160 boulders with gold grades ranging from 0.1
g/t gold to 3,870 g/t gold, with an average of 74.9 g/t gold and
median of 0.71 g/t gold
VANCOUVER, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Mawson Resources
Limited ("Mawson") or (the "Company") (TSX: MAW)
(Frankfurt: MXR) (PINKSHEETS: MWSNF) announces the result of a
systematic review of nine prospect areas at the 100% owned
Rajapalot gold project in Finland. These prospect areas were
discovered by the Mawson team as gold-bearing boulder fields, from
which 160 gold mineralized boulders have now been identified within
a 12 square kilometre area. The potential bedrock source of
only three of the nine boulder fields have been located by
drilling, with the remaining six boulder trains now planned for
follow up exploration.
Key Points:
- A total of 160 boulders and outcrops with >0.1 g/t gold have
been discovered within a 4 kilometre by 3 kilometre area at
Rajapalot. Gold grades range from 0.1 g/t gold to 3,870 g/t
gold, with an average of 74.9 g/t gold and median of 0.71 g/t
gold. Samples from boulders are grab samples, which are
selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on
the property;
- The sources of six of nine gold bearing boulder fields remain
to be discovered;
- The sources of three have been discovered by drilling over the
last 18 months, these being:
-
- Palokas (including 10.0 metres @ 11.6 g/t gold from 110.2
metres, Mawson Release Feb 21, 2017)
- Raja (including 27.0 metres @ 3.3 g/t gold from 64.0 metres,
Mawson Release May 02, 2017),
- South Palokas (including 8.4 metres @ 4.2 g/t gold from 206.0
metres, Mawson Release March 07, 2016)
- Glacial transport direction, combined with geological features
and base of till drill results indicate only a short travel
distance for all mineralized boulders (<250 m). Rock outcrops
related to the boulders have been discovered in five of the boulder
fields.
- Discoveries of additional Palokas-style
amphibole-tourmaline-chlorite-pyrrhotite boulders over the last
month (assays pending for 4 mineralized boulders) at Hirvimaa have
defined immediate drill targets in areas that can be drilled
year-round;
- Winter drilling (2017-18) will focus on delineation of
additional gold mineralization in prospects already identified by
drilling, and follow-up of boulder fields where the primary source
of mineralization remains to be discovered.
Mr Hudson, Chairman & CEO states, "With more than 99% of
the gold prospective area at Rajapalot covered with a thin layer of
glacial soil, tracing the source of boulders remains a key to
further discoveries. The frequency of boulder discovery at
Rajapalot over at least 12 sq km is impressive. Our field teams are
regularly making new finds, including the exciting Palokas-style
mineralized boulders at Hirvimaa, that present immediate drill
targets. The bedrock source of only three of nine boulder
fields are known to date, with all nine still providing excellent
discovery opportunities.
Further discoveries at Rajapalot will come through rigorous
exploration practices and a commitment to drilling. Given the
high success rate of drilling during the last winter program where
28% of drill holes (39 out of a total of 137) recorded greater than
5 g/t-m intersections, we are looking forward to our upcoming
programs."
A summary of sample statistics is shown in Table 1 and
description of all boulder fields is shown in Table 2. Samples from
boulders are grab samples, which are selective by nature and are
unlikely to represent average grades on the property. A lower
cut-off for reporting of the boulders is 0.1 g/t Au, and the range,
mean and median are all reported to give a more accurate
representation of sample variation.
Compilation and re-examination of all the boulder information
was conducted for comparison of the drill results of the 2016-17
winter drilling and base of till (BOT) results with previously held
data. The geochemistry, mineral assemblages and the shape and
size of all boulders was reviewed. Company geologists have
determined that the grade distribution of boulders and their
spacial association with outcrops and drill results indicate that
the shallowly buried sources are close to the northwestern edges of
the defined boulder fields.
The source of three boulder fields identified in Figure 1
(Palokas, South Palokas and Raja) have been located. The source of
the largest boulder field, Rumajärvi, remains elusive, but as the
boulders contain highly anomalous and disseminated gold with
pyrrhotite, this remains a high-priority target for 2017-18 winter
drill program. Geophysical studies, including distinguishing
magnetic pyrrhotite-bearing metasediments from magnetic volcanic
rocks is allowing more effective targeting of boulder sources.
