Tintina Reports High Grade Drill Results from the Strawberry East Target Area of the Black Butte Copper Project
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/19/12 -- Tintina Resources Inc. ('Tintina' or the 'Company') (TSX VENTURE: TAU)(OTCQX: TINTF) is pleased to announce that it has received assay results for an additional ten drill holes from the 2011 drill program on its Black Butte Copper Project ('Black Butte'; formerly called 'Sheep Creek project') located in Central Montana, USA (see Figure 1 & 2).
To view Figure 1 & 2 associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tintina.pdf
Highlights of exploration drill results from the Lowry Deposit Middle Zone (formerly called the 'Middle Copper Zone at Strawberry East'):
- Drill hole SC11-076 intersected 42.34 meters grading 2.12% Copper
(Cu), 0.11% Cobalt (Co) and 11.9 g/tonne Silver (Ag)
- Drill hole SC11-079 intersected 43.75 meters grading 1.83% Cu, 0.10%
Co and 18.7 g/tonne Ag. Within this intercept is a higher grade zone
of 11.70 meters grading 2.84% Cu, 0.14% Co, and 24.0 g/tonne Ag
The results from the ten recently completed drill holes as well as previously released Tintina and historic results, demonstrate that significant thicknesses of high grade copper mineralization occur in multiple zones in the Strawberry East Target area. The Strawberry East Target Area is home to the Lowry deposit, which consists of five separate zones; Lowry Lower Zone (LLZ), Lowry Middle Zone (LMZ), Lowry Upper Zone (LUZ), Lowry 0/I Zone (L 0/I Z) and Lowry II Zone (LIIZ). The best results to date so far have come from the Lowry Middle Zone (LMZ). Enough information is now available to begin a resource model for the LMZ, and work is ongoing towards calculating an Inferred Resource estimate. Jerry Zieg, Vice President of Exploration said: 'We are very pleased with the drill results from the Strawberry East Target Area and expect that when the resource estimate for the LMZ is completed, we will have surpassed our objective of 1 Billion pounds of contained copper at the Black Butte Project. We expect to complete a resource estimate for the LMZ in the first half of 2012.'
Table 1 - Drill Intersections, Strawberry East target area
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From Width Width Ag
Hole Zone (m) To (m) (m) (ft) Cu % Co % (g/t)
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SC11-050 LLZ 536.80 539.10 2.30 7.55 0.94 0.02 4.2
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SC11-051 LLZ 640.54 644.6 4.06 13.32 1.86 0.04 8.5
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SC11-076 LUZ 257.05 259.25 2.20 7.22 2.12 0.09 14.1
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SC11-076 LMZ 319.36 361.70 42.34 138.91 2.12 0.11 11.9
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SC11-076 LLZ 494.11 495.98 1.87 6.14 3.40 0.03 22.8
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SC11-077(i) LMZ 540.05 563.09 23.04 75.59 1.66 0.03 16.1
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(i)-including 540.05 543.70 3.65 11.98 2.63 0.04 23.9
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(i)-also
including 558.05 563.09 5.04 16.54 5.32 0.06 24.9
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SC11-079 LUZ 465.20 466.20 1.00 3.28 1.60 0.10 43.0
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SC11-079(i) LMZ 550.00 593.75 43.75 143.54 1.83 0.10 18.7
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(i)- including 550.00 554.00 4.00 13.12 2.14 0.06 18.5
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(i)- also
including 565.80 577.50 11.70 38.39 2.84 0.14 24.0
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(i)- also
including 590.20 593.75 3.55 11.65 4.07 0.12 28.1
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SC11-079 LLZ 665.88 673.10 7.22 23.69 1.56 0.03 9.3
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SC11-080 LIIZ 85.14 86.18 1.04 3.41 1.73 0.01 12.0
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SC11-081(i) LMZ 449.36 467.03 17.67 57.97 1.99 0.08 9.3
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(i)-including 449.36 457.15 7.79 25.56 2.39 0.08 10.8
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(i)-including 461.47 467.03 5.56 18.24 1.88 0.09 8.6
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SC11-081 LLZ 549.07 554.66 5.59 18.34 2.44 0.01 8.4
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SC11-082 LMZ 455.00 460.14 5.14 16.86 1.47 0.06 20.2
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SC11-082 LLZ 598.00 603.20 5.20 17.06 1.24 0.03 5.8
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SC11-087 LLZ 804.65 826.5 21.85 71.69 2.11 0.03 3.5
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(i)-including 809.00 821.00 12.00 39.37 3.03 0.05 5.1
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SC11-088 L0/IZ 497.22 512.35 15.13 49.64 1.02 0.05 4.7
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(For previous Tintina Resources and historic results at Black Butte please
see News Releases dated October 20, 2010; October 27, 2010; January 6, 2011;
April 26, 2011; May 4, 2011; June 21, 2011; June 28, 2011; July 28th, 2011;
August 17, 2011; August 30, 2011; and November 30, 2011.)
