Jan 24 2011
Aurizon Mines Ltd. has announced the latest drill results at the Marban Block property, located in the Malartic gold camp, Abitibi region of Quebec.
Assay results were received for 21 drill holes. Significant intersections include:
- 9.06 grams of gold per tonne over 7.3 metres (MB-10-120),
- 66.00 grams of gold per tonne over 1.2 metres (MB-10-121),
- 5.74 grams of gold per tonne over 4.2 metres (MB-10-124),
Two drill rigs have been in operation at the Marban deposit since August 30, 2010. Fifty-three (53) drill holes and two (2) extensions of previous holes have been completed, for a total 15,275 metres. The drilling conducted to date is confirming the geological and structural model and the continuity to the gold mineralised zones. The results for the remaining 18 completed drill holes are pending.
Marban Deposit Drilling
The initial phase of the program is intended to complete the drill hole pattern on a 50 metre spacing to a vertical depth of 300 metres. Select in-fill drilling on a 25 metre spacing will be conducted around intersections of economic interest.
During the months of September and October, drilling was carried out over a 250-metre strike length within the central portion of the deposit, more specifically between lines/sections 1+00E to 1+50W. The drill holes tested the entire width of the Marban Mine Sequence from surface to a vertical depth of about 350 metres. The Mine Sequence, consisting of deformed mafic volcanic rocks, is approximately 250 metres wide in this area and hosts several important sub-parallel sulphide and gold mineralized shear zones.
In November, December and January, drilling extended over a one-kilometre strike length of the Marban gold system, from lines/sections 5+00E to 5+00W. One drill rig was assigned to holes that required traversing the Marban mine (1961-74) underground workings, located between 150 and 250 metres vertical depth, in order to investigate the prospective shear zone located along the footwall (south) contact of the Mine Sequence.
General observations from results received to date at Marban include:
- Important gold mineralized intervals were intersected along the lateral and depth extensions of the mined out ore in Zones B and D1.
- Several important mineralized zones are now recognised within the broad footwall shear, namely Zones T, A, C, C1 and C2. The footwall is characterised by wide low grade sulphide and gold mineralized envelopes with higher grade gold intervals over a few metres. The footwall shear remains partially tested over the 1.3 kilometre extension of the Marban gold system and is a priority target for resource development.
- The narrower Zones 2 and E, located near the folded hanging wall (north) contact, previously referred to as the Wedge Zones, were traced over a one-kilometre strike length and returned some high-grade gold intervals.
Outlook
A third drill rig is to be added by the end of January to carry out 5,800 metres of shallow drilling at the Norlartic deposit. In addition, 16 drill holes, for a total of 3,200 metres, are planned to test the area between the Marban and Norlartic deposits.
Aurizon and Niogold Mining Corporation ("Niogold") are engaged in a systematic drill program on the main resource potential of the property. The objectives of the 2011 program are to increase the quantity and quality of the existing mineral resource.
Aurizon Option
Aurizon can earn up to a 65% interest the Marban Block property under the terms of an option and joint venture agreement dated July 5, 2010 between NioGold and Aurizon. The initial 50% interest can be earned by incurring expenditures of C$20 million over three years, completing an updated NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate, and by making a resource payment for 50% of the total gold ounces defined by the mineral resource estimate. NioGold is the project operator during the initial earn-in period (see news release dated July 6, 2010).
The first year program under the terms of the Aurizon option agreement with Niogold includes 50,000 metres of diamond drilling mainly directed at better defining and increasing the near surface mineral resources at the Marban and Norlartic gold deposits.
Quality Control and Qualified Person
Reported intervals are in core lengths but are anticipated to approximate true widths, except where structural complexities occur, as the holes were drilled perpendicular to the principal local structural orientation.
Diamond drill holes were drilled with NQ-size core in order to obtain larger sample volumes of the mineralised zones, except for holes that traversed underground workings which were completed using BQ-size core. The core was sealed and delivered by the drilling contractor to NioGold's facilities located at the Norlartic mine site. The core was photographed for reference, logged and mineralised sections were sawed in half. Sample lengths vary between 0.5 to 1.5 metres. Half core samples were bagged, sealed and delivered to ALS Chemex in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The remaining core is stored on site for reference. Samples were assayed by the fire-assay method using an atomic absorption finish on a 50-gram pulp split. A quality assurance and quality control program (QA/QC) was implemented by NioGold and the laboratory to insure the precision and reproducibility of the analytical method and results. The QA/QC program includes the insertion of standards, blanks and field duplicates in the sample batches sent to the laboratory and a systematic re-assaying of samples returning values above 2 g/t Au by the fire-assay method using a gravimetric finish. As well, pulps grading above 0.5 g/t Au are sent to Bourlamaque Assay Laboratories Ltd. in Val-d'Or for check assaying.
The drilling program was conducted under the supervision of Yan Ducharme, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ), of Niogold, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. This news release was prepared by Martin Demers P.Geo. (OGQ), Aurizon's Exploration Manager and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, based on information made available by Niogold and verified by personnel of the Company.