Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (TSX: FVI / Lima Stock Exchange: FVI) Mr. Jorge Ganoza, President & CEO, has announced the discovery and confirmation of two new high-grade silver ore shoots in the Bateas Vein, located in the central portion of the Caylloma Mine District.
Recent underground channel sampling returned highlights of:
- Gallery 315E: 52 meter interval averaging 1,284 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 0.286% Pb, 0.424% Zn and 0.364% Cu over average vein width of 1.01 meters
- Chimney 303N: 12 meter interval averaging 945 g/t Ag, 0.05 g/t Au, 0.063% Pb, 0.105% Zn and 0.234% Cu over average vein width of 0.43 meters, open to Level 9 and above
- Chimney 308N: 32 meter interval averaging 998 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.363% Pb, 0.541% Zn and 0.358% Cu over average vein width of 0.94 meters
- Gallery 309E: 92 meter interval averaging 1,108 g/t Ag, 0.06 g/t Au, 0.85% Pb, 1.21% Zn and 0.55% Cu over average vein width of 1.10 meters, open on strike to the northeast
The Caylloma Mine, located in Arequipa, Peru, currently produces approximately 1,250 tpd with the production primarily being sourced from the Ag-bearing polymetallic Animas, Soledad, Santa Catalina and Silvia veins and to a lesser extent, from the high-grade silver-bearing Bateas Vein. Through September 30, 2010, Caylloma has produced 1.42M ounces of silver and is on track to exceed the annual silver production forecast of 1.7M ounces (see Fortuna news release dated January 18, 2010).
The new high-grade shoots were discovered through the extension of exploration and development drifts from current production areas on the 10th and 12th levels of the Bateas Vein. Vertical chimneys have established the continuity of the mineralized zones and confirmed the high-grade nature of the ore shoots. Underground development continues with the aim of incorporating this new zone to production plans in 2011.
Dr. Thomas Vehrs, VP of Explorations, commented, "The excellent results from the Bateas Vein continue to validate the potential for new discovery in the Caylloma District. We are planning an aggressive exploration program for 2011, a part of which will be directed at exploring the northeastern extension of the Bateas Vein."
Historically the Bateas Vein has been a significant producer of high-grade silver ores with the past production coming from those portions of the vein located to the southwest of the newly discovered ore shoots. From the newly discovered ore shoots along strike to the northeast, the Bateas Vein is open and essentially unexplored over a horizontal distance of approximately 1,150 meters, where the vein is projected to intersect with the San Cristobal Vein. Underground exploration and surface drilling of the northeast extension of the Bateas Vein is planned for 2011.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Sample results reported for the underground workings are based on channel samples systematically collected perpendicular to the orientation of the vein. Samples are dried, prepared and analyzed at company-owned sample preparation and laboratory facilities at the Caylloma property. Silver and base metals are assayed by atomic absorption methods utilizing an aqua regia digestion. Gold is assayed by standard fire assay methods with an atomic absorption finish. Certified reference standards are blindly inserted into the sample stream at a frequency of 1 per 20 normal samples. Assay blanks are blindly inserted at a frequency of 1 per 30 samples and field duplicates are collected and analyzed at a frequency of 1 per 80 normal samples. Check assay samples and preparation duplicate samples are routinely submitted to ALS Chemex facilities in Lima to verify sample preparation and assay quality.
Qualified Person
Mr. Miroslav Kalinaj, P. Geo., is the Company's Qualified Person as defined by the National Instrument 43-101 and has verified the technical information in this news release.
Source: Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.