 30m. One of the drill sites (two holes) on the McNugget Property intersected massive magnetite as well as associated ultra mafic materials. This location is characterized by a long magnetic high (magnetite) with an associated electromagnetic conductor (VTEM). These characteristics are very similar to those of the Freewest/Cliffs chromite discovery. The core from these two intersections is currently being tested for chromite. Additonal geophysics will be planned along this long trend (1.5 kilometres) to aid in interpreting the potential of this zone to host chromite.
Big Mac Property
MacDonald’s February 2010 re-interpretation created an initial program of 5 high-priority high-resolution ground gravity survey transects for both chromium (Cr) and nickel-copper (Ni-Cu) mineralization. Transect models were based directly on known mineralization signatures discovered within the “Ring of Fire”. The Company’s claim block contains both discrete and strike-extensive coincident airborne magnetic-VTEM and gravity anomalies within stratigraphically favorable geological packages with geophysical signatures similar to the significant Cr discoveries of Freewest and KWG-Spider near McFaulds Lake. Three gravity drill targets all exhibited anomalous densities coincident with local magnetic trends and have been interpreted to be steeply plunging dense bodies. Drilling was completed on one these targets in April 2010. Assays are pending. One of the gravity transects identified a density anomaly coincident with a discrete conductivity (VTEM) anomaly and offset magnetic feature that will be drill investigated for nickel.
Hulbert-Salo Property Exhibits Voisey’s Bay-type Targets
MacDonald is designing an exploration program for its highly prospective Hulbert-Salo Property which appears to host an intact intrusive complex with potential for Voisey’s Bay-type targets, as interpreted by Dr. Larry Hulbert. The Company’s airborne geophysical survey (VTEM) outlined very conductive, discrete targets within a layered magnetic structure. The high conductivities observed are typical of magmatic massive sulphides containing nickel. To optimize the Company’s chances of success, a surface time domain geophysical survey is being designed that will focus on the potential nickel targets. A Crone Geophysics‘ system will be used in the event that other more conductive (superconductors) and/or deeper targets were not detected by the airborne survey.
Exploration to Recommence June 2010
The next phase of exploration will commence in late June 2010. MacDonald believes that there is potential for its James Bay properties to host both Nickel and Chrome on the McNugget, Big Mac and Hulbert/Salo Properties.
As the assays become available, 3D target modeling will be based on assays, geology, magnetic susceptibility, conductance and so forth. Further drilling will provide greater detail on three selected VMS targets as well as the strongest potential Ni-Cu targets. It is anticipated that deeper drilling will be required to test the high conductance targets mapped by the geophysical programs used during May.

Magnus Copper-Gold project update

Posted by AP on Tuesday, 25 May, 2010
Alchemy Resources Limited advises that the first round of exploration drilling at its Magnus Copper‐Gold Project in Western Australia has produced promising results which highlight the potential for the area to host repeats of Sandfire Resources Ltd’s neighbouring DeGrussa discovery.
The drilling program at Magnus, which is located 130km north‐east of Meekatharra, comprised seven reverse circulation (RC) holes on seven high priority targets that were identified by a VTEM survey completed in December 2009 (http://explorationgeophysics.info/?p=607). The first seven RC holes were selected across the width of the Magnus project to conduct initial testing of the high priority conductors identified by the VTEM survey and to assist with targeting the drilling of the remaining 26 priority conductor targets.
The initial drilling at Magnus has:
successfully identified extensive stratigraphic horizons within the prospective Narracoota volcanic formation with the potential to host volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. The Narracoota volcanic formation hosts the rich DeGrussa copper‐gold deposit; and
identified minor disseminated sulfides, which in conjunction with geochemical tests being done on bedrock samples, may help to uncover VMS mineralisation.
Down‐hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys were carried out in five of the RC drill holes. DHEM surveys are used to identify the source of any conductors that were not intersected in the hole by drilling.
In four of the RC drill holes, which intersected dominantly mafic volcanic and intrusive rocks with minor interflow shales, the source of the VTEM anomaly remains unexplained and will be followed up with further drilling to determine the source of the conductor. In the other three drill holes, intersections of thick intervals of shale are believed to explain the original VTEM anomaly.
Re‐modelling of the VTEM and DHEM data was carried out to better determine the geometry and conductivity of the sources of anomalies. These results, in conjunction with ground electromagnetic surveys, will refine the location of modelled conductors prior to further drill testing.
Forward Program
Ongoing drilling at Magnus will test up to another 26 bedrock conductors identified by the VTEM survey.  Other activities will include targeted ground‐based EM surveys to complement the VTEM survey and identify exploration targets at depth.
“These results are very encouraging and provide Alchemy with more strong evidence that Magnus hosts the geology associated with world‐class VMS deposits such as the DeGrussa discovery,” Alchemy Managing Director Michael Hannington said. “We will now push full‐steam ahead with the next phase of drilling at Magnus to test this enormous exploration potential.”


