Mr. James Hesketh reports
ATNA DRILLS 305 FEET GRADING 0.074 OZ/TON GOLD AT COLUMBIA GOLD PROJECT
Atna Resources Ltd. has released positive results from the 2012 metallurgical drill program at its Columbia gold project, Lewis & Clark county, Montana. Atna completed seven reverse circulation rotary holes to obtain metallurgical samples for additional process optimization studies. Total footage drilled was 3,468 feet (1,057 metres). Holes in this program were drilled down the structural zones to obtain large quantities of mineralized sample material, and the intercept lengths do not represent true thicknesses. The long, down-structure intercepts provide strong support for the downdip continuity of the gold and silver grades in both the Columbia and Donnely vein systems, and provide additional support for the resource estimate detailed in the 2010 National Instrument 43-101 technical report.
Highlights of the drill results include:
- 190 feet (57.9 metres) grading 0.067 ounce per ton gold (2.3 grams per tonne) and 0.42 ounce per ton silver (14.5 g/t) in hole COL12-001;
- 305 feet (93 metres) grading 0.074 ounce per ton gold (2.5 g/t) and 0.62 ounce per ton silver (21.2 g/t) in hole COL12-002;
- 170 feet (51.8 metres) grading 0.084 ounce per ton gold (2.9 g/t) and 0.34 ounce per ton silver (11.7 g/t) in hole COL12-003;
- 455 feet (138.7 metres) grading 0.033 ounce per ton gold (1.1 g/t) and 0.1 ounce per ton silver (3.5 g/t) in hole COL12-005.
James Hesketh, president and chief executive officer, said: "The results from the metallurgical drilling program at Columbia are encouraging and accomplished three key goals necessary to move the project towards permitting and production:
- "The holes confirmed strong continuity down the vein and stockwork zones in both the Columbia and Donnely vein systems;
- "They provided ample materials for completion of the metallurgical testing necessary for feasibility-level engineering; and
- "Several of the holes will advance the environmental assessment of the mine site with the installation of groundwater monitoring piezometers."
The Columbia project has a measured and indicated resource of 741,000 ounces of gold (16.7 million tons grading 0.45 ounce per ton) and an inferred resource of 453,600 ounces of gold (10.7 million tons grading 0.045 ounce per ton).
In addition to drilling, environmental baseline data gathering continued at Columbia. Monitoring of water resources has been conducted at the project since the 1990s, and has yielded an extensive water quality database. The program was expanded in 2012 with the addition of eight groundwater piezometers and a geomorphic survey of stream reaches. The collected groundwater information will support the evaluation of mine water issues such as water supply and dewatering needs. The geomorphic survey is the initial step in characterizing aquatic habitat in the area. The environmental program was also expanded to include terrestrial resources including wildlife, vegetation and wetlands. Monitoring included surveys for threatened, endangered or sensitive species. These investigations will continue through the 2013 field season.
Additional metallurgical testwork will be conducted using samples from this drilling program to further support the currently selected flotation and gravity gold recovery process. Atna's goal is to continue to develop base data to support the completion over the next year of a mine plan of operations as a basis to commence the permitting process at Columbia.
All holes drilled and reported in this release encountered mineralized intercepts over potentially minable intervals along the strike and downdip of the Columbia and Donnely vein systems. Gold mineralization at Columbia is considered a Tertiary-age, low-sulphidation, epithermal, volcanic-hosted quartz-adularia vein system. Mineralization is associated two high-angle fault zones that host the two principal vein and stockwork vein zones at the property, known as the Columbia and Donnely veins. The veins are exposed on the surface for over 7,000 feet (2,100 metres) in a north-south direction and have been explored to a depth of over 500 feet (150 metres) vertically. Gold and silver mineralization is accompanied by broad zones of argillic to propylitic alteration of the dominantly mafic volcanic flows that host the deposit.
DETAILED DRILL RESULTS
Drill hole From To Length Au grade Ag grade
(ft (m)) (ft (m)) (ft (m)) (oz/ton (g/t)) (oz/ton (g/t))
COL12-001 0 (0) 190 (57.9) 190 (57.9) 0.067 (2.3) 0.423 (14.5)
Including 15 (4.6) 95 (29.0) 80 (24.4) 0.123 (4.2) 0.807 (27.7)
220 (67.1) 240 (73.1) 20 (6.1) 0.014 (0.5) 0.091 (3.1)
410 (125.0) 435 (132.6) 25 (7.6) 0.020 (0.7) 0.066 (2.3)
COL12-002 0 (0) 305 (93.0) 305 (93.0) 0.074 (2.5) 0.619 (21.2)
Including 50 (15.2) 90 (27.4) 40 (12.2) 0.173 (5.9) 0.195 (6.7)
Including 145 (44.2) 160 (48.8) 15 (4.6) 0.131 (4.5) 0.253 (8.7)
Including 205 (62.5) 250 (76.2) 45 (13.7) 0.201 (6.9) 2.847 (97.6)
335 (102.1) 500 (152.4) 165 (50.3) 0.029 (1.0) 0.259 (8.9)
COL12-003 140 (42.7) 310 (94.5) 170 (51.8) 0.084 (2.9) 0.340 (11.7)
Including 185 (56.4) 210 (64.0) 20 (6.1) 0.205 (7.0) 1.392 (47.7)
Including 255 (77.7) 300 (91.4) 45 (13.7) 0.135 (4.6) 0.271 (9.3)
350 (106.7) 435 (132.6) 85 (25.9) 0.024 (0.8) 0.039 (1.3)
450 (137.2) 485 (147.8) 35 (10.7) 0.011 (0.4) 0.024 (0.8)
495 (150.9) 630 (192.0) 135 (41.1) 0.039 (1.3) 0.130 (4.5)
COL12-004 115 (35.1) 205 (62.5) 90 (27.4) 0.033 (1.1) 0.146 (5.0)
290 (88.4) 320 (97.5) 30 (9.1) 0.028 (1.0) 0.109 (3.7)
COL12-005 65 (19.8) 520 (158.5) 455 (138.7) 0.033 (1.1) 0.103 (3.5)
Including 325 (99.1) 360 (109.7) 35 (10.7) 0.059 (2.0) 0.087 (3.0)
Including 385 (117.3) 520 (158.5) 135 (41.1) 0.061 (2.1) 0.191 (6.5)
COL12-006 35 (10.7) 70 (21.3) 35 (10.7) 0.035 (1.2) 0.165 (5.7)
95 (29.0) 125 (38.1) 30 (9.1) 0.023 (0.8) 0.034 (1.2)
150 (45.7) 200 (61.0) 50 (15.2) 0.020 (0.7) 0.087 (3.0)
Hole lost in workings 235 (71.6) 288 (87.8) 53 (16.2) 0.020 (0.7) 0.244 (8.4)
COL12-017 340 (103.6) 400 (121.9) 60 (18.3) 0.014 (0.5) 0.373 (12.8)
Intercept length may not represent true thicknesses of the mineralized body due to the oblique
intersection of the mineralized zone by the drill hole.
Analytical results contained within this press release were completed by standard fire assay methods with an atomic absorption or gravimetric finish by Inspectorate America Corp., an independent, ISO-certified analytical laboratory located in Sparks, Nev. Atna maintains a rigorous quality assurance/quality control program using both certified gold standards and blanks to augment Inspectorate's internal quality assurance/quality control program.
This press release was prepared under the supervision and review of William Stanley, vice-president of exploration of Atna, a registered member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, a licensed geologist, and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. He has verified the authenticity and validity of the technical information contained in this news release.
We seek Safe Harbor.