Jan 26 2011
The program was designed to test numerous IP anomalies on several separate vein systems that appeared similar to other anomalies associated with known mineralization.
Highlights include:
- Gregorio North vein: Eight holes (QTA 112-118, QTA 122) have traced the Gregorio North vein for an additional 500 meters to the west. The vein now has a known strike length of approximately 1,000 meters. The two best holes (QTA 115-116) are on the extreme east end and will be offset further eastward. The decrease in grade and thickness to the west (QTA 122) will also be evaluated with further drilling.
- Concordia West vein: Three holes (QTA 119-120, QTA 123) drilled west of the La Quinta zone all intersected significant mineralization and demonstrate that La Quinta remains open in this direction. Hole QTA 123 contains 78.1 meters of 69 g/tonne silver beginning at a downhole depth of 103.6 meters, including a 13.85 meter interval averaging 290 g/tonne silver (8.5 oz/ton).
- California vein: Three holes (QTA 127-128 and QTA 130) were completed and demonstrate that the vein extends for a minimum distance of 350 meters. Hole QTA 130, near the east end of known mineralization, intersected several zones of shallow, stockwork style mineralization, including eight meters of 79 g/tonne silver beginning at a depth of 22 meters. Hole QTA 127 did not intersect significant mineralization. Additional drilling will be necessary to determine if the vein continues westward beyond this hole.
- Other targets: Two holes drilled on the Dolores vein (QTA 121,125) intersected weak mineralization. Two holes on the Santa Rita vein (QTA 124,126) drilled to test IP anomalies east of known mineralization intersected weak mineralization in one of the holes. A test at Orion (QTA 129) was negative.
"The current phase of drilling has doubled the strike length of the North Gregorio vein, intersected stockwork style mineralization on the California vein and extended the higher grade La Quinta zone to the west," says Tom Patton, Quaterra's President and CEO. "Mineralization remains open for expansion on both the east and west ends of the Concordia and North Gregorio veins and is open to the east on the California vein."
Currently, six to eight additional holes are being completed to test open-ended mineralization on the Concordia, Gregorio North and California veins.
Dr. Thomas Patton is the qualified person responsible for the preparation of this news release.
All holes were drilled at an azimuth/inclination of 340 degrees/-60 degrees. True thicknesses are about 80% of intercept widths reported.
Core samples were prepped and analyzed by ALS Chemex in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Vancouver, B.C., respectively. Property-specific standards were routinely submitted with each batch of samples. Samples were initially run using a conventional 35-element ICP analysis with an aqua regia digestion process. A 30-gram fire assay with gravimetric finish for gold and silver was run on all samples. ICP results are reported for silver values up to 100g/t; fire assay results are reported for silver assays > 100g/t. Samples containing more than 1% lead, copper or zinc were analyzed using AA with aqua regia digestion.