The discovery!

Posted by AP on Thursday, 20 May, 2010

Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.   reports the discovery of the CH-17 kimberlite on the Chidliak project on Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. The discovery of CH-17, 35 kilometres north of the nearest known kimberlites, CH-6 and CH-10, is further confirmation that Chidliak is a highly prospective and large Canadian diamond district. Formerly geophysical anomaly 166, CH-17 is the northernmost of two high-priority magnetic anomalies, 165 and 166, that have similar geophysical characteristics and are situated 200 metres apart under the same lake. Each of the anomalies has estimated surface expressions of at least one hectare. With this discovery, Peregrine management is confident that anomaly 165 is likely also a kimberlite.

The CH-17 drill core was described in the field as being macrocrystic olivine-rich kimberlite, containing country rock and mantle xenoliths, and abundant kimberlite indicator minerals. Pyrope garnet and chrome diopside grains up to 30 and 15 mm in size, respectively, were observed.

The CH-17 kimberlite is the first target drilled this year and the seventeenth kimberlite discovered at Chidliak since 2008. The discovery was made by drilling a vertical core hole from lake-ice into the centre of the high-priority magnetic anomaly and kimberlite was intersected underneath 41 metres of water and 2.5 metres of overburden. Three metres of kimberlite drill core was recovered before the hole was terminated due to drilling difficulties. A map showing CH-17 and the adjacent anomaly 165, and photographs of drill core, are available at: http://www.pdiam.com/i/pdf/chidliak613.pdf.

A second hole was not immediately attempted at CH-17 to allow for a thorough review and analysis of the drilling issues by Peregrine and the drilling contractor. While awaiting delivery of drill supplies, a geophysical anomaly 1.6 kilometres north of CH-17 was drilled because of its proximity to a favourable kimberlitic indicator mineral train. No kimberlite was intersected and the anomaly was explained by magnetic gabbro. The indicator mineral train is now interpreted as having likely originated from CH-17 and anomaly 165.

Since the CH-17 discovery hole was terminated on May 3, there have been ten days where weather did not allow access to the drill because of low visibility and/or high winds and blowing snow. In addition, unseasonably warm local weather has led to the formation of slush on the lake hosting CH-17 and anomaly 165. Both CH-17 and anomaly 165 cannot be efficiently drilled from the lake shore. For safety reasons, after a comprehensive analysis by an independent ice engineer, Peregrine has decided to postpone further drilling on the lake-ice at this particular locality until the spring of 2011. The drill is currently being moved to test two additional lake-based targets, anomalies 290 and 291 (see map at link noted above), that have more favourable lake-ice drilling conditions, and drilling is likely to commence in the next few days. Up to 30 land-based kimberlite targets are expected to be drilled this year during the spring and summer programmes at Chidliak.

Discoveries of high concentrations of kimberlitic indicator minerals (“KIMs”) on the 980,000 hectare Chidliak property in 2006 and 2007 encouraged Peregrine to look for new kimberlite deposits in the area due to the excellent potential for further diamond discovery. The property is located 150 km northeast of Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut. Three distinct and well-defined KIM anomalies situated 20 to 30 km apart were identified. Peregrine collected a total of 970 till samples at Chidliak in 2006 and 2007, of which 286 samples, or 29 percent, contained KIMs. The full suite of KIMs have been recovered from the property, including p-type pyrope garnet, eclogitic garnet, chrome diopside, picroilmenite, chromite and forsteritic olivine. A significant number of the KIMs were over 1.00 mm in size. Kimberlite mineral grains larger than 1.00 mm are not common and are often a strong indication of a proximal kimberlite source. Ten percent of the 2,284 p-type pyrope garnets that were analyzed by electron microprobe are classified as high-chrome, low-calcium G10 garnets. G10 garnets are commonly associated with diamond mines throughout the world. Based on the favorable indicator mineral results, a heliborne magnetic/electromagnetic survey commenced in July, 2008, the survey, flown at 100 metre line spacing, was completed in August.

