OCTOBER 31, 1997
Ashton Drills More Kimberlite in Northern Alberta
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--John S. Auston, President and CEO of Ashton Mining of Canada Inc., is pleased to provide an update on
Ashton's exploration activities on the Buffalo Hills Project, Alberta.
The fall exploration program in Alberta commenced in mid-October. Core drilling on anomaly K91, 2.5 kilometres north-west of K14, has intersected a new kimberlite beneath 14 metres of
glacial overburden. Results of microdiamond analysis are expected in early December.
Ten core drill holes were completed on K14B and K14C for purposes of delineation and mini-bulk sampling. All recent holes returned kimberlite intersections varying between 26 metres and 102
metres in length and terminated in mudstones. The drilling has confirmed an extensive thick apron of tuffisitic crater facies kimberlite north and east of K14. Recent information suggests that K14, K14B and K14C represent separate phases of one large, irregular and complex body with surface dimensions of approximately 400 metres by 400 metres. Vertical dimensions are variable at the edge of the
body, while the central portions are open at depth. Previous drilling conducted in the central phase of K14 has confirmed kimberlite to at least 200 meters. Additional drilling will be required to define fully the lateral extent of this large body and the depth extent of crater and possible diatreme facies.
In Ashton's North Vancouver laboratory the processing of mini-bulk samples collected during the summer has experienced delays due to mechanical failures of pumps and screens in the Dense Media Separation plant. These slowed throughput during September and early October, and as a consequence the first results from the K14
mini- bulk sample will not be available before mid- to late November.
Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. (ACA.TSE/ME) and Pure Gold Resources Inc. (PUG.TSE) have an option agreement with Alberta Energy Company Ltd. of Calgary (AEC.TSE and AOG/NYSE) whereby Pure Gold and Ashton have the right to earn interests of 15 percent and 42.5 percent respectively in the Buffalo Hills Property. Total
landholdings, including option and joint venture lands, comprise 28.3 million acres in north central Alberta. Ashton is operator of the related exploration programs.
Ashton is a diamond exploration company with interests in a wide range of properties in Canada and the United States. It is 62 percent-owned by Ashton Mining Limited of Australia, a leading
explorer, producer and marketer of diamonds which holds an interest of 40.1 percent in the Argyle diamond mine in northwestern Australia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE
CONTACT: Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. John S. Auston President and CEO (640) 983-7750 or Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. Wayne D. Hillier Vice President, Exploration (604) 983-7750 |
