NEVADA AND THE WESTERN STATES — Prism, Eastfield expand Tonopah

Partners Prism Resources (PRN-V) and Eastfield Resources (ETF-V) have expanded their Tonopah gold property in south-central Nevada.

The partners picked up eight patented claims from Echo Bay Mines (ECO-T) for a one-time payment of US$19,500. The claims, which adjoin Tonopah’s northeastern border, are subject to a 3% net smelter return royalty.

Prism and Eastfield each hold a 50% interest in the Tonopah property.

Previous drilling on the Tonopah property outlined two deposits, dubbed Three Hills and Hill of Gold, with an aggregate resource of 7.18 million tonnes grading 0.82 gram gold per tonne. It is believed that the new claims could add to this resource, as they may hold the possible extensions of the Ohio and Merton vein systems. The former was worked at the turn of the century and reportedly averaged between 5.14 to 6.86 grams gold over 24-metre stope widths; the Merton vein was tested by Prism in 1997, with one hole returning 7.54 grams gold and 288 grams silver over 3 metres.

In related news, Prism has optioned the Clipper mining lease in Nevada’s Battle Mountain trend from private vendors. The junior must make staged, yearly payments to the vendors over the next 20 years.

The Clipper lease, which consists of 49 unpatented and seven patented claims, is situated immediately south of the junior’s Utah lease. Previous geological mapping on the property led to the discovery of zones of argillic alteration and veins mineralized in silver, lead and zinc.