The CH-1 kimberlite was discovered when a kimberlite outcrop within a circular magnetic anomaly selected from an airborne geophysical survey was identified.

More…


Success on Wabassi/Max property

Posted by AP on Thursday, 13 May, 2010

Northern Shield Resources Inc. The Wabassi and Max properties are located in northwestern Ontario, 60 km south of the Highbank Lake project and 100 km south of the Ring of Fire Ni-Cu-PGE and Chromite deposits. The properties are being explored for reef-hosted PGE and massive sulphide Ni-Cu-PGE deposits.

The Wabassi and Wabassi North properties were staked by Northern Shield Resources Inc. in 2007 based on the geophysical pattern observed on the magnetic survey published by the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) in the Fort Hope area, which suggests a layered intrusion. Now four mafic-ultramafic intrusions are known to exist within the two properties.

WABASSI LAYERED INTRUSION
This is a layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion composed of olivine-gabbronorites and norites in the upper (northern) portion. To date, very little exploration has been conducted on the southern portion but it is now believed to represent the lower, and most prospective, levels of the intrusion.

WABASSI LAYERED INTRUSION
This is a layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion composed of olivine-gabbronorites and norites in the upper (northern) portion. To date, very little exploration has been conducted on the southern portion but it is now believed to represent the lower, and most prospective, levels of the intrusion.

WABASSI NORTH INTRUSION
Other than one drill hole, no other exploration has been conducted to date on the Wabassi North Property. Drilling intersected a variety of gabbroic rocks which may, or may not be related to the main Wabassi layered intrusion or the Max peridotite intrusion. The geophysics suggest that this body may consist of composite phases of gabbroic and other mafic/ultramafic phases.

MAX PERIDOTITE INTRUSION
Five drill-holes were completed on this target by Northern Shield in 2007 as part of an option agreement to earn a 50% interest in the property. The body is composed mostly of peridotite (harzburgite) and comprises the most primitive rocks intersected to date within the two properties. The body has high background levels of Ni-Cu-PGE. Geophysics suggests a possible feeder conduit between the Max peridotite and Wabassi North gabbro.

GABBROIC INTRUSION
An intrusion in the southern portion of the Max property (see figure above) has been mapped by the OGS as a gabbroic body, but no exploration has taken place to date on this portion of the Property.

WABASSI LAYERED INTRUSION
The Wabassi intrusion is a well-layered mafic-ultramafic complex with similarities to the Stillwater Complex in Montana, where PGEs are mined from the J-M reef. Rock-types so far identified include, olivine gabbronorites, olivine norites and norites; these are all ideal lithologies in nickel and PGE bearing systems. The intrusion is being explored for Ni-Cu-PGE massive sulphides along the contacts and in feeders, and for disseminated mineralization hosted in “reefs”.

Based on geophysical interpretations and surface sampling, the Wabassi layered intrusion appears to be composed of two districts series, the Cyclic Series and the Layered Series.

Ongoing studies and interpretation of the Wabassi intrusion have isolated two layered sequences that will also be prospected for disseminated reef-type PGE mineralization and chromite. Disseminated mineralization and chromite are not usually detected by airborne EM surveys.

A VTEM survey completed over the Wabassi property has detected three distinct clusters of electromagnetic (EM) anomalies (WAbassi A, B & C.) The strength of the conductors range from moderate to very strong and correspond to magnetic highs. One of the clusters of VTEM anomalies can be traced intermittently along a magnetic feature that has strike length of 2000 meters. The location and geometry of this body suggests it may represent a feeder conduit into the main Wabassi Intrusion. Feeder conduits are ideal hosts for Ni-Cu-(PGE) mineralization. Fragments of nickel-bearing pyrrhotite and blebs of primary nickel-copper mineralization were observed in core from a drill-hole completed in 2008 adjacent to one of the VTEM conductors.

One of the VTEM anomalies at Wabassi.

May 2010.

