14th Nov 2012 07:00
Herencia Resources plc
("Herencia" or "the Company")Paguanta UpdateMore High Grade Results from Paguanta Work Programmes
Herencia Resources plc, an AIM quoted exploration and development company operating in Chile, is pleased to provide an update in relation to its flagship Paguanta Project ("the Project"). The Project, which is 70% owned and managed by Herencia, is a high grade silver-zinc-lead deposit is located in northern Chile. The Company has undertaken a number of work programmes aimed at incorporating an open pit mine into the current Paguanta Feasibility Study.
Highlights
1. Further excellent results from a selected drill hole re-sampling programme and surface sampling programme testing for up-dip extensions to existing high-grade silver and lead mineralisation at Paguanta (Patricia Deposit) have been returned.
Drill hole re-sampling - significant results include:
PTDD071 8m grading 93g/t Ag, 3.1% Pb, 0.23g/t Au (from 17m down hole)
including 1m grading 349g/t Ag,11.5% Pb, 0.48g/t Au (from 23m down hole)
PTDD109 2m grading 213g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 0.22g/t Au (from 36m down hole)
PTDD125 4m grading 110g/t Ag, 0.6% Pb, 1.4% Zn, 0.17g/t Au (from 102m down hole)
Surface sampling - significant results include:
822284-822286 : Line 6 50g/t Ag, 2.5% Pb, 0.2g/t Au (Sample length 6.8m)
822228-822229 : Line 6 41g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb (Sample length 5.0m)
822332 : Line 7 78g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, 0.3g/t Au (Sample length 2.3m)
822371 : Line 8 72g/t Ag, 1.0% Pb, 0.1g/t Au (Sample length 2.3m)
822373 : Line 8 75g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 0.3g/t Au (Sample length 1.6m)
822421-822422 : Line 9 252g/t Ag, 7.1% Pb, 0.9g/t Au (Sample length 4.5m)
822483-822485 : Line 11 217g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb, 1.7g/t Au (Sample length 6.5m)
2. In addition, metallurgical test work (leaching and conventional flotation) to evaluate the recovery of Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) from 'Transition Zone' material (typically 20m to 80m below surface) at the Paguanta Project has returned better than anticipated results as summarised below. Overall Transition Zone recoveries are as follows:
Ø Zinc recoveries 60 - 84 %
Ø Lead recoveries 20 - 40 %
Ø Silver recoveries 60 - 80 % (combined Flotation and Leach recovery)
These transition zone results are in addition to the high recoveries already achieved in the primary sulphide zones (ie the main planned mining zones) previously announced on 26 September 2012.
Concentrate grades for the transition zone:
Ø Zinc 54 - 58 %
Ø Lead 46 - 70 %
Ø Silver (Zn Conc) 150 - 220 ppm
Ø Silver (Pb Conc) 2,500 - 5,000 ppm
Surface Sampling and Drill Hole Re-Sample Program:
As announced on 26 July 2012, the Company commenced work on a comprehensive and systematic surface sampling programme to test the surface expression of the Patricia mineralisation and to undertake a re-logging and re-sampling program for selected near surface drill holes. This work was aimed at defining further high-grade silver and lead mineralisation up-dip and near-surface from existing resources, to support the development of an open pit operation.
Both the surface sampling and re-logging field work programmes have now been completed and all results received. The latest results presented in Table 1 and 2 together with those reported on 22 August 2012, successfully demonstrate the presence of wide zones of mineralisation at shallow depths which adds support for a potential open pit operation at Paguanta.
The results of the latest drill hole resampling are presented in Table 1 and include 8 metres grading 93g/t silver, 3.1% lead and 0.23g/t gold in PTDD071 (from 17 metres down-hole) including 1 metre grading 349g/t silver, 11.5% lead, 0.48g/t gold (from 23 metres down hole) and 2 metres grading 213g/t silver, 0.6% lead and 0.22g/t gold in PTDD109 (from 36 metres down-hole).
Significant surface sampling results are presented in Table 2 and include 252g/t Ag, 7.1% Pb and 0.9g/t Au over a 4.5m sample length and 217g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb and 1.7g/t Au over 6.5m sample length. The surface sampling was undertaken by a Company geologist adhering to strict sampling protocols to ensure the Company's rigid Quality Assurance/Quality Controls were maintained.
Metallurgical Test Work - Transition Zone Material:
Metallurgical test work to evaluate the recovery of Silver, Zinc and Lead from 'Transition Zone' material (typically encountered 20 metres to 80 metres below surface, usually in a potential open pit environment) at the Paguanta Project has returned better than expected metallurgical recoveries.
