Posts Tagged gold

Airborne EM for VMS on ARMSTRONG BROOK PROJECT, NEW BRUNSWICK

Posted by AP on Friday, 31 May, 2013
The 2013 exploration program on the Armstrong Brook project commenced in early May. Highlights include the discovery of additional clusters of high-grade massive sulphide boulders in multiple locations (namely VMS Valley 4 & 5) and the completion of an airborne geophysical survey (VTEM) that identified intriguing anomalies in the vicinity of the primary boulder clusters.
The Armstrong Brook project comprises a number of high-grade polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) prospects located in the Bathurst Mining Camp of northeastern New Brunswick, situated approximately 15 kilometres northwest of the Brunswick No. 12 Zn-Pb-Ag-Au deposit. Brunswick No. 12 is one of the world’s premier VMS deposits, having produced zinc, lead, silver and gold over a mine life of some 60 years.
VMS Valley 4:
The new discoveries at VMS Valley 4 occur as 2 boulder clusters located approximately 300 metres apart. Samples from the first cluster (AR13-0007-1 and 2) and the second cluster (AR13-0008-1 through 6), have returned high-grade mineralization with combined zinc+lead average assays of 13.68% and 10.33%, respectively, with impressive precious-metals as high as 459 grams per tonne silver and 1.07 grams per tonne gold. Complete assay results from the new boulder discoveries .
VMS Valley 5:
Additional prospecting has been completed in the vicinity of a recently discovered cluster of boulders located in the northwestern portion of the property. This work resulted in the discovery of 5 massive sulphide boulders in the vicinity of a discovery reported earlier in 2013, that yielded high-grade results with assays of up to 13.07% Zn, 6.07% Pb, 0.76% Cu, 251 g/t Ag and 0.66 g/t Au (see Wolfden news release dated March 20, 2013). These discoveries occur over an intermittent strike length of close to 700 metres and occur coincident to a significant geophysical anomaly that was identified in the recently completed VTEM airborne geophysical survey.
Assays remain pending for the new massive boulders from VMS Valley 5.
Preliminary results obtained from the VTEM survey indicate that the massive sulphide boulders are intimately associated with the eastern margin of a strong electromagnetic anomaly (EM conductor). This hook-shaped conductor attains a strike length of approximately 2 kilometres (see Image 1). Additionally, the cluster of massive sulphide boulders at VMS Valley 5 is centred within a broad circular-shaped magnetic high (total magnetic intensity) that has a radius of approximately 2.5 kilometres (see Image 2). Clearly, this anomaly requires detailed follow-up in the way of ground geophysical surveys prior to diamond drilling.

The 2013 exploration program on the Armstrong Brook project commenced in early May. Highlights include the discovery of additional clusters of high-grade massive sulphide boulders in multiple locations (namely VMS Valley 4 & 5) and the completion of an airborne geophysical survey (VTEM) that identified intriguing anomalies in the vicinity of the primary boulder clusters.The Armstrong Brook project comprises a number of high-grade polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) prospects located in the Bathurst Mining Camp of northeastern New Brunswick, situated approximately 15 kilometres northwest of the Brunswick No. 12 Zn-Pb-Ag-Au deposit. Brunswick No. 12 is one of the world’s premier VMS deposits, having produced zinc, lead, silver and gold over a mine life of some 60 years.


The results of the EM/Magnetic airborne survey over the Borden Lake Extension

Posted by AP on Wednesday, 29 May, 2013

Nikos Explorations Ltd. announces the results of the high-resolution VTEM (Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic System) and magnetic airborne survey recently completed over the Borden Lake Extension by Geotech Ltd. A total of 391 line kilometers were flown to cover the Property. The VTEM and magnetic surveys were completed in order to identify electromagnetic and magnetic anomalies that may be associated with gold mineralization and to help in the geological interpretation of this underexplored area.

Results of the surveys indicate electromagnetic and/or magnetic anomalies in four areas of interest (see map at http://nikosexplorations.com/projects/borden_lake/) described below in order of priority for follow up:

1. Several magnetic lineaments, one of which is interpreted to be a fault, intersect near the boundaries of claims 4260529 and 4260530. Such lineaments can reflect structures that are known to be important in the transport of gold-rich fluids. A north-east south-west lineament, apparent on a shaded relief map of the region, also crosses the Nikos claims in this area giving further reason for follow up.

2. Cross cutting NNW-SSE and NE-SW trending positive magnetic anomalies in claim 4259808 may represent major structures. There are also coincident weak electromagnetic anomalies that could indicate the presence of sulphide.

3. Similar cross-cutting magnetic anomalies and electromagnetic anomalies seven to eight hundred metres east of 2, but not as strong.

4. This area in the east of the property is characterised by a small positive magnetic anomaly with a coincident electromagnetic anomaly.

Nikos is planning a follow up program of mapping, sampling and prospecting to investigate the cause of the anomalies.

The Borden Lake Extension Project is located near the town of Chapleau, Ontario in an area of good infrastructure including road, rail and power. It covers an area of 1,598 hectares immediately east of Probe Mine’s Borden Lake gold property where recent exploration has defined pit constrained indicated resources of 3,686,000 ounces of gold (112.8 M tonnes grading 1.02g/t gold) and inferred resources of 625,000 ounces of gold (18.04 M tonnes grading 1.08g/t gold) at a 0.5g/t cutoff grade. This is the first discovery of significant gold in the Kapuskasing Structural Zone.

The Borden Lake Extension property covers Archean aged metamorphic rocks in an underexplored portion of the Kapuskasing Structural Zone.

Nikos is planning an airbourne geophysical survey using VTEM (versatile time domain electromagnetics) and magnetics to explore for Borden Lake type gold mineralization. Gold at Borden Lake is associated with a continuous zone of disseminated sulphide (pyrite and pyrrhotite) mineralization that gives rise to electromagnetic anomalies. The airbourne survey is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2013.


