Sur bulks up at Comval (January 12, 2004)

Junior Sur American Gold (SUR-V) has pulled more bonanza grades from its Comval project in the Philippines.

Two bulk samples from the Amy vein (formerly known as Tarale #7 and part of the Tarale system) averaged 656 grams per tonne. The samples, weighing 1,000 and 650 kg, were taken 1 metre apart and about 5 metres below a surface outcropping that ran 148.3 grams over 0.65 metre. The difference is considered to be a reflection of weathering.

To date, Sur American has mapped and sampled dozens of gold-bearing quartz veins at Comval. The Tarale veins themselves are part of the larger Batoto system and outcrop on the southeastern flank of the Batoto hill, across a width of 200 metres but often connected by stockworks.

Although exploration is still in the early stage, Sur American is confident the Tarale veins connect with the Maglente system, 500-700 metres to the west. However, the strike and dip of the veins are currently unknown, owing to soil cover.

Both systems are hosted by an altered diorite intrusion, and many individual veins carry visible gold.

Bulk sampling continues, and geophysical surveying and underground development are under way as well. The development program is focused on nine of the known veins, the objectives being to provide fresh material for sampling and metallurgical testing and enable the driving of crosscuts to test for bulk-tonnage potential.

Drilling will follow the geophysical survey.

Comval began to be explored in early 2003, after Sur acquired a 70% interest in it and two other properties on the island of Mindanao. In return, the company issued 5 million shares to an Australian-listed company and agreed to spend up to $4 million on exploration over five years.