Luna Gold Corp. Announces Positive Drill Results for 2012 Drilling at Aurizona Near Mine Targets
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/26/12 -- Luna Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: LGC)(OTCQX: LGCUF)(LMA: LGC) ("Luna Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive assay results from its initial drill program at the Boa Esperanca, Ferradura, and Conceicao near mine targets, Aurizona. Program objectives have been met, with consistent gold mineralization characteristic of shear-hosted deposits intersected at all three targets. The completion of this program will enable the completion of NI 43-101 initial resource estimates for each target. These estimates are expected for release to market in December 2012.
An updated drill plan map has been uploaded to the Luna Gold website at www.lunagold.com. A direct link to this map has also been provided at the conclusion of this press release. The top two gold intervals per target are shown below, followed by a full summary of drill results in Table 1.
Boa Esperanca
-- 17.00 metres @ 2.52 g/t Au including 1.00 metre @ 5.12 g/t Au, 2.00
metres @ 6.35 g/t Au and 3.00 metres @ 5.13 in BRAZP281 (Section 0100E)
-- 15.00 metres @ 1.96 g/t Au including 3.00 metres @ 7.51 g/t Au in
BRAZP279 (Section 0100W)
Ferradura
-- 7.00 metres @ 5.86 g/t Au including 2.00 metres @ 15.00 g/t Au in
BRAZD421 (Section 0800W)
-- 19.00 metres @ 4.40 g/t Au including 4.00 metres @ 16.60 g/t Au in
BRAZP263 (Section 0900W)
Conceicao
-- 13.00 metres @ 1.53 g/t Au including 2.00 metres @ 6.29 g/t Au in
BRAZD431 (Section 0100W)
-- 7.00 metres @ 1.04 g/t Au in BRAZP271 (Section 0300W)
John Blake, Luna Gold's President and CEO, stated, "We are pleased to report positive drill results from the first program on Aurizona near mine targets. It is very encouraging that mineralization has been intersected over significant widths at each target and that strong similarities exist between these targets and the Piaba deposit. Completion of this initial drill program is an important step in advancing the Aurizona project, as defining new sources of oxide ore will increase the future flexibility of our operations."
Today's assay results are for a total of 87 holes. These holes total 7,478 metres, and were drilled at the Boa Esperanca, Ferradura, and Conceicao targets, which are located to the south of the Aurizona Gold Plant. These targets were defined by soil sampling and auger drilling in 2011. The 2012 drill program was designed with the objective of defining the resource potential of these targets. RC drilling was used to accelerate the program, although the depth reached by the RC holes was restricted due to water ingress. A program of twinning RC holes with DH holes was conducted as part of the program. Geologic models and grade domains are now being finalized for each target.
Boa Esperanca
At Boa Esperanca, 54 holes totaling 4,366 m were completed. Drilling has successfully defined four sub-parallel mineralized bodies trending ENE along a 0.90 km strike length. Mineralization is hosted in a sub-vertical shear zone and is steeply dipping to the north. Gold mineralization occurs mainly within tonalites consistent with Piaba deposit geology, and the dominant alteration assemblage consists of chlorite, graphite and pyrite.
Ferradura
At Ferradura, 20 holes totaling 2,128 m were completed and drilling has successfully defined two sub-parallel mineralized bodies separated by a central fault. Mineralization trends ENE along a 0.60 km strike length and, like Boa Esperanca, is hosted in a sub-vertical shear zone that is steeply dipping to the north. Gold mineralization occurs also within tonalites consistent with Piaba deposit geology, and the dominant alteration assemblage consists of chlorite, graphite and pyrite. However, mineralization is also closely associated with a banded iron formation (BIF) unit, which is the first BIF to be identified on the property. Ferradura drilling intersected the highest gold grades in the three targets drilled, with the best down hole intersection of 19.00 metres @ 4.40 g/t Au including 4.00 metres @ 16.60 g/t Au from 41.00 metres core depth (Section 0900W) indicating the existence of high-grade shoots. This high-grade intersection is directly beneath trench TRFD0900W that intersected 28.01 meters @ 2.74 g/t Au including 3.03 meters @ 8.35 g/t Au and 1.99 meters @ 11.50 g/t Au. Future drilling will target these high-grade zones.