Airborne EM and down-hole gravity for gold intersection in NW Ontario

Posted by AP on Thursday, 16 May, 2013

Northern Shield Resources Inc. announces the intersection of significant visible gold during the first phase of a 3,000 metre drilling program being carried out this spring at the Wabassi VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) project located in northwestern Ontario. The Wabassi project is being explored under a 49/51 JV with Discovery Harbor Resource Corp.

In the process of drill testing Anomaly “N” (a high priority VTEM conductor defining a massive sulfide target), a quartz-carbonate alteration zone with a veinlet of visible gold was intersected from 98.8 to 98.95 metres in drill-hole 13WA-33. The 0.15 metre sample assayed 2,530 g/t Au (73.8 ounces/ton). A second interval assayed 5.86 g/t Au over 1.1 metre from 100 to 101.1 meters. The auriferous zone appears to be related to an intermediate intrusive dike or sill and occurs at the contact of this intrusive and the altered mafic volcanic rocks. Photos of the core containing the gold veinlet can be seen on Northern Shield’s website at www.northern-shield.com.

This intersection of gold is the fourth gold discovery that has been made to date within the Wabassi-Tempest properties and the second to contain visible gold. Globally, gold mineralization is present in a majority of VMS districts.

In total, four drill holes were completed in the first phase of the program, which was aiming at testing three VTEM targets (K, M and N). No other significant mineralization was identified nor was anything intersected to explain the VTEM anomalies.

A down-hole gravity survey (Gravilog) was also recently completed by Abitibi Geophysics at Anomaly E. The results from the survey show dense masses in the subsurface that are coincident with and ‘off hole’ from drill intercepts where strong zinc-copper-silver mineralization is present. The upcoming drill program will include the testing of these newly defined targets at Anomaly E, including tests to determine whether the modeled shallow mineralization is present as well as the mineralization modeled at depth. Sketches representing 3D models of the gravity survey results are posted on Northern Shield’s website.

The second phase of drilling is planned to resume immediately after the spring breakup period, likely at the end of May, 2013. Much of the second phase will be focused on continuing to define the copper-zinc-silver-gold mineralization at “E.” This includes several gravity anomalies, which support previous geophysical interpretation that the mineralization extends at depth. Additional drilling will also be planned to test this exciting new gold discovery at “N”.

The Wabassi project is being overseen by Christine Vaillancourt, Chief Geologist for Northern Shield and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. The drilling was conducted by Vital Drilling Ltd. of Sudbury, Ontario. Samples were analyzed by ALS Minerals laboratories in Vancouver, BC for Au by fire assay with ICP-AES finish and base metals by four acid digestion and ICP-AES. Ore grade gold was analyzed with ALS’s Au-GRA21 method, a fire assay with gravimetric finish. Down-hole gravity was completed by Abitibi Geophysics Ltd. of Val d’Or, Quebec.

Northern Shield is an innovative, results-driven Canadian company focused on Platinum Group Element (PGE) and nickel-copper-(PGE) exploration in Canada and Greenland and copper-zinc-silver exploration on its Wabassi and Storm properties in northern Ontario. Its mission is to create a successful mineral exploration company through technical excellence and efficient management, where success is measured by the identification and development of high-quality mineral exploration projects, which may ultimately be optioned, sold or developed for maximum return on investment.


Airborne and ground geophysics on Swayze Gold Property

Posted by AP on Thursday, 14 March, 2013

GoldON Resources begins 2013 Exploration on Swayze Gold Property in Ontario’s Abitibi Greenstone Belt – Video Summary on www.investmentpitch.com

Based on interpretation of airborne geophysical data, GoldON Resources’ independent geological consultant has identified a priority area for the next phase of exploration on the company’s 100% owned Swayze Gold Property.

The 6,640 hectare Swayze Project, comprised of three non-contiguous claim blocks, is located half way between Timmins and Sudbury, Ontario in the Swayze greenstone belt, which is the southwestern extension of the Abitibi greenstone belt. These properties either adjoin or are surrounded by Iamgold’s multi-million ounce Cote Gold Project. Iamgold is GoldON’s largest shareholder, holding two million or approximately 10% of the outstanding shares.

The geological interpretation focused on the 6,000 hectare Neville Potier claim block, and while there were several areas that show good promise in terms of geology and structure, one area reportedly stood out above the rest as shown on the Aeromag map. Of particular significance is a major magnetic low that includes the historical Chester gold operations and the Côté Gold deposit and extends north into GoldON’s Neville Potier claims. This geophysical feature could be indicative of a major alteration system

Previous drilling on the Chester property encountered anomalous gold and similar alteration and fracturing as found at the Côté Gold deposit less than 1 kilometre to the south.

Access to the priority area of the Neville Potier claims is excellent year round with a paved road through the middle of the claims.

The company is arranging an equity financing to further fund the next phase of exploration on this property and Iamgold has expressed an interest in participating.

Line cutting and an IP /resistivity geophysical survey will commence shortly. The results of this survey will be used to identify the highest priority drill targets.


New Airborne and Ground Geophysical Surveys on Detour Gold Trend Properties

Posted by AP on Friday, 1 March, 2013

Adventure Gold Inc. announces the commencement of a significant exploration program on its 100%-owned Detour Quebec project along the Detour Gold Trend (“DGT”) in Abitibi, Quebec. The exploration program will consist of airborne and ground geophysical surveys on the best targets identified last year following a comprehensive geological modeling of the DGT. A helicopter-borne electromagnetic VTEM-type survey (VTEM) totalling 575 km, 400 km of detailed ground magnetic surveys and 30 km of Induced Polarization (IP) surveys are currently underway or will start soon.

