Jun 27 2015
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. is pleased to provide an update on recent 2015 drilling results from the Coulon project, located in James Bay, Quebec.
The early 2015 exploration program consisted of 32 holes for a total of 18,036 metres and of surface and borehole surveying. Oriented drilling (16 holes for a total of 7,438 metres) tested the extensions of Lens 257 and tightening the drill grid within the lens. Furthermore, 16 holes for a total of 10,436 metres were drilled over regional targets while a hole was drilled to a depth of 162 metres on Lens 43. In terms of geophysics, a surface InfiniTEM survey was completed while the borehole survey was completed in 7 drill holes.
Most of the holes testing the favourable horizon of Lens 257 intersected a fertile volcanic sequence characterized by strong hydrothermal alterations and by plurimetric, massive sulphide zones. Six (6) oriented holes were drilled in the southwestern extension of Lens 257 and they all intersected the fertile volcanic sequence. Hole CN-15-318MH1 yielded values of 5.57% Zn, 1.87% Cu and 69.93 g/t Ag over 20.3 metres including 7.66% Zn, 2.19% Cu, and 59.20 g/t Ag over 12.3 metres while hole CN-15-318W1 returned values of 8.96% Zn, 3.07% Cu, 32.69 g/t Ag over 11 metres and the hole CN-15-318W5 returned values of 5.51% Zn, 1.12% Cu and 33.98 g/t Ag over 5.5 metres. Holes CN-15-318W2, CN-15-318W3 and CN-15-318W4 also intersected economic values over less important widths (see table).
In the northeastern part of Lens 257, five (5) oriented holes were drilled from drill wedges and of them have intersected Lens 257. The best results were obtained in holes CN-14-303W1, CN-14-303W2 and CN-14-303W5, which yielded values of 3.44% Zn, 0.86% Cu, 1.93% Pb, 219.61 g/t Ag and 1.56 g/t Au over 7 metres; 6.90% Zn, 0.54% Cu and 14.19 g/t Ag over 2.35 metres; and 8.47% Zn, 0.83% Cu and 12.78 g/t Ag over 6 metres. As a reminder, Hole CN-14-303, drilled in the northeastern extension of Lens 257, yielded values of 15.79% Zn, 1.93% Cu and 40.87 g/t Ag over 2.9 metres including 18.17% Zn, 2.09% Cu and 36.94 g/t Ag over 2.5 metres. In this area, holes CN-14-303W1, CN-14-303W2 and CN-14-303W3 also intersected a parallel mineralized zone located about 100 metres above Lens 257. This parallel zone, which could correspond to Lens 08, returned values of 5.07% Zn, 1.20% Cu and 32.10 g/t Ag over 1 metre in hole CN-14-303W1 ; 4.32% Zn, 1.20% Cu, 1.20% Pb and 118.76 g/t Ag over 1.7 metres in hole CN-14-303W2 ; and 4.75% Zn, 1.23% Cu and 21.08 g/t Ag over 2.5 metres in hole CN-14-303W3.
Five (5) oriented holes were drilled in the middle part of Lens 257. Four of these holes intersected the mineralized zone. Hole CN-13-271W1 yielded values of 2.38% Zn, 1.53% Cu and 21.09 g/t Ag over 23 metres including 3.51% Zn, 1.88% Cu and 23.31 g/t Ag over 12.1 metres. Hole CN-13-271W2 returned values of 6.72% Zn, 2.18% Cu and 25.94 g/t Ag over 8.2 metres while hole CN-13-273W1 returned values of 5.05% Zn, 1.87% Cu and 51.57 g/t Ag over 22.1 metres. Finally, hole CN-13-271W4 returned two intersections grading 7.98% Zn, 1.57% Cu and 27.41 g/t Ag over 14.85 metres and 6.67% Zn, 4.25% Cu, 73.32 g/t Ag and 0.70 g/t Au over 14.2 metres respectively. The latter is the best intercept to date on the Coulon project.
These results confirm a northeast-southwest continuity of Lens 257, which is now followed over a lateral distance of over 720 metres, to a vertical depth from 500 to 900 metres under surface. Lens 257 forms a northeast-southwest-oriented, elongated ore body, dipping moderately to the northwest and plunging gently to the northeast. The lens remains open in the plunge axis both at depth and towards surface. The favourable horizon of Lens 257 remains underexplored on a segment of over 250 metres to the southwest. All the thicknesses obtained from the intersections on Lens 257 are interpreted as true width.
Lastly, 16 regional and stratigraphic holes were drilled on targets corresponding to the conductors within hydrothermal alteration zones previously identified through litho geochemistry. Most of these holes intercepted conductive zones consisting of sulphurized banded iron formation or of exhalite free of base metals. However, many of these holes revealed significant alteration zones that will require eventual follow-ups.
Osisko is very encouraged by the new results from Coulon, which has confirmed the depth continuity of Lens 257. Lens 257 now extends over 720 metres laterally and remains open along its long axis. Continuity towards the south-southwest has yet to be tested, with 250 metres between recent intercepts and Lens 9-25 at depth towards the north-northeast. Lens 257 is located on the western side of a complex fold, of which the opposite side to the east reveals an identical geology already comprising three important lenses (Lens 08, Lens 9-25 and Lens 44) totalling more than 12 million tonnes (see press release of April 14, 2009).
Sean Roosen, Chair and CEO of Osisko commenting on the recent results: "We are very encouraged by these new results at Coulon. We will continue directing our efforts towards further increasing the quality and quantity of resources at Coulon which is already the largest undeveloped zinc and copper resource in Quebec".
In the third quarter, Osisko and its partners intend to continue exploration work on the Coulon project. A total budget of $7 million budget was previously allocated by the partnership for 2015 work. New exploration will target the depth extension of the high-grade zones of Lens 257, test new InfiniTEM geophysical anomalies associated with hydrothermal alteration zones that have several similarities with those hosting the main lenses, and other areas of the project.