Conceicao
The Conceicao target is located 500 m WSW from Ferradura along the same shear zone. A short program of 13 holes totaling 984 m was completed, and drilling has defined three sub-parallel mineralized bodies trending ENE along a 0.35 km strike length. Mineralization is hosted in a sub-vertical shear zone and is steeply dipping to the north. Gold mineralization occurs within tonalites consistent with the Piaba deposit geology. However, like Ferradura, BIF is also spatially associated with mineralization. The dominant alteration assemblage consists of chlorite and pyrite.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AU
START END (G/T)
SEC- HOLE DEPTH DEPTH FROM TO INT UNCA-
TARGET TION ID AZI DIP (M) (M) (M) (M) (M) PPED
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boa 0400E BRAZP284 337.00 -65.00 0.00 52.00 No Intercepts greater than
Esper- 1.00 g/t Au
anca --------------------------------------------------------------------
0350E BRAZP258 337.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0300E BRAZD418 157.00 -70.00 0.00 217.70 18.00 20.00 2.00 2.58
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP113 337.00 -60.00 0.00 80.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0250E BRAZP257 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 32.00 33.00 1.00 2.41
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0200E BRAZD441 157.00 -70.00 0.00 235.26 62.00 64.00 2.00 59.50
82.00 86.00 4.00 1.31
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP100 157.00 -60.00 0.00 80.00 22.00 37.00 15.00 1.00
Inclu- 34.00 35.00 1.00 5.15
ding
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0150E BRAZP256 157.00 -65.00 0.00 80.00 42.00 43.00 1.00 3.64
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP282 157.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0100E BRAZD415 157.00 -67.00 0.00 197.84 67.00 74.00 7.00 1.93
Inclu- 70.00 71.00 1.00 11.30
ding
136.00 140.00 4.00 2.17
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP112 337.00 -60.00 0.00 80.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP281 157.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 0.00 14.00 14.00 1.51
17.00 34.00 17.00 2.52
Inclu- 18.00 19.00 1.00 5.12
ding
And 26.00 28.00 2.00 6.35
And 30.00 33.00 3.00 5.13
37.00 41.00 4.00 1.46
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP283 157.00 -68.00 0.00 66.00 31.00 36.00 5.00 1.06
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP285 157.00 -70.00 0.00 77.00 31.00 68.00 37.00 1.02
Inclu- 40.00 42.00 2.00 4.10
ding
And 56.00 57.00 1.00 8.04
72.00 77.00 5.00 1.67
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0050E BRAZP255 157.00 -65.00 0.00 74.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0000 BRAZD430 157.00 -65.00 0.00 234.03 81.00 85.00 4.00 1.14
Inclu- 81.00 82.00 1.00 3.74
ding
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP101 157.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 41.00 48.00 7.00 1.36
Inclu- 42.00 44.00 2.00 3.86
ding
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP280 157.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 9.00 6.00 1.48
23.00 25.00 2.00 1.63
39.00 46.00 7.00 1.26
Inclu- 44.00 45.00 1.00 3.04
ding
51.00 53.00 2.00 1.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0050W BRAZP254 337.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 32.00 34.00 2.00 2.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0100W BRAZP102 157.00 -60.00 0.00 80.00 26.00 27.00 1.00 5.21
49.00 51.00 2.00 1.09
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZD416 157.00 -65.00 0.00 236.75 96.00 98.00 2.00 3.75
175.00 179.00 4.00 1.74
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP279 157.00 -60.00 0.00 58.00 0.00 15.00 15.00 1.96
Inclu- 5.00 8.00 3.00 7.51
ding
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0150W BRAZP278 337.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0200W BRAZP104 157.00 -60.00 0.00 90.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP105 157.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 28.00 32.00 4.00 1.47
Inclu- 28.00 29.00 1.00 3.76
ding
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP253 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0250W BRAZP251 157.00 -65.00 0.00 55.00 41.00 47.00 6.00 2.01
Inclu- 41.00 42.00 1.00 5.90
ding
And 45.00 46.00 1.00 4.05
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP252 157.00 -65.00 0.00 70.00 43.00 47.00 4.00 1.44
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0300W BRAZD417 157.00 -69.00 0.00 269.15 106.00 108.00 2.00 1.21
171.00 177.00 6.00 1.44
Inclu- 173.00 174.00 1.00 4.37
ding
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP103 157.00 -60.00 0.00 70.00 9.00 12.00 3.00 2.03
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP249 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 53.00 55.00 2.00 2.77
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP250 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 57.00 60.00 3.00 2.07
Inclu- 58.00 59.00 1.00 4.12
ding