Transition Zone material can be best described as ore that has been partially leached and oxidised by natural weathering and as such, has different metallurgical responses compared with primary ore.
The test work was undertaken using simulated concentrator (flotation process) and leach circuits to recover valuable minerals (Ag, Zn and Pb) from the transition zone material. The test work programme was completed by ALS Laboratories (formerly G&T Laboratories) in Kamloops, BC, Canada, and was based on six transition zone samples that were selected by the project geologists. The results of the two test programme, Flotation and Leach, can be summarised as:-.
Concentrator (Flotation) Test Work - Transition Zone:
Key results obtained for the Concentrator (Flotation) test work on transition zone material include:
Zinc Concentrate:
·; Overall Flotation recoveries - (transition zone material)
o Zinc 60 - 84 %
o Silver 4 - 26 %
·; Concentrate grades
o Zinc 54 - 58%
o Silver 150-220 ppm
Silver-Lead Concentrate:
·; Overall Flotation recoveries - (transition zone material)
o Silver 16 - 45 %
o Lead 20 - 40 %
·; Concentrate grades
o Silver 2,500-5,000 ppm
o Lead 46-70 %
Leaching Test Work - Transition Zone:
Key results obtained for the Leaching test work programme show silver recoveries 36% to 78% and importantly the leach kinetics were relatively fast. This work is being progressed to review the potential for heap leaching initial silver rich oxide/transition ore which may provide potential capital cost savings during the initial phase of mine development.
Graeme Sloan, Managing Director of Herencia said:
"The final results of the surface sampling and drill hole re-logging again highlight the significant potential of the Paguanta area and the possibility of incorporating an open pit into the Mine Plan. When combined with the latest metallurgical test work on transition type ore, it will allow a final open pit mining study to be completed. Early indications from the open pit study are very encouraging".
"With several new work programs added to the Feasibility Study, including the surface sampling and near-surface drill hole re-logging program, reviewing the potential for open pit mining and other associated study work, the Feasibility Study is now anticipated to be completed at the end of next quarter. Achieving this will be a tremendous result for the Company and a credit to our Chilean team."
Project Location
The Paguanta Project is a silver-zinc-lead deposit located in the north of Chile approximately 190 kilometres north-east of the coastal city of Iquique and 30 kilometres west of Chile-Bolivia border. The Project is in the Andes, 3,400 to 3700 metres above sea level on the north end of the Oligocene Porphyry Copper Belt of Chile that includes the world class deposits of Escondida, Chuquicamata, Collahuasi and Cerro Colorado. Cerro Colorado is a large operating copper mine, operated by BHP Billiton, and is located approximately 35 kilometres south of Paguanta.
Date: 14 November 2012
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/Abigail Genis, City Profile +44 207 448 3244
References in this announcement to exploration results and potential have been approved for release by MrGraeme Sloan (BAppSc Mining Engineering WASM) and Mr Antonio Valverde (Bsc Geology Universidad Complutense de Madrid), both with more than 15 years relevant experience in the field of activity concerned. Mr Sloan is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Both 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**
Table1: Assay Results from Re-assayed Drill Holes at Paguanta
Hole ID | Easting | Northing | Dip (degrees)
| Azimuth (degrees)
| From (m)
| To (m)
| Width Down-hole (m) | Zinc Grade (%) | Lead Grade (%) | Silver Grade (g/t) | Gold Grade (g/t) |
PTDD071 | 494548 | 7809572 | -54 | 180 | 17 | 25 | 8 | 0.04 | 3.1 | 93 | 0.23 |
Including 1m @ 0.1% Zn, 11.5% Pb, 349g/t Ag, 0.48g/t Au from 23m | |||||||||||
PTDD087 | 494565 | 7809597 | -50 | 180 | 46 | 47 | 1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 68 | 0.05 |
PTDD109 | 494531 | 7809650 | -60 | 180 | 36 | 38 | 2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 213 | 0.22 |
PTDD113 | 494651 | 7809632 | -65 | 180 | 58 | 60 | 2 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.03 |
PTDD125 | 494539 | 7809723 | -45 | 191 | 102 | 106 | 4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 110 | 0.17 |
PTDD129 | 494537 | 7809725 | -50 | 180 | 76 | 78 | 2 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.01 |
194 | 196 | 2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 55 | 0.03 |
