Argonaut Gold Updates Resource for San Antonio Gold Resource Increases by 33% to 1.6 Million Ounces
Gold Resource Increases by 33% to 1.6 Million Ounces
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 05/09/11 -- Argonaut Gold Inc. (TSX: AR) ('Argonaut' or the 'Company') is pleased to report that the overall Measured & Indicated gold resource at its 100% owned San Antonio Project in Baja California Sur, Mexico has increased from 1,216,000 to 1,615,000 ounces. Additionally, the company continues a 10,000 meter drill program designed to further understand the total resource at the San Antonio project.
2011 Accomplishments to Date:
-- San Antonio
-- Q2, 2011 updated resource with 2010 Drill Program (36,000 meters)
-- 1,615,000 oz. Au in Measured and Indicated Resources, 33%
increase in resource over prior N.I. 43-101 compliant technical
report (1,216,000 as of August, 2010)
-- Metallurgical work on San Antonio samples; recovery ranges from 50-
85% depending on mineralization type at 3/8' crush size
-- 2011 Drill Program of 10,000 meters, 1,920 meters completed
-- La Colorada
-- 2011 Drill Program of 19,000 RC meters and 6,000 Core meters, 13,600
meters completed
-- Drill results for March 2011 included 20 holes for 385 meters
-- Drill results for May 2011 included 11 holes and more pending
results
-- El Castillo
-- Q1, 2011 annualized production run rate of 72,000 gold ounces for
the 2nd consecutive quarter
-- 2011 Guidance of 70-75,000 ounces @ $575 - $600 cash cost
-- 1,500 meter Core Drill Program completed on April 25, 2011 and
Metallurgical test work is underway
SAN ANTONIO
Updated Resource Estimate
Argonaut is pleased to announce that it has received an updated National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral resource from AMEC E& C Services in Reno, NV ('AMEC') for its 100% owned San Antonio gold deposit in Baja California Sur.
The updated mineral resource for San Antonio follows a 36,000 meter drill program completed in the Fall of 2010, immediately prior to the acquisition by Argonaut Gold. The resource has been estimated at 1,615,000 ounces of gold, represented by more than 51 million tonnes at 0.98 g/t. This is a 33% increase over the previous technical reports' Measured and Indicated resources of 1,216,000 ounces.
Table 1- Updated Mineral Resource Summary of the San Antonio property as of April, 2011
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AU (g/t) Contained Au
Class Tonnes Grade Metal
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Measured & Indicated 51,192,000 0.978 1,615,000
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Inferred 2,765,000 0.62 55,000
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(i)Please see footnote 1 for the full resource table
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The stated Mineral Resources have been prepared in accordance with Canada's National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The Qualified Person for the mineral resource update, is Principal Geologist, Edward Orbock, M.AusIMM, of AMEC E & C Services.
The updated resource estimate represents a material change to the Company and an updated technical report will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.
Tom Burkhart, Vice President of Exploration for Argonaut stated. 'The prior technical report indicated a 8 year mine life at San Antonio with a projected production rate of 82,500 ounces a year at a $513 per ounce cash cost. An increase in resources at San Antonio could lead to an increased production profile at the property. Unlocking the potential of the property is an important part of our exploration program, a 10,000 meter drill program has been initiated for 2011. ' Mr. Burkhart added 'We are very pleased with the value created to date at San Antonio and will continue an extensive drill program focused on expanding the intermediate zone between the Los Planes and Las Colinas pits, as well as exploring additional areas of interest at the property, such as La Colpa.'
Preliminary Metallurgical results for San Antonio samples
Preliminary test results for various material samples from the San Antonio project have been received. Metallurgical recoveries indicate an overall recovery ranging between 50-85% depending on ore type at a 3/8' crush size.
Highlights of the study are included below:
-- Total test leach cycle of 100 days, indicates overall average leach
cycle of 90 days
-- 1,206 samples were selected from unsplit, PQ-size core collected during
the 2010 drill program performed at San Antonio. The samples were tested
by Metcon Research of Tucson, Arizona.