Since last year, the Company has been actively exploring its Detour Quebec properties by completing 103 kilometres of IP surveys, 365 kilometres of detailed ground magnetic surveys, and 912 kilometres of high-definition helicopter-borne magnetic surveys. This work has highlighted new and very promising drilling targets by identifying IP anomalies close to strong gold anomalies in till, along strike from positive gold results intersected by historical drill holes. Geological modeling outlined nine possible distinct bedrock source areas along the Sunday Lake, Massicotte, and Lower Detour/Grasset gold deformation zones on our properties. Three possible bedrock source areas were covered by geophysical surveys (IP and Mag) in 2012 and nine new ground geophysical surveys will be completed over the other areas this year (see Figure 1 and press release dated November 14, 2012).

On the two northernmost claim blocks (Manthet and Martigny) respectively located 15 and 25 kilometres from the Detour Lake mine, adjacent and close to the Ontario border, two VTEM surveys totalling 575 km will be completed. Historically, very little exploration work has been completed on these claims and limited drilling in one area outlined VMS-style gold, zinc and copper mineralization. This geological environment shows some similarities with the Martiniere project located further east, where Balmoral Resources Ltd is actively exploring the Martiniere West, Bug Lake, and Martiniere East zones. In this emerging gold play, very high-grade drill intersections were recently reported, namely 273.0 g/t Au over 3.9 metres and 11.7 g/t Au over 8.9 metres (see Balmoral Resources Ltd press releases dated August 16, 2012 and January 28, 2013). The VTEM-type survey is known for its exceptional depth penetration and provides a more accurate definition of electromagnetic anomalies than conventional systems. At the Detour Lake mine, the original discovery of the main zone is directly credited to the presence of an airborne electromagnetic anomaly detected during an Input-type survey in 1974. On the Manthet and Martigny claim blocks, new east-west and northwest trends outlined last year and interpreted as subsidiary faults of the Sunday Lake deformation zone will be covered by the VTEM survey.

“Following recent successes in identifying quality drilling targets, firstly by outlining the best areas using our comprehensive geological model and secondly by performing detailed geophysical surveys, we have great expectations for the 2013 geophysical surveys, which will be mainly conducted over new claims acquired in April 2012. Once this work has been completed, we will plan a substantial drilling program scheduled to start next winter”, stated Marco Gagnon, President and CEO of Adventure Gold Inc.

The Detour Quebec project includes nine properties, 100%-owned by the Company, totalling 747 claims and covering a surface area of 40,397 hectares or 404 km2. The Detour Quebec properties are strategically located along the DGT over 80 km strike length and encompass three major proven gold structures, namely the Sunday Lake, Massicotte, and Lower Detour/Grasset deformation zones. The DGT hosts the Detour Lake gold deposit with NI 43-101 proven and probable reserves of 15.6 M ounces of gold (from global measured and indicated resources of 23.3 M ounces and inferred resources of 5.8 M ounces: see Detour Gold Corporation press release dated January 25, 2012). Adventure Gold’s Detour Quebec properties are adjacent to Detour Gold Corporation properties located on the Ontario border.

For more information on the Detour Quebec properties, please see Figure 1 and visit our website at www.adventure-gold.com:

http://www.adventure-gold.com/common/documents/Detour_Figure1_Travaux2013_26fevrier2013.pdf

Jules Riopel, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration and Acquisitions, acting as the Company’s “Qualified Person” as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed this press release and supervised the exploration program on the Detour Quebec properties.


Induced Polarization Survey on Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Northwestern Quebec

Posted by AP on Thursday, 10 January, 2013

Belmont Resources Inc. updates the progress on the Berthiaume (the “Be”) property.

Geosig Inc. of Quebec completed approx. 46.2 km. of induced polarization (TDIP) geophysical survey with a dipole-dipole electrode configuration on the three areas line cut, and as recommended in the NI 43-101 Report to establish the potential of the structural features of the property. A provision for drilling has been budgeted to test the IP anomalies from the IP survey interpretation, which is expected in a couple of weeks.

The Be Property is located halfway between the towns of Matagami and Lebel-sur-Quevillon, located in the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt of northwestern Quebec. It consists of two designated claim blocks of eight claims covering 447.84 ha (West Block) and 23 claims covering 1,287.56 ha (East Block).

Regional and local geology

The Berthiaume property is located in the Harricana-Turgeon Belt, an Archean volcano-sedimentary and plutonic rocks assemblage that constitutes the northern part of the Abitibi sub-province, Superior Province (Hocq, M. DV 89-04). Volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Berthiaume area (Joly, M., MB 93-13) occur as a homoclinal sequence striking east-west, dipping steeply to the north with a polarity also to the north. From bottom to the top (from south to north), the belt starts by massive to pillowed mafic volcanites known as the southern volcanites. These are surmounted by a thick sequence of clastic sediments and iron formations that belong to the Taïbi Group. Farther north lies a thick bimodal sequence of felsic lavas and pillowed, vesicular and porphyric mafic lavas. These are referred as the northern volcanites. The north and south borders of the Harricana-Turgeon Belt are composed of large felsic, mafic and ultramafic intrusive bodies. One of these is the Bell River anorthositic complex, which covers the northern part of Berthiaume Township. The metamorphic equivalents of the lavas and sediments are observed along the borders of the
intrusions as amphibolites (metavolcanites) and biotite-quartz schists (metasediments). NNE striking diabase dykes of kilometric extension constitute the younger geological unit as they cut all the other formations.
A penetrative E-W and sub-vertical schistosity is observed everywhere. The most extensive structures are E-W shear zones, followed by NE to NS striking faults.
The only mineralization reported on this property consists of massive pyrite and pyrrhotite horizons containing sphalerite and chalcopyrite locally in quantities ranging from trace to a few percent. In Umex drill holes, in the northeast part of the East Block, such mineralization was hosted by various graphitic rocks including argillites, breccias and conglomerates. As mentioned previously, highly-oxidized outcrops containing up to 70% pyrite and pyrrhotite with low values in Cu and Zn were also found in the same area during geological mapping by Falconbridge.

