RNC Minerals Drills 21m of 7.09g/t gold at Beta Hunt Extending Western Flanks Gold Mineralization at Depth; Provides Exploration Update
TORONTO, June 26, 2017 /CNW/ - RNC Minerals (TSX: RNX) ("RNC") announces continued positive infill and extension drilling results at its Beta Hunt Mine in Western Australia.
"The latest drill results from the Western Flanks Zone continue to demonstrate the immense potential to multiply the existing gold resource at Beta Hunt. The latest drilling confirms the extension of Western Flanks mineralization at depth in multiple holes, nearly doubling the vertical extent of Western Flanks mineralization to 190 metres below the contact. Current drilling has yielded the best intersections yet in the Western Flanks as hole WF18-028 returned 7.09 g/t gold over a downhole length of 21 meters. Infill drilling at Western Flanks and the A Zone Extension continue to return excellent results in terms of both grade and thickness, and we have added a second drill to allow us to accelerate our resource expansion efforts," said Mark Selby, President and CEO of RNC.
Drilling highlights at Western Flanks since RNC's news release dated April 10, 2017 include the following gold intersections:
Western Flanks (depth extension): (See Table 1 for full assay highlights)
- WF18-010 – 17.85 m at 4.28 g/t including 3.00 m at 6.46 g/t
- WF18-014 – 9.00 m at 3.35 g/t including 3.00 m at 4.20 g/t
- WF18-028 – 21.00 m at 7.09 g/t including 16.25 m at 8.18 g/t
Western Flanks (infill): (See Table 2 for full assay highlights)
- WF18-003 – 13.10 m at 4.53 g/t including 3.30 m at 7.55 g/t
- WF18-007 – 2.90 m at 14.97 g/t including 0.60 m at 69.90 g/t
- WF18-012 – 7.80 m at 5.82 g/t including 1.30 m at 26.50 g/t
See Figures 1, 2 and 3 showing location and proximity to existing development.
Additionally, further definition drilling to support the mine plan in the A Zone Extension has returned more positive results for defining a resource, including:
A Zone Extension (extension): (See Table 3 for full assay highlights)
- WFE17-15 – 2.15 m at 8.47 g/t including 1.15 m at 13.17 g/t
- WFE17-16 – 3.00 m at 4.57 g/t including 1.00 m at 8.02 g/t
- WFE17-19 – 4.20 m at 4.08 g/t including 0.95 m at 14.70 g/t
See Figure 1 and 4 for location and proximity to existing development.
Beta Hunt A Zone Extension and Western Flanks depth extension and infill drilling
Additional drill holes completed since RNC's news release dated April 10, 2017 highlight the continuity of gold mineralization in the southern extension of the A Zone where RNC previously announced the extension of the strike length of 1.2 kilometres by a further 500 metres or more than 40%. The southern extension occurs directly below the previously mined contact-related historical Hunt nickel deposit (see Figure 4). Significant assays from the recent drill holes are provided in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
At the Western Flanks Zone, recently completed drill holes confirm the extension of Western Flanks mineralization at depth in multiple holes and locally extends mineralization by 90 metres below the deepest previous intersection. This increases the known vertical extent of Western Flanks mineralization by 90% to 190 metres below the ultramafic/basalt contact. The drilling also highlights the continuity of gold mineralization within the known resource and demonstrates gold mineralization extends well below the known resource and remains open at depth.
RNC recently added a second diamond drill at Beta Hunt to support infill and exploration drilling plans. Results will continue to be released as assays become available and will be utilized to update resource models.
