Jan 6 2011
Trevali Resources Corp. (TSX:TV)(OTCQX:TREVF)(FRANKFURT:4TI) has announced that detailed, systematic surface channel sampling of the high priority Puajanca North target has significantly increased the size of the silver-rich target.
Structurally controlled vein and stockwork silver mineralization has been mapped and sampled over an area of approximately 400 metres N-S and 330 metres E-W. Mineralization remains open for expansion.
High-grade silver structures are interpreted to potentially represent the upper-most levels of a significant polymetallic mineral system similar to the three recently discovered Magistral deposits and thus a compelling, high priority target. Aggressive follow-up is scheduled for early 2011 as part of the Company's 10,000-metre exploration and resource definition drill program.
Key highlights:
- Individual samples include 1.2 metres of 39.9 oz/T (1369.1 g/t) silver, 83% lead and 18.4% zinc.
- Individual veins include 180m-long structure averaging 515.4 g/t (15.0 oz/T) silver, 33.95% lead and 2.02% zinc.
- Excellent potential to identify new structures in addition to expanding known structures alongstrike and down dip extensions.
"Given our 100% success record whereby four exploration targets have been drill tested resulting in four new polymetallic deposits, that remain open for expansion; we are confident that Puajanca North has the potential to become a significant mineralized body," stated Dr. Mark Cruise, Trevali's President and CEO. "With the current robust silver price, which is forecast to climb higher in 2011, we are obviously very excited to get the drill rigs turning at the silver-rich Puajanca North target."
TARGET SUMMARY
Structurally-controlled mineralization at Puajanca North is spatially associated with a robust, 'productive' alteration assemblage, polymetallic replacement mineralization at Puajanca South (that remains open), the productive Magistral North 'feeder' zone and a very large geophysical anomaly.
In this regard, this zone shares many similarities with the three recently discovered Magistral deposits prior to drill-testing. Metal ratios (lead values significantly higher than zinc) and alteration assemblages in the area are interpreted to indicate that silver mineralized structures in the Puajanca North Zone are located in the uppermost portions of a 'fertile' and well preserved polymetallic mineralizing system. Diamond drilling will test this concept during the forthcoming 10,000-metre 2011 exploration and resource expansion campaign.
PUAJANCA NORTH
The principle vein-filled faults were systematically channel-sampled at approximately 20m intervals. Each channel was oriented perpendicular to the principal structure and was comprised of several discrete samples traversing from foot-wall through the structure and into the hanging-wall. Additional channel sampling was carried out along networks of relay mesh-structures where exposure permitted.
Mineralized structures strike NE to E-W and have sub-vertical dips. Structures range in width from approximately 0.3m to 1.2m and typically host additional mineralization within hanging- and foot-wall damage zones. Mineralization is dominated by argentiferous galena with lesser marmatite and trace chalcopyrite.
The core of each structure contains the highest silver and lead grades with generally lower zinc values, while the damage zones on the margins are typically higher in zinc. Results from the sampling program demonstrate good continuity of high grade mineralization; all structures remain open along strike and at depth.
Metal ratios (lead values significantly higher than zinc) and alteration assemblages in the area are interpreted to indicate that structures in the Puajanca North Zone are located in the uppermost portions of a 'fertile' and well preserved polymetallic mineralizing system. Consequently Puajanca may contain significant depth potential with opportunity to intersect larger replacement bodies. This interpretation (of the presence of a large hydrothermal system) is further supported by the observation that mineralization is spatially associated with, and sits above, the southeastern margin of a very large, approximately 1km2, geophysical anomaly. All mineralization discovered to-date on the property has a strong geophysical response.
The upcoming 2011 exploration drill program will target down dip and along strike extensions of these high grade veins as well as potential replacement bodies at depth. The Company cautions that the Puajanca North target is a relatively early stage exploration target and that there is no guarantee that the forth coming planned exploration will result in significant polymetallic intercepts.
SANTANDER PROJECT
The Santander zinc-lead-silver mine project is located approximately 215 km by road from Lima, in the western extent of Peru's Central Polymetallic Belt, globally a major producer of silver, zinc and lead. Site infrastructure includes a fully refurbished 200-man camp and the Tingo hydroelectric power-station located 17 km down-valley to the west. The Company commenced exploration at Santander in December 2007 discovering four new high-grade silver-lead-zinc replacement and massive sulphide deposits to date. Mineralization remains open in all three Magistral deposits, the Puajanca zone and the past-producing Santander Pipe, and numerous high-priority targets remain to be tested.
A recently completed independent resource estimate update by Golder Associates reviews a total Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.858 million tonnes with an average grade of 3.86% zinc, 1.35% lead, 44 g/t silver and 0.08% copper (using a 3% ZnEQ* cut-off grade) for an estimated in-situ metal inventory of 498 million lbs. zinc, 174 million lbs. lead, 8.25 million oz. silver and 9.7 million lbs. copper. An additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.806 million tonnes grading 5.08% zinc, 0.44% lead, 21 g/t silver and 0.07% copper for an estimated in-situ metal inventory of 538 million lbs. zinc, 46 million lbs. lead, 3.19 million oz. silver and 7.8 million lbs. copper using the same cut-off grade.
Additionally, a further 100 million contained lbs. of zinc are estimated to be present in the 1,656,000 indicated tonnes grading at 2.74% zinc (using a 2.0% zinc cut-off grade) at the Santander Tailings Impoundment.
ZnEQ = ((Ag Price(g) x Ag Recovery x Ag Grade) + (Pb Price(t) x Pb Recovery x (Pb Grade(%)/100)+(Zn Price(t) x Zn Recovery x (Zn Grade(%)/100)))/Zn Price(t). Golder utilized the three year rolling average price for all three metals. Price for silver is ($14.90/oz) and that for Pb ($2,174), Zn ($2,079) and Cu ($6,504) is per tonne. A recovery of 85% was applied to Ag, 90% for Pb, 85% for Zn and 60% for Cu for calculating the ZnEQ formula. The pounds metal are in-situ and have not had any mining factors applied to them.
Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance
EurGeol Dr. Mark D. Cruise, Trevali's President and CEO and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Dr. Cruise is not independent of the Company, as he is an officer and shareholder.
The work programs at Santander were designed by, and are supervised by, Mark D. Cruise, President & CEO of Trevali, and Tim Kingsley (Senior Geologist), who together are responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project rigorously collect and track samples which are then security sealed and shipped to ACME Laboratories, Vancouver, for assay. ACME's quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025: 1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality control is further assured by the use of international and in-house standards. Blind certified reference material is inserted at regular intervals into the sample sequence by Trevali personnel in order to independently assess analytical accuracy. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are routinely forwarded to ACME and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
Source: Trevali Resources Corp.