Technical Background
The qualified person for Mawson's Finnish projects, Dr.
Nick Cook, President for Mawson and
Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining Metallurgy has
reviewed and verified the contents of this release.
Boulder samples were assayed between 2012-2015 and transported
by Mawson personnel from site to ALS Chemex Ltd's laboratory in
Pitea, Sweden where the samples
were prepared and sent to ALS Chemex Ltd's laboratory in
Vancouver, Canada to be analyzed
by Au-ICP21, GRA-21, ME-MS41u and ME-MS61u techniques. The QA/QC
program of Mawson consisted of the systematic insertion of
certified standards of known gold content, with blanks at the
beginning of each batch. In addition, ALS Chemex inserted a number
of blanks and standards into the analytical process.
About Mawson Resources Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR,
PINKSHEETS:MWSNF)
Mawson Resources Limited is an exploration and development
company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic Arctic
exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rompas and
Rajapalot gold projects in Finland.
On behalf of the
Board,
"Michael
Hudson"
Michael Hudson, Chairman &
CEO
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|
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements or
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable
securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All
statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking
statements are typically identified by words such as: believe,
expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar
expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future
events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and
that actual results may differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors,
including, but not limited to, capital and other costs varying
significantly from estimates, changes in world metal markets,
changes in equity markets, planned drill programs and results
varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment
failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community
relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in
operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks,
and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on
www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the
date on which it is made and, except as may be required by
applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or
obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a
result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise.
Table 1: Summary of boulder data for the nine boulder fields at
Rajapalot. Minimum cut-off for reporting is 0.1 g/t Au. Samples
from boulders are grab samples, which are selective by nature and
are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.
Prospect
|
Number
|
Average
Au
g/t
|
Median
Au
g/t
|
Min
Au
g/t
|
Max
Au
g/t
|
> 5 g/t
Au
|
2-5 g/t
Au
|
0.5-2 g/t
Au
|
0.1-0.5 g/t
Au
|
Hirvimaa
|
23
|
15
|
0.6
|
0.1
|
253
|
5
|
0
|
8
|
10
|
Palokas
|
6
|
1.0
|
0.8
|
0.2
|
2.8
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
South
Palokas
|
4
|
4.5
|
0.7
|
0.1
|
17
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
Boardwalk
|
19
|
28.1
|
1.0
|
0.2
|
221
|
4
|
2
|
8
|
5
|
Terry's
Hammer
|
22
|
1.6
|
0.3
|
0.1
|
14
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
17
|
Rumajärvi
|
55
|
184
|
0.6
|
0.1
|
3870
|
14
|
6
|
9
|
26
|
Raja
Prospect
|
5
|
11
|
2.4
|
0.7
|
43
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
Joki
|
7
|
50
|
6.3
|
0.1
|
151
|
5
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
Raja
Permit
|
19
|
27
|
1.0
|
0.1
|
236
|
5
|
1
|
7
|
6
|
Table 2: Notes on each of the boulder fields; notes on
relationship to outcrops and related drilling; 2017-18 drilling
plans
Prospect
|
General boulder
notes
|
Targeting
notes
|
Relationship to
outcrops, drilling
|
Source drilled
?
|
Drill holes
(published grades noted)
|
Comments &
plans
|
Hirvimaa
|
Palokas style and
disseminated sulphidic albitic and muscovitic boulders; also Rompas
style high grade boulders.
|
Shallow drilling
(2-5m into bedrock below till - LD drill holes) reveals anomalism
with corresponding IP and magnetic anomalies equivalent to Palokas
signature
|
No Palokas style
mineralized outcrops; small Rompas style dolomite veins (Au-U)
hosted by mafic rocks
|
NO
|
7 NQ drill holes over
800 metre strike length have not found boulder targets; 4 of these
drill holes were not focused on Palokas-style targets
|
Drill testing of
Palokas-style targets planned before end of Dec 2017.
|
Palokas
|
Rare, small boulders
related to Palokas mineralization within 150 m of
outcrop
|
Drill testing to
continue of combined IP and magnetic anomaly
|
Palokas outcrop
drilled – mineralization present to > 100 metres; grab and
channel samples have produced grades similar to those in drill
results.
