Drilling Discovers Favourable Geological Environment to Host a Sedex Type Deposit on the Vine Property
Additional detailed ground geophysics (see December 22, 2014 press release) has identified a large positive gravity anomaly that appears to correspond with the target sedimentary horizon called the Footwall Quartzite. Hole VA15-02 intersected a fault before reaching the Footwall Quartzite target horizon. Preliminary assessment of the data suggests that the target horizon is at depth beneath the hole.
Management believes that the presence of anomalous sphalerite mineralization with alteration and the identified gravity anomaly continue to support the potential for massive sulphides deposited within a basin at the target Footwall Quartzite sedimentary horizon.
Historical drilling in the early 1990’s by Kokanee Exploration discovered massive sulphide with zinc, lead and silver mineralization at the base of the Footwall Quartzite, approximately 1.2 km west of PJX’s hole VA15-02.
Based on these results the Company believes it has discovered a restricted third-order sedimentary basin which is considered an important geological environment often associated with Sedex deposits. This discovery is located approximately 35 km south of the former Sullivan Sedex deposit.
“In my 40 years of exploration experience in the area, it is rare to discover a third order basin and, in particular, one that contains sphalerite mineralization with alteration that supports the right geological environment for a deposit” states Dave Pighin (P.Geo) “In addition, the basin is located adjacent to a large regional structure called the Moyie Fault. The Sullivan deposit occurs in a similar geological environment adjacent to the regional Kimberley Fault.”
This new geological information and existing geophysical data are being used to refine target depths and locations in preparation for the next phase of drilling. Although mineralization seen in the core is not of sufficient concentration to warrant assaying, the anomalous mineralization supports the potential for a sulphide deposit being formed in the basin. Additional information will be placed on the PJX website when the assessment is completed.
“The property has excellent infrastructure. It is crossed by two power lines and rail with road access year round, and is only a 20 minute drive south along Highway 3 from mining friendly Cranbrook, British Columbia.” states Company President and CEO John Keating. “The rail line crossing the property carried zinc, lead and silver concentrate from the former Sullivan Mine to Teck’s Smelter complex in Trail, located about a half a day by rail away.”
Drill Hole VA15-02 - Summary
The hole was drilled for 688 metres (“m”) at an angle of -70 degrees from horizontal.
From (m) | To (m) | Description | |
0 | 3 | Casing | |
3 | 23 | Proterozoic age Lower Aldridge sediments – medium to thin bedded siltstone and argillite | |
23 | 384 | Gabbro sill | |
384 | 420 | Lower Aldridge sediments | |
420 | 493 | Gabbro sill | |
493 | 504 | Lower Aldridge sediments | |
504 | 584 | Lower Aldridge sediments contain locally anomalous sphalerite (zinc sulphide) and pyrrhotite-pyrite (iron sulphide) mineralization. Sphalerite occurs along fractures or disseminated in sedimentary beds that are locally altered with sericite, chlorite, albite, or silica and occasional garnets. Sediments locally display soft sediment slumping textures. | |
584 | 688 | Zone of deformation - foliated Lower Aldridge sediments and minor Gabbro. Predominantly competent chlorite-sericite-phyllite that is locally silicified. Anomalous disseminated sphalerite, pyrrhotite-pyrite and chalcopyrite (copper sulphide) occur from 584-604m. |