Astral Mining Corporation has announced completion of a 2,617m diamond drilling program at the Los Crestones Gold-Silver project, Mexico and the initiation of a 1,334 line-kilometre Helicopter-Borne Electromagnetic and Magnetic survey over the Barriere Ridge and Honeymoon Projects north of Kamloops, British Columbia.
Mexico
The diamond drill program at Los Crestones comprised 2617m in 18 holes. Drilling targeted low-medium sulphidation epithermal style mineralization in three parallel vein/breccia zones and utilized a low-impact, portable diamond drill rig. The program produced HQ sized core, reduced to NTW size at around 100m downhole depth, and represents first ever drilling at Los Crestones. The work was designed to test subsurface extent of veins and silicified breccias known to host gold and silver mineralization. Prospecting and surface reconnaissance continues on the property. Completion of logging and sampling by Astral geologists is expected in the next two weeks.
Three mineralized structural zones; Corona, Bohemia and Indio are sub-parallel features trending north-south and have been mapped on surface between 680m and 930m in length. The zones consist of silicified breccias and quartz stockwork veining within a highly brecciated zone comprising a small proportion of remnant andesitic rocks heavily intruded by monzonite, granodiorite and granitic rocks. The Bohemia and Indio structures are highly silicified and form the conspicuous, erosion resistant ridges which give the property its name.
To date Astral has delivered five batches of samples to ALS Chemex's preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora and the first batch of analyses is expected to be reported within two-four weeks. The company has implemented a standard quality assurance/quality control program which includes blank material, certified reference material and duplicate samples.
British Columbia
The Company has contracted Fugro Airborne Surveys to conduct a Helicopter-Borne Electromagnetic and Magnetic survey over the Barriere Ridge and Honeymoon Project areas. The two projects are located 5km apart in the Barriere Lakes-Adams Lake area approximately 80mk north of Kamloops, British Columbia. Both properties are prospective for polymetallic vein and VMS style copper-gold-silver and zinc mineralization. The Honeymoon property has additional potential for intrusive related gold style mineralization related to the nearby Baldy Batholith.
Astral has completed preliminary reconnaissance work on the two properties; airborne surveys will provide additional insight towards the planning of a focused exploration effort in spring/summer of 2012. The company will fly a total of 433 line kilometers, covering 7,850 hectares, at Barriere Ridge and 901 line kilometers, covering 16,370 hectares, at Honeymoon. Collection of data is scheduled to commence this week.