THE MINERALIZATION IS CURRENTLY OPEN AT DEPTH, TO THE SOUTH,
AND TO THE SOUTHEAST, FURTHER STEP OUT DRILLING IS PLANNED
Trading Symbols
TSXV: AFR
Frankfurt: OWW
VANCOUVER,
March 28 /PRNewswire/ - African
Metals Corporation ("AFR") is pleased to report that it has
received final assay results from a further 9 drill holes
from 22 diamond drill holes completed on its' Luisha South
Project, in the Katanga Provence of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These results confirm the continuity and grade
of mineralization identified by the June
2010 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program, and lend
further, significant support to a potential upgrade to the resource
model with potential for a higher grade copper core.
HIGHLIGHTS
New Diamond Core Results Include:
- 51 metres at 1.6% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 105m (LURD006)
Including 4 metres at 4.2% copper, 0.4% cobalt from 111m
- 42 metres at 1.3% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 107m (LURD007)
- 30.5 metres at 1.3% copper, 0.4% cobalt from 124.5m
(LURD008)
Including 1 metres at 5.1% copper, 2.8% cobalt from 130m.
Recalculated Combined RC and Diamond Core
Results Include:
- 53.8 metres at 1.8% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 68m
(LURC/RD002)
- 91.8 metres at 1.2% copper, 0.5% cobalt from 107m
(LURC/RD003)
- 49.5 metres at 1.6% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 105m
(LURD006)
Luisha South Diamond Drilling
Rubaco Sprl and DrillTek Sprl, drilling
contractors, combined to complete a total of 1,538.73 metres of
diamond core drilling of 22 holes at the Luisha South Project in
January 2011. The holes targeted the
down dip and southeast extensions of mineralization highlighted by
the March 2010 geochemical sampling
program and the June 2010 RC drilling
program.
The RC drill program enabled a JORC and
NI43-101F compliant resource estimation of the Luisha pit
mineralization, resulting in an Inferred Resource of 5.8 million
tonnes at 1.3% copper, and 0.4% cobalt for 75,400 tonnes of
contained copper metal and 23,200 tonnes of contained cobalt metal
(using 0.5% copper cut-off). Some of the holes from the initial RC
program, however, either terminated within, or short of copper and
cobalt mineralized horizons, producing interpolation gaps in the
resource block model. The diamond holes in the recently completed
program were designed to infill the gaps and further define the
extents of the mineralization.
The reported analytical results are from nine
holes cored as diamond tails to RC pre-collars drilled on the
southern and southeastern side of the open pit (Figure 1). To see a
map, please click here:
http://files.newswire.ca/138/AFR_Figure_1.pdf
Eight of the nine holes intersected additional
intervals of copper and cobalt mineralization beneath the
termination depths of the RC pre-collars. The mineralization is
mainly chalcopyrite and carrolite, with locally trace occurrences
of malachite and heterogenite (non-sulphide copper and cobalt
minerals respectively).
The mineralization is hosted within the Mines
Series R2 Stratigraphy (CMN, SD, "BOMZ-SDB-RSF-RSC-DStrat", and
"Grey RAT"). Stratigraphic horizons known to host significant
mineralization at other mine sites within the Katanga Provence,
including Tiger Resources' Kipoi mine located approximately 7.5km
along strike to the southeast.
The higher grade assay results from samples
collected from this stratigraphic sequence suggest a possible
higher grade core of copper and cobalt mineralization. The
mineralization is currently open at depth, to the south, and to the
southeast, and further step out drilling is planned for the coming
dry season which commences in May.
Mineralization styles observed in the core
include both syngenetic (bedding parallel and disseminated fine
pyrite lenses and blebs replaced by chalcopyrite and carrolite) and
epigenetic (fracture and vein hosted sulphides).
Diamond core - anomalous intercepts based on a
0.5% Cu cut off are summarised in Table 1.