-- Reagent consumption was slightly below that assumed in the earlier
technical report (AMEC August 10, 2010)
-- Leach recoveries as a whole exceeded those used in the prior earlier
technical report (AMEC August 10, 2010)
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Zone Recovery Range
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Los Planes Oxide 80-85%
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Los Planes Sulphides 55-60%
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Las Colinas 45-50%
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Intermediate 50-55%
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Argonaut Gold's President and CEO Peter Dougherty stated, 'The preliminary results continue to support the economics of San Antonio as an open pit heap leach operation. The project continues to advance as the company works on the engineering, permitting, water acquisition and land purchases necessary to move the project into production.'
San Antonio 2011 Drill Program
-- La Colpa is slated for 1,968 meters in 2011, 1,200 meters completed as
of this release
-- Mineralization between a 100 to 500 meter zone east of the Las Colinas
Pit
(Please see the website for the San Antonio 2011 Drill results.)
Table 1 Gold assays from RC drilling at the La Colpa Zone. San Antonio Project; 2011 Drill Program. Gold intervals calculated using a 0.2gpt Au cutoff grade and no high grade capping. No more than three consecutive barren or low-grade samples were considered.
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Azimuth / Dip Length
Drill hole Section (Degrees) From (m) To (m) (m) Au gpt
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11LCRC-317 38,600 90/-60 26.8 39.0 12.2 0.61
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and 43.6 52.7 9.1 0.78
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11LCRC-318 38,600 90/-60 64.9 84.7 19.8 0.28
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11LCRC-319 38,600 90/-60 13.1 26.8 13.7 0.42
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and 36.0 46.6 10.7 0.25
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and 63.4 68.0 4.6 0.53
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11LCRC-320 38,600 90/-60 5.2 9.8 4.6 0.42
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and 44.8 53.9 9.1 0.75
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and 58.5 66.1 7.6 0.17
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11LCRC-322 38,550 90/-60 18.9 25.0 6.1 0.51
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and 29.6 58.5 29.0 0.41
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and 64.6 69.2 4.6 0.44
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Note: Drill holes are designed to cross cut known structures at 90 degrees and reported thicknesses are approximately true widths, thicknesses on vertical holes are estimated thicknesses.
Tom Burkhart noted 'The preliminary focus of the 2011 drill program at San Antonio included new targets east of the Las Colinas Pit. Exploration potential still exists at the San Antonio project, providing potential upside for resource growth at the property. La Colpa was one of the targets previously identified, and slated for further exploration within our mineral concessions. We are pleased with the early drill results indicating near surface mineralization that remains open. We are looking at La Colpa as part of a parallel zone of mineralization.'
LA COLORADA
La Colorada 2011 Drill Results to Date
Argonaut is pleased to report additional drill results from the aggressive 2011 drill program at the La Colorada property, continuing a focus on converting mineralized material from an inferred resource to a Measured & Indicated resource. La Colorada is a gold-silver project located 50 kilometers southeast of Hermosillo, Mexico.
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RC Drilling Core Drilling Hammer Drilling
Zone (meters) (meters) (meters)
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La Colorada 5,545 1,408 -
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Gran Central 4,284 1,279 -
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Veta Madre - - -
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ROM - - 385
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Stockpile - - 402
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TOTAL 2011
Drilling to Date 9,829 2,687 787
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Highlights from the 2011 La Colorada Drill Program
-- Gold intercepts have been fairly consistent with the current block model
(by Giroux, 2009), especially in the main Gran Central and La Colorada
zones
(Please see Drill results as well as a select cross section of La Colorada on the website).
