PLATINOVA A/S ___________________________
TORONTO, July 15 /CNW/ - Platinova A/S (TSE- "PAS", TSE- "PVA.S") reports the discovery of an extensive zone of zinc, lead, silver mineralization in Washington Land, Northwest Greenland. Surface grab samples have returned grades up to 41% zinc, 7.7% lead, and 258 g/t silver. The mineralization is coincident with a large gravity anomaly.
During the summer of 1997, a government mapping party discovered several showings of zinc mineralization in Washington Land, some 30 km from tidewater. The mineralization occurs in strongly dolomitized and brecciated carbonate rocks equivalent to the stratigraphy hosting the Polaris zinc-lead deposit in the Canadian Arctic. A concession covering the area was awarded to Platinova earlier this year.
A programme of gravity geophysics, geological mapping and sampling was undertaken in June. The zone of intense dolomitization extends over about 3 km with sulphide surface showings scattered along this strike length. The stratigraphy in general has a shallow dip towards the north. At the eastern end of this zone, the showings are mostly pyrite with relatively low but anomalous contents of base metals.
A gravity anomaly 1400 metres long and up to 250 metres wide was identified at the western end of the mineralized zone. Surface grab sampling of loose gossan material at the western end of the gravity anomaly has returned high grades of zinc, silver and lead over an area of approximately 1000 metres by 200 metres. Within the gossans, the zinc mineralization is in the form of zinc carbonate and the lead-bearing mineral is galena (lead sulphide). The mineralogy of the silver mineralization has yet to be determined.
A sea lift of fuel and other supplies needed in preparation for a Spring drilling programme is planned to take place in late August. The ship will also provide a base for a programme of trenching and channel sampling of the gossan area as well as helicopter supported reconnaissance on a more regional scale. This work will be completed by mid September of this year.
In Central West Greenland, an ongoing diamond exploration programme has recently discovered a field of kimberlite boulders containing xenoliths of mantle material on the shore of a lake on property held 100% by Platinova. The lake, which is approximately 500 metres in diameter, is 12 km from tidewater and 80 km from Greenland's principal jet airport at Kangerlussuaq.
Elsewhere on the Platinova West Greenland diamond exploration project, detailed glacial till sampling, prospecting and geological mapping are underway to evaluate over 100 geophysical targets and kimberlite indicator mineral anomalies. Similar field programmes are also in progress on other extensive landholdings within the West Greenland Archean craton, where Platinova retains a 50% interest. Glacial till samples undergo initial processing and concentration in a field laboratory in Nuuk, before being shipped to Canada for detailed mineral and chemical analyses.
For further information:
Erik O. Andersen
Managing Director
(416) 367-4571, ext. 222
Jim Pirie
Vice President
(416) 367-4571, ext. 228 |
