Southern Arc Drilling Results and Exploration Update
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/04/12 -- Southern Arc Minerals (TSX VENTURE: SA)(OTCQX: SOACF) ("Southern Arc" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities from its West Lombok and Sabalong properties.
West Lombok Project, Lombok Island
Southern Arc's West Lombok exploration program is currently focused on epithermal gold mineralization in the Pelangan prospect to the northwest of the property, and porphyry copper-gold mineralization around the Selodong prospect to the southeast of the property.
Drill hole SLD031 was the first to test new porphyry targets generated by an aeromagnetic survey and porphyry prospectivity study of the property (see February 9, 2012 news release). This drill hole tested the North Belikat target (see Figure 1 and Table 1) and returned:
SLD031: 83.0 m @ 0.33 g/t gold and 0.08% copper from 285.0 m
incl. 43.5 m @ 0.41 g/t gold and 0.08% copper from 306.0 m
incl. 14.0 m @ 0.60 g/t gold and 0.12% copper
The mineralization intersected in this hole is very encouraging since the North Belikat target is not exposed at surface, and these results confirm the methodology behind the prospectivity study for targeting shallow or blind porphyry mineralization throughout the property. A second hole, SLD032, has also been completed on another target with final assay results pending.
Since early January the Company has completed ten shallow drill holes along a 900-meter-long strike length of the Tanjung-Jati target, in the Pelangan prospect. Results are summarized in Table 2 and Figure 2, with highlight intersections of:
PLD043: 1.4 m @ 9.30 g/t gold from 50.5 m
PLD040: 2.0 m @ 5.84 g/t gold and 2.2 g/t silver from 11.7 m
Southern Arc is currently testing the Kayu Putih target at Pelangan immediately to the north of Jati. Upon completion of that program, Southern Arc will review the results of geochemical mapping and sampling on the property and redeploy the drill rigs as appropriate. Mapping and sampling of epithermal gold targets continues throughout the property and includes reconnaissance for new targets and follow-up of previous positive rock chip targets with the objective of refining drill targets.
Sabalong Project, Sumbawa Island
Phase 1 drilling continues on the Sabalong property, which is operated under a joint venture with Vale S.A. whereby Vale has the option to earn a 75% interest in the project by funding all expenditures through to completion of a bankable feasibility study. Southern Arc is the operator of the property. Two diamond drill holes have been completed totaling 1,342 metres (DDL001, depth 679.7 m and DDL002, depth 662.3 m). Although no significant assay results were returned, the geology and wallrock alteration recognized in the drill core has provided sufficient encouragement to drill a third hole targeting potential porphyry copper-gold mineralization below a lithocap. Preparations are underway to start this third drill hole, with results to be released upon completion of Phase 1 exploration.
On behalf of the Board of Southern Arc Minerals Inc.
John Proust, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
About Southern Arc
Southern Arc Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an aggressive exploration, acquisition and growth strategy. The Company's portfolio includes four exploration projects with epithermal gold and copper-gold porphyry prospects on the Lombok and Sumbawa islands in Indonesia, two of which are being advanced in partnership with Vale S.A. The Company's key exploration property is its West Lombok project, with several gold-rich copper porphyry and epithermal gold vein prospects. Southern Arc is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SA and on the OTCQX International under the symbol SOACF. More information is available at www.southernarcminerals.com or by emailing info@southernarcminerals.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and operations, timing of projects and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the company's capability to execute and implement future plans. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. There is no representation by the company that actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as that forecast.
Qualified Person
The technical information in this document has been reviewed by Southern Arc's Chief Geologist, Andrew Rowe, B. App. Sc. Geology, MAusIMM. Mr. Rowe has over 18 years of international mineral exploration experience throughout Southeast and Central Asia and Australia. During this time he has held such positions as Principal Geologist - Feasibility Studies, Senior Geologist and Consulting Geologist. The technical information in this document has also been reviewed by Southern Arc's President & Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Mike Andrews, PhD, FAusIMM, who has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralization under consideration and qualifies as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
The drill program and sampling protocol is managed by Southern Arc under the supervision of Andrew Rowe. The diamond drill holes are drilled at PQ, HQ and NQ sizes depending on hole depth and core recovery to date has averaged 97.5%. Half core is cut by rock saw and is generally sampled according to geological contacts ranging between 0.2 to 2.5 metres in length. Three quality control samples (one blank and two standards) are inserted into each batch of 40 samples. The half core samples are securely transported from the project site to the Intertek Testing Services ("ITS") sample preparation laboratory in Sumbawa Besar via private truck hired by Southern Arc. Sample pulps are then sent to the ITS Jakarta laboratory by ITS. Gold is analyzed by fire assay with AAS finish and a four-acid digestion with ICP-MS finish is used to analyze a full suite of elements including silver and base metals. ITS is one of the world's largest product and commodity testing, inspection and certification organizations. The Jakarta laboratory is ISO 17025 accredited and employs a Laboratory Information Management System for sample tracking, quality control and reporting.
Table 1: Selodong Prospect, North Belikat Target - Phase 2 Drill Hole
Statistics Summary
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Coordinates Inter-
Drill Depth ------------------ From To val Gold Cu
hole Target (m) E N Az Dip (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (%)
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SLD031 North 603.3 389442.5 9021771.0 270 -50 285.0 368.0 83.0 0.33 0.08
Beli-
kat
Inclu- 306.0 349.5 43.5 0.41 0.08
ding
Inclu- 306.0 320.0 14.0 0.60 0.12
ding
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Table 2: Pelangan Prospect, Jati / Tanjung Target - Phase 2 Drill Hole
Statistics Summary
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Coordinates Inter- Sil-
Drill Depth ------------------ From To val Gold ver
hole Target (m) E N Az Dip (m) (m) (m) (g/t)(g/t)
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PLD039 Jati 222.00 383153.0 9029461.6 210 -50 79.3 81.3 2.0 0.83 2.5
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PLD040 Jati 184.70 383234.2 9029417.3 210 -50 11.7 13.7 2.0 5.84 2.2
99.0 101.6 2.6 1.64 7.5
111.5 111.8 0.3 0.90 5.3
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PLD041 Jati 200.80 383331.1 9029277.3 30 -50 52.75 53.7 0.95 0.53
62.0 63.2 1.20 0.68 21.8
Including 62.8 63.2 0.40 1.22 63.2
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PLD042 Tan- 248.70 383737.6 9028867.2 30 -50 No Significant Result
jung
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PLD043 Tan- 183.60 383675.7 9029039.0 30 -50 50.5 51.9 1.40 9.30
jung
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PLD044 Tan- 156.85 383850.3 9028840.5 30 -50 43.55 44.75 1.20 1.10
jung
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PLD045 Tan- 172.70 383886.9 9028800.0 30 -60 No Significant Result
jung
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PLD046 Jati 162.00 383576.2 9029107.9 30 -50 47.1 49.3 2.20 1.40
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PLD047 Tan- 235.80 383777.1 9028827.0 30 -50 No Significant Result
jung
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PLD048 Jati 155.90 383454.1 9029199.7 30 -50 No Significant Result
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To view Figure 1 and Figure 2 accompanying this press release, please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/sa44_F1-2.pdf
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Southern Arc Minerals Inc.
Rhylin Bailie
Vice President, Communications & Investor Relations
604-676-5241
info@southernarcminerals.com
www.southernarcminerals.com