Details..pdf

Joutel Property – Exploration Planning

The Company will also be considering recommended line cutting and IP work next on its Joutel Township optioned property. Significant activity has been announced recently by other exploration companies in the Joutel area such as: Bold Ventures Inc. (“BOL”)-December 7/12 nr; Visible Gold Mines (“VGD”)-December 4/12 phase 2 drilling nr; and Globex Mining (“GMX”)-November 5/12 nr announcing recent acquisition of 100% interest in the former Joutel copper mine (copper, zinc, silver) where Globex already has landholdings that include the 100% owned Eagle gold (gold, silver) and Poirier mines (copper, zinc, silver, gold), and a large package of prospective claims with excellent exploration potential.


Airborne Magnetic/VLF-EM Survey on the Big Easy Gold/Silver Property, Eastern NL

Posted by AP on Thursday, 3 January, 2013

Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

Highlights

  • Sinuous magnetic low, possibly tracing the alteration zone, joins the Big Easy and ET zones, 3.5 km apart

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. reports on the final results of the high resolution, magnetic / VLF-EM survey and check sample results for diamond drilling carried out on the road-accessible, Big Easy gold/silver prospect in eastern Newfoundland. The Big Easy (BE) prospect is an extensive, altered (silicified) system that covers an area of approximately 1.7 km by up to 300 m wide which was drilled in 2011 and 2012, giving significant gold (Au) and silver (Ag) values in several holes (news releases August 16, 2012 and June 7, 2011) defining a low sulphidation epithermal Au/Ag system. The less explored ET zone, 3.5 km to the south of BE, was discovered by prospecting in the south central part of the property in June 2011 and has recently been extended to a minimum 400 m strike length.

High Resolution Magnetic/VLF-EM Survey

The 349 line km survey covered the entire property at 70 m terrain clearance and nominal 300 m line spacing, with 200 m line spacing over the known mineralization at the BE and ET zones. The results show magnetic lows, most likely representing the alteration coincident with the mineralized zones at both the BE and ET zones. These two established zones are joined by a sinuous magnetic low, which may represent alteration/mineralization linking the two known zones. The overall sinuous nature of the magnetic low is believed to be related to crosscutting faults, which may offset the alteration system as shown by magnetic highs representing mafic dikes emplaced along ENE and NW trending structures. The VLF-EM survey shows the ENE and NW trends as conductive zones, most likely representing water filled shear systems. The airborne data will be incorporated in the database for the area to plan for further exploration in 2013.

“The significance of the probable continuation of the alteration/mineralization over the 5 km plus strike length from the Big Easy to the ET zone is that the trend is becoming more defined as we continue exploration along the strong, extensive, mineralized alteration zone – which has only been tested by 12 drill holes over 1.2 km at the Big Easy itself, in the northern part of the property,” says Peter Dimmell, President and CEO of Silver Spruce Resources. “The Big Easy-ET trend is intensely altered with strong silicification and the strength of the system, coupled with the results from the early stage drilling at Big Easy, indicates that we have the potential for a large deposit that could be of interest to a major gold/silver producer.”

Diamond Drill Hole Check Analyses

Results have been received for the area of questionable results in Au only, noted in the first check sample analyses received (news release October 18, 2012). This “gold anomalous” area had been flagged in the original results as an outlier, as it gave only low Ag values in comparison to most of the other significant Au/Ag zones which were duplicated, although with “nugget-type” effects in the check sampling. Two check samples from section 101 to 112.25 m in DDH BE-12-10 gave values of 28 and 64 ppb Au, in comparison to the two original samples which gave values >1 g/T and the overall section from 101 to 112.25 m (11.3 m), giving 0.8 g/T Au and 3.8 g/T Ag. Subsequently, the rest of the rejected samples from this section were re-analyzed as check samples at a second laboratory, with similar results as the first set of check samples. The pulps from these re-analyses were then re-assayed at the original laboratory, where they found similar results indicating only background Au values throughout the section in question. None of the high Au values were duplicated and assays generally gave near background values (<70 ppb Au), indicating a problem in the Au analysis at the original laboratory. Interestingly, the highest check sample Au value was 150 ppb Au in the sample from 111.5-112.25 m, which gave 2279 ppb in the original analyses. The Ag values were 7.4 and 8 ppm respectively in this sample interval, the highest Ag values in this section and generally reflective of Au/Ag association throughout the Big Easy core sampling. The originating laboratory is still trying to determine how the spurious results occurred; however, to date no explanation has been brought forward.


Results from Induced Polarization (IP) Survey in the Dominican Republic

Posted by AP on Thursday, 20 December, 2012

GoldQuest presents the initial data from an extensive IP survey and a summary of the 2012 drilling at Las Tres Palmas project, in the Dominican Republic, which includes the Romero and Escandalosa discoveries. The company has ordered a fourth drill rig, capable of reaching 700 metres, which will be mobilized in January 2013 to drill new targets. Assays from the remaining 9 holes drilled at Romero in late 2012 will be released in January 2013.

The Company is currently undertaking an IP survey covering the complete Las Tres Palmas trend and outlying areas in the Company’s extensive land position, including Los Comios, Romero West, and Jengibre. This survey, conducted by Insight Geophysics, will investigate to a depth of approximately 500 metres, which is almost twice the depth of the 2011 IP survey that identified the Romero mineralization. Initial results of the current survey at Romero and north of La Escandalosa have identified deeper chargeability anomalies, where higher readings appear to correlate with sulphide mineralization (http://goldquestcorp.com/images/romero_map_new_insight_ip_lines.jpg).