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Section Azimuth/ Dip Length Au
Drill hole (Northing) (Degrees) From (m) To (m) (m) (g/t) Ag (g/t)
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11-LCRC-132 3185838 0/-90 73.15 79.25 6.10 0.55 23.65
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and 89.92 112.78 22.86 0.30 11.22
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11-LCRC-133 3185836 180/-45 0.00 3.05 3.05 0.48 3.95
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and 56.39 65.53 9.14 0.86 14.08
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11-LCRC-134 3185839 180/-85 88.39 96.01 7.62 0.48 1.02
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and 109.73 118.87 9.14 0.56 6.89
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11-LCRC-135 3185819 180/-75 21.34 22.86 1.52 2.72 113.90
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and 62.48 79.25 16.76 3.05 119.69
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and 166.12 170.69 4.57 0.64 0.38
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11-LCRC-136 3185864 180/-45 0.00 1.52 1.52 0.75 61.30
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and 50.29 62.48 12.19 0.39 8.39
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and 67.06 96.01 28.96 0.76 32.91
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11-LCRC-137 3185865 180/-70 64.01 65.53 1.52 0.59 7.70
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and 71.63 88.39 16.76 1.10 8.90
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11-LCRC-138 3185866 0/-90 88.39 92.96 4.57 0.64 3.55
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and 100.58 121.92 21.34 0.67 18.83
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11-LCRC-141 3185478 180/-58 59.44 65.53 6.10 0.88 19.60
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and 71.63 92.96 21.34 1.30 70.65
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11-LCRC-142 3185500 180/-65 70.10 71.63 1.52 0.31 20.20
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11-LCRC-143 3185499 180/-79 94.49 102.11 7.62 0.72 72.82
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11-LCRC-146 3185662 180/-45 1.52 9.14 7.62 0.41 0.29
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and 82.30 85.34 3.05 7.36 17.40
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and 91.44 92.96 1.52 0.26 12.30
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and 158.50 170.69 12.19 1.42 11.31
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Note: Drill holes are designed to cross cut known structures at 90 degrees and reported thicknesses are approximately true widths, thicknesses on vertical holes are estimated thicknesses.
Tom Burkhart noted 'Our drill program in 2011 at La Colorada is designed to convert the inferred resource to a Measured and Indicated resource. The initial drill results are encouraging and proving up our theory of the deposits untapped potential. We anticipate Phase I drilling of 19,000 meters to be finished in the 3rd quarter. Once the drilling is completed the results will be incorporated into a new NI 43-101 compliant technical report which will be completed by year end.'
Footnotes
Table1-1: Mineral Resource Statement, San Antonio Project, Effective Date April 29th 2011, Edward J.C. Orbock III, M.AusIMM
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Total Au
Au Tonnes (Au grams Au ounces
Deposit Class Cut-off (x 1,000) g/t) (x 1,000) (x 1,000)
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Las Colinas Oxide/Transition
Measured 0.23 331 0.73 242 8
Indicated 0.23 887 0.71 633 20
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Sulphide
Measured 0.26 710 0.76 542 17
Indicated 0.26 5,097 0.84 4,287 138
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Oxide/Transition
Inferred 0.23 25 0.48 12 0.4
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Los Planes Oxide/Transition
Measured 0.13 9,594 0.91 8,754 281
Indicated 0.13 5,393 0.90 4,880 157
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Sulphide
Measured 0.19 7,760 1.21 9,361 301
Indicated 0.19 18,272 1.02 18,545 596
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Oxide/Transition
Inferred 0.13 407 0.92 375 12
Sulphide
Inferred 0.19 464 0.94 436 14
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Intermedia Oxide/Transition/
Sulphides
Measured 0.21 388 1.01 390 13
Indicated 0.21 2,760 0.94 2,599 84
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Oxide/Transition/
Sulphides
Inferred 0.21 9 0.56 5 0.2
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La Colpa Oxide/Transition
Inferred 0.18 1,109 0.43 473 15
Sulphide
Inferred 0.22 741 0.53 395 13
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All Deposits Oxide/Transition/
Sulphides
Measured Various 18,783 1.03 19,289 620
Indicated Various 32,409 0.96 30,943 995
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Oxide/Transition/
Sulphides
Measured Indicated Various 51,192 0.98 50,232 1,615
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Oxide/Transition/
Sulphides
Inferred Various 2,755 0.62 1,696 55
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Notes to Accompany Mineral Resources Table:
1. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated
economic viability
2. Mineral Resources are reported at various cut-off grades for oxide,
transition, and sulphide material.
