8th Oct 2013 07:00
Herencia Resources plc
("Herencia" or "the Company")Herencia achieves outstanding high-grade copper results at its Picachos Project in Chile
Herencia Resources plc (AIM:HER), the Chile-focussed mineral exploration and development Company, is pleased to announce the receipt of high grade results from its first round of sampling at the advanced Picachos Copper Project ("Picachos" or the "Project") in central Chile (over which the Company has an Option Agreement to acquire the Project).
Highlights:
· Sampling of both shallow, surface mine workings and ore stockpiles returned numerous high-grade Copper results
· Better results include:
o Sampling the 'Leoncito Zone' ore stockpile returned several high-grades including grades of 9.3%, 16.4% and 25.2% Copper
o Sampling the high-grade 'Frenchman Zone' ore stockpile returned a high-grade of 4.37% Copper
o Sampling the '40m Shaft Zone' ore stockpile returned grades in excess of 3.56% Copper
o Rock-chip sampling of selected 'oxide' targets returned a best grade of 6.4% Copper
The Company recently completed initial field work at its recently acquired Picachos Project in central Chile. The work, undertaken and supervised by the Company's experienced geological team, consisted of a comprehensive rock-chip sampling program around the shallow surface mine workings, detailed surface surveying of all shallow workings and a comprehensive mapping and sampling program over the entire Picachos tenement area. Grab samples of stockpiled ore and surface samples were taken and analysed using the company's hand-held XRF analyser, whilst rock-chip samples were analysed using an Independent Assay Laboratory in Santiago.
The results confirm the extensive nature of copper mineralisation across the entire project area. Importantly, the work confirmed the high grades achieved from both the current mining operations and also from the highly prospective adjacent targets zones (not currently being mined). In addition to the high copper grades achieved, elevated assay results for silver and molybdenum were also returned adding to the overall geological prospectivity of the Project.
Significant results from the recent sampling program are attached in Tables 1 and 2. Photo-diagrams showing sample location and grades are available on the Company's website at www.herenciaresources.com.
Herencia's Managing Director, Graeme Sloan, commented:
"These are great first pass results, which clearly confirm the potential and what prompted our decision to option the Picachos Project in the first place. We are seeing high-grade copper mineralisation over many parts of the tenement area. Our geological mapping has also indicated large portions of the multiple north-south structures may potentially be mineralised in addition to the east-west mantos style structures. These high copper grades, achieved at or very near to surface, are not typical in everyday exploration work and are certainly higher than the grades typically being mined throughout Chile.
I believe the Project has the potential to be expanded into a substantial open pit mining operation, which would quickly transition the Company into the ranks of a copper producer, particularly as private mining is already underway at a number of sites at Picachos.
Herencia has already demonstrated its ability to attract JV partners of the calibre of OZ Minerals, in a structure we believe achieves the best potential outcome for shareholders by minimising the Company's spend. We are currently progressing discussions with potential partners which may allow Picachos to progress toward full production in a structure we believe best suited for our shareholders."
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 of approximately 4,000 to 10,000 tonnes per month 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. Historic mining has focused mainly around the high grade vein, 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 above, 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 Agreement 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
Simon Courtenay, Broker Profile +44 207 448 3244
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: Samples analysed by ALS laboratory
Sample | Easting | Northing | Silver g/t | Copper % | Comments | |
900014 | 292814 | 6648460 | 11.35 | 0.98 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900054 | 292800 | 6648505 | 18.60 | 2.05 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900055 | 292800 | 6648507 | 13.25 | 1.61 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900056 | 292799 | 6648509 | 28.20 | 2.46 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900057 | 292799 | 6648511 | 27.80 | 2.31 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900058 | 292798 | 6648513 | 3.26 | 0.50 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900059 | 292797 | 6648515 | 2.43 | 0.50 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900061 | 292796 | 6648517 | 16.95 | 1.20 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900071 | 292793 | 6648541 | 16.90 | 1.47 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900072 | 292793 | 6648543 | 4.72 | 0.83 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900073 | 292792 | 6648545 | 9.97 | 0.87 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900074 | 292790 | 6648547 | 7.79 | 1.03 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900075 | 292789 | 6648549 | 21.50 | 2.00 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900076 | 292789 | 6648551 | 6.24 | 0.86 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
900077 | 292788 | 6648554 | 8.80 | 1.89 | Frenchman mine - rock chip sample | |
150 | 291708 | 6649623 | 1.18 | 0.87 | Leoncito mine - disseminated Chalcopyrite | |
151 | 291708 | 6649623 | 17.80 | 1.34 | Leoncito mine -disseminated Chalcopyrite | |
153 | 291732 | 6649841 | 4.92 | 1.08 | Prodiga mine - rock chip sample (CuOx) | |
160 | 292786 | 6648556 | 35.00 | 2.90 | Frenchman mine - rock chip simple (CuOx) | |
161 | 292800 | 6648553 | 15.35 | 1.53 | Frenchman mine - rock chip simple (CuOx) | |
162 | 292800 | 6648541 | 15.90 | 1.39 | Frenchman mine - rock chip simple (CuOx) | |
163 | 292800 | 6648541 | 12.60 | 2.78 | Frenchman mine - rock chip simple (CuOx) | |
164 | 292794 | 6648519 | 43.90 | 3.10 | Frenchman mine - rock chip simple (CuOx) | |
165 | 292792 | 6648510 | 6.53 | 0.69 | Frenchman mine - rock chip simple (CuOx) |
· All samples assayed by ALS Laboratory Group
· Crushing all sample 70% < 2mm; split off 1 Kg and pulverized split to better than 85% passing 75 microns
· ICP ME -MS41 method or OG46 ore grade for Pb 0.01-30%, Zn 0.01 -30% Ag 1-1500ppm Cu 0.001-40%
· Au ICP22: 50g nominal sample weight 0.001ppm limit detection, Fire assay and ICP-AES
· Copper % represents Total Copper
· CuOx = Oxide Copper
Table 2: Samples Analysed with Niton XL2 XRF Instrument
Sample | Easting | Northing | Cu % | Comments |
XR-001 | 292683 | 6648650 | 0.58 | Chip sample from old working close to the 40m Shaft Limestone with Chalcopyrite and Bornite |
XR-010 | 292485 | 6648446 | 6.41 | Chip sample from structure with CuOx in siltstone |
XR-011 | 292680 | 6648713 | 5.97 | Chip sample from 40m Shaft stockpile - Bornite |
XR-012 | 292680 | 6648713 | 3.56 | Chip sample from 40m Shaft stockpile - Chalcopyrite |
XR-013 | 292793 | 6648522 | 1.36 | Chip sample from Frenchman stockpile Chalcopyrite and Bornite |
XR-014 | 292793 | 6648522 | 4.37 | Chip sample from Frenchman stockpile Chalcopyrite and Bornite |
XR-015 | 291746 | 6649570 | 25.20 | Chip sample from Leoncito stockpile - Bornite |
XR-016 | 291746 | 6649570 | 9.33 | Chip sample from Leoncito stockpile - Chalcopyrite |
XR-017 | 291746 | 6649570 | 16.41 | Chip sample from Leoncito stockpile - Bornite |
XR-018 | 291746 | 6649570 | 7.72 | Chip sample from Leoncito stockpile - Chalcopyrite |
· 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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Herencia Resources