MacDonald Mines Provides Clarification on the Trenching of Oxide Sands, Wawa-Holdsworth Gold Project
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 31, 2017) - Further to the news release dated August 30, 2017, MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:BMK) ("MacDonald Mines", the "Company", or "BMK") wishes to clarify the trenching and sampling methodology of the Oxide Sands at the Wawa-Holdsworth Gold Project.
Oxide Sands Trenching and Sampling Procedure
MacDonald's trenching program is exposing the uppermost layers of the soil formation containing the Oxide Sands and does not generally exceed 1m in depth.
The primary objectives of the trenching program are: 1) identify which units, in addition to the historically recognized black sands, contain precious metals, 2) constrain the lateral extent of precious metals enrichments in the soil formation, and 3) identify the key visual and chemical attributes of the precious metal-rich units of the soil formation (see Figure 1).
The soil units are characterized by taking short representative samples. As shown by Figure 1, the sampling lengths reported are not representative of the vertical extent and size of the units containing precious metals in the soil formation, but only of the length of the representative sample taken to characterize the precious metal content of that unit.
The current trenching program is not defining the vertical extension of the units containing precious metals, especially as the units richer in precious metals are generally deeper in the formation and only their top part is exposed (Figure 1). Sonic drilling will be used to characterize the vertical distribution and size of the units rich in precious metals in the Oxide Sands formation.
To view Figure 1 - Systematic sampling of the units composing the soil formation to characterize the precious metal distribution, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/FIG1-1101711.pdf
Gold distribution in the "Oxide Sands" formation
Results from the trenching program indicate that the lateral footprint of precious metals enrichments extends outside the purely "black sands" layers into units ranging in colour from green-grey to orange and brown. The lateral footprint of the precious metals enrichments, established during the trenching program, will guide the location of the drill holes during sonic drilling which will characterize the vertical extent and size of the units rich in precious metals.
Wawa-Holdsworth Project Highlights
- Neighbouring Richmont's Island Gold Mine, Argonaut's Magino Gold Project and Goldcorp's Borden project
- Numerous gold showings with diversified mineralization styles occurring in a 500 metres-wide deformation corridor
- Year-long road access and easy access to rail, road, electrical power, labour force and suppliers
Overview of the Wawa-Holdsworth Project
Historic work by previous operators defined three gold targets on the Wawa-Holdsworth Project:
- Greenstone-hosted quartz-carbonate vein deposit (Soocana Vein System and Reed-Booth Showing);
- BIF-hosted gold deposits (gold-bearing pyrite zones in an Algoma-type iron formation);
- Gold-bearing Oxide Sands developed from the weathering of the auriferous pyrite zones.
MacDonald Mines is focusing its near-term exploration program on the Oxide Sands. These appear to extend for more than 2 kilometres on the property as corroborated by MacDonald's recent airborne magnetics results (see June 1, 2017 News Release) and reach a depth of at least 8 metres.
Positive preliminary metallurgical results (see July 11, 2017);
- The concentration ratio of gold in rougher flotation averaged 6.0:1
- The concentration ratio of silver in rougher flotation averaged 5.2:1
- Reduction of feed volume in rougher flotation by approximately 85-90%
- The Oxide Sands can be processed by a simple crushing/flotation process
- No caustic treatments are necessary
- The processing will require low power requirements
- The waste material is inert (>70 percent silica/quartz)
The soft and relatively unconsolidated Oxide Sands material can be extracted like an aggregate. The Company is working to better define the Oxide Sands in preparation for their potential extraction.
On-site Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures
Sand samples were transported in security-sealed bags for analyses to Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Ancaster, Ontario. Individual samples are labeled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. Groups of samples are then placed into durable rice bags and then shipped. The remaining coarse reject portions of the samples remain in storage if further work or verification is needed.
MacDonald Mines has implemented a quality-control program to comply with best practices in the sampling and analysis of both the Oxide Sands and drill core. As part of its QA/QC program, MacDonald Mines inserts external gold, silver and Pt and Pd standards (low to high grade) and blanks every 20 samples in addition to random standards, blanks, and duplicates.
Qualified Person
Quentin Yarie, P Geo. is the qualified person responsible for preparing, supervising and approving the scientific and technical content of this news release.
About MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.
MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. is a mineral exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario focused on gold exploration in Canada. The Company has built a portfolio of safe-jurisdiction, infrastructure-rich projects that demonstrate the greatest market potential for return. The Company is aggressively advancing its highly prospective Wawa-Holdsworth Project.
The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BMK".
To learn more about MacDonald Mines, please visit www.macdonaldmines.com
Cautionary Statement:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. The foregoing information may contain forward-looking statements relating to the future performance of the Company. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the Company's plans and expectations. These plans, expectations, risks and uncertainties are detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with the TSX Venture Exchange and securities regulators. MacDonald Mines does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact
Quentin Yarie
President & CEO
(416) 364-4986
qyarie@macdonaldmines.com
Mia Boiridy
Investor Relations
(416) 364-4986
mboiridy@macdonaldmines.com
www.macdonaldmines.com