At the A2 anomaly (see Wabassi Target map on Northern Shield’s website), drill-hole 10WA-07 intersected 2.25% zinc (Zn), 31.7 g/t silver (0.92 oz/ton) and 0.17% copper over 49.5 meters, including a higher grade section of 7.07% Zn over 7 meters. Three sample intervals from this drill-hole also contained over 100 g/t silver including a 0.7 meter interval grading
536 g/t silver (15.66 oz/ton) and three other intervals contained over 12% Zn. Drill-holes 10WA-05 and 06, targeting the A1 anomalies, intersected pyrrhotite-dominated massive, semi-massive and disseminated sulphides containing copper, silver, zinc and nickel mineralization. Eighty-five of the one hundred and thirty-four samples assayed from drill-hole 10WA-05 assayed greater than 5g/t silver. Drill-hole 10WA-07 intersected volcanic rocks and volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) zinc-silver-copper mineralization adjacent to the contact with the Wabassi Intrusive Complex. Drill-holes 10WA-04 to 10WA-06 intersected rock types predominantly consisting of mafic and ultramafic lithologies belonging to the Wabassi Intrusive Complex. Drill-hole 10WA-05 intersected pyrrhotite-dominated massive, semi-massive and net-textured sulphides with a chemical signature suggesting
that it may be a hybrid mixing of VMS and magmatic (nickel-copper) systems. Drill-hole10WA-06 intersected disseminated copper sulphide mineralization.
Ground and down-hole EM surveys have been running contemporaneously with the drill program to provide better resolution of the conductive bodies discovered from the airborne VTEM magnetic and electromagnetic survey. Preliminary results from the ground and down-hole pulse electromagnetic surveys suggest that drill-hole 10WA-07 (zincrich) apparently has only intersected the edge of the A2 anomaly and that this target may be more extensive than previously thought.
Michael Senn, Executive Vice President of Discovery Harbour comments: “From the instant we saw the compelling geophysical signatures from the Wabassi VTEM survey and the geological interpretation that was compiled by the Northern Shield technical staff during PDAC, Discovery Harbour was convinced of the strong probability of success in the drill testing of these exciting targets.

Oscar magnetite project in progress

Posted by AP on Thursday, 29 April, 2010

Apollo Minerals (Australia), an iron ore explorer and developer, has reported on exploration progress at its Mt Oscar Magnetite Project in the Pilbara Province of Western Australia, during the quarter.

An exploration target of 350 to 650 million tonnes grading 30% to 37% in situ iron was modelled for Apollo’s Mt Oscar Magnetite Project. Metallurgical tests demonstrated >60% iron concentrate grades are achievable.

In addition to undertaking initial metallurgical testwork and commencing a detailed geological mapping program at Mt Oscar, the volume/tonnage modelled from aeromagnetic data was upgraded in light of the better than expected apparent thicknesses of magnetite-bearing banded iron formation (BIF) encountered in recent drilling.

Exploration Target

Detailed forward and 3D magnetic models, generated in 2009 by independent geophysical consultants Southern Geoscience Consultants (SGC) from airborne magnetic data flown by Apollo over its Mt Oscar project area, have been revised to take account of the results of the company’s recently completed drilling program.

This modelling was undertaken to assist in the ongoing exploration of the project, and to refine estimates1 of volume/tonnage of the highly magnetic BIF.

The combined estimate over portions of Apollo’s licence (E47/1379 – Mt Oscar) and the recently acquired Mt Oscar East (E47/1304) is an exploration target1 of 350 million tonnes (“Mt”) to 650Mt of magnetite-bearing BIF, grading 31% to 37% iron in situ.

This modelling is based on interpretation and modelling of geophysical data, rock-chip sampling and the December 2009 RC drilling information from Mt Oscar, and geophysical data and rock-chip sampling at Mt Oscar East.

Float mapping at the Ibis Prospect confirmed the presence of near-surface magnetite-rich metasediments similar to those observed at Sequoia.
Interpretation of airborne and ground magnetic data acquired by earlier explorers indicates that the Ibis anomaly comprises a number of parallel bands of magnetic material, ranging in thickness from 20 m to 50 m, occurring discontinuously over a total strike length of 4 km.


