13th Jan 2014 07:00
Herencia Resources plc
("Herencia" or "the Company")High Grade Copper mineralisation extends over large areas of the Picachos Project
Highlights
· Further surface and underground sampling at Picachos has shown high grade copper mineralisation extending over large areas of the Picachos tenements
· Sampling of the shallow underground within the Santa Rosa mine has resulted in multiple high grade zones of mineralisation being identified including 147 metres of level development grading 1.6% Cu
· A detailed structural and geological mapping program for all surface and underground workings is near completion
· High copper grades sampled in the walls and working faces of most underground workings has highlighted the potential for bulk tonnage manto-style mineralisation
· Drill targets to be prioritised for 2014 drill program
Herencia Resources plc (AIM:HER), the Chile-focussed mineral exploration and development Company, is pleased to advise that initial sampling of both surface and underground mining areas, at its advanced Picachos Copper Project ("Picachos" or the "Project") in central Chile, has been successfully completed.
A comprehensive surface and underground sampling program currently being undertaken by company geologists continues to result in the identification of multiple high grade zones of mineralisation. Importantly, this work has also confirmed the pervasive nature of the copper mineralisation into the mantos.
A sampling program within the Santa Rosa mine has found extensive shallow workings at a depth of approximately 65 metres below the surface (this area appears to be the most extensively development mine within the tenements). Sampling using the hand held XRF analyser has identified multiple high grade zones within Santa Rosa, some being continuous over large distances with one area consisting of 147 metres of level development averaging 1.6% copper. Significant results from the sampling program are attached in Table 1 and shown on a diagram available on the Company's website at www.herenciaresources.com (please refer to the plan titled "Map 1" showing the location of the mine areas and samples).
A detailed structural and geological mapping program covering the entire surface and most underground workings is near completion. The map will be invaluable in identifying initial drill targets as part of the Company's upcoming RC drill program that should commence later this Quarter.
Managing Director, Graeme Sloan, commented:
"Picachos is shaping up to be even better than first anticipated. Everywhere our geologists targeted they have been successful in encountering copper mineralisation.
Across the Picachos project area, be it on surface or underground, we have consistently achieved grade and width. This augers very well for achieving our near term goal for a large-scale open pit operation seeking to mine copper grades in the range of 1.0% to 1.5% copper.
The shallow depths and broad target zones also lend themselves to quick and cost effective drilling, with the potential to achieve a mineral resource at low cost and in a very short timeframe.
Our geologists are now planning a drill program that is likely to commence 1Q2014 and on the results of our current surface and underground mapping program, they appear to be spoilt for choice in terms of drill targets available to them."
About the Picachos Project
The Picachos Project is located approximately 50km south of the coastal city of La Serena, 8km west of both the existing Andacollo copper-gold project operated by Teck Resources and the mining town of Andacollo (population approximately 10,000 people), and 10km south of the privately owned Tambillos copper mine. The Project is very well positioned for infrastructure with existing high voltage power located approximately 3km east of the Project area and serviced by two all-weather access roads.
Small scale mining is currently being undertaken by private miners via small open pit and underground mining operations. Ore is being trucked to a Chilean government owned processing plant (ENAMI plant) where it is processed. This mining will continue up until such time as the Option to fully acquire Picachos is exercised (at Herencia's discretion) and is seen by the Company as an excellent mechanism to achieve geological and grade data across many zones of mineralisation.
A review of available data and recent site visits have identified up to five separate zones of mineralisation with a combined strike length of over 8km contained within the Project area. In some areas the close relationship of these zones coupled with multiple occurrences of out-cropping wide zones of mineralisation, highlights the excellent potential for large scale open pit mining to take place at Picachos. Historic mining has focused mainly around the high grade structures, however in some areas the mantos has been mined up to 50m wide. Mineralisation generally commences from one to five metres below the surface and appears open at depth.
About Herencia
Herencia Resources plc, is an AIM quoted exploration and development company operating in Chile. In addition to the Picachos Copper Project, the Company has recently completed a Feasibility Study in relation to its 70% owned Paguanta Project, a high grade silver-zinc-lead project located in northern Chile. The Company is looking to complete project permitting for Paguanta, whilst investigating a number of potential funding alternatives in parallel with the permitting process before a development decision is made, potentially in the second half of 2014. In addition, the Company is also advancing the Guamanga Project after entering into a JV with a wholly owned subsidiary of one of Australia's largest copper miners, OZ Minerals.
For further information, please contact:
Graeme Sloan, Herencia Resources plc +61 8 9481 4204
Katy Mitchell, WH Ireland Limited +44 161 832 2174
References in this announcement to exploration results and potential have been approved for release by Mr Graeme Sloan (BAppSc Mining Engineering WASM) and Mr Antonio Valverde (Bsc Geology Universidad Complutense de Madrid), who have more than 20 years relevant experience in the field of activity concerned. Mr Sloan is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Sloan and Mr Valverde have consented to the inclusion of the material in the form and context in which it appears.
Further background details on the Company can be found at www.herenciaresources.com
**ENDS**
Table 1: Significant sample results from analysis with Niton XL2 XRF Instrument
SAMPLE ID | EASTING | NORTHING | Cu% | OBSERVATIONS |
XR-014 | 292793 | 6648522 | 4.37 | Frenchman Mine Stock Pile |
XR-015 | 291746 | 6649570 | 25.20 | Leoncito Mine Stock Pile - Bornite |
XR-017 | 291746 | 6649570 | 16.41 | Leoncito Mine - Bornite |
XR-026 | 292842 | 6648624 | 1.67 | Andesite with Copper Oxide |
XR-027 | 292855 | 6648613 | 6.88 | Siltstone with Copper Oxide |
XR-029 | 292847 | 6648651 | 1.77 | Structure 134/90 |
XR-035 | 292876 | 6648570 | 1.86 | Siltstone with Copper Oxide |
XR-038 | 292985 | 6648601 | 4.09 | Chert with Copper Oxide |
XR-067 | 292492 | 6649363 | 7.44 | Copper Oxide Structure 180/90 |
XR-071 | 292582 | 6649460 | 5.36 | Chert |
XR-072 | 292559 | 6649492 | 20.67 | Chert |
XR-082 | 292734 | 6648463 | 4.48 | Small open pit |
XR-083 | 292740 | 6648455 | 2.97 | Small open pit |
XR-088 | 293110 | 6649154 | 6.21 | Andesite |
XR-089 | 293132 | 6649064 | 5.39 | Siltstone |
XR-153 | 292245 | 6649658 | 30.37 | Chert with Copper Oxide |
XR-156 | 292282 | 6649802 | 7.33 | Andesite with Copper Oxide |
XR-157 | 292299 | 6649815 | 3.72 | Fault 82/90 |
XR-159 | 292495 | 6649691 | 2.52 | Andesite with Copper Oxide |
XR-183 | 291950 | 6650205 | 3.69 | S/pile Limestone with Chalcopyrite-Bornite |
XR-184 | 291950 | 6650205 | 3.49 | Stock Pile Siltstone Copper Oxide |
XR-185 | 291950 | 6650205 | 2.75 | Siltstone with Copper Oxide |
XR-186 | 291946 | 6650173 | 2.38 | S/pile Limestone with Chalcopyrite-Bornite |
· Semi-quantitative analysis with portable instrument - XRF Niton XL2
· Screening depths range up to ~0.375 inches
· The accuracy of the Niton XL2 XRF Analyser is claimed to be as accurate as any other analytical method, subject to sample homogeneity, consistency of sample/sample preparation
· Copper values correspond to average of several measurements of the same sample
· All sampling conducted by qualified Herencia geologists
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