Table 1: Significant assay results from the Western Flanks Extension Drilling
| True | ||||||
| Downhole | Downhole | Interval | Width1 | Gold2 | ||
| From (m) | To (m) | (m) | (m) | g/t | ||
| WF18-010 | 134.15 | 152.00 | 17.85 | 14.06 | 4.28 | |
| including | 134.15 | 138.00 | 3.85 | 4.43 | ||
| including | 146.00 | 149.00 | 3.00 | 6.46 | ||
| 156.00 | 159.00 | 3.00 | 2.37 | 3.17 | ||
| WF18-014 | 162.00 | 171.00 | 9.00 | 7.38 | 3.35 | |
| including | 162.00 | 165.00 | 3.00 | 4.20 | ||
| including | 166.80 | 170.00 | 3.20 | 3.86 | ||
| WF18-028 | 143.00 | 145.00 | 2.00 | 1.04 | 4.26 | |
| 161.00 | 182.00 | 21.00 | 10.91 | 7.09 | ||
| Including | 161.00 | 177.25 | 16.25 | 8.18 | ||
| including | 164.00 | 167.00 | 3.00 | 9.72 | ||
| including | 174.30 | 177.25 | 2.95 | 14.31 |
| 1. | Estimated true width. |
| 2. | All gold assays uncut. |
Table 2: Significant assay results from the Western Flanks Infill Drilling
| True | ||||||
| Downhole | Downhole | Interval | Width1 | Gold2 | ||
| From (m) | To (m) | (m) | (m) | g/t | ||
| WF18-001 | 70.00 | 73.07 | 3.07 | 3.04 | 5.37 | |
| including | 72.00 | 73.07 | 1.07 | 8.21 | ||
| 77.00 | 79.00 | 2.00 | 1.98 | 2.30 | ||
| 89.00 | 91.00 | 2.00 | 1.98 | 3.08 | ||
| 100.00 | 102.00 | 2.00 | 1.98 | 9.40 | ||
| WF18-002 | 73.00 | 80.60 | 7.60 | 7.03 | 3.96 | |
| including | 76.45 | 80.60 | 4.15 | 5.11 | ||
| 109.00 | 111.00 | 2.00 | 1.86 | 3.47 | ||
| WF18-003 | 95.00 | 108.10 | 13.10 | 9.64 | 4.53 | |
| including | 95.00 | 98.55 | 3.55 | 5.93 | ||
| including | 104.40 | 107.70 | 3.30 | 7.55 | ||
| WF18-004 | 81.50 | 85.00 | 3.50 | 3.48 | 3.72 | |
| 115.00 | 117.00 | 2.00 | 1.99 | 4.40 | ||
| WF18-005 | ------------------ no significant results ------------------- | |||||
| WF18-006 | 103.80 | 106.00 | 2.20 | 1.81 | 2.08 | |
| 112.50 | 115.00 | 2.50 | 2.06 | 3.30 | ||
| 127.00 | 129.00 | 2.00 | 1.64 | 2.03 | ||
| WF18-007 | 79.00 | 81.30 | 2.30 | 2.30 | 3.28 | |
| 89.50 | 92.40 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 14.97 | ||
| including | 89.50 | 90.10 | 0.60 | 69.90 | ||
| 112.00 | 114.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 5.30 | ||
| WF18-008 | 96.90 | 104.50 | 7.60 | 7.35 | 2.58 | |
| WF18-009 | 120.40 | 124.00 | 3.60 | 3.14 | 8.57 | |
| including | 120.90 | 122.50 | 1.60 | 11.54 | ||
| WF18-011 | 83.00 | 85.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 4.66 | |
| 111.30 | 122.60 | 11.30 | 11.30 | 4.54 | ||
| including | 111.30 | 114.50 | 3.20 | 4.49 | ||
| including | 117.40 | 121.60 | 4.20 | 7.28 | ||
| 129.00 | 131.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 3.66 | ||
| WF18-012 | 116.60 | 124.40 | 7.80 | 7.60 | 5.82 | |
| including | 121.70 | 123.00 | 1.30 | 26.50 | ||
| 128.00 | 133.00 | 5.00 | 4.87 | 4.89 | ||
| 149.90 | 151.90 | 2.00 | 1.95 | 5.70 | ||
| 157.50 | 160.00 | 2.50 | 2.43 | 2.33 | ||
| WF18-013 | 124.30 | 126.65 | 2.35 | 2.17 | 2.05 | |
| 133.55 | 138.00 | 4.45 | 4.11 | 4.47 | ||
| 148.00 | 150.00 | 2.00 | 1.85 | 2.81 | ||
| WF18-020 | 17.30 | 21.40 | 4.10 | 3.66 | 2.69 | |
| 26.00 | 29.90 | 3.90 | 3.48 | 3.24 | ||
| 38.00 | 40.00 | 2.00 | 1.79 | 3.46 | ||
| WF18-022 | 46.00 | 48.00 | 2.00 | 1.89 | 2.10 | |
| 53.00 | 55.00 | 2.00 | 1.89 | 2.41 | ||
| 1. | Estimated true width. |
| 2. | All gold assays uncut. |
Table 3: Significant assay results from the A Zone Extension Drilling