Quantec Titan results in Nevada

Posted by AP on Monday, 26 April, 2010
Boxxer Gold Corp.  announces the results of the Quantec TITAN-24 DCIP/MT survey completed over its 100% owned Boss and Crystal Pass projects located in the Goodsprings Mining District, southwest Nevada. The identified targets combined with the previous exploration results suggest huge potential for the district.
Highlights
 Significant number of targets outlined, most targets open in two directions:
– Boss Extension: 15 targets outlined,
– Crystal Pass: 17 targets outlined;
 Diamond drill program planned to test recently identified targets.
Boxxer’s President and CEO, Elmer B. Stewart, explained, “The results from the Quantec Survey are the single most significant set of data generated from our Boss and Crystal Pass projects in the last 18 months. The number of new targets has moved Boxxer a major step closer to proving the porphyry potential for this district. The large TITAN-24 DCIP and MT
targets coincide with previously identified zones that display conductivity at depth, interpreted intrusives and mineralized skarn, all resulting in the generation of numerous very high quality diamond drilling targets at Boss and Crystal Pass. We are encouraged by the dimensions of the chargeability and resistivity responses in the new target areas interpreted to contain
porphyry copper style mineralization as this is consistent with the porphyry copper model being used by Boxxer to explore the Goodsprings Mining District.”
A total of three high priority targets (high chargeability and conductivity), six moderately-high priority targets (high chargeability and moderate conductivity), 15 moderate priority (high chargeability and resistivity), six moderate-low priority targets (shallow or deep conductivity) and two low priority targets were located over the Boss and Crystal Pass areas. Please see press release dated March 16, 2010, for the parameters of the Quantec Survey.

Results of the 2D inversion of the IP using Null reference data along line L1 (on the top)

Results of the 2D inversion of the MT data along line L1 Boss area (on the bottom)


Chilean GEODATOS has finished the TEM survey for lithium

Posted by AP on Saturday, 20 March, 2010

Salares Lithium Inc. reports the results of the first phase of a transient electromagnetic survey (“TEM”) completed on the northern portion of the Salar de la Isla. This salar is part of the Company’s Salares 7 project in Region III, Chile. The TEM survey was carried out by Geodatos SAIC (“Geodatos”) of Santiago, Chile, and was designed to define the size and extent of the brine pool within the salar. The majority of the world’s lithium production comes from salars, or salt lakes, where prospective lithium mineralization is generally hosted in brine horizons.
Salar de la Isla, which encompasses a total of 16,500 hectares, is approximately 15 kilometres (“km”) long and 6 km wide on average. The northern area surveyed and studied comprises approximately 10,750 hectares, which is approximately 65% of the areal extent of the salar. Using the results obtained from the 38.5 line km survey, Geodatos has constructed a three dimensional model of the distribution of the interpreted brine bearing horizon. Using a resistivity cut-off of 1 ohm/metre (interpreted by Geodatos as definite brine), Geodatos has calculated the brine bearing horizon within the northern portion of the salar to have a volume of 2.459 billion kilolitres (kilolitres are equivalent to cubic metres). Using a resistivity cut-off of 2 ohm/metres (interpreted by Geodatos as possible brines) the calculated volume of this horizon increases to 5.393 billion kilolitres.

A gravity survey is being initiated on Salar de la Isla as the TEM survey was unable to penetrate to the base of the salar which indicates that the salar has a depth in excess of 200 metres. There is potential for additional brine bearing horizons beyond where the TEM was able to penetrate to.

“We are excited about the volume calculation identified by Geodatos and the fact that it only accounts for the northern portion of one of the Company’s seven salars. The experience Geodatos represents regarding the TEM survey and the relationship of the correlation of 1 ohm/metre as definite brine with potential of brine up to 2 ohm/metre, is encouraging. The Company will now be required to drill/sample the extensive interpreted brine horizons before a porosity value and a resource calculation can be established”, commented Todd Hilditch, CEO of the Company.

The Company intends to complete an additional 13 kms of TEM survey lines on the southern portion of the salar to enable the entire salar to be modelled in a similar fashion. Further, some of the existing lines will be extended to completely investigate the lateral extent of the interpreted brine bearing horizon. In order to fast track the exploration program on the remaining six salars, the Company has instructed Geodatos to double the size of the geophysical crew.

The TEM survey lines for Las Parinas were extended beyond the boundaries of the salar on to areas covered by alluvial and / or volcanic material. The survey identified a continuous brine bearing horizon that extended up to 2.5 kms from the salar edge and underneath the adjacent rocks. The three survey lines averaged approximately 9 kms long each.

Using the results obtained from the 26.5 line km survey, Geodatos has constructed a three dimensional model of the distribution of the interpreted brine bearing horizon. This horizon extends from surface to a depth of 170 metres.

