Northern Lion Drills 4.5 g/t Gold over 28.6 Metres at St. Nik Project, Republic of Cyprus
This near surface gold mineralization of 4.5 grams per tonne ("g/t") over 28.6 metres starts at 10 metres below surface and includes a higher grade zone of 6.1 g/t gold over 12.3 metres. The weighted average gold grade of 4.5 g/t also includes a Company assigned gold grade of zero g/t from 31.9 to 33.4 metres due to the intersection of a 1.5 metre wide Roman era cavity. The hole was drilled at an inclination of -55 degrees and an azimuth of 274 degrees. The true thickness is unknown at this time; however the pillow lava host rocks in the area are generally sub-horizontal.
Gold assays for this hole were completed on a rush basis and the Company is awaiting the base metal and silver assays which have now also been requested.
The following table provides the individual assays for the mineralized zone.
Hole # From To Interval Au
(m) (m) (m) g/t
11SN02 10.1 12.5 2.4 2.03
12.5 15.4 2.9 5.65
15.4 17 1.6 1.99
17 19.1 2.1 5.38
19.1 21.1 2 2.92
21.1 22.9 1.8 1.54
22.9 24.9 2 3.8
24.9 25.65 0.75 7.23
25.65 27 1.35 6.26
27 31.9 4.9 7.8
31.9 33.4 1.5 0*
33.4 37.2 3.8 4.21
37.2 38.7 1.5 1.505
* Assigned a zero grade due to an ancient mining cavity
John Lando president of Northern Lion: "We are very pleased by the receipt of these preliminary gold assays as they demonstrate the gold potential of the Cyprus VMS deposit model that our technical team believes exists."
The mineralization within the St. Nikolas project is hosted by Pillow Lavas, near the contact with the overlying sediments. Previous work by Noranda in 1978 and BRGM in 1984, located a massive sulphide body of unknown dimensions consisting dominantly of chalcocite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite, containing significant precious metal values. The historical data is incomplete and no drill chips remain, however the Noranda drilling reported up to 6 g/t gold along with 4.82% copper over a five metre interval, and in a separate hole up to 67 g/t silver over one metre.
The St. Nikolas project was entered into on the basis of historical information derived from the ongoing evaluation of data acquired from the Geological Survey of Cyprus, and information supplied by the Company's consultants in Cyprus. A small amount of mining was carried out within the property in the 1950's by the Hellenic Mining Company, when it reportedly extracted 3,500 tonnes of ore grading 1.5% copper from an adit near the present road. A series of gossanous outcrops are exposed over an area of 300 by 100 metres. The post mineralization sedimentary cover is pervasive in the western portion of the permit area resulting in the poor exposure of the underlying volcanic sequence.
A rotary drill hole was completed by the property vendor in late 2010 which confirmed the tenor of the historical results (reported December 9, 2010). Hole 11SN02 was drilled near the site of the rotary hole to provide a more accurate breakdown of the distribution of gold within the mineralized interval. The drilling shows that the mineralization starts immediately below the contact with the sediments, and extends to a greater depth than previously recognized.
Seven holes totaling 505 metres have been completed at St Nik, covering a strike length of over 200 metres in a northwesterly direction. All holes and samples are currently being processed.
History
The history of mineral exploitation (copper, gold and other metals) on the island of Cyprus dates back to the Bronze Age, approximately 5,000 years ago. The Phoenicians were the first to process copper on the island, followed by the Romans and this activity has continued to the present day. The evidence of this long history of mining is readily observed in the abundant ancient surface and underground workings along with extensive slag heaps. Mineral exploration in the Republic of Cyprus has been at a very low level over the last few decades, and management believes that there is a high probability of additional massive sulphide bodies being present that did not outcrop, as nearly all of the known deposits did.
The metal deposits of Cyprus are dominantly copper-bearing volcanogenic hosted massive sulphide "VHMS" deposits. These deposits are hosted within the pillow lava sequence of the Troodos Ophiolite Complex. The pillow lava sequence is divided into Upper and Lower Pillow Lavas, with the majority of massive sulphide bodies located along the contact between pillow lava sequences, and the remainder between the Lower Pillow Lavas and the Basal Group. All of the Company's applications overlie these important contacts. Gold mineralization associated with the massive sulphide ores has not historically been evaluated.
Quality Control and Assurance
The Company's field activities in Cyprus are under the direction of Jim Chapman, P.Geo. (BC), consultant to the Company and "qualified person", as defined by National Instrument 43-101, who is responsible for the technical content of this news release.
About Northern Lion
Northern Lion Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Frankfurt Exchange. The Company is committed to building a strong portfolio of projects within mining-friendly and infrastructure-rich areas of Europe.
In addition to its exploration permits in Cyprus, the Company holds a 100% interest in its Moura Licence in Portugal and a 100% interest in one project in the historic Bergslagen mining district of southern Sweden.
NORTHERN LION GOLD CORP.
John Lando
President
This news release includes "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information includes, without limitation, the success of exploration activities and other similar statements concerning anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; potential defects in title to the Company's properties; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information.
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 news release.
Contact Information
Northern Lion Gold Corp.
John Lando
(604) 669-2701 or Toll Free: 1 800-663-0510
Northern Lion Gold Corp.
Don Flahiff
(604) 669-2701 or Toll Free: 1 800-663-0510
(604) 687-4670 (FAX)
info@northernliongold.com
www.northernliongold.com