Mr. Kenneth MacLeod reports
SONORO DRILLS 74.67 METERS OF 0.605 GRAMS PER TONNE AT CERRO CALICHE
Sonoro Gold Corp. has released assay results from an additional 12 reverse circulation drill holes completed at its Cerro Caliche gold project in Sonora, Mexico. Results reflect strategic drilling recently concluded at the Buena Suerte gold mineralized zone as well as at the adjacent Buena Vista extension of the Japoneses zone. One additional drill hole was completed at the northern extension of the Japoneses zone, and another two drill holes were completed at the El Colorado gold mineralized zone.
This very successful drilling program will be temporarily concluded this month, following the completion of the current phase of approximately 34,000 metres of drilling. The program was expanded and extended for the purpose of increasing the potential resource in the new National Instrument 43-101 technical report and preliminary economic assessment to conceptually support a materially larger heap leach mining operation (HLMO) than originally intended. Drilling is scheduled to resume following receipt of the 43-101 technical report and the PEA, in conjunction with receipt of project financing.
Highlights:
-
Drill hole SCR-223 in the northwestern extension of Buena Suerte intercepted 74.67 m averaging 0.605 gram per tonne gold including three intervals of 1.52 m averaging up to 3.677 g/t Au.
- Drill hole SCR-222 in the Buena Vista northwest extension of Japoneses intercepted 15.24 m averaging 2.039 g/t Au including 6.1 m averaging 3.15 g/t Au.
- Drill hole SCR-227 in the northern extension of Japoneses intercepted 3.05 m averaging 1.743 g/t Au including 1.53 m averaging 2.538 g/t Au.
- Drill hole SCR-225 at El Colorado intercepted 7.62 m averaging 1.164 g/t Au including 3.05 m averaging 2.314 g/t Au.
Drilling results continue to demonstrate the potential coalescence of the Japoneses and Buena Suerte zones with results from the Buena Vista extension suggesting the potential of all three zones combining into a single body of shallow, oxide gold mineralization. If confirmed, a single larger gold mineralized zone of approximately 650 m in width by approximately 700 m in length may prove to have significant and positive economic implications for the company's proposed HLMO.
Buena Suerte zone enhanced
Buena Suerte has developed into a significant zone of gold mineralization with 50 drill holes confirming a length of 900 m and the presence of numerous vein splays. High-grade intercepts demonstrate wider zones of stockwork to disseminated forms of mineralization with interval widths ranging from 10 m to 74 m.
In the southernmost extension of the zone, and approximately 50 m southeast of the previously reported drill hole SCR-219, drill hole SCR-221 intercepted 6.1 m averaging 2.301 g/t Au including 1.52 m averaging 6.955 g/t Au. Both drill holes tested the same vein system within close proximity to where the vein intersects a northwest-oriented splay.
In the northwestern extension, and 50 m south of previously reported drill hole SCR-109, new drill hole SCR-223 intercepted multiple mineralized intervals including 4.57 m averaging 0.851 g/t Au from surface and 74.67 m averaging 0.605 g/t Au, which included three high-grade intervals of 1.52 m each averaging 3.677 g/t, 2.305 g/t and 1.536 g/t Au, respectively.
In central Buena Suerte, drill hole SCR-125 was re-entered and deepened where it intercepted 10.67 m averaging 1.363 g/t Au, including two high-grade intercepts of 3.05 m averaging 4.196 g/t Au and 1.52 m averaging 6.729 g/t Au.
Drill hole SCR-125 is located in between the previously reported drill hole SCR-142 to the north, and drill hole SCR 143 to its south, with approximate spacings of 35 m. Both SCR-142 and SCR-143 also intercepted multiple mineralized intervals, with SCR-142 intercepting 12.19 m averaging 1.24 g/t Au and SCR-143 intercepting 12.19 m averaging 0.72 g/t Au.
Buena Vista vein zone extended
The Buena Vista mineralized zone is now confirmed as the northwest extension of the Japoneses zone where the western boundary is structurally controlled by a large fault and vein structure, known as the Buena Vista vein zone. The extension was defined with five drill holes spaced 30 m to 50 m apart spanning approximately 150 m along the western flank of the Buena Vista fault.
Highlights include:
- SCR-222 intercepted 15.24 m averaging 2.039 g/t Au, including 6.1 m averaging 3.150 g/t Au.
- SCR-224 intercepted 7.62 m averaging 0.698 g/t Au, and 3.05 m averaging 0.676 g/t Au.
- SRC-226 intercepted 1.52 m averaging 1.36 g/t Au from surface.
Pending additional assay results are expected to further define the northwest extension of the Buena Vista mineralization zone.
