AFR Drills 91.8 Metres of 1.2%Cu and 0.5%Co and 53.8 Metres of 1.8%Cu and 0.3%Co in Combined Recalculated Reverse Circulation and Diamond Core Drill Holes at its Luisha South Project
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
- THE MINERALIZATION IS CURRENTLY OPEN AT DEPTH, TO THE SOUTH, AND TO THE SOUTHEAST, FURTHER STEP OUT DRILLING IS PLANNED
Trading Symbols
TSXV: AFR
Frankfurt: OWW
African Metals Corporation ("AFR") is pleased to report that it has received final assay results from a further 9 drill holes from 22 diamond drill holes completed on its' Luisha South Project, in the Katanga Provence of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These results confirm the continuity and grade of mineralization identified by the June 2010 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program, and lend further, significant support to a potential upgrade to the resource model with potential for a higher grade copper core.
HIGHLIGHTS
New Diamond Core Results Include:
- 51 metres at 1.6% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 105m (LURD006)
Including 4 metres at 4.2% copper, 0.4% cobalt from 111m
- 42 metres at 1.3% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 107m (LURD007)
- 30.5 metres at 1.3% copper, 0.4% cobalt from 124.5m (LURD008)
Including 1 metres at 5.1% copper, 2.8% cobalt from 130m.
Recalculated Combined RC and Diamond Core Results Include:
- 53.8 metres at 1.8% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 68m (LURC/RD002)
- 91.8 metres at 1.2% copper, 0.5% cobalt from 107m (LURC/RD003)
- 49.5 metres at 1.6% copper, 0.3% cobalt from 105m (LURD006)
Luisha South Diamond Drilling
Rubaco Sprl and DrillTek Sprl, drilling contractors, combined to complete a total of 1,538.73 metres of diamond core drilling of 22 holes at the Luisha South Project in January 2011. The holes targeted the down dip and southeast extensions of mineralization highlighted by the March 2010 geochemical sampling program and the June 2010 RC drilling program.
The RC drill program enabled a JORC and NI43-101F compliant resource estimation of the Luisha pit mineralization, resulting in an Inferred Resource of 5.8 million tonnes at 1.3% copper, and 0.4% cobalt for 75,400 tonnes of contained copper metal and 23,200 tonnes of contained cobalt metal (using 0.5% copper cut-off). Some of the holes from the initial RC program, however, either terminated within, or short of copper and cobalt mineralized horizons, producing interpolation gaps in the resource block model. The diamond holes in the recently completed program were designed to infill the gaps and further define the extents of the mineralization.
The reported analytical results are from nine holes cored as diamond tails to RC pre-collars drilled on the southern and southeastern side of the open pit (Figure 1). To see a map, please click here: http://files.newswire.ca/138/AFR_Figure_1.pdf
Eight of the nine holes intersected additional intervals of copper and cobalt mineralization beneath the termination depths of the RC pre-collars. The mineralization is mainly chalcopyrite and carrolite, with locally trace occurrences of malachite and heterogenite (non-sulphide copper and cobalt minerals respectively).
The mineralization is hosted within the Mines Series R2 Stratigraphy (CMN, SD, "BOMZ-SDB-RSF-RSC-DStrat", and "Grey RAT"). Stratigraphic horizons known to host significant mineralization at other mine sites within the Katanga Provence, including Tiger Resources' Kipoi mine located approximately 7.5km along strike to the southeast.
The higher grade assay results from samples collected from this stratigraphic sequence suggest a possible higher grade core of copper and cobalt mineralization. The mineralization is currently open at depth, to the south, and to the southeast, and further step out drilling is planned for the coming dry season which commences in May.
Mineralization styles observed in the core include both syngenetic (bedding parallel and disseminated fine pyrite lenses and blebs replaced by chalcopyrite and carrolite) and epigenetic (fracture and vein hosted sulphides).
Diamond core - anomalous intercepts based on a 0.5% Cu cut off are summarised in Table 1.
Hole East North NQ Total Azim Dip
Number Tail Depth (degrees) (degrees)
(m) (m)
LURD001 501826 8764111 35.55 145.55 36 -60
LURD001 inc.
LURD002 501889 8764089 22.00 132.00 36 -60
LURD003 501927 8764078 46.00 138.00 36 -60
LURD004 501970 8764048 50.60 140.60 36 -60
LURD005 501782 8764142 18.25 130.25 36 -60
LURD006 501866 8764058 98.40 158.40 36 -60
LURD006
LURD006
LURD006 inc.
