Dec 22 2010
Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX: ARZ; NYSE Amex: AZK) has reported the results of recent drilling along Zone 123 from the exploration drift on the 810 metre level at its Casa Berardi Mine in north-western Quebec.
The current exploration program focused on Zone 123, located approximately 1.0 kilometre east of the West Mine shaft, with the objective to delineate high grade mineralization corridors.
Thirteen (13) new holes were completed from the 810 metre level drift and from the newly extended 550 metre level track drift. The program is targeting a series of south-east dipping corridors where high grade mineralized corridors, ranging from 50 to 150 metres wide and open along strike, were previously identified.
Ten (10) mineralized intervals out of thirteen (13) returned a metal factor above 10 (true width in metres x the gold grade in grams per tonne), or higher. They are included in this release and are illustrated on the attached sketch. The drilling program covered an area of 100 metres along strike, 200 meters in width and up to 200 metres below and above the 810 metre level.
The best results were 19.1 grams of gold per tonne over 10.4 metres (true width) in hole CBP-0205 and 10.1 grams of gold per tonne over 12.5 metres (true width) in hole CBP-0209, respectively, which indicate lense continuity in the trend of the mineralized corridors.
The results indicate at least three (3) distinct high grade corridors located between the 1,050 metre level and the 280 metre level.
In Zone 123, gold mineralization occurs in quartz veins, cherty units and massive sulphides structures located between the South Zone 123 break to the east and the South break to the west in a volcanic bearing environment. These corridors could extend for more than 1.0 kilometre, up and down-dip containing individual lenses along the corridor.
"The continuity in the mineralized system of Zone 123 confirms potential to extend the mineralization towards the east and west increasing the potential to find more mineralized corridors within this structure" said Gilles Carrier P. Eng., Principal Exploration Geologist.
Outlook
Underground drilling will continue with two rigs from the 550 metre exploration track drift to define the down dip and the up-dip extensions of the zone. An updated mineral resource estimate will be completed as of December 31, 2010.
Quality Control
Core assays are performed on core sawed in half, with standard fire assay procedures and atomic absorption finition. Certified reference material, duplicate and blanks are inserted in the sample sequence for quality control. Assay checking on pulp and coarse rejects are carried out on approximately 5% of samples.
Drill hole planning, implementation and the quality control program is supervised by Gilles Carrier, P. Eng., Principal Exploration Geologist, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Carrier is also responsible for the scientific and technical information in this news release.
Source: Aurizon Mines Ltd.