Sep 23 2016
Robert Friedland, Executive Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines, and Lars-Eric Johansson, Chief Executive Officer, today announced assay results from another sixteen holes of the ongoing 2016 drilling campaign at the Kakula Discovery on the company's Tier One Kamoa Copper Project, near the mining centre of Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Kamoa Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining.
"Kakula is continuing to demonstrate that it is substantially richer, thicker and more consistent than other mineralization that we have found elsewhere on the Kamoa Project," said Mr. Friedland.
"Given the consistent and thick intercepts at shallow depths of very-high-grade copper mineralization, Kakula is quickly becoming a key focus in our planning for the development of the Kamoa Project."
Highlights of the latest drill results, which further reinforce the exceptional grades and shallow, flat-lying geometry of the Kakula mineralized zone, include:
- DD1024 intersected 6.14 metres (true width) of 6.52% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off, beginning at a downhole depth of 312.0 metres; 8.21 metres (true width) of 5.58% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 12.99 metres (true width) of 4.34% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 14.42 metres (true width) of 4.10% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
- DD1036 intersected 5.48 metres (true width) of 6.90% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off beginning at a downhole depth of 274 metres; 7.38 metres (true width) of 5.77% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 13.05 metres (true width) of 4.31% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 13.99 metres (true width) of 4.13% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
- DD1039 intersected 11.91 metres (true width) of 6.23% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off beginning at a downhole depth of 332 metres; 17.87 metres (true width) of 5.08% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 18.56 metres (true width) of 4.98% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 20.55 metres (true width) of 4.65% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
- DD1041 intersected 4.04 metres (true width) of 7.39% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off beginning at a downhole depth of 615 metres; 4.80 metres (true width) of 6.63% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 6.70 metres (true width) of 5.42% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 13.36 metres (true width) of 3.37% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
- DD1043W1 intersected 4.21 metres (true width) of 9.44% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off beginning at a downhole depth of 346.74 metres; 4.89 metres (true width) of 8.48% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 12.50 metres (true width) of 4.69% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 15.24 metres (true width) of 4.09% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
- DD1045 intersected 8.44 metres (true width) of 6.96% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off beginning at a downhole depth of 505.22 metres; 9.31 metres (true width) of 6.59% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 11.44 metres (true width) of 5.81% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 13.94 metres (true width) of 5.03% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
- DD1047 intersected 7.90 metres (true width) of 8.85% copper at a 3.0% copper cut-off beginning at a downhole depth of 359 metres; 8.89 metres (true width) of 8.17% copper at a 2.5% copper cut-off; 14.37 metres (true width) of 5.89% copper at a 2.0% copper cut-off; and 21.28 metres (true width) of 4.47% copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off.
Kakula copper mineralization continuing to be shown to be consistently bottom-loaded and chalcocite dominant
The consistent, bottom-loaded nature of Kakula mineralization supports the creation of selective mineralized zones at cut-offs of between 1.0% and 3.0% copper, and potentially higher. The recent assay results are shown at various cut-offs in Table 1, while the accumulation of copper and thickness of mineralized intercepts at 1.0%, 2.5% and 3.0% cut-offs are shown in figures 5 through 8.
The Kakula copper mineralization displays vertical mineral zonation from chalcopyrite (approximately 35% copper) to bornite (approximately 63% copper) to chalcocite (approximately 80% copper), with the highest copper grades associated with the siltstone unit consistently characterized by chalcocite-dominant mineralization (see Figure 4 for strip-logs showing typical Kakula-style mineralization in holes DD1047 and DD1039).
Chalcocite (copper sulfide, Cu2S) is high-tenor mineral that is opaque and dark-gray to black with a metallic lustre (see figures 1 and 3 for examples of high-grade chalcocite drill core from Kakula). Due to its very high percentage of contained copper by weight (the tenor, the percentage of the mineral that is actual metal to be extracted, is 80% copper by weight) and its capacity to produce an exceptionally clean, high-grade concentrate, chalcocite is considered to be the most valuable copper mineral.
To view Figure 1. Drill core from DD1041 with disseminated chalcocite in diamictite at a depth of 619 metres (chalcocite is approximately 80% copper by weight), please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f1.jpg.
The Kakula Discovery remains open along a northwesterly-southeasterly strike, while high-grade copper mineralization has been outlined along a corridor that now is at least 3.5 kilometres in length. The high-grade copper zone is less than 300 metres below surface in the central section, and gently dips to the southeast and northwest.
A total of seven rigs are drilling at Kakula. Two rigs are drilling step-out holes to the southeast of Kakula's currently defined high-grade core, looking to extend the high-grade mineralization beyond the current 3.5-kilometre strike length. Two other rigs are drilling step-out holes further to the northwest to test the possible extension of the high-grade core.
Two additional rigs are drilling in-fill holes and one is drilling a large-diameter core hole for the second phase of metallurgical test work. The initial metallurgical test results received in July 2016 from a sample of drill core from the Kakula Discovery zone achieved copper recoveries of 86% and produced a copper concentrate with an extremely high grade of 53% copper. The July results also indicated that material from Kamoa's Kakula and Kansoko zones could be processed through the same concentrator plant, which would yield significant operational and economic efficiencies.
Earlier metallurgical testwork indicated that the Kamoa concentrates contain arsenic levels of approximately 0.02%, which are extremely low by world standards. Given this critical competitive marketing advantage, Kamoa's concentrates are expected to attract a significant premium from copper-concentrate traders for use in blending with concentrates from other mines. The Kamoa concentrates will help to enable high-arsenic concentrates from mines in Chile and elsewhere to meet the limit of 0.5% arsenic imposed by Chinese smelters to meet China's new environmental restrictions.