Hole
Number |
East |
North |
NQ
Tail
(m) |
Total
Depth
(m) |
Azim
(°) |
Dip
(°) |
From
(metres) |
Width
(metres) |
Cu
% |
Co
% |
| LURD001 |
501826 |
8764111 |
35.55 |
145.55 |
36 |
-60 |
110.80 |
19.10 |
1.3 |
0.3 |
| LURD001 |
|
|
|
|
|
inc. |
111.80 |
4.70 |
2.2 |
0.4 |
| LURD002 |
501889 |
8764089 |
22.00 |
132.00 |
36 |
-60 |
110.00 |
11.80 |
1.3 |
0.4 |
| LURD003 |
501927 |
8764078 |
46.00 |
138.00 |
36 |
-60 |
92.00 |
35.80 |
1.2 |
0.4 |
| LURD004 |
501970 |
8764048 |
50.60 |
140.60 |
36 |
-60 |
94.40 |
13.20 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
| LURD005 |
501782 |
8764142 |
18.25 |
130.25 |
36 |
-60 |
** |
** |
** |
** |
| LURD006 |
501866 |
8764058 |
98.40 |
158.40 |
36 |
-60 |
84.00 |
2.00 |
2.5 |
0.1 |
| LURD006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
96.00 |
6.00 |
0.8 |
0.1 |
| LURD006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
105.00 |
51.00 |
1.6 |
0.3 |
| LURD006 |
|
|
|
|
|
inc. |
111.00 |
4.00 |
4.2 |
0.4 |
| LURD006 |
|
|
|
|
|
inc. |
142.00 |
2.00 |
2.8 |
1.1 |
| LURD007 |
501902 |
8764042 |
96.00 |
158.00 |
36 |
-60 |
74.70 |
2.80 |
0.8 |
0.2 |
| LURD007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
82.00 |
3.00 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
| LURD007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
91.50 |
4.00 |
0.8 |
0.1 |
| LURD007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
107.00 |
42.00 |
1.3 |
0.3 |
| LURD007 |
|
|
|
|
|
inc. |
131.00 |
3.00 |
2.3 |
0.1 |
| LURD008 |
501943 |
8764011 |
80.88 |
170.88 |
36 |
-60 |
124.50 |
30.50 |
1.3 |
0.4 |
| LURD008 |
|
|
|
|
|
inc. |
130.00 |
1.00 |
5.1 |
2.8 |
| LURD012 |
501739 |
8764167 |
101.00 |
148.00 |
36 |
-60 |
38.00 |
17.00 |
1.3 |
0.2 |
| LURD012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
72.00 |
14.00 |
1.0 |
0.1 |
| LURD012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
93.00 |
16.20 |
1.8 |
0.1 |
| LURD012 |
|
|
|
|
|
inc. |
98.00 |
3.60 |
3.8 |
0.1 |
Table 1: Anomalous length weighted drill
intercepts, Luisha South Project.
Notes: Grid coordinates are WGS84, Zone 35 South; Azimuth is
magnetic; intersections are down hole widths, not true widths;
reported assays are length weighted average intercepts; intercepts
are based on 0.5% total copper cut off, with no top cut; reported
intercepts include a maximum of two "internal waste" sample
intervals of 0.5% copper; inc. = including; ** = no significant
intervals >=0.5% copper.
A re-calculation of anomalous drill hole
intercepts based on combined RC pre-collar and diamond tail assay
results is summarized in Table 2. The results lend further support
to a potential upgrade to the resource model.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole Number |
From
(metres) |
To
(metres) |
Width
(metres) |
Cu
% |
Co
% |
| LURC001/RD001 |
34.00 |
48.90 |
14.90 |
1.5 |
0.8 |
| 56.00 |
72.00 |
16.00 |
1.0 |
0.2 |
| 82.00 |
96.00 |
14.00 |
0.7 |
0.1 |
| New |
|
| 100.00 |
129.90 |
29.90 |
1.1 |
0.3 |
| LURC002/RD002 |
36.00 |
38.00 |
2.00 |
5.8 |
0.7 |
| 60.00 |
64.00 |
4.00 |
0.7 |
0.2 |
| New |
|
| 68.00 |
121.80 |
53.80 |
1.8 |
0.3 |
LURC003/RD003
|
New |
|
| 36.00 |
127.80 |
91.80 |
1.2 |
0.5 |
| LURC004/RD004 |
New |
|
| |
82.00 |
107.60 |
25.60 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
| LURC006/RD006 |
32.00 |
46.00 |
14.00 |
2.5 |
0.1 |
| New |
|
| 79.00 |
81.00 |
2.00 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
| 84.00 |
86.00 |
2.00 |
2.5 |
0.1 |
| 96.00 |
102.00 |
6.00 |
0.8 |
0.1 |
| 105.00 |
154.50 |
49.50 |
1.6 |
0.3 |
| LURC007/RD007 |
New |
|
| 74.70 |
77.50 |
2.80 |
0.8 |
0.2 |
| 82.00 |
85.00 |
3.00 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
| 91.50 |
95.50 |
4.00 |
0.8 |
0.1 |
| 107.00 |
149.00 |
42.00 |
1.3 |
0.3 |
| LURC008/RD008 |
74.00 |
90.00 |
16.00 |
1.0 |
0.2 |
| New |
|
| 124.50 |
155.00 |
30.50 |
1.3 |
0.4 |
| LURC012/RD012 |
30.00 |
37.00 |
7.00 |
1.9 |
0.3 |
| New |
|
| 38.00 |
55.00 |
17.00 |
1.3 |
0.2 |
| 72.00 |
86.00 |
14.00 |
1.0 |
0.1 |
| 93.00 |
109.20 |
16.20 |
1.8 |
0.1 |
Table 2: Updated anomalous length weighted
drill intercepts, 0.5% TCu, Luisha South Project.
Nigel Ferguson,
President and CEO of AFR stated "we are very pleased to report
significant mineralised intervals within the Luisha South Project,
such as 91.8 metres at 1.2%Cu and 0.5%Co within LURC/RD003. It is
expected that these recalculated intervals, utilising both the RC
and DDH information will significantly impact on our current
resources.