“The 2011 IP program which led to the Romero discovery identified the overall trend, and the new, deeper penetrating IP shows strong correlation with the high grade copper/gold intersections and provides further guidance about the geometry of the targets,” commented Julio Espaillat, GoldQuest’s President and CEO. “Drilling in the new year will continue at Romero, which remains open at depth and along strike, and will test new targets around the Las Tres Palmas Trend.”

The IP survey at Romero, which is located in the most northerly lobe to date of the Las Tres Palmas trend, displays enhanced detail of resistivity and chargeability anomalies, allowing the Company to refine their planned drilling targets, and to gain a greater understanding of the mineralization style and attitude of controls on emplacement of gold, copper and other metals (seehttp://goldquestcorp.com/images/romero_200w.jpg). The East-West mineralized trend in the northern part of the Romero chargeability anomaly, identified in 2012 by drilling, is visible in this survey, and appears to shows a strong vertical element, strengthening at depth. The Company intends to undertake further drilling in January to test the high chargeability occurrences with three diamond drill rigs, closely followed by testing further refined IP targets as they are generated.

Several IP survey lines have been completed directly north of La Escandalosa outcropping gold occurrence, 2 kilometres south of the Romero discovery, where the company reported a NI 43-101 compliant inferred resource of 3.1 million tonnes grading 3.14 g/t gold (see release of Aug 20th, 2012). The first IP survey lines show a strong chargeability anomaly and La Escandalosa mineralized horizon dips towards this untested anomaly which is open at depth and to the north (see http://goldquestcorp.com/images/escandalosa_IS100N-IP-UTM.jpg). Drilling will commence here with a deep rig, slated to arrive in the Dominican Republic in late January.

The San Juan project was discovered by GoldQuest geologists during the Gold Fields-funded regional exploration programme in an area believed to have no previous history of mining or exploration. The project occurs in the Cretaceous Tireo Formation which comprises of a mixed volcanic package dominated by lavas and volcanoclastics.


Electrical Resistivity Tomography for placer gold deposit in Quebec

Posted by AP on Wednesday, 19 December, 2012

Uragold Bay Resources Inc. announces that the INRS (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique) will be conducting a Syscal-Pro electrical resistivity tomographic survey and a Promis-10 electromagnetic FDEM survey on the Rang Chaussegros claims of UBR Beauce Gold property located in the municipality of Saint-Simon-les-Mines in the Beauce region of southern Quebec.

The INRS team, led by Dr. Marc Richer-LaFlèche, Ph.D (Geo) will perform a geophysical program that will include geoelectrical tomographic and frequency domain electromagnetic surveys. The geoelectrical tomographic survey will generate high resolution cross section images of the Quaternary overburden and the volcano-sedimentary layering of the bedrock formations of the Beauce Property. The result of the geoelectrical tomography will be correlated with Uragold’s sonic and other historical drilling data, in order to provide a 3D model of the placer gold channel composed of saprolite and brown basal till.

The aim of the program is to enable Uragold to evaluate, in greater detail, the shape, size, potential of the placer gold channel and to measure potential target extensions of the deposit. The program started last week with the cutting and picketing of a total of 7,500 meters of lines in order to form a rectangular grid on the property, between the Rang Chaussegros road to the west and Saint-Gustave road to the east. The grid will be used to perform the geoelectrical tomographic surveying.

Patrick Levasseur, president and COO of Uragold stated. “We are very proud that the special nature of our Beauce Gold project has attracted the scientific interest of the Quebec University INRS research team. This partnership will not only increase the overall understanding of the unique geological phenomenon of the region, but it will also allow us to establish an optimum mining plan for our Beauce Gold property.”

The Beauce Placer property was the site of Canada’s first gold rush in the 1850′s, years before the Klondike gold rush. Two of Canadada’s largest gold nuggets, the Kilgour nugget at 52 ounces and the McDonald nugget at 45 ounces, came from the Gilbert River, which flows through the property.

In the early 1960′s, the property was the site of a major placer gold mining operation. The Beauce Placer Company was the only commercial placer gold mining operation in eastern North America. The placers where mined with a floating Yuba dredge. The Company mined 56,000 oz of gold from an area representing less than 20% of the placer channel near St-Gustave road.

Gold production stopped in 1962 due to two major problems. First, they underestimated the depth of the overburden due to a westward dip of the bedrock. Therefore, the bucket-lined dredge of the Yuba dredge could no longer reach the auriferous pay zone. After modify the dredge by extending the bucket-lined boom, production-changed location to mine from west to east. Secondly, the Yuba dredge was designed to mine placer gold from sand and gravel. The pay zone in the western part of the channel consisted of clay (auriferous basil till). The dredge wasn’t equipment to separate gold from clay.

About the INRS

INRS is a university dedicated to fundamental and applied research, graduate studies and the training of researchers in its four research Centres in Quebec City, Laval, Montreal and Varennes. Part of the Université du Québec network, INRS University ranks first in Canada in terms of research intensity (funding per faculty member). Located in Quebec City, the INRS Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre is a world class research facility that brings together 40 professors, over 200 graduate and postgraduate students, and about 20 postdoctoral researchers.


Airborne EM and Magnetic Gradiometer for Palladium-Platinum-Gold Project in Timmins

Posted by AP on Friday, 14 December, 2012

Gold Dynamics Corp. contracted with Geotech Ltd. to complete a helicopter borne Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM Plus) and Horizontal Magnetic Gradiometer Geophysical Survey on the Hoyle North Palladium-Platinum-Gold Project located in Timmins, Ontario. A total of 84 line kilometers of geophysical data were acquired, flown at 100 meter spacing on the property.

Analysis of the preliminary data from the VTEM Plus indicate mineralized targets exist in the eastern portions and also a mineralized trend from the southeast to the northwest of the property at approximate depths of 200 meters. The survey also identifies a system of dykes which are very common in mineralized zones on this trend and are also common to the known geology of this area.

