Orosur Mining Inc. (TSX-V:OMI)(AIM: OMI), a South American-focused gold producer and explorer, announces an exploration update for its Chilean and Uruguayan exploration programs.
Highlights
- Results have been received for approximately 50% of the ongoing Sobresaliente drill program. Best gold intercepts include hole SSRC039 that reported 5 meters at 14.8 g/t Au from 84 meters, including 1m at 64.29 g/t Au and hole SSRC045 that reported 23 meters at 1.64 g/t Au from 157 meters.
- A first pass drill program of 2,497 meters of reverse circulation drilling was completed at the Anillo project. Anomalous results were reported in two of the five targets tested and this drilling indicated the presence of high level, low temperature epithermal mineralization at shallow depths below surface. Deeper drilling planned for May 2011.
- OMI has commenced a planned 6,500 meter summer drilling program at the Pantanillo project.
David Fowler, CEO of the Company commented: "The first half of our drill program on the Sobresaliente project has confirmed the existing resources on the project and identified a number of new positive intercepts outside the existing resource such as hole SSRC045 which contained 23 meters at 1.64 g/t Au. The first pass drill program at Anillo tested five targets to a depth of up to 200 meters. Anomalous, low temperature epithermal mineralization at a number of these targets leads us to believe that we may be in the upper portions of the system and that deeper drilling is required. We plan to commence this drilling in May 2011."
Sobresaliente (Uruguay)
The Sobresaliente project is located 5 km North of the San Gregorio Operation and comprises four discrete orebodies: North, Central, South and East. The mineralization appears to be located at the intersection of two regional structural trends where deformation has produced intense cataclasis and brecciation. Wide zones in excess of 100 m of veined / stock worked granitoids are present and the overall mineralized trend is nearly 1.2 km long.
A combined RC-DD drilling program commenced on 1 December 2010 to infill known mineralization, test along-strike extensions of the known ore bodies, test for the possibility of a bulk tonnage-low grade operation, improve the category of the resource and locally check the geologic and structural model. A total of 6,800 meters (42 holes for a total of 4,855 meters of reverse circulation ("RC") drilling and 20 holes for a total of 1,945 meters of diamond drilling ("DD") had been proposed. As of 10 February 2011, 2,295 meters of RC drilling (31 holes) and 1,219.85 meters of DD (14 of 20 holes) have been completed.
Gold results have been completely reported for reverse circulation drill holes and partially for diamond drill holes. In general, values have confirmed existing grades in the main ore bodies. Significant additional mineralization corresponding to narrow ore shoots is being intercepted on the north and northwest extension (~100m along-strike) of the Central Zone. A significant intercept, that finished in mineralization, of 23 meters at 1.64 g/t Au from 157 meters has also been reported down dip on the eastern zone.
The best intercepts reported correspond mainly to the Central Zone (5m at 14.8 g/t including 1m at 64.29g/t) and East Zone (23m at 1.64 g/t). The drilling program will continue during February. The objective is to produce a new resource estimation that is NI43-101 compliant by Mid 2011.
Anillo (Chile)
OMI completed a first pass drill campaign of 16 reverse circulation drill holes for a total of 2,497 meters at the Anillo project. The drilling targeted anomalous geochemistry in rock and trench sampling combined with magnetic and VLF anomalies from geophysical surveys completed in October 2010.
Anomalous Ag and Au values (maximum 0.37 ppm for Au and 6 ppm for Ag) were intercepted over several meters in holes drilled in two different sectors located to the north and east of Yamana's neighboring Pampa Victoria discovery. Drilling confirms the presence of high level, low temperature epithermal mineralization at shallow depths below surface.
The Company is planning a follow up drill campaign including several deep holes (up to 500m depth) drilled in fences to test for mineralized N/S oriented structures. This decision is based on the knowledge that epithermal orebodies in the district are characteristically deep and often blind with only weak surface manifestations.
Two new sectors (central and west) at the Anillo project are currently being mapped in detail, and high density surface geochemistry is underway. Ground magnetic surveys also continue. The company hopes to generate new targets for first pass drilling in combination with the drilling mentioned above, during May 2011
Pantanillo (Chile)
OMI commenced a planned 6,500 meter summer drilling program at the Pantanillo project in early February 2011.
The first 1000m of (RC) drilling will test for additional oxide resources on the Pantanillo Sur target and will be followed by some 5,000m of reverse circulation and diamond drilling at Pantanillo Norte in late February pending the approval of the DIA which is expected by mid February.
Drilling at Pantanillo Norte will focus on enlarging as well as upgrading the current NI43-101 compliant measured and indicated oxide resource of 1.05M ounces (Sept, 2010). Also, the Company plans to drill several deep diamond holes at Pantanillo Norte to further investigate and better define the underlying sulfide resource and obtain material for metallurgical and geomechanical tests.
Vaca Muerta (Uruguay)
OMI completed a 2,736 meter drill program in December 2010 at the Vaca Muerta project located approximately 85km east (by existing roads) of the San Gregorio plant. Encouraging final assay results where reported in the quarter 2 news release (12 Jan, 2011).
The Company has begun initial metallurgical tests and resource modeling to fast track the project. Additional detailed surface mapping and soil sampling began in January covering the entire Vaca Muerta property. Special attention is being given to the combined 1km strike extensions to the NW and SE of the Vaca Muerta deposit, as well as to the north and south where several reconnaissance geochemical anomalies are known.
Additional drilling planned for March, 2011 will include step-out holes along the Vaca Muerta controlling structure, testing of new geochemical targets and infill drilling to facilitate a measured and indicated NI 43-101 compliant resource estimation.
Other Projects (Uruguay)
OMI continues exploration on several other properties located in southern Uruguay. The Company will start a 1,500 meter infill drill campaign at Crucera in February 2011 and complete a measured and indicated NI43-101 resource estimate by the end of fiscal 2011. First pass exploration drilling has also been planned for the Rocha and Texas projects in southern Uruguay. Some 2,000-2,500 meters has been dedicated to each project and drilling will begin in April 2011.
Qualified Person's Statement
The information presented in this press release has been reviewed by William F. Lindqvist, a director of OMI. Dr. Lindqvist holds a Ph.D. in Applied Geology from Imperial College, London, has been a member of the AusIMM for 46 years, and has had 40 years of experience in international minerals exploration and property evaluation.
Source: Orosur Mining Inc.