The Lowry Middle Zone (LMZ) is a tabular layer of copper-cobalt-silver mineralization with zones of high grade chalcopyrite concentrated within a broad area of fragmental, silicified and dolomitized shale and carbonate with both replacement and bedded massive and disseminated pyrite. The LMZ is hosted by the lower Newland shale and lies at depths ranging from 300 to 500 meters below the surface and can reach thicknesses of over 52 meters. So far, the Lowry Middle Zone measures 500 meters by 300 meters and remains open to the south.
In addition, on January 12, 2012, the Company has re-started infill drilling on the Johnny Lee Lower Zone with two drill rigs currently on site. The purpose of this drilling is to gain enough additional data to upgrade the Inferred Resource estimate for the Johnny Lee Lower Zone from an Inferred to an Indicated Resource. The in-fill drilling on the Johnny Lee Lower Zone is targeted for completion on April 1, 2012.
About the Johnny Lee Deposit
The Johnny Lee copper deposit is located 1.5 km (0.93 miles) northwest of the Strawberry East area, and consists of two zones; the Johnny Lee Upper Zone (JLUZ) and the Johnny Lee Lower Zone (JLLZ) both summarized in the table below. Both JLUZ and JLLZ copper zones consist of tabular layers of copper-cobalt-silver mineralization with bands of massive chalcopyrite concentrated within a fine-grained massive pyritic sulfide layers of silicified zones hosted by shale and debris flow conglomerate. The JLUZ lies at depths ranging from 30 to 210 meters below the surface and ranges in thickness between 1.2 and 27.78 meters. The JLLZ lies at depths ranging from 340 to 500 meters below surface and ranges in thickness between 1.21 and 13.05 meters. All drill hole intersections represent approximate true thicknesses in the gently dipping mineralized zones. Historic resources calculated by earlier operators are non-compliant with NI 43-101 standards and are not being relied upon for resource estimation purposes. There is potential for additional resources in the Johnny Lee deposit and in the other targets identified on the property to date.
As disclosed on August 17, 2011, the Johnny Lee Lower Zone (JLLZ) has an Inferred resource estimate at a copper cutoff grade of 1.5% as tabulated below:
Undiluted Johnny Lee Lower Zone (JLLZ) Inferred Resource
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Cu Lbs Co Lbs Ag Ozs
Tonnes (000) Cu (%) Co (%) Ag (g/t) (M) (M) (000)
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2,462 4.71 0.06 5.1 256 2.9 404
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In addition, as disclosed on November 30, 2011, the Johnny Lee Upper Zone has an Indicated and Inferred resource estimate at a copper cutoff grade of 1.6% as tabled below:
Undiluted Johnny Lee Upper Zone (JLUZ) Indicated Resource
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Cu Lbs Co Lbs Ag Ozs
Tonnes (000) Cu (%) Co (%) Ag (g/t) (M) (M) (000)
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8,483 2.96 0.12 16.9 553 22.0 4,609
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Undiluted Johnny Lee Upper Zone (JLUZ) Inferred Resource
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Cu Lbs Co Lbs Ag Ozs
Tonnes (000) Cu (%) Co (%) Ag (g/t) (M) (M) (000)
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1,257 2.64 0.10 16.4 73 3 663
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Jerry Zieg, Vice President of Exploration for the Company is a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the information of a scientific nature contained in this news release. Assays for this program have been completed by ALS Chemex including duplicates, standards, and blanks for QA/QC purposes.