Further results and analysis are expected in the next few weeks. This information will be evaluated to select targets for ground follow-up in order to help prioritize anomalies for drilling.

Gary Kirk, CEO/President of Gold Dynamics Corp. said, “I am extremely pleased that we were able to contract with Geotech Ltd. who are a leader in their field, utilizing state of the art technology to help us build our base of knowledge on the Hoyle North project. With targets in hand, knowing the depth and location of these targets brings us much closer to finally drilling. The known geology common to the areas where other major international mining companies (Goldcorp, Xstrata Copper, Lakeshore Gold and Brigus Gold), whom are adjacent to our project, are currently producing large quantities of gold and other precious metals out of geologic structure very similar to what the VTEM Plus has identified in ours; is very encouraging for us.”

The Hoyle North property is contiguous to Goldcorp’s Hoyle Pond mine and is within short distances to significant resources such as Owl Creek and Bell Creek. The Hoyle North property remains relatively unexplored near to expansive mining and exploration efforts by significant companies such as, Goldcorp, Xstrata, Lakeshore Gold, San Gold, Osisko Mining and VG Gold and others.


Airborne geophysics results on Mexico’s Guerrero gold belt

Posted by AP on Saturday, 8 December, 2012

Citation Resources Inc. announces preliminary results of its airborne versatile time-domain electromagnetic (“VTEM“) survey completed in October 2012 over a substantial portion of the Biricu Gold Project located within Mexico’s Guerrero gold belt.

The VTEM survey was conducted by Geotech Ltd. and covered approximately 1,400 line kilometres at 150 metre spacing over three specific high-priority areas of the concession within a broader survey coverage at 200 metre spacing. Condor Consulting Inc. experts in the field of airborne electromagnetics, has been retained to perform a detailed interpretation of the results and their final report regarding the significance of the survey is still pending.

The preliminary interpretation by Condor has identified 19 potential target zones as defined by conductivity and magnetic geophysical anomalies on the Biricu Project. Six of these target zones are aligned along a 5 kilometer northeast trending corridor, which to date has only been partially ground tested. A field crew has been mobilized to conduct further mapping and sampling over the geophysical anomalies in order to prioritize areas for possible drill testing. Upon receipt of the final geophysical interpretation, the results will be integrated with the analysis of the field work completed and drill targets will be prioritized. The details of the final results will be presented in a future news release.


Induced Polarization Survey in Ghana

Posted by AP on Saturday, 8 December, 2012

Castle Peak Mining Ltd. announces Promising Surface Sampling Results at the Dansuom Target on the Pow Concession at the Company’s Akorade Project in the Southern Ashanti Belt in Ghana, West Africa. the Reported Results Represent Approximately 25% of the Road Samples Collected to Date. Concurrently a Gradient Induced Polarization Survey and Subsequent Pole-Dipole Induced Polarization Survey was Completed in Order to Better Refine Drill Targets in the Area.

Highlights of the Sampling Include:

  • Channel POWCS008: 70.0m of 1.01 g/t Au including 26.0m of 1.76 g/t Au;
  • Channel POWCS007: 12.0m of 0.54 g/t Au;
  • Channel POWCS005: 2.0m of 2.38 g/t Au.

Highlights of the geophysical survey include several kilometer scale coincident resistivity and chargeability anomalies. Two of these significant anomalies are spatially associated with the large, 1,500m by 250m, Dansuom gold in soil anomaly defined by soil values greater than 0.2 g/t gold. (To see Figure 1: Anomalies in Dansuom Target Area, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/cap1205i.pdf)


Commenting on the results Darren Lindsay stated, “Although dealing with a less than predictable rainy season this year, we have been able to forge ahead with geophysical surveying, mapping and sampling to better determine the resource potential in the Dansuom target area. Strong geophysical anomalies coincident with our existing geochemical anomalies and new road cuts exposing vein stock works, alteration zones and contact zones are showing the promise of this exceptional target.”

Update on Regional Exploration

A total of 690 samples for multi-element analysis have been collected across the Akorade project area, with approximately 300 samples remaining to be collected across the mineral licenses at 400m by 400m spacing. To date all samples from Enyinase, Bonsaso, Kedadwen and Dompem have been collected, while mapping and sampling still continues across the POW and Great Yorkshire licenses. Mapping from these efforts is being compiled to refine our existing base map.

Geology & Mineralization

The properties are underlain by NNE-SSW Birimian Age metavolcanics and Tarkwaian metasediments of the Ashanti Belt of southwestern Ghana. These rocks are intruded by two (2) chemically distinct granitic suites which consist of: 1) Belt associated Dixcove intrusive and 2) Basin associated Cape Coast intrusions.

Deformation and metamorphism of Birimian metavolcanics and Tarkwaian metasediments (conglomerates, arkose, sandstones, siltstones and shales) are related to the Eburnean II orogeny with five (5) distinct successive deformation phases, (D1 to D5) with D2 faults and D5 reactivation for major deformation events such as strike slip, dilatants breccias, quartz veins and lens networks with pinch and swells (boudinage) hosted within faults and shear zones.

Shear zones on the property are developed within the metavolcanics. The granitoid intrusions have been accompanied by hydrothermal activity evidenced by the numerous lenses of quartz veins and veinlets within the metavolcanics. The most prominent quartz structure, in a shear zone and within the metavolcanics on the Apankrah hills, has a NE-SW orientation and dips steeply to the southeast. The quartz vein, more than 1 metre in width and strike length of more than 100 metres is shattered and pyritized in few places.