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0350W BRAZP247 157.00 -65.00 0.00 55.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP248 157.00 -65.00 0.00 37.00 18.00 24.00 6.00 1.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0400W BRAZP106 157.00 -60.00 0.00 50.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 2.69
37.00 41.00 4.00 1.01
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP111 337.00 -60.00 0.00 40.00 25.00 32.00 7.00 2.12
Inclu- 26.00 27.00 1.00 4.93
ding
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0450W BRAZP238 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
0450W BRAZP239 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 23.00 26.00 3.00 3.34
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0500W BRAZD420 337.00 -60.00 0.00 236.45 2.00 14.00 12.00 1.01
Inclu- 10.00 14.00 4.00 2.27
ding
114.00 116.00 2.00 1.64
191.00 199.00 8.00 1.70
Inclu- 193.00 194.00 1.00 4.28
ding
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP240 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0550W BRAZP241 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP242 157.00 -65.00 0.00 56.00 13.00 15.00 2.00 1.21
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0600W BRAZD429 157.00 -55.00 0.00 272.57 205.00 209.00 4.00 1.00
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP107 157.00 -60.00 0.00 70.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP108 337.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP109 337.00 -60.00 0.00 59.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0650W BRAZP243 157.00 -65.00 0.00 57.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP244 157.00 -65.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0700W BRAZD419 157.00 -72.00 0.00 284.64 198.00 201.00 3.00 1.02
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP110 337.00 -60.00 0.00 70.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP245 157.00 -65.00 0.00 51.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP246 157.00 -65.00 0.00 56.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0750W BRAZP276 157.00 -60.00 0.00 59.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP277 157.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conc- 0000 BRAZP275 163.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
eicao 1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0050W BRAZP274 163.00 -60.00 0.00 52.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0100W BRAZD431 163.00 -65.00 0.00 166.75 96.00 109.00 13.00 1.53
Inclu- 99.00 101.00 2.00 6.29
ding
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP288 343.00 -50.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0150W BRAZP273 163.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0250W BRAZP272 163.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 52.00 54.00 2.00 1.07
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0300W BRAZP271 163.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 34.00 41.00 7.00 1.04
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0350W BRAZP270 163.00 -60.00 0.00 52.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0400W BRAZD432 163.00 -50.00 0.00 104.68 61.00 63.00 2.00 1.88
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZD433 163.00 -65.00 0.00 128.39 82.00 84.00 2.00 5.39
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP287 163.00 -50.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0450W BRAZP269 163.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 9.00 13.00 4.00 1.03
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0500W BRAZP268 163.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferra- 0450W BRAZP259 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 24.00 30.00 6.00 1.12
dura --------------------------------------------------------------------
0500W BRAZD424 146.00 -68.00 0.00 151.60 50.00 52.00 2.00 2.06
---------------------------------------------------------------
0500W BRAZD425 146.00 -48.00 0.00 127.80 61.00 65.00 4.00 1.15
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0550W BRAZP260 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0600W BRAZD427 146.00 -68.00 0.00 160.60 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP261 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 39.00 42.00 3.00 1.43
45.00 52.00 7.00 1.54
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0650W BRAZP286 146.00 -50.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0700W BRAZD423 146.00 -67.00 0.00 170.24 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0800W BRAZD421 146.00 -68.00 0.00 198.85 60.00 62.00 2.00 2.65
137.00 144.00 7.00 5.86
Inclu- 139.00 141.00 2.00 15.00
ding
158.00 160.00 2.00 2.87
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP262 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 20.00 21.00 1.00 121.40
38.00 43.00 5.00 2.76
Inclu- 38.00 39.00 1.00 6.70
ding
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0900W BRAZD422 146.00 -64.00 0.00 193.30 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP263 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 20.00 21.00 1.00 7.51
28.00 35.00 7.00 2.36
Inclu- 30.00 32.00 2.00 7.10
ding
41.00 60.00 19.00 4.40