Using a resistivity cut-off of 1 ohm/metre (interpreted by Geodatos as probable brine), Geodatos has calculated the brine bearing horizon within the surveyed portion of the las Parinas to have a volume of 1.177 billion cubic metres. Using a resistivity cut-off of 2 ohm/metres (interpreted by Geodatos as possible brines) the calculated volume of this horizon increases to 4.009 billion cubic metres.

Management is very encouraged by these initial geophysical results and intends to commence the brine sampling program as soon as the relevant equipment can be secured and moved on-site. Results from additional TEM and gravity surveys will be released as interpreted and received from Geodatos.


Pigeon River – the new geophysically promising area

Posted by AP on Sunday, 14 March, 2010

In January 2009, Pele Mountain announced the staking of more than 1,000 mining claim units totaling approximately 18,750 hectares in the Pigeon River area of Northwest Ontario, about 80 kilometres west of Thunder Bay. The 100-percent owned property covers very large unexplored magnetic targets with potential to host nickel (“Ni”), copper (“Cu”), and platinum group elements (“PGE”) mineralization.

The property lies in the Proterozoic Superior Mid Continent Rift, a geological setting with proven potential to host mafic-ultramafic igneous systems associated with the rifting of the Archean cratons.  Pele’s exploration target at Pigeon River is a massive sulphide deposit similar to recently discovered magmatic sulphide deposits hosted in an ultramafic body or conduit, such as Kennecott`s Ni/Cu/PGE deposits at Eagle (in Michigan) and Tamarac (in Minnesota) and Magma Metals’ PGE deposit northeast of Thunder Bay.

Pele Mountain Resources Inc. March 5, 2010  announced the completion of a 1,015 line-kilometre Versatile Time-Domain ElectroMagnetic (“VTEM”) airborne survey over its Pigeon River property in the Thunder Bay area of Northern Ontario. Pele has staked more than 500 additional mining claim units since introducing the project in January and its total land package now exceeds 24,000 hectares (240 km2). Pele President and CEO Al Shefsky stated, “Our property is ideally situated in the Mid Continent Rift, near the basal contact of the Duluth Complex. The survey shows magnetic and conductive trends with similarities to known Ni/Cu/PGE deposits in similar geological settings. We are particularly encouraged by the correlation of conductivity with a known, anomalous, Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) Ni/Cu lake sediment sample. These results have increased our confidence in the potential of the Pigeon River property and we will prioritize exploration in this area in the months ahead.”
The VTEM survey was flown over the Pigeon River East Block by Geotech Ltd. of Aurora, Ontario. The survey has defined linear magnetic features with the potential for mafic/ultramafic conduit systems and feeder dykes into larger mafic/ultramafic intrusions. Preliminary analysis by the geophysical contractor indicates the presence of a number of, possible sulphide-related conductors, coincident with conduit-type magnetic features and other, larger, conductive anomalies with similarities to known mineralized layered mafic/ultramafic complexes. Conductive zones, possibly sulphide-related, are also found in the vicinity of a GSC lake sediment anomaly which gave anomalous values of 234 parts per million (ppm) Ni and 298 ppm Cu. Geotech has identified several high-priority, drill-ready, targets from the survey. Other priority targets require further definition through prospecting and follow-up geophysical surveys, which are planned after spring breakup. The targets are generally till or swamp covered and no previous prospecting, mapping, or geophysical surveys, other than an airborne magnetic survey flown by the GSC in 1964, are known.

HudBay Minerals wins award for pushing deep hole geophysics technology that led to discovery

Posted by AP on Tuesday, 9 March, 2010
HudBay Minerals Inc.’s geophysics team, led by Alan Vowles, and its exploration team, headed by Kelly Gilmore, has presented with the Bill Dennis Award for a Canadian discovery by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). The award recognizes the company for its Lalor zinc discovery near Snow Lake, Manitoba, and presented on March 2, during the PDAC’s annual convention in Toronto.

The Lalor deposit was discovered in March 2007. The deposit is located in the Chisel Basin portion of the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt and is believed to be the largest VMS deposit found in this region to date.