To the immediate west of the Buena Vista vein zone, the presence of outcropping quartz veins and stockwork demonstrates conduits for the transportation of gold containing mineralizing fluids and likely confirms a western expansion of approximately 150 m to the Buena Suerte gold mineralized zone.
Five additional drill holes planned for this week on the west flank of Buena Vista will investigate the zone's potential coalescence with the east flank of Buena Suerte. As noted herein, the possible economic implications of the combined zones may prove advantageous for the proposed HLMO. A larger single body of shallow, oxide gold mineralization suggests the potential for a large single pit, which may reduce stripping ratios and increase transformation of waste rock into gold mineralization.
Japoneses zone
Approximately 150 m east of Buena Vista, within the northern extension of the Japoneses gold mineralized zone, infill drill hole SCR-227 intercepted 3.05 m averaging 1.743 g/t Au including 1.53 m averaging 2.538 g/t Au.
El Colorado zone definition
Two targeted drill holes were completed in the El Colorado mineralized zone to increase understanding of the structural geometry concept for El Colorado and extend its mineralized zones. SCR-225 intercepted 10.66 m averaging 0.468 g/t Au and 3.05 m averaging 0.466 g/t Au as well as 1.52 m averaging 2.049 g/t Au. Further downhole, the same drill hole intercepted 7.62 m averaging 1.164 g/t Au including 3.05 m averaging 2.314 g/t Au.
Drill hole SCR-229 targeted a new El Colorado vein structure where it intercepted 3.05 m averaging 1.332 g/t Au including 1.52 m averaging 2.513 g/t Au. Pending drilling results are expected to further define the gold mineralization in and around El Colorado.
Mel Herdrick, Sonoro's vice-president of exploration, stated: "These latest drill results, together with the planned drilling over the next week, will help to further define the gold zones discussed, as the mineralized bodies are being outlined and quantified. I am pleased all drill holes cut gold mineralization in the four zones. I also note that stockwork style mineralization with good gold grades was intercepted at El Colorado above the vein zones in areas we had previously modelled to be sterile."
Sonoro's chairman, John Darch, added: "I am extremely pleased with our continued very positive developments on all fronts. The Buena Suerte drilling results are a strong indication of not only establishing that zone as a major area of gold mineralization but also, when those results are combined with the drill results from Buena Vista, we may be able to demonstrate the viability of a single very large pit for all three zones with the attendant economic advantages. It was for these reasons that management elected to intensify and extend the drilling campaign, which has boosted our confidence that the upcoming preliminary economic assessment (PEA) will support our long-standing conceptual plans for the development of an HLMO having an operating capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 tons per day. The recently announced current $2-million equity raise will cover the additional direct and associated costs of this highly productive program expansion and extension, and should fund Sonoro through to the PEA and securing project debt financing."
ASSAY RESULTS
CERRO CALICHE PROJECT, HOLE COMPOSITES WITH CUT-OFF 0.15 G/T AU
From To Interval Au Ag AuEq
Hole Target m m m g/t g/t g/t
SCR-125 Buena Suerte 4.57 7.62 3.05 0.366 9.0 0.497
and 83.82 86.87 3.05 0.249 0.5 0.256
and 91.44 102.11 10.67 1.363 31.7 1.816
includes 91.44 94.49 3.05 4.196 96.8 5.579
includes 91.44 92.96 1.52 6.729 153.0 8.915
and 112.78 120.40 7.62 0.571 4.0 0.629
and 124.97 128.02 3.05 0.610 1.1 0.625
and 135.64 138.68 3.04 0.224 7.4 0.330
SCR-221 Buena Suerte 9.14 10.19 3.05 0.280 1.4 0.300
and 36.58 39.62 3.04 0.179 0.5 0.185
and 42.67 45.72 3.05 2.483 3.3 2.529
includes 42.67 44.20 1.53 4.397 4.5 4.461
and 53.34 56.39 3.05 0.318 1.1 0.334
and 100.58 103.63 3.05 0.923 6.7 1.018
and 111.25 117.35 6.10 2.301 0.7 2.312
includes 112.78 114.30 1.52 6.955 1.0 6.969
SCR-222 Buena Vista 3.05 6.10 3.05 0.569 0.9 0.582
and 39.62 54.86 15.24 2.039 1.7 2.063
includes 45.72 51.82 6.10 3.150 2.8 3.189
