May 28 2013
Blackheath Resources Inc. ("Blackheath") reports the commencement of the Phase 1 exploration program at the past-producing Borralha Tungsten Project, for which Blackheath holds rights for a 100% interest. Borralha was Portugal's second largest tungsten mine (after Panasqueira) until its closure in 1985 as a result of low tungsten prices. No exploration work or drilling has been undertaken since 1985.
The Phase 1 work program will focus on the exploration of two large, partially developed tungsten bearing breccia zones and will also focus on untested sub-horizontal tungsten bearing quartz veins. This work program will include:
- Geochemical sampling and geological and topographic mapping.
- 300 metres of diamond core drilling in the sub-horizontal tungsten bearing quartz vein structures.
- Finalization of drill target locations for the tungsten bearing breccia zones.
Phase 1 will allow Blackheath to confirm known locations of tungsten which were previously shown to be present and were documented during historic mine activities. Review of all data and results will be ongoing in preparation for the next phase of work which will include diamond drilling in the tungsten bearing breccia zones.
Blackheath's President & CEO, James Robertson, said: "We are very excited to begin our Phase 1 work program on the property. The Borralha Tungsten Project is a high priority for Blackheath due to the historic production numbers and size of the past operations. We will be making further announcements regarding our Covas Tungsten and Bejanca Tungsten/Tin work programs shortly."
The Borralha concession covers an area of 127.5 square kilometres and is located approximately 60 kilometres northeast of Porto in northern Portugal. Available historic records show production of tungsten in wolframite (tungsten) concentrates between 1907 and 1939 with some production of separate tin concentrates as a by-product. During the 1960's and 1970's, the mine produced high-quality wolframite concentrates and also lesser amounts of additional scheelite (tungsten) concentrates. Ore was mined primarily from the near-vertical quartz veins, supplemented by limited open pit excavations in the later years and the sub-horizontal tungsten veins were essentially unmined.
Further information about the Borralha Tungsten Project and the company's activities may be found at www.blackheathresources.com and under the company's profile at www.sedar.com
Source: http://www.blackheathresources.com