Sarama Resources (SWA-V) Nov 3rd 2016 is pleased to announce positive results from an aircore ("AC"), reverse-circulation ("RC") and diamond drilling campaign at the South Houndé Project in south-western Burkina Faso.
The work was designed to test both new targets and extensions to known mineral resources and forms part of an ongoing, multi-faceted exploration program aimed at increasing the Project's 2.1Moz gold1,2 mineral resource to support mine development.
Highlights
High-grade strike and depth extensions to the mineral resource at a vertical depth of 370m in the central part of the MM Prospect with drilling corroborating previous high-grade intersections.
Intersections down-dip of higher-grade shoots demonstrate continuity and extension of the mineralised system to a 400m vertical depth in the southern part of the MM Prospect.
High-grade intersections encountered in drilling designed to investigate strike and depth extensions to an oblique mineralised lode at the MC Prospect.
High-grade oblique mineralisation confirmed at the Phantom East Prospect, highlighting potential in this lightly explored area.
Oxide mineralisation outside of known mineral resources intersected at the Phantom and MC Prospects in scout programs targeting anomalous geophysical zones.
Highlighted downhole intersections include (see Appendices A-D for full details):
| | | | | | | | | | | DDH086 | | 13.7m @ 5.67 g/t Au | | from 429m | | MM Prospect (central area extension) | | | DDH044 | | 4.4m @ 4.54 g/t Au | | from 413m | | MM Prospect (central area extension) | | | FRC879RE1 | | 7.6m @ 2.95 g/t Au | | from 471.3m | | MM Prospect (southern area extension) | | | | | included in 13.7m @ 1.62 g/t Au from 470.8m | | | FRC1042 | | 16m @ 3.04 g/t Au | | from 80m | | MC Prospect (oblique mineralisation extension) | | | FRC1044A | | 14m @ 2.37 g/t Au | | from 82m | | MC Prospect (oblique mineralisation extension) | | | FRC1051 | | 9m @ 3.39 g/t Au | | from 16m | | MC Prospect (east-west trend linkage) | | | | | 5m @ 5.25 g/t Au | | from 45m | | | | | FRC1056 | | 4m @ 7.81 g/t Au | | from 85m | | Phantom East Prospect (oblique mineralisation) | | | | | 7m @ 4.54 g/t Au | | from 104m | | | | | FRC1050 | | 10m @ 1.95 g/t Au | | from 2m | | MC Prospect (isolated geophysical anomaly) | | | | | | | | | | | | see Appendices A-D for full details |
USD$3.5M (CAD$4.7M) exploration program, funded by Acacia Mining plc, is budgeted for 2017 including geochemical and geophysical surveys and drill programs.MM and Obi Prospects
Extensional and Infill Drilling
An 11-hole, 2,300m diamond drill program was undertaken to test for extensions to the mineral resource in several areas of the MM Prospect. In general, the program targeted areas in fresh rock that were down-dip and adjacent to high-grade modelled shoots supported by strong drill intersections. Small portions of the drilling also tested for strike extensions to the mineral resources in oxide material.
The primary focus of the program was in the deepest part of the mineral resource at the central area of the MM Prospect where mineralisation grading up to 14.5g/t Au over mineable widths was previously intersected (refer Sarama news release August 12, 2012). This part of the mineralised system is open and presents an opportunity to define further high-grade material.
The new drilling in this area stepped out approximately 100m along strike to the north and also investigated the potential for footwall repetitions of the high-grade lodes (refer Figures 1 & 2). In general, the drilling returned moderately broad, higher-grade intersections confirming the mineralization model and demonstrating the potential to increase the strike of drill defined mineralisation in the area. Of note is the intersection of 13.7m @ 5.67g/t Au in DDH086 at a vertical depth of approximately 370m, which is hosted in sericite-albite-altered sedimentary rock, rather than the more prevalent porphyry host, and sits in the footwall of the main mineralized porphyry lodes of the system.