·; All stated widths are down-hole intersections
·; All samples assayed by ALS Laboratory Group, Chile
·; Crushing all sample 70% < 2mm; quirting to 1 Kg; and powdered 85% < 75 µm
·; Zn-Pb-Ag-ME ICP41 method or AA46 ore grade for Pb 0.01-30%, Zn 0.01 -30% Ag 1-1500ppm
·; Au-AA23 ore grade finish Au 0.005 - 10ppm Au fire assay
·; Hole ID co-ordinate grid is PSAD56 UTM Zone 19S
Table 2: Significant Assay Results from Surface Sampling Program at Paguanta
Sample | Easting | Northing | RL | Line | Length | ME-ICP41 Ag (g/t) | ME-ICP41 Pb (%) | ME-ICP41 Zn (%) |
Au-AA23 Au (g/t) |
822228 | 494385 | 7809492 | 3789 | 6 | 2.5 | 42 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.08 |
822229 | 494384 | 7809494 | 3788 | 6 | 2.5 | 39 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.02 |
822230 | 494384 | 7809496 | 3786 | 6 | 2.5 | 36 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.05 |
822231 | 494382 | 7809498 | 3786 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.02 |
822232 | 494389 | 7809508 | 3781 | 6 | 1.8 | 19 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.02 |
822233 | 494389 | 7809510 | 3781 | 6 | 2.2 | 18 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.01 |
822235 | 494386 | 7809514 | 3778 | 6 | 3.1 | 9 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.01 |
822236 | 494385 | 7809517 | 3777 | 6 | 3.15 | 6 | 0.0 | 0.6 | |
822284 | 494365 | 7809778 | 3713 | 6 | 1.95 | 41 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.13 |
822285 | 494365 | 7809779 | 3714 | 6 | 2.29 | 91 | 4.2 | 0.1 | 0.32 |
822286 | 494362 | 7809780 | 3711 | 6 | 2.6 | 21 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.05 |
822287 | 494363 | 7809782 | 3711 | 6 | 2.2 | 15 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.03 |
822326 | 494333 | 7809477 | 3793 | 7 | 2.6 | 31 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.06 |
822328 | 494323 | 7809481 | 3788 | 7 | 2.06 | 16 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.05 |
822331 | 494339 | 7809519 | 3772 | 7 | 1.79 | 31 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.11 |
822332 | 494340 | 7809519 | 3771 | 7 | 2.28 | 78 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.27 |
822334 | 494347 | 7809522 | 3772 | 7 | 3.2 | 12 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.01 |
822371 | 494293 | 7809469 | 3780 | 8 | 2.3 | 72 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.10 |
822372 | 494293 | 7809471 | 3780 | 8 | 1.6 | 45 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.03 |
822373 | 494281 | 7809476 | 3777 | 8 | 1.6 | 75 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.26 |
822376 | 494287 | 7809484 | 3775 | 8 | 1.6 | 38 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.05 |
822381 | 494274 | 7809492 | 3773 | 8 | 1.88 | 64 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.02 |
822382 | 494288 | 7809530 | 3765 | 8 | 1.88 | 18 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.02 |
822383 | 494299 | 7809537 | 3763 | 8 | 2.57 | 26 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.01 |
822417 | 494300 | 7809849 | 3693 | 8 | 1.75 | 63 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.36 |
822421 | 494251 | 7809540 | 3760 | 9 | 2.1 | 276 | 6.6 | 0.3 | 0.80 |
822422 | 494248 | 7809540 | 3760 | 9 | 2.4 | 231 | 7.6 | 0.4 | 1.08 |
822423 | 494260 | 7809558 | 3755 | 9 | 1.34 | 7 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.10 |
822424 | 494261 | 7809560 | 3754 | 9 | 1.17 | 6 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 0.10 |
822425 | 494261 | 7809560 | 3753 | 9 | 1.33 | 32 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.11 |
822450 | 494238 | 7809633 | 3729 | 9 | 1.85 | 55 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.03 |
822469 | 494196 | 7809570 | 3750 | 10 | 2.65 | 0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.02 |
822476 | 494192 | 7809734 | 3701 | 10 | 1.5 | 36 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.07 |
822483 | 494162 | 7809730 | 3701 | 11 | 2.3 | 222 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.02 |
822484 | 494162 | 7809732 | 3701 | 11 | 2.1 | 238 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 0.75 |
822485 | 494163 | 7809734 | 3701 | 11 | 2.1 | 191 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 3.50 |
821503 | 494642 | 7809470 | 3852 | 13 | 1.6 | 34 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
821508 | 494650 | 7809467 | 3853 | 13 | 1.38 | 30 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
Note: Co-ordinates in UTM, Zone 19, PSAD56
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