Independent Mineral Resource estimate for the Kakula Discovery on track for completion in early October
Approximately 27,000 metres of drilling has been completed since the current Kakula drilling program began earlier this year. The initial plan was to drill a total of approximately 34,000 metres in 2016. However, given the outstanding success of the program, plans are being developed to expand the 2016 drill program and extend it into 2017.
Kamoa Copper intends to prepare an initial independent Mineral Resource estimate for the Kakula Discovery in early October, 2016. Results for nine holes remain outstanding that will be included in the estimate. Amec Foster Wheeler, of Reno, Nevada, has been engaged to oversee the estimate.
The main objective of the current drilling program at Kakula is to confirm and expand the thick, flat-lying, bottom-loaded zone of very-high-grade, stratabound copper mineralization at the southern part of the Kakula Discovery area (see Figure 2) that has the potential to be amenable to bulk, mechanized mining and therefore could have a significant, positive impact on the Kamoa Project's future development plans. The 60-square-kilometre Kakula exploration area is approximately 10 kilometres southwest of Kamoa's planned initial mining area at Kansoko Sud.
To help advance the ongoing evaluation of Kakula, the Kamoa technical team is proceeding with the engineering and preparation of tender documents for the construction of a box cut at Kakula to accommodate decline ramps that will provide underground access to the deposit. A preferred site for the box-cut development has been chosen and geotechnical work has begun.
To view Figure 2. Kamoa Project map shows the planned initial mining area at Kansoko Sud and the adjacent Kakula exploration area, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f2.jpg.
To view Figure 3. Intercept from DD1055, an in-fill hole in the north-west of the Kakula Discovery, with massive chalcocite at a depth of 347 metres (chalcocite is approximately 80% copper by weight), please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f3.jpg.
To view Figure 4. Strip-logs of drill holes DD1047 and DD1039 showing typical Kakula-style mineralization, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f4.pdf.
To view Figure 5. Kakula Discovery Area. Drill-hole location plan for the Kakula Area shows holes completed and in progress, superimposed on 1% composite grade thickness contours, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f5.jpg.
To view Figure 6. Recent assay results at a 1.0 % copper cut-off, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f6.jpg.
To view Figure 7. Recent assay results at a 2.5% copper cut-off, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f7.jpg.
To view Figure 8. Recent assay results a 3.0% copper cut-off, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f8.jpg.
To view Figure 9. New cross-section A-A' of Kakula Discovery area, showing true thicknesses of drill intercepts at a 2.5% copper cut-off, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f9.jpg.
To view Figure 10. New cross-section A-A' of Kakula Discovery area, showing true thicknesses of drill intercepts at a 3.0% copper cut-off, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266f10.jpg.
To view Table 1. Assay composites from newly released Kakula drill holes at various copper cut-offs, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266t1.pdf.
To view Table 2. Collars of completed drill holes, please visit http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1070266t2.pdf.
Kamoa Copper Project description
The Kamoa Copper Project, a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. and Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd., is a very large, stratiform copper deposit with adjacent prospective exploration areas within the Central African Copperbelt, approximately 25 kilometres west of the town of Kolwezi and about 270 kilometres west of Lubumbashi. The Kamoa mining licence covers approximately 400 square kilometres.
In 2015, Ivanhoe sold a 49.5% share interest in Kamoa Holding Limited, the company that presently owns 95% of the Kamoa Project on an indirect basis, to Zijin Mining for an aggregate cash consideration of US$412 million. In addition, Ivanhoe sold a 1% share interest in Kamoa Holding to privately-owned Crystal River Global Limited for US$8.32 million, which Crystal River will pay through a non-interest-bearing, 10-year promissory note.
Kamoa is the world's largest, undeveloped, high-grade copper deposit. On February 23, 2016, an updated Mineral Resource estimate was issued for the Kamoa Project. Kamoa's Indicated Mineral Resources presently total 752 million tonnes grading 2.67% copper and containing 44.3 billion pounds of copper at a 1.0% copper cut-off grade and minimum thickness of three metres. In addition to the Indicated Resources, the updated estimate included Inferred Mineral Resources of 185 million tonnes grading 2.08% copper and containing 8.5 billion pounds of copper, also at a 1.0% copper cut-off grade and a minimum thickness of three metres.
The initial independent Mineral Resource estimate for the Kakula discovery, which is expected to be issued in early October, 2016, will be in addition to the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources announced on February 23, 2016.
Qualified Person and Quality Control and Assurance
The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Torr, P.Geo., Ivanhoe Mines' Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation, and a Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Torr has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Ivanhoe Mines maintains a comprehensive chain of custody and QA-QC program on assays from its Kamoa Project. Half-sawn core is processed at Kamoa's on-site preparation laboratory and prepared samples then are shipped by secure courier to Bureau Veritas Minerals (BVM) Laboratories in Australia, an ISO17025-accredited facility. Copper assays are determined at BVM by mixed-acid digestion with ICP finish. Industry-standard certified reference materials and blanks are inserted into the sample stream prior to dispatch to BVM. For detailed information about assay methods and data verification measures used to support the scientific and technical information, please refer to the current technical report on the Kamoa Copper Project on the SEDAR profile of Ivanhoe Mines at www.sedar.com.
Source: https://www.ivanhoemines.com/