Starfield Resources Inc. - Confirmation Assays Increase Platinum And Rhodium Up To 30% - Hole FL02-101W-1 Extends Biotite Alteration Zone (enews)
Starfield Resources has recently received confirmation assays for a high-grade palladium-platinum-rhodium intersection (reported October 3, 2001) in drill hole FL01-101. This higher-grade platinum group (PGE) interval located several meters above the main West Zone nickel-copper-palladium-platinum bearing massive sulphides is hosted by a distinct, fine-grained biotite-rich horizon containing no sulphide mineralization. Petrographic (laboratory) studies have identified the PGE host minerals to be kotulskite (a palladium-tellurium-bismuth mineral) and sperrylite (a platinum-arsenide mineral). Kotulskite and moncheite have also been identified as the principal host minerals for PGE enrichment within the main Ferguson Lake massive sulphide system. Assay results for the PGE horizon are summarized in the accompanying table.
Original Assay Results
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Interval Length Pt Pd Rh
No. (meters) (meters) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) METHOD
-----------------------------------------------------------------
467188 962.28-962.63 0.35 26.71 103.00 2.74 Fire
(original) assay -
silver
inquart
Check 35.03 105.64 N/A
(original)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Confirmation Assay Results
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Re-assay
No. 1 34.51 104.64 3.68 Fire
assay -
gold
inquart
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Re-assay
No. 2 29.58 101.20 3.53 Fire
assay -
gold
inquart
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Re-assay
No. 3 31.63 101.04 3.61 Fire
assay -
gold
inquart
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Re-assay
No. 4 32.09 101.30 3.22 Fire
assay -
gold
inquart
-----------------------------------------------------------------
RE-ASSAY
AVERAGE 31.95 102.05 3.51 Fire
assay -
gold
inquart
=================================================================
These results, verifying the PGE content of the no-sulphide horizon, are part of a comprehensive assessment of analytical procedures on behalf of Starfield by S. Bruce Ballantyne, consulting geochemist. Further analysis of the overall PGE content, utilizing a second ISO 9002 accredited laboratory, is ongoing by Bruce Ballantyne in consultation with Dr. N.C. Carter, P.Eng., the Company's independent consulting engineer.
Investigation to determine the orientation of the high grade PGM zone is the focus of the current drilling program which got underway in late March. Hole FL01-101 was re-entered and a wedge was set at a depth of 754 meters or 208 meters uphole from the zone of interest.
This first wedge hole (FL02-101W-1) was recently completed to a depth of more than 1,020 meters and intersected two zones of biotite alteration within the host gabbro unit. The first of these 0.70 meters from 957.55 and 958.35 meters consists of 1 mm to 5 cm stringers and 5 to 10 cm clots of relatively coarse-grained, black biotite alteration within gabbro intercepted 3.7 meters above a 1 meter interval of massive and stringer sulphides. The second distinctive alteration zone is developed over a core length of 0.60 meters from 971.00 and 971.60 meters and is bracketed by massive and stringer sulphides. It includes several 0.5 to 2 cm wide stringers of fine-grained brown biotite which cut the gabbro at high angles to the core surface. These intercepts are similar in appearance to the original biotite-PGM zone located in hole FL01-101. Down-hole directional surveys indicate that the biotite alteration zones intersected in this first wedge cut are located between 10 and 12 meters east of the high grade biotite PGM zone intersected FL01-101.
A second wedge hole, designed to test the biotite-rich zone west of the original hole, is currently underway. Selected intervals from hole FL02-101W-1 have been sampled and assay results will be published when received by the Company.
On behalf of the Board of Directors "Glen Macdonald" Glen Macdonald, P.Geol., Director
Contact: Glen Indra Tel: (604) 608-0400 Fax: (604) 608-0344 Toll Free: (877) 233-2244 email: info@starfieldres.com website: starfieldres.com |