Zinc rich base metal zone: Mineralization occurs in six separate stacked lenses of zinc rich polymetallic near solid to solid sulphide mineralization approximately 570 meters to 1,170 meters below surface. In October 2009 an Indicated Resource of 12.3MT 1.6 g/t Au, 24.2 g/t Ag, 0.66% Cu, 8.70% Zn, and an Inferred Resource of 5.0MT 1.4 g/t Au, 25.5 g/t Ag, 0.57% Cu, 9.39% Zn were disclosed.

Gold zone: Low sulphide precious metal intersections associated with chalcopyrite and galena. In January 2009, HudBay reported the discovery of a new gold zone with the potential to have principal credits derived from gold mining and on October 8, 2009 announced a conceptual estimate of a potential gold zone, interpreted as five discrete mineralized lenses that can contact the near solid sulphide zinc rich mineralization.

Copper-Gold zone: Disseminated to near solid chalcopyrite with lesser pyrrhotite and minor pyrite, sphalerite and galena located to the north of Gold zone 27 at approximately 15 to 20 degrees down plunge and at vertical depths of between 1,200 and 1,300 meters.

For more details on the Lalor deposit, including the resource estimate for the zinc-rich base metals zone and the conceptual estimate of the potential Gold zone, please refer to the NI 43-101 compliant technical report for Lalor dated October 8, 2009 and the company’s September 22, 2009, October 8, 2009 and December 17, 2009 news releases, available at www.SEDAR.com.

The Lalor deposit is approximately 15 kilometers from HudBay’s concentrator in Snow Lake, Manitoba, an area that is a significant past producer of gold. The ongoing evaluation, exploration and development of the Lalor deposit is a primary focus for the company, as the Lalor deposit could be of significant financial benefit to HudBay and support substantial long term activity in the Snow Lake area.


EM geophysics on VMS Vetures Inc. projects in Manitoba

Posted by AP on Monday, 22 February, 2010

The RN-10-05 hole, targeting an airborne geophysical survey (VTEM) anomaly, has been started, with an anticipated hole length of 500 m. These holes are testing targets in the Magoo Lake area, located approximately 1.5 km northwest of the Discovery Zone. Five additional holes ranging in depth between 325 m and 700 m are planned and will target VTEM, DeepEM surface survey and Borehole Pulse EM geophysical survey anomalies. Total drilling anticipated in this program is estimated to be 3,000 m.

Hole RN-10-10 will target a large conductive modeled plate near the recently completed drilling on the Tower Zone, and is planned to be 700 m in length. Company geologists have recognized the potential extension of the Discovery Zone rhyolite in this area. This target will be drilled later in the program, as it can be drilled from ground that is accessible all year round.

Deep penetrating ground geophysical surveys have identified new conductive targets northeast and along strike of the Tower Zone over a strike length of approximately 1 km. These are untested anomalies and deeper than any previously drilled in the northeast Tower area. Three holes, each testing a new anomaly, will be drilled. Anomalies have been modeled below 300 m from surface. Hole RN-10-09 will test the deepest target in the area and has a planned length of 700 m.

drill holes RN-10-07 and RN-10-08 will test geophysical conductors located in the vicinity of an historical drill hole which reported multiple intervals of disseminated, stringer and near solid to solid sulphide, with anomalous copper, zinc and silver values in altered volcanic rock. Reprocessed historical geophysical survey data, including bore hole survey data, has been merged with VMS VTEM airborne survey data and more recent ground deep EM survey results.

These three drill targets, located on mining claim P6805E, are spatially associated with the Company’s recent surface pulse electromagnetic survey that outlined several highly conductive plates directly associated with, or flanking, a magnetic response.

A VTEM anomaly with a coincident magnetic high defined on mining claim P5643E will also be drilled. It is located approximately 2 km east-northeast of the Phase 1 Tower Zone drilling area.  This target has a lateral extent of over 700 m and based on modeling of electromagnetic data is suggestive of stacked conductive zones. Historical drilling results in the area have reported strongly altered volcanic rock and sulphide mineralization with anomalous copper and zinc. The geological setting of these conductors is interpreted to be very favorable for hosting base metal massive sulphide-type deposits of the Flin Flon-Snow Lake belt.

Drilling on mining claim P1019F will target two separate VTEM anomalies near Magoo Lake.  Historical work completed by Noranda Exploration in this region outlined highly anomalous copper and zinc values in a highly chlorite-altered volcanic host rock. This geological setting is also favorable for the formation of base metal massive sulphide mineralization and two holes are planned to test the targets.