Aurizon fills in Zone 113 (April 01, 2004)

Underground definition drilling on Zone 113 at the Casa Berardi gold project in Que., continues to exceed the expectations of owner Aurizon Mines (ARZ-T).

The latest batch of 28 holes, sunk from the newly developed 550-metre level exploration drift, includes seven holes averaging more than 11 grams gold per tonne over core lengths greater 7 metres. Of those, five holes yielded intervals exceeding 11 metres.

Results are as follows:

• Hole 183 — 11.8 metres grading an uncut 11.3 grams gold per tonne;
• Hole 186 — 19.1 metres running 19.1 grams gold;
• Hole 187 — 15.8 metres of 12 grams gold;
• Hole 189 — 12.6 metres of 11 grams gold; and
• Hole 322 14.5 metres averaging 12.6 grams gold;
• Hole 406 7.9 metres containing 21.6 grams gold per tonne; and
• Hole 411 7.4 metres grading 11.1 grams gold.

Hole 322 was designed to test to west of the previously known western limit of Zone 113. Six other holes to do so returned mixed results; three managed to intersect significant mineralization. Hole no. 315 surrendered a 6.1-metre interval grading 6.1 grams gold, and a 4.5-metre section of 7.5 grams gold, hole no. 317 returned 3 metres of 22.2 grams gold, and hole no. 408 cut 18.5 metres 9.6 grams.

Aurizon says that any nugget affect in the zone appears to be immaterial since hole 411 returned similar grades to those encountered in the previously sunk hole no. 401 (6.5 metres of 9.5 grams gold).

“Underground drill results continue to exceed expectations and reinforce our decision to commence work on the shaft, ” said Aurizon CEO David Hall. “The drill information we have received to date continues to increase our confidence level in, and improve our understanding of Zone 113.”

The latest holes are part of an underground drilling program begun late last year. The drilling is part of a larger campaign that has seen Aurizon extended the past producing West Mine’s ramp to 550-metre level. The company has also developed 320 metres of a planned 505-metre exploration drift, and completed a 145-metre crosscut through Zone 113 and the Casa Berardi fault. The company has begun work aimed at providing trackless access to the future shaft site.

The news sent shares in Vancouver-based Aurizon 8, or nearly 5%, higher to $1.75 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 1.