Drilling at the Bisha project in Eritrea has led to the discovery of a new massive sulphide zone, reports Nevsun Resources (NSU-T).
The so-called NW zone has been intersected by six holes collared on three sections. Another six failed to return any significant results, which likely reflects displacement of the sulphide body by post-mineralized felsic dikes.
Discovery hole B-56 intersected two intervals some 30 metres and 39 metres in core-length. The first began 63.6 metres downhole and averaged 0.74% copper, 0.01% lead, 6.6 grams silver and 0.07 gram gold per tonne; starting at 113 metres, the second ran 0.52% copper, 0.01% lead, 0.19% zinc, 4.5 grams silver and 0.21 gram gold.
The longest mineralized interval from the remaining holes measured 46 metres (starting at 61 metres) and averaged 0.78% copper, 0.01% each of lead and zinc, 5.4 grams silver and 0.13 gram gold. The supergene-enriched interval was one of four from hole 75, the best of the rest being 15.5 metres of stringer sulphides (starting at 107 metres) grading 0.58% copper, 0.03% each of lead and zinc, plus 0.26 gram silver and 0.1 gram gold.
The richest grades came from hole 66, which averaged 6.07% copper, 0.02% each of lead and zinc, plus 38.9 grams silver and 0.85 gram gold over 3.1 metres (at 88 metres) of stringer and secondary-enriched sulphides. The following 67.7 metres of the hole also was mineralized, with stringer sulphides, and carried up much as 1.04% copper, 0.01% zinc, 28.2 grams silver and 6.01 grams gold over 6.1 metres.
Downhole electromagnetic surveying is underway, and drilling at the zone will renew in January.
Infill and delineation drilling at the Main zone also has returned significant results. Filler holes are being collared on 25- and 50-metre centres.
Reported copper values varied from 0.05% to 10.29%; lead, from 0.02% to 0.84%; zinc, 0.01% to 18.68%; silver, from 6 to 72.5 grams; and gold, from 0.12 to 12.69 grams. The mineralized intervals were 5.3 to 36 metres long. Highlights include:
and
Holes 63, 65, 68 and 69 extend the Main zone some 200 metres along strike to the south. Ongoing drilling has since cut mineralization another 50 metres to the south and to a depth of 200 metres below surface.
To date, 133 holes comprising 11,000 metres have been completed. A total of 14,000 metres will be completed in the current campaign.
In 2004, Nevsun plans to drill 34,000 metres using core and reverse-circulation drill rigs. The latter should arrive on the property in January.
Nevsun had hired Snowden Mining Industry Consultants to carry out a resource estimate; however, the consultant recommended that more infill drilling be completed. As a result, the estimate is now scheduled for release in March.
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