Inclu- 41.00 45.00 4.00 16.60
ding
--------------------------------------------------------------------
0950W BRAZP264 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 39.00 40.00 1.00 11.50
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1000W BRAZD426 146.00 -74.00 0.00 175.29 70.00 72.00 2.00 2.76
130.00 142.00 12.00 1.11
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZP265 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------
BRAZD428 146.00 -57.00 0.00 105.09 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1050W BRAZP266 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 41.00 45.00 4.00 1.51
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1100W BRAZP267 146.00 -60.00 0.00 60.00 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1275W BRAZD442 146.00 -60.00 0.00 154.20 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1375W BRAZD440 146.00 -60.00 0.00 90.88 No Intercepts greater than
1.00 g/t Au
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 1. Mineralized drill intercepts from the initial Boa Esperanca,
Ferradura, and Conceicao drill program ordered from east to west for each
deposit. Intervals are calculated as composites using a 0.30 gram/tonne Au
cut-off and maximum 2 metre internal waste. True widths to be established.
Intervals lower than 1.00 g/t Au are not shown.
Boa Esperanca, Ferradura, and Conceicao Plan Map: http://www.lunagold.com/en/explorationprojects/resources/AURI_BEP_CCC_FRD_Geology_Map_20120918.pdf
About Luna Gold Corp.
Luna is a gold production and exploration company engaged in the operation, exploration and development of gold deposits and advanced stage gold exploration projects in Brazil.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
LUNA GOLD CORP.
John Blake, President and CEO
Regulatory Footnotes
Luna operates a rigorous QA/QC protocol on all aspects of sampling and analytical procedure. Diamond drill core is checked, logged, marked for sampling and sawn in half. One half of the HQ diameter core is maintained for future reference and one half of the core is sent for analysis. Samples are collected at approximately 2 metre intervals, which is reduced to 1 metre intervals or less when a mineralized zone is encountered. Reverse Circulation drill samples are collected at the RC drill rig using 4.5 inch core tools. The entire RC sample is sent to the commercial laboratory for preparation and analysis. Samples are collected at both 1 and 2 metre intervals. All core and samples are stored in secure locked areas under Luna supervision. Samples are transported from the Aurizona project to the ALS Chemex sample preparation facility in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais and Goiania, Goias accompanied by Luna personnel. Samples are assayed at ALS Chemex Labs in Lima, Peru and Perth, Australia using a 50 gram fire assay with AAS finish. Some samples are transported from the Aurizona project to the ACME Labs sample preparation facility in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso and Goiania, Goias accompanied by Luna personnel. Samples are assayed at ACME Labs in Santiago, Chile using a 50 gram fire assay with AAS finish. Both ACME Labs and ALS Chemex are international laboratories and are independent of Luna. Each sample batch contains 10% of randomly inserted internal control samples consisting of certified analytical standards, blanks (barren rock) and duplicates. These QA/QC procedures provide several measures of data quality and assure the Company that the assay data is representative of the original sample. Additional technical information about the Aurizona Project is available in our technical report dated January 23 1, 2012, filed on SEDAR.
Titus Haggan, Ph.D., EurGeol Certified Professional Geologist #746, Luna's Vice President Exploration, is the Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the scientific and technical work on the exploration program and has supervised the preparation of and reviewed the technical disclosure in this press release. Non- qualified persons currently work on Luna's exploration programs under the guidance of Titus Haggan. Dr. Haggan takes responsibility for work, information and advice generated by non-Qualified persons and has taken the steps required to ensure that the work, information and advice is sound.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future gold production and/or the results of analysis on gold production. Forward-looking statements are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors identified in Luna Gold Corp.'s periodic filings with Canadian Securities Regulators. These factors include the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drill results and other exploration data, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in production and operations, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability, competition, loss of key employees, and other related risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
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.
Contacts:
Luna Gold Corp.
Investor Relations
(604) 558-7993
www.lunagold.com