LURD006 inc.
LURD007 501902 8764042 96.00 158.00 36 -60
LURD007
LURD007
LURD007
LURD007 inc.
LURD008 501943 8764011 80.88 170.88 36 -60
LURD008 inc.
LURD012 501739 8764167 101.00 148.00 36 -60
LURD012
LURD012
LURD012 inc.
Hole From Width Cu Co
Number (metres) (metres) % %
LURD001 110.80 19.10 1.3 0.3
LURD001 111.80 4.70 2.2 0.4
LURD002 110.00 11.80 1.3 0.4
LURD003 92.00 35.80 1.2 0.4
LURD004 94.40 13.20 1.0 1.0
LURD005 ** ** ** **
LURD006 84.00 2.00 2.5 0.1
LURD006 96.00 6.00 0.8 0.1
LURD006 105.00 51.00 1.6 0.3
LURD006 111.00 4.00 4.2 0.4
LURD006 142.00 2.00 2.8 1.1
LURD007 74.70 2.80 0.8 0.2
LURD007 82.00 3.00 0.7 0.3
LURD007 91.50 4.00 0.8 0.1
LURD007 107.00 42.00 1.3 0.3
LURD007 131.00 3.00 2.3 0.1
LURD008 124.50 30.50 1.3 0.4
LURD008 130.00 1.00 5.1 2.8
LURD012 38.00 17.00 1.3 0.2
LURD012 72.00 14.00 1.0 0.1
LURD012 93.00 16.20 1.8 0.1
LURD012 98.00 3.60 3.8 0.1
Table 1: Anomalous length weighted drill intercepts, Luisha
South Project.
Notes: Grid coordinates are WGS84, Zone 35 South; Azimuth is magnetic; intersections are down hole widths, not true widths; reported assays are length weighted average intercepts; intercepts are based on 0.5% total copper cut off, with no top cut; reported intercepts include a maximum of two "internal waste" sample intervals of 0.5% copper; inc. = including; ** = no significant intervals >=0.5% copper.
A re-calculation of anomalous drill hole intercepts based on combined RC pre-collar and diamond tail assay results is summarized in Table 2. The results lend further support to a potential upgrade to the resource model.
Hole Number From To Width Cu Co
(metres) (metres) (metres) % %
LURC001/RD001 34.00 48.90 14.90 1.5 0.8
56.00 72.00 16.00 1.0 0.2
82.00 96.00 14.00 0.7 0.1
New
100.00 129.90 29.90 1.1 0.3
LURC002/RD002 36.00 38.00 2.00 5.8 0.7
60.00 64.00 4.00 0.7 0.2
New
68.00 121.80 53.80 1.8 0.3
LURC003/RD003 New
36.00 127.80 91.80 1.2 0.5
LURC004/RD004 New
82.00 107.60 25.60 0.8 0.6
LURC006/RD006 32.00 46.00 14.00 2.5 0.1
New
79.00 81.00 2.00 0.7 0.3
84.00 86.00 2.00 2.5 0.1
96.00 102.00 6.00 0.8 0.1
105.00 154.50 49.50 1.6 0.3
LURC007/RD007 New
74.70 77.50 2.80 0.8 0.2
82.00 85.00 3.00 0.7 0.3
91.50 95.50 4.00 0.8 0.1
107.00 149.00 42.00 1.3 0.3
LURC008/RD008 74.00 90.00 16.00 1.0 0.2
New
124.50 155.00 30.50 1.3 0.4
LURC012/RD012 30.00 37.00 7.00 1.9 0.3
New
38.00 55.00 17.00 1.3 0.2
72.00 86.00 14.00 1.0 0.1
93.00 109.20 16.20 1.8 0.1
Table 2: Updated anomalous length weighted drill intercepts,
0.5% TCu, Luisha South Project.
Nigel Ferguson, President and CEO of AFR stated "we are very pleased to report significant mineralised intervals within the Luisha South Project, such as 91.8 metres at 1.2%Cu and 0.5%Co within LURC/RD003. It is expected that these recalculated intervals, utilising both the RC and DDH information will significantly impact on our current resources.
As soon as results for the remaining drill holes are received, our independent geological consultant will be given the task of updating the Luisha resource." The updated resource calculation is expected in Q2 of 2011.
AFR will continue to report assay results from the remaining drill core samples as they become available.
Nigel Ferguson, AusIMM, President and CEO of AFR