|
YES
|
PAL0027: 6.8 m @ 14.7
g/t Au from 34.4 metres
PAL0030: 10 m @ 11.6 g/t Au from 110.2 m
|
Drilling next winter
to define size and grade of mineralization; controls on grade
distribution are now better understood
|
South
Palokas
|
Micaceous
gold-bearing boulders
|
Magnetic, IP and
conductive anomaly evident in geophysics
|
Tested in drilling in
shallow hand-portable drilling (PRAJ) Intersected in PAL0016 –
deepest >5g-m intersection
|
YES
|
PAL0016: 8.4 m @ 4.2
g/t Au from 206 metres
|
Test further in
winter 2017-18 drill program
|
Boardwalk
|
Two types of large
boulders present: grunerite-chlorite-pyrrhotite-magnetite boulders
with <5 g/t Au and micaceous sulphidic boulders (up to 221 g/t
Au)
|
Both types of
boulders are magnetic and sulphidic so can be tested with a
combination of ground magnetics and gradient array IP.
|
Magnetic ironstones
have been intersected in early drilling, but the sulphidic and
gold-bearing rocks are yet to be found. Micaceous sulphidic rocks
are similar to those found at South Palokas, and may be derived
from there (< 200 m)
|
NO
|
4 NQ drill holes have
not intersected target
|
Ground magnetics at
<50 m spaced lines will be conducted before further
drilling.
|
Terry's
Hammer
|
22 anomalous boulders
spread across nearly 400 metres; boulders are large and angular
(many 50 cm to 1 m diameter). They are inferred to be derived from
the NW and W edges of the boulder field.
|
This boulder field
and Rumajärvi (below) are characterized by micaceous, sulphidic and
magnetic boulders. As such, they form excellent combined magnetic
and IP targets.
|
Narrow intersections
in outcrops do not appear representative of boulders; the 4 NQ
drillholes within and adjacent to the boulder field have not
intersected the source
|
NO
|
Limited drilling has
not located source yet
|
Drill testing in
areas adjacent to early 2017 drill holes. Additional magnetic data
indicates more targets to west and northwest of existing
drilling
|
Rumajarvi
|
The best-developed
boulder field in Rajapalot with 55 boulders sampled over 0.1 g/t
Au; highly variable in size and shape, with some over 2 m in
diameter. Many are angular indicating close to source.
|
Magnetic, sulphidic
boulders form the bulk of the mineralized boulders. More detailed
ground magnetics (<50 m line spacing) will be used in
follow-up
|
A few outcrops within
the boulder field are identified, but only in the central and SE
parts. Therefore, the up-ice source has not yet been
located.
|
NO
|
A single drill hole
(PAL0037) intersected some gold mineralization, but not of the
major boulder type.
PAL0037: 56 m @ 0.53 g/t Au from 5 metres (no lower cut)
|
Drilling of
identified magnetic anomalies caused by pyrrhotite have been
identified for drilling in 2017-18 winter season
|
Raja
Prospect
|
Micaceous and albitic
sulphidic gold mineralized large local boulders in till
|
Magnetic and
disseminated sulphides can be matched with ground geophysics of
drilled prospect
|
The boulders occur on
a small knoll southeast of Raja drill intersections (e.g.
PAL0048)
|
YES
|
PAL0048: 42.7 m @ 1.0
g/t Au from 53 metres (no lower cut)
|
Drilling required
winter 2017-18 to define size and grade of mineralized
zone
|
Joki
|
Gold-bearing,
biotite-rich boulders derived from adjacent rocks
|
Lower sulphide
concentration and resultant low intensity geophysical response will
make targeting more difficult below till
|
Adjacent outcrops
within biotite-rich mafic rocks
|
NO
|
Single hole did not
test target
|
Target for drill
testing in 2017-18 winter over anomalous geochemical results in
BOT
|
Raja
Permit
|
Angular boulders
spread across large area, perhaps more spread from source than
other boulder fields listed above
|
A variety of boulder
types, but predominantly of Rompas dolomite-calcsilicate vein
hosted type
|
Base of till drilling
intersected anomalous metals and Au in NW part of boulder field
("up-ice")
|
NO
|
Limited drilling in
NE part of boulder area
|
Additional data
compilation and ground geophysics before drill testing
|
SOURCE Mawson Resources Ltd.