The most favourable areas of gold mineralization in the Birimian and the Tarkwaian are found:

  1. In a major shear system in early Proterozoic rocks, e.g., Prestea and Obuasi
  2. In intermediate and mafic intrusions, mainly within the “greenstone” belts
  3. In mafic volcanics in some areas, especially in the Ashanti belt, e.g., Konongo
  4. In transitional zones between the belts and the basins
  5. The banket conglomerates of the Tarkwa district
  6. Oxide and laterite occurrences

The Bonsaso concession is dominated by well-foliated Birimian metasedimentary units. Detailed geological mapping of the concession is ongoing, but is hindered by the presence of a significant weathering profile. The geology is currently thought to be similar to that of the Iduapriem mine.

Gold mineralization in the area has been observed in shallow dipping quartz stockworks and veins. Quartz veins occur as a series of shallow dipping, thin, en-echelon quartz veins up to and greater than 10 centimetres wide. The veining is also associated with a quartz-pyrite alteration halo that extended several metres into the hanging wall and foot wall of the veins. This is thought to represent the type of deposit that typically forms along regional fault and fracture systems within Ghana, whereby fractures act as pathways for Au-bearing hydrothermal fluids. Precipitation of gold and quartz then results from changes in pressure, temperature and/or wall rock interaction. Mineralization is also associated with Tarkwaian conglomerates, probably of the Banket series and representative of placer mineralization, which is analogous to that at the Iduapriem mine. 


Airborne EM in Colombian Porphyry Gold Copper Project

Posted by AP on Saturday, 8 December, 2012

Bellhaven Copper & Gold Inc. reports the commencement of the previously announced ZTEM (airborne electro-magnetics) survey over the entire La Mina property (1,800 Ha). The survey is also being extended to include an adjacent concession, which the Company is currently in discussions to acquire. The work is contracted to Geotech Ltd., a Canadian geophysical survey company specializing in leading edge airborne technology. The survey is designed to help refine the targets at La Mina, with a particular emphasis on the Garrucha and Cristalina target areas.

The helicopter-borne geophysical survey will result in approximately 132 line kilometres of data along east-west lines, spaced at 200 metres. The Z-TEM Electromagnetic (EM) system is an innovative technique making use of naturally occurring or passive EM fields from worldwide thunderstorm activity as the source of transmitted energy. The passive source combined with a proprietary receiver design, advanced digital electronics, and signal processing results in low noise levels, exceptional resolution, and unparalleled depth penetration. It has been used successfully to identify and map porphyry style mineral systems from Alaska to Chile.

Patrick Highsmith, Bellhaven’s CEO, commented on the program: “We are pleased to bring the ZTEM technology to the Middle Cauca Belt for the first time. It is a proven technique for porphyries in the Americas. This will enable us to prioritize existing geochemical and magnetics anomalies, including on concessions that we are in negotiations to acquire. This is a very cost effective tool that adds immediate value in an emerging mineral district such as La Mina. By sharing the mobilization and some of the administrative costs with neighboring explorers, we have made it even more cost effective.”

Discussion of ZTEM Survey

The survey is expected to identify conductive and resistive features that are associated with large mineral systems such as gold-copper porphyries from surface to considerable depth. The electromagnetic data is sensitive to sulfide minerals, as well as silicification and clay alteration; all of which are associated with the porphyry and epithermal deposits in the Middle Cauca Belt. This will be an important addition to the magnetics data that drove the initial discoveries. The EM data will advance the geologists’ knowledge of the known resource areas, particularly at depth, but it will also upgrade the targeting arsenal elsewhere on the property. This work will also enhance understanding of large structures in the district. Many of these structures have previously been mapped from both surface exposures and drill intercepts; and the Bellhaven team is focused on their importance in controlling mineralization.

The survey crew arrived on site November 17, and began conducting reconnaissance flights a few days later. They are currently flying the survey as cloud cover permits. It is expected that a total of 6 to 8 days of favorable conditions is needed to complete data collection, so the survey should be completed before the end of December.

La Mina Porphyry Gold Copper Project

La Mina is a resource stage porphyry gold-copper project located in the Middle Cauca volcano-plutonic belt in the Department of Antioquia about 45 km southwest of Medellin. The Middle Cauca belt is known to host large porphyry gold deposits such as AngloGold’s La Colosa Deposit (24 Moz Au) and Sunward Resources’ Titiribi Project (11 Moz Au).

Exploration Targets

The La Mina concession includes almost 2,000 hectares. A number of anomalous features are evident from the initial airborne magnetic survey, completed by AngloGold. As surface sampling and drilling progressed, a number of multi-faceted targets emerged. Through the first half of 2012, a total of four known mineralized porphyry systems have been identified; two of these deposits are host to NI 43-101 compliant inferred mineral resources. The two remaining known porphyries will be the focus of future drilling, meant to advance these prospects to the resource stage as well. The exploration pipeline at La Mina includes a number of other targets that, based on geology, geochemistry and geophysics, have characteristics similar to porphyry or porphyry related deposits. There are at least 7 of these discrete targets undergoing additional work, but they have not yet been drilled. The figure below shows total magnetic intensity (reduced to pole) from an airborne magnetics survey. Many of the targets are identified on this map; and more detailed information is available below.


Induced Polarization geophysical survey at the Idaho Gold Project

Posted by AP on Saturday, 8 December, 2012

Premium Exploration Inc.  reports that a ground-based Induced Polarization (“IP”) geophysical survey at the Idaho Gold Project (“IGP”) has successfully outlined a new target at the X Zone. This new IP target exhibits coincident highly anomalous gold-in-soil and airborne mag/EM signatures. These characteristics are similar to those associated with the three known deposits along the IGP and suggest potential for the discovery of new gold mineralization at the Idaho Gold Project. Details.

This is the 12th advanced target identified on the project. These twelve targets all exhibit highly anomalous geochemical signatures associated with strong airborne magnetic and electromagnetic and ground IP geophysical anomalies. The majority of the targets are yet to be drill tested.

For maps of the coincident X Zone IP and Soil targets, please click: http://bit.ly/XZone_IPTarget and http://bit.ly/XZone_GoildinSoils.


