Diamond drilling at
Three distinct pockets of mineralization have been identified at El Sauzal, namely the West Lip, West and East zones. Mineralization occurs at and below a regional unconformity separating a lower sequence of stratified dacite and andesite rock units from an upper sequence of bi-modal, syn-mineral volcanic and clastic rocks. Fault displacement and erosion have created in each zone unique structural, stratigraphic and mineralization characteristics. Several major north-northeasterly striking faults are the controlling factors behind the mineralized distribution in the upper oxide portion of the system.
The Vancouver-based junior has reported assay results for an additional nine drill holes at El Sauzal. Francisco says three of the holes — 150, 151 and 152 — demonstrate the continuity of a network of feeder structures for more than 250 metres along strike to the southwest of the West zone. The mineralized feeder structures were previously defined by high-resistivity geophysical anomalies.
Hole 150 stepped out 70 metres along strike of previously drilled hole 119 (which intersected three separate intervals including 17 metres of 2.74 grams, 27 metres of 1.77 grams, and 16 metres of 1.05 grams) and intercepted 3 metres of 2.37 grams at a down-hole depth of
93-96 metres before shutting down in mineralization.
Hole 151 intersected 20 metres averaging 3.18 grams, including 5 metres of 10.3 grams, from 3-23 metres of depth.
Hole 152 hit a separate, structurally controlled zone averaging 4.73 grams over a length of 26 metres, starting at 24 metres down-hole. The hole represents the updip extension of hole 65 (36.6 metres of 1.12 grams, including 16.3 metre of 2.23 grams).
The southwestern edge of the West zone was further extended by hole 153, which stepped out 40 metres and intercepted 25 metres averaging 2.39 grams, starting at surface.
The eastern downdip extension of the East zone was tested by three holes. Hole 156, collared 80 metres southeast of hole 70 (35.6 metres grading 2.16 grams, including 12.2 metres of 5.44 grams) was the only hole to encounter significant mineralization averaging 1.09 grams over 38 metres, beginning at a down-hole depth of 25 metres.
Two drill holes, 157 and 158, tested a fault-bounded block on the northwestern edge of the East zone, but neither hole intersected much in the way of gold mineralization. The most northerly hole, 158, averaged 1 gram over a 9-metre intercept, from a depth of 51 metres.
Drilling will continue until late June, with a further 10-15 holes planned before the expected onset of the rainy season. Follow-up geophysical surveys are planned for areas southwest of the West zone and northeast of the East zone, and for two newly discovered targets within 1.5 km of El Sauzal.
El Sauzal contains a drill-indicated resource of about 50.6 million tonnes grading 2.21 grams. The estimate was prepared in 1998 by Mine Reserves Associates of Wheat Ridge, Colo., based on the first 124 diamond drill holes.
Be the first to comment on "Francisco tests El Sauzal extensions"