Afton extended at depth (October 18, 2001)

Vancouver – Deeper drilling by DRC Resources (DRC-V) has boosted the prospects of increasing the tonnage at the past producing Afton copper-gold mine in British Columbia.

Part of an ongoing $2-million program, hole 42 cut 1.53% copper and 1.09 gram gold per tonne over 204 metres from 550 metres down-hole. Included in this interval was a high-grade section running 1.88% copper and 1.37 grams gold over 66 metres.

The latest drill results show a marked increase in width from 100-to-400 metres below surface. So far, with the mineralization open along strike and at depth, the junior has defined the zone over a 488-by-76-metre area.

At last count, the property hosts an indicated mineral resource of 23 million tonnes grading 2% copper and 1.4 grams gold per tonne. Preliminary metallurgical testwork showed recovery rates of 89% for copper and 90% for gold using standard floatation.

DRC can earn a 100% interest in the 6-sq.-km property from Westridge Enterprises and Indo-Gold Development by issuing 2 million shares over a six-year period and spending $6.5 million on exploration over 9 years. The company must also bring the property into production within 10 years to retain its 100% interest.

The Afton mine started production in 1978, cranking out 450,000 oz. of gold and 45 million tonnes of copper before being permanently closed by Afton Mines, a subsidiary of Teck (TEK-T) in May 1997. The remaining resource at mine closure was pegged at 9.5 million tonnes averaging 1.52% Copper and 0.9 gram gold.

DRC is continuing to drill test the mineralization along strike and at depth.