| Downhole | Downhole | Interval1 | Gold2 | ||
| From (m) | To (m) | (m) | g/t | ||
| WFE17-13 | 86.03 | 91.00 | 4.97 | 2.14 | |
| including | 86.03 | 87.00 | 0.97 | 6.05 | |
| WFE17-14 | 96.00 | 98.25 | 2.25 | 5.17 | |
| including | 96.00 | 97.42 | 1.42 | 6.82 | |
| WFE17-15 | 96.55 | 98.70 | 2.15 | 8.47 | |
| including | 97.15 | 98.30 | 1.15 | 13.17 | |
| WFE17-16 | 93.00 | 96.00 | 3.00 | 4.57 | |
| including | 93.00 | 94.00 | 1.00 | 8.02 | |
| WFE17-17 | 106.35 | 108.50 | 2.15 | 4.31 | |
| including | 106.80 | 107.50 | 0.70 | 11.90 | |
| WFE17-18 | 100.25 | 103.00 | 2.75 | 3.03 | |
| including | 100.75 | 101.92 | 1.17 | 3.58 | |
| WFE17-19 | 90.80 | 95.00 | 4.20 | 4.08 | |
| including | 90.80 | 91.75 | 0.95 | 14.70 |
| 1. | All downhole intervals. True thickness to be determined. |
| 2. | All gold assays uncut. |
Compliance Statement (JORC 2012 and NI 43-101)
The technical information in this news release relating to results at the Beta Hunt Mine is based on information compiled by Steve Devlin, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Devlin is a full time employee of Salt Lake Mining Pty Ltd and has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results".
Drill core sampling was conducted by SLM personnel. Samples are shipped to SGS Mineral Services of Kalgoorlie for preparation and assaying by 50 gram fire assay analytical method. First sample of each sample submission incorporates a barren rock sample as a flush to clean the lab crusher and pulveriser and as a check for contamination. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of insertion of additional blank material and certified standards. The lab is also required to undertake a minimum of 1 in 20 wet screens on pulverised samples to ensure a minimum 90% passing at -75µm.
The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Alger St-Jean, P. Geo., Vice President Exploration of RNC and Kevin Small, Director, Mining Operations of RNC, both Qualified Persons under NI 43-101.
About RNC
RNC is a multi-asset mineral resource company with a portfolio of gold and base metal production and exploration properties. RNC's principal assets are the producing Beta Hunt gold and nickel mine in Western Australia, a 50% interest in a nickel joint venture with Waterton that holds the Dumont Nickel Project in the Abitibi region of Quebec, and a 30% stake in the producing Reed Mine in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake region of Manitoba, Canada. RNC also owns a majority interest in the West Raglan and Qiqavik projects in Northern Quebec. RNC has a strong management team and Board with over 100 years of mining experience at Inco and Falconbridge. RNC's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol RNX. RNC shares also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol RNKLF.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of RNC, production guidance and the potential of the Beta Hunt Mine.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of RNC to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to RNC's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Although RNC has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and RNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE RNC Minerals
Contact
Rob Buchanan, Director, Investor Relations, T: (416) 363-0649, www.rncminerals.com