includes 47.24 48.77 1.53 3.994 3.3 4.041
SCR-223 Buena Suerte 0.00 4.57 4.57 0.851 3.7 0.903
includes 0.00 1.52 1.52 1.533 7.0 1.633
and 10.67 13.72 3.05 0.252 1.0 0.266
and 27.43 35.05 7.62 0.260 1.9 0.288
and 41.15 115.82 74.67 0.605 3.1 0.654
includes 79.25 80.77 1.52 1.536 12.5 1.715
includes 82.30 83.82 1.52 3.677 12.2 3.851
includes 94.49 96.01 1.52 2.305 9.8 2.445
SCR-224 Buena Vista 32.00 39.62 7.62 0.698 1.2 0.715
and 56.39 59.44 3.05 0.676 0.2 0.679
SCR-225 El Colorado 13.72 24.38 10.66 0.468 5.3 0.544
and 35.05 38.10 3.05 0.466 3.1 0.510
and 45.72 47.24 1.52 2.049 9.5 2.185
and 67.06 71.63 4.57 0.241 5.8 0.325
and 89.92 92.96 3.04 0.275 6.8 0.371
and 131.06 138.68 7.62 1.164 0.7 1.174
includes 132.59 135.64 3.05 2.314 0.8 2.324
includes 134.11 135.64 1.53 3.114 0.9 3.127
SCR-226 Buena Vista 0.00 1.52 1.52 1.360 3.2 1.406
and 24.38 28.96 4.58 0.293 2.3 0.326
and 38.10 44.20 6.10 0.299 0.5 0.306
SCR-227 Japoneses 0.00 3.05 3.05 0.229 1.5 0.250
and 16.76 19.81 3.05 1.743 16.3 1.977
includes 16.76 18.29 1.53 2.538 28.2 2.941
and 25.91 36.58 10.67 0.369 0.9 0.383
and 67.06 71.63 4.57 0.154 0.2 0.157
SCR-228 Buena Vista 0.00 19.81 19.81 0.358 1.5 0.380
SCR-229 El Colorado 25.91 28.96 3.05 1.332 1.5 1.353
includes 25.91 27.43 1.52 2.513 2.5 2.549
and 76.20 79.25 3.05 0.286 1.1 0.301
and 82.30 86.87 4.57 0.342 1.1 0.358
and 155.45 161.54 6.09 0.219 1.3 0.238
SCR-230 Buena Vista 0.00 3.05 3.05 0.217
and 18.29 35.05 16.76 0.372
SCR-231 Buena Vista 19.81 22.86 3.05 0.500 20.4 0.790
and 27.43 30.48 3.05 1.285 42.4 1.890
and 68.58 74.68 6.10 0.217 2.6 0.254
Quality assurance/quality control measures and analytical procedures
Drill samples are collected with an airstream cyclone and passed into a splitter that divides each sample into quarters. The quartered samples are then bagged and sealed with identification. The sample group has blanks, standards and duplicates inserted into the sample stream.
Bureau Veritas (BV) collects from the drill site the samples and transports them directly to the preparation laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora. At the prep laboratory, a split part of each sample (approximately 500 grams) is reduced through crushing, splitting and pulverization. Thirty grams of each pulverized sample is split apart in the Hermosillo laboratory and undergoes a fire assay for gold content by reducing the fire assay to a concentrated button of material that is dissolved in acids and the gold content determined by atomic absorption. About another 200 grams of each sample are sent by BV to its Vancouver laboratory and dissolved there in aqua regia for multielement inductively coupled plasma analysis, including silver. No quality assurance/quality control issues were noted with the results received from the laboratory.
Geologic description
Cerro Caliche is located 45 kilometres east-southeast of Magdalena de Kino in the Cucurpe-Sonora megadistrict of Sonora, Mexico. Multiple historic underground mines were developed in the concession including Cabeza Blanca, Los Cuervos, Japoneses, Las Abejas, Boluditos, El Colorado, Veta de Oro and Espanola. Mineralization types of the Cucurpe-Sonora megadistrict include variants of epithermal low-sulphidation veins, and related mineralized dikes and associated volcanic domes. Local altered and mineralized felsic dikes cut the mineralized metasedimentary rock units and may be associated with mineralization both in the dikes and metasedimentary rocks.
Qualified person statement
Stephen Kenwood, PGeo, a director of Sonoro, is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, and has read and approved this news release. Readers are cautioned that the presence of mineralization on historic mines adjacent to or on Cerro Caliche is not necessarily indicative of economic gold mineralization in the concessions held by the company.
About Sonoro Gold Corp.
Sonoro is a publicly listed exploration and development company with a portfolio of exploration-stage precious metal properties in Sonora, Mexico. The company has highly experienced operational and management teams with proven records for the discovery and development of natural resource deposits.
We seek Safe Harbor.
© 2024 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.