About Tintina Resources
Tintina Resources Inc. is a growth company focused on the exploration and development of base and precious metal properties in North America. The Company's experienced Board of Directors and Management Team are focused on advancing the Black Butte Cu-Co-Ag project in Montana towards a production decision. The Company is also exploring an impressive portfolio of gold and base metal projects in Alaska, including the Colorado Creek gold project located in southwest Alaska in the same region as the 40 million ounce Donlin Creek project.
About Black Butte Copper
The Black Butte Copper project is located approximately 17 miles north of White Sulphur Springs within two miles of U.S. Highway 89 along a well-maintained gravel road. The Black Butte property consists of approximately 12,225 acres of fee simple lands and mining claims in central Montana. The property contains sediment-hosted zones of massive sulfide mineralization originally explored by Cominco American Inc. and BHP during the 1980's and early 1990's. Historical drilling encountered significant zones of strata-bound copper sulfide with associated cobalt and silver mineralization in multiple, bedded massive pyrite horizons in the lower part of the Precambrian Belt Supergroup. This same stratigraphic unit hosts the famous Sullivan zinc-lead-silver deposit in southeastern B.C. In a short period of time the Company has been able to establish Indicated and Inferred Resources on the Johnny Lee Deposit Upper & Lower Copper Zones (please see Company News Releases dated January 6, 2011, August 17, 2011, and November 30, 2011). The Company continues to evaluate several tabular mineralized zones along a four kilometer strike length. The Company has two drill rigs on site and will continue drilling over the course of 2012. Tintina is preparing an advanced underground exploration proposal which includes an evaluation decline and ancillary facilities, all located on private land in Meagher County, for presentation to the State's appropriate authorities.
About Mining in Montana
Montana has been known as a mining state for a well over 100 years. Today, more than two dozen mining operations are active making mining a cornerstone contributor to the State's GDP. Tintina has met with State regulators and looks forward to presenting the Black Butte Copper project as an underground mine with a small footprint located on private land. The project continues to benefit from broad local community support.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Raj Chowdhry, Jr., Executive Vice-Chairman & CEO
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosure in this release, including statements regarding the Company's plans for and intentions with respect to exploration of the Company's Sheep Creek property, constitutes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities legislation. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company is able to obtain any government or other regulatory approvals and any financing required to complete the Company's planned exploration activities, that the Company is able to procure equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, that the Company's exploration activities on the Sheep Creek property will not be affected by actions of environmental activists or other special interest groups, and that actual results of exploration activities are consistent with management's expectations. However, the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to Tintina Resource's operation as a mineral exploration company and the Sheep Creek property that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks include, among others, actual results of the Company's exploration activities being different than those expected by management, uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and geological tests, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals or financing, interference with Tintina Resource's exploration activities by environmental activists or other special interest groups, inability to procure equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, equipment breakdowns and bad weather. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Tintina Resources does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Neither the 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.
Contacts:
Tintina Resources Inc.
Philippe Van Nieuwenhuyse
Investor Relations
Phone: 604-628-1162
604-628-1163 (FAX)
philvann@tintinaresources.com
www.tintinaresources.com
Tintina Resources Inc.
Karen Nestoruk
Executive Assistant
Phone: 604-628-1162
604-628-1163 (FAX)
knestoruk@tintinaresources.com
www.tintinaresources.com