3. Mineral Resources are reported as undiluted.
4. Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual pit shell
5. Mineral Resources are reported using a long-term gold price of
US$1,200/oz, variable mining and processing costs and variable recoveries
that are based on the oxidation state of the sulphides in the deposit.
6. Totals tonnes and grade values may be rounded.
The AMEC resource estimation is based on information from 430 drill holes totalling 74,453 meters. The average drillhole spacing is approximately 50m.
About Argonaut
Argonaut is a Canadian gold company engaged in exploration, mine development and production activities. Its primary assets are the production-stage El Castillo Mine in the State of Durango, Mexico, the development stage San Antonio project, the past producing La Colorada project, and the exploration stage La Fortuna project, all of which are located in Mexico.
Creating the Next Quality Mid-Tier Gold Producer in the Americas.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from management's current expectations. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors. Except as required by law, Argonaut Gold Inc. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this news release.
The potential quantities and grades disclosed herein in connection with the drilling results at San Antonio and La Colorada are conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define an updated mineral resource on these results and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in these targets being delineated as a mineral resource.
Qualified Persons
Preparation of this press release was supervised by Mr. Thomas Burkhart, Argonaut's Vice President of Exploration and, a 'Qualified Persons' as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Alberto Orozco, Argonaut's Mexico Exploration Manager. Mr. Alberto Orozco also supervised the reverse circulation drill program and on-site sample preparation procedures at San Antonio. Mr. Edward J.C. Orbock of AMEC E & C Services of Reno, NV, who is an 'Independent Qualified Person' as defined by NI 43-101 and the lead person responsible for completing the updated San Antonio resource has reviewed this press release as it relates to the San Antonio project.
For sample analysis the Company utilizes a system of Quality Assurance/Quality Control that includes insertion and verification of standards, blanks and duplicates consistent with industry standards. Samples from the La Colorada Project are collected at site by personnel of Inspectorate's preparation laboratory in Hermosillo where samples are prepared and pulps sent for assay in Inspectorate's Sparks, NV laboratory. Samples are analyzed for gold by Fire Assay and Atomic absorption finish (PKG-AuAg assay code; 0.005 to 10ppm detection limit) plus Silver by Aqua Regia and Atomic Absorption finish (0.1 to 200 ppm detection limit). Samples over 10 g/t Au are assayed with gravimetric finish (Assay code Au-1AT-GV). All samples are also assayed by ICP-AES (code GENX-30) for a suite of 30 elements.
Samples from the San Antonio project are shipped by commercial courier from the city of La Paz to ALS Chemex's preparation laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora. Samples are prepared by ALS in Hermosillo and pulps sent to their assay laboratory in North Vancouver. Samples are analyzed for gold by fire assay with atomic absorption (Au AA-23 assay method code; 0.005 to 10ppm detection limit). Samples over 10 g/t Au are assayed with gravimetric finish (Assay code AU-GRA21). All samples are also assayed by ICP-MS (code ME-ICP41) for a suite of 35 elements.
For further information on the San Antonio project please see the NI 43-01 compliant technical report entitled 'San Antonio Project, Baja California Sur, Mexico. NI 43-101 Technical Report on Preliminary Assessment' dated August 10, 2010 and available on www.sedar.org.
For further information on the La Colorada project please see the NI 43-01 compliant technical report entitled 'Geological Report on the La Colorada Property with a resource estimate on the La Colorada and El Creston Mineralized Zones' dated November 30, 2009 and available on www.sedar.org.
Contacts:
Argonaut Gold Inc.
Nichole Cowles
Investor Relations Manager
(775) 284-4422 x 101
nichole.cowles@argonautgoldinc.com
www.argonautgoldinc.com