Full results are listed in Appendix A with highlighted downhole intersections including:
13.7m @ 5.67g/t Au from 429m in DDH086;
4.4m @ 4.54g/t Au from 413m in DDH044; and
4.0m @ 2.75g/t Au from 445m in DDH004.
The intersection in DDH086 may represent a high-grade mineralized oblique fault structure and requires further drill definition. Brecciation was also noted in the zone of higher grade mineralisation in DDH044, further illustrating the possibility of structural features influencing grade distribution. The strength of these results and their reinforcement of previous high-grade intersections further highlights this zone as a compelling exploration target.
Drill testing for down-dip extensions to the mineral resource in the southern part of the MM Prospect was also successful in confirming the continuity of porphyry-hosted mineralisation over broad widths. Higher-grade zones are present within the overall broad porphyry intersections, suggesting continuation of the mineralised system past the 400m vertical depth drilled in this area. Further work on the controls of the higher-grade shoots will be used to inform future targeting strategy in this area. Highlighted intersections from this portion of the drilling include:
13.7m @ 1.62g/t Au from 470.8m, including 6.7m @ 2.95g/t Au from 471.3m; and
6.1m @ 1.61g/t Au from 487.5m, including 3.5m @ 2.51g/t Au from 490m in FRC879RE1.
Ancillary Drilling
A 5-hole program, comprising 300m of diamond and 400m of RC drilling was undertaken at the MM and Obi Prospects in selected areas where recent geophysical surveys indicated potential for additional mineralisation and/or alternative interpretations in areas of known geological complexity.
The results of the program largely support existing interpretations and grade estimation of the mineral resource, and the new data will be incorporated in future mineral resource updates. Full results are listed in Appendix A.
MC Prospect
Extensional and Infill Drilling - High-Grade Oblique Lode
Follow-up drilling to investigate strike and depth extensions was conducted on a high-grade, oblique mineralised lode located in the central area of the MC Prospect (refer Figures 1, 3 & 4). The lode is part of the mineral resource and was defined by previous drilling campaigns to be striking at approximately 070°, which is oblique to the main north-north-east ("NNE") striking porphyry-hosted lodes that transect this lode. The limited strike length of the lode and strength of previous drill intersections indicated potential to extend the mineral resource to the south-west and north-east. Ground based geophysical surveys, including north-south oriented gradient array and sectional induced polarisation ("IP") surveys were commissioned to assist in drill targeting.
The 11-hole program consisting of 800m diamond and 900m RC drilling tested for strike extensions of approximately 70m in each direction as well as extension to a vertical depth of approximately 220m.
Full results of the program are included in Appendix B, with highlighted intersections of:
16m @ 3.04g/t Au from 80m in FRC1042;
14m @ 2.37g/t from 82m in FRC1044A; and
7m @ 1.70g/t Au from 82m in FRC1043.
The results indicate modest potential for the oblique lode to be extended to the south-west in the upper zone, however shallow drilling to the north-east did not intersect mineralisation of significance. Deeper drilling suggests potential to extend the lode in both directions of strike as well as at depth based on the continuity demonstrated by the deeper intersections in DDH077 (refer Figure 4).
Further assessment of the structural geology will be undertaken in this complex area to reinforce targeting strategies prior to additional drilling. The close proximity of the multiple NNE trending lodes and the oblique target lode presents challenges in drill planning and several results included in Appendix B represent shallow angle intersections of NNE trending mineralisation and are considered secondary to the purpose of the program.
Extensional and Infill Drilling -- Other Areas
A separate program of modest size targeting minor extensions to, and infill of, the mineral resource in various areas of the MC Prospect was also undertaken. The results of this 6-hole program (consisting of 600m of diamond and 400m of RC drilling) generally confirmed the existing mineral resource interpretation. Full results are included in Appendix B.
Of note are the multiple intersections in DDH068, including an interval of porphyry-hosted mineralisation at a vertical depth of 340m. While of moderate tenor, this isolated intersection demonstrates continuity in the down-dip direction and indicates that the mineralised system remains open along strike and down-dip. As observed in other areas of the mineralised system, high-grade shoots situated outside of the limited drill area present an opportunity for extensional exploration.
