Gold, zinc zones extended at Lew

Partners Thunderwood Resources (THS-T) and Consolidated Abitibi Resources (CAQ-M) have discovered more high-grade gold and zinc mineralization in drill core from their Lew property in northwestern Manitoba, close to the Saskatchewan border.

The joint venture is drilling 12 holes, eight of which are testing for extensions to copper-gold mineralization identified in previous drilling (T.N.M., Oct 6-13/97). The remaining holes are evaluating geophysical anomalies and zones of hydrothermal alteration.

qHole 14 intersected 140.7 grams gold and 220 grams silver per tonne over 0.4 metre, at a vertical depth of about 41 metres, which is 18 metres south of, and 33.5 metres below, the previously announced mineralization found in hole 16. That hole assayed 38.5 grams gold and 49.8 grams silver over 3 metres.

qHole 17 intersected 31.6 grams gold and 32 grams silver over 0.3 metre at a vertical depth of 91.4 metres (vertically below the intersection in hole 16).

qHole 18 cut four gold-bearing zones that assayed 2.2 grams gold over 0.5 metre, 1.1 grams silver over 1 metre, 2.5 grams gold over 0.9 metre and 1 gram silver over 0.9 metre — all at an elevation of 76.2 metres, about 53.3 metres north of the gold mineralization in hole 17.

A gold-bearing structure dipping 55 to 60 to the west, has now been defined over a strike length of 83.8 metres and to a vertical depth of 91.4 metres in four holes. The structure is open both along strike and downdip, and both Thunderwood and Abitibi plan to carry out follow-up drilling.

Holes 17 and 18 were collared in an attempt to evaluate off-hole pulse-electromagnetic (EM) geophysical anomalies. The holes were also intended to extend previously announced high-grade stringer mineralization intersected in hole 16, which assayed 1.2% copper over 11.6 metres, including 2.9% copper over 1.8 metres, and 5.4% copper, 5 grams silver and 0.7 gram gold over 3 metres at vertical depths of about 320 and 365 metres, respectively.

Hole 18 intersected a previously unknown, partly banded massive sulphide zone containing 70 to 80% combined pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. It assayed 3.1% copper, 10.5% zinc, 10.4 grams silver and 1.3 grams gold over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 289 metres.

Hole 17 intersected additional stringer copper mineralization at a depth of roughly 335 metres that assayed 2.2% copper over 0.3 metre and 1% copper over 3.3 metres, including 4.8% copper over 0.3 metre.

Thunderwood says it is encouraged by the apparent association of an extensive zone of hydrothermal alteration with copper stringer mineralization and gold-rich, copper-zinc massive sulphides on the property.

Prior to spring breakup, two additional holes will be drilled, in conjunction with downhole pulse-EM surveys and geochemical sampling.

Thunderwood and Consolidated Abitibi can each earn a 30% interest in the Lew property, and a number of properties in its vicinity, from Aur Resources (AUR-T).