CSAMT for gold in Paraguay

Posted by AP on Saturday, 8 December, 2012

Latin American Minerals Inc.  announces the commencement of CSAMT geophysical surveys at the Paso Yobai Project in Paraguay, an early start to the 2013 exploration campaign to drill the project’s multiple geochemical gold targets. The ground-based geophysical survey will initially focus on the X-Mile Trend prior to covering the Discovery Trend and multiple outlying target areas. The intensive geophysics program is expected to require 2 to 3 months. To follow up the initial deep reconnaissance survey results, the Company will implement the second phase of the program with targeted diamond drilling, expected to start by mid-February 2013.

CSAMT (Controlled Source Audio Frequency Magneto-Tellurics) is a rapid, high-resolution variant of the magneto-telluric class of geophysical surveys, designed to provide detailed section views of lithology and structural features, and to delineate any contrasting zones of hydrothermal alteration. The geophysics survey contract was awarded to Canadian company Quantec Geoscience Limited after a competitive bid process. Quantec is the world leader in deep magneto-telluric and electrical survey technologies for mineral exploration.

Miles Rideout, President and CEO of the Company, stated, “We have seen CSAMT surveys employed with excellent results on many gold systems over more than two decades. Applying this imaging technology at Paso Yobai, prior to drill testing many of our surface gold targets, will allow us to employ better structural information in the initial drill targeting, and will extend our targeting ability to more than 300 metres depth. The high resolution of CSAMT will allow us to better understand the nature, depth and orientation of major mineral targets. The potential benefits to the Paso Yobai gold project include: increased exploration depth, improved drill target identification, reduced reconnaissance drilling cost and improved target prioritization.”

About the Paso Yobai Gold Project:

The Paso Yobai Project is a 15,020 hectare exploration and mining property with multiple large gold showings mapped at surface. The two primary gold bearing structures at Paso Yobai include the 4500 metre Discovery Trend and the 14,800 metre X-Mile Trend. Additional oblique trends and outlying gold zones have been delineated by the Company’s work programs, producing a gold system footprint approaching 100 sq. km. in area.


Extending the Cu-Pt-Au zone near Sudbury with IP

Posted by AP on Wednesday, 31 October, 2012

Wallbridge Mining Co. of Toronto reports that it has found new copper-platinum-palladium-gold occurrences on its 78% owned Wisner joint venture with Xstrata Nickel near Sudbury. One sample, said Wallbridge, assayed 5.59% Cu and 5.39 g/t TPM (Pt+Pd+Au).

The new occurrences extend the Southwest zone trend over 80 metres along an IP geophysics anomaly that includes a 400-metre stretch that has not been drill tested. They are part of a 1.0-km-long trend of mineralization and anomalous geophysics that is along strike from Walbridge’s Broken Hammer Cu-PGE development project.

Wallbridge has defined four drill ready target areas including the immediate discovery upside surrounding the Broken Hammer Cu-PGE deposit, the large trend of anomalous mineralization at the Southwest occurrence, and two other areas with similar geology and geophysical anomalies.

Marz Kord, President and CEO of Wallbridge, stated “These new Cu-PGE occurrences along the same strike trend of our Broken Hammer deposit demonstrate the strong potential of Wallbridge’s Wisner Area Property Package, which extends over 10 kilometres of favourable geology.”

See WallbridgeMining.com for more information about the Broken Hammer project.


Targets Identified By Heliborne TEM Survey in Nevada

Posted by AP on Tuesday, 23 October, 2012

Spruce Ridge Resources Limited reports that the Company has received results of an airborne VTEM(R) time-domain electromagnetic survey over the Fletcher Junction property in the Walker Lake mining area of Nevada. Interpretation of the survey results has defined a series of targets, and diamond drilling to test selected targets is planned to start in October. The company is currently evaluating bids from drill contractors.

The Fletcher Junction property covers the northern extension of a mineralized trend that produced over 1.9 million ounces of gold in the Aurora mining district. However, bedrock on the property is covered with gravel, which is in turn covered with basaltic lavas that were erupted about 250,000 years ago from the Aurora Crater. Nevada Exploration Inc., the optionee of the property, from which Spruce Ridge can earn up to 85% interest by making $300,000 in payments, funding $2,600,000 in exploration over a 4-year period, and completing a feasibility report, recognized the potential of the property due to highly anomalous gold contents of water in natural springs seeping out from under the lava cover. Nevada Exploration Inc. has developed sophisticated sampling and analytical techniques to analyse natural waters for gold, and has used this technology to assemble a portfolio of properties on the basis of gold-in-water anomalies. In addition to the gold anomalies in water the Fletcher Junction property, mineralized, angular quartz float was found on the gravel terrace along the western edge of the lavas, which yielded assays of up to 90.5 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold and 324 g/t silver. A limited amount of reverse-circulation drilling by Nevada Exploration has intersected bedrock and confirmed the presence of alteration and anomalous gold, silver and pathfinder element values.

The first target to be drill tested is an interpreted paleo-hill, or bedrock high that appears to rise above the gravel layer, although it is still covered by lava. It has clearly been resistant to erosion, possibly due to silicification, which may be related to mineralizing processes. A 600 metre (2,000 feet) deep inclined diamond drill hole will test this intriguing target.

Another result of interpreting the VTEM(R) survey that was unexpected is that there is a continuous resistivity low in the bedrock running in a northerly direction from the Aurora mining district all the way through the Fletcher Junction property. It was initially anticipated that Fletcher Junction might be host to a mineralized cluster similar to that at the Aurora mining district. However, it now appears, on the basis of the geophysics, that there may be one continuous alteration system extending over 11 kilometres from the Aurora mining area to the north end of the Fletcher Junction property. Drill testing will of course be necessary to determine if this interpreted alteration system is associated with mineralization.