Additional Targets -- Cross Structures
A 4-hole, 400m RC drill program targeted oblique mineralisation potentially located in a 300m wide zone separating tracts of NNE-trending mineralisation at the MC Prospect. The drilling was broadly spaced and designed to follow-up on previous reconnaissance drilling supported by recent geophysical surveys. Results from the program are encouraging with several high-grade oxide intersections being returned including:
9m @ 3.39g/t Au from 16m; and
5m @ 5.25g/t Au from 45m in FRC1051 (refer Figure 3).
Full results are included in Appendix B. Further drilling is required to interpret the orientation and extent of mineralisation in the area.
Phantom Group of Prospects
Phantom East Prospect
A 6-hole, 700m RC drill program was undertaken at the Phantom East Prospect to follow-up higher-grade intersections returned from AC programs in Q1 2016. The area accounts for a small portion of the current mineral resource and is geologically complex with mineralisation possibly being associated with structural features interpreted to strike obliquely (070°) to the main NNE trend. The drilling was designed to confirm existing high-grade intersections and test for strike extensions to the south-west.
The drilling confirmed the tenor of previous drilling and supports the interpretation of several closely spaced, high-grade lodes which are narrow and steeply-dipping. The strike of the mineralisation is inferred to be oblique to the main mineralised trend and largely situated between the historical east-west drill lines. Drilling to the immediate south-west did not intersect significant mineralisation however this may be due to the steep dip of the lodes and divergence of strike relative to the drill lines.
The presence of oblique mineralisation in this lightly-tested area highlights the potential for additions of near-surface high-grade mineralisation to the mineral resource base. Further drilling is required to re-test for strike extensions in this direction in between existing drill lines (Refer Figures 5 & 6).
Full results are listed in Appendix C with encouraging downhole intersections including:
5m @ 3.45g/t Au from 85m in FRC1038;
4m @ 7.81g/t Au from 85m; and
7m @ 4.54g/t Au from 104m in FRC1056.
Note: FRC1056 and FRC1038 were drilled at a shallow angles (<~20-50°) to mineralisation -- true width expected to be approximately 25-50% of downhole length
Phantom and Phantom West Prospects
A small 5-hole AC program was conducted at the Phantom and Phantom West Prospects to infill and test for extensions to the mineral resource. Full results are listed in Appendix C.
Isolated Geophysical Targets
A 13-hole program comprising 600m of RC and 2,100m of diamond drilling was undertaken at the MC, MM and Phantom Prospects to test geophysical targets generated from a recent geophysical survey.
The gradient array and pole-dipole IP surveys were undertaken using north-south oriented grid lines which were orthogonal to previous surveys conducted in these areas. The re-orientation was specifically incorporated to enhance imagery of geophysical anomalous zones that were potentially striking sub-parallel to the previous grid.
Several anomalous zones were identified in the re-oriented survey and are interpreted as potential mineralised bodies containing sulphide mineralisation. Many of these anomalies are shallow in depth and are interpreted to dip steeply to the north, which is aligned with other areas of the mineralised system where oblique mineralisation has been defined by drilling.
The drilling successfully intersected sulphide mineralisation at targeted depths, however gold tenors were modest. The results will be used to further develop understanding of the structural architecture of the mineralised system and to calibrate geophysical data with geological observations.
Several encouraging intersections were returned, largely in oxide material and present an opportunity to delineate additional oxide mineralisation to add to the mineral resource base. Full results are included in Appendix D, with a highlighted intersection of 10m @ 1.95g/t Au from 2m in FRC1050.
Sarama's President and CEO, Andrew Dinning, commented:
"Historically, the principal focus had been to extend the near surface mineral resources but the recent shift to improve our understanding of the fabric and vertical extent of the system has delivered encouraging results.