As soon as results for the remaining drill holes
are received, our independent geological consultant will be given
the task of updating the Luisha resource." The updated resource
calculation is expected in Q2 of 2011.
AFR will continue to report assay results from
the remaining drill core samples as they become available.
Nigel Ferguson,
AusIMM, President and CEO of AFR, and a qualified person under
National Instrument 43-101, has verified data disclosed in this
release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AFRICAN METALS
CORPORATION
"Nigel Ferguson"
Nigel Ferguson
President & CEO
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES
PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX
VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR
ACCURACY OF THIS NEW RELEASE.
This News Release contains forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are statements which
relate to future events. These statements are only
predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results,
levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially
different from any future results, levels of activity, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. While these forward-looking statements, and any
assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and
reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our
industry, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes
materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections,
assumptions or
other future performance suggested herein.
Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend
to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these
statements to actual results.
Drill Hole Sampling and Assaying
Procedure
The Company undertakes drilling and sampling to
strict guidelines. The core was collected from the drill rig at the
end of each shift, processed for RQD geotechnical logging, and
digitally photographed. The drill core was predominantly NQ in
size, with a small percentage of HQ core in the upper 20m of holes
cored from surface in clay soils. Core was 'fitted' back together
whenever possible, and geologically logged on site by the
supervising project geologist. The project geologist ensured a
representative cutting line was marked along the length of the on
the core and samples highlighted at appropriate intervals. Once the
sample intervals and cut lines had been clearly marked out, the
start and end of each sample interval was cut orthogonal to the
long axis of the core to clearly define the end of each sample
interval. The core was then cut in half lengthways along the
representative cut line. A stand mounted, diamond impregnated
electric saw blade purchased from Johannesburg, South Africa, was used for all
core cutting purposes. The left half of the core was returned to
the metal core trays and retained for future reference; the right
half was placed into appropriately marked and labeled plastic
sample bags. Quality Control protocols enforced by the company
require the collection and insertion of Certified Reference
Materials (CRM's) at the rate of one CRM "blank", one field blank
(sand), one CRM "copper standard" and one field duplicate sample
within each sample stream of 20 samples.
Samples were delivered under security by company
vehicle to SGS Minerals Laboratory in Kalulushi, Zambia for sample preparation and analysis.
The laboratory maintains quality assurance protocols in line with
ISO 17025, and maintains quality accreditation for commercial
laboratories in line with ISO 9002. The laboratory also
participates in international round robin programs organized by
LQSI of the USA.
The sample preparation scheme was PRP90; drying
for 4 hours at 105 degrees Celsius; crushing to 2mm with 90%
passing 2mm; and pulverizing of a 1000 gram sub-split of the 2mm
chips to 85% passing 75 microns. Digest was scheme DIG42S; 0.4
grams of pulverized material digested in a 4 acid mixture on a hot
plate at 200 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes, with subsequent
dilution back to 100ml before AAS analysis by method 'AAS42S'.
Results for copper and cobalt were reported in percentages. Lower
detection limits were 0.01% for both elements.
About African Metals Corporation.
African Metals Corporation [TSXV "AFR"] is a
Canadian listed company focused on the discovery and development of
Copper and Cobalt deposits in the highly mineralized Katanga
Copper Belt of the world renowned Africa Copper Belt in the
Democratic Republic of Congo
("DRC").
AFR purchased all the assets of Chevalier
Resources Inc. in March 2010
including a 57% interest in the Luisha South Project contained
within licence PEPM 4881, Katanga Provence, Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC")
through subsidiaries incorporated in the DRC. In July AFR
negotiated a further 18% interest in the project with the option to
increase the equity interest to 90% based on results. The project
is located 75 kilometres northwest of Lubumbashi, the capital of
Katanga Province and consists of
approximately 16.2km².
The Luisha South Project includes a small
historical open pit mine and associated stockpile and is underlain
by Roan Group sediments which host major Cu-Co deposits in the DRC.
The Luisha South ore body was explored between 1923 and 1928 and an
oxide deposit with an estimated pre-production tonnage of
approximately 350,000 tonnes at 8.6% Cu was delineated. The
Luisha Project also covers some three kilometres of the Roan Group
strike length which is favorable for Cu-Co mineralization.
AFR is currently conducting metallurgical tests on stockpile
Reverse Circulation drill samples to determine characteristics and
heavy media separation qualities, with the aim of commencing
production of an oxide concentrate by the end of Q2 2011.
Additionally, African Metals has an option to
earn an 80% interest in 8 properties held by local company, KMH,
covering some 682 square kilometres within the Katanga Provence
Central African Copper Belt in the southeastern part of the DRC.
AFR has delineated several sizeable soil anomalies within the
licenses and is progressing exploration to test depth continuations
of this mineralization.
SOURCE African Metals Corporation