The deeper, high-grade intersections we are seeing at the MM Prospect further illustrate the potential of the system and flags more options for development including underground mining. Drill testing is very limited, but what has been done shows that we have continuity and economically significant grades at depth.
We firmly believe that the South Houndé Project has the potential to be an open pit and underground mining complex. The Project will play a key role in the development of the southern part of the Houndé Belt where Sarama has significant interests across three projects collectively hosting sizeable gold mineral resources."
Figure 1 - Drill Plan Showing Location of New Drilling
Figure 2 - Oblique View of Deep Drilling at MM Prospect (central) Showing Potential for Strike and Depth Extensions to Mineral Resource
Figure 3 - Detail Plan of MC Prospect Showing Oblique Mineralisation Targeted by New Drilling and Highlighted Intersections
Figure 4 - Oblique View of Deep Drilling at MC Prospect Showing Limited Drill Coverage and Potential for Strike and Depth Extensions to Mineral Resource
Figure 5 - Detail Plan of Phantom East Prospect Showing Oblique Mineralisation Targeted by New Drilling and Highlighted Intersections
Figure 6 - Oblique Section (along Azimuth of FRC1056) at Phantom East Prospect Showing Oblique Mineralisation Targeted by New Drilling and Highlighted Intersections
ABOUT SARAMA RESOURCES LTD
Sarama Resources Ltd (TSX VENTURE: SWA) is a West African focused gold explorer with substantial landholdings in Burkina Faso.
Sarama's flagship properties are situated within the Company's South Houndé Project area in south-west Burkina Faso. Located within the prolific Houndé greenstone belt, Sarama's exploration programs have built on significant early success to deliver an inferred mineral resource estimate of 2.1 Moz gold1,2. Acacia Mining plc is earning up to a 70% interest in the South Houndé Project by satisfying certain conditions, including funding earn-in expenditures of up to US$14 million, over a 4-year earn-in period and may acquire an additional 5% interest, for an aggregate 75% interest in the Project, upon declaration of a minimum mineral reserve of 1.6 million ounces of gold. Sarama is focused on consolidating under-explored landholdings in Burkina Faso and other established mining jurisdictions.
Sarama holds a 31% participating interest in the Karankasso Project Joint Venture ("JV") which is situated adjacent to the Company's South Houndé Project in Burkina Faso and is a JV between Sarama and Savary Gold Corp. ("Savary"). Savary is the operator of the JV and in October 2015, declared a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 671,000 ounces of contained gold3,4 at the Karankasso Project JV.
Incorporated in 2010, the Company's Board and management team have a proven track record in Africa and a strong history in the discovery and development of large-scale gold deposits. Sarama is well positioned to build on its current success with a sound exploration strategy across its property portfolio.
43.0 Mt @ 1.5 g/t Au (reported above cut-off grades ranging 0.3-2.2 g/t Au, reflecting the mining methods and processing flowsheets assumed to assess the likelihood of the inferred mineral resources having reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction)
The effective date of the Company's inferred mineral resource estimate is February 4, 2016. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate please refer to the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Independent Technical Report South Houndé Project Update, Bougouriba and Ioba Provinces, Burkina Faso", dated March 31, 2016. The technical report is available under Sarama Resources Ltd.'s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
9.2 Mt @ 2.3 g/t Au (at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off)
The effective date of the Karankasso Project JV mineral resource estimate is October 7, 2015. For further information regarding the mineral resource estimate please refer to the technical report titled "Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Karankasso Project, Burkina Faso", dated October 7, 2015. The technical report is available under Savary Gold Corp's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Sarama has not independently verified Savary's mineral resource estimate and takes no responsibility for its accuracy.
APPENDIX A - MM PROSPECT DRILLING
APPENDIX B - MC PROSPECT
APPENDIX C - PHANTOM GROUP OF PROSPECTS
APPENDIX D - ISOLATED GEOPHYSICAL TARGETS
Andrew Dinning or Paul Schmiede
e: info@saramaresources.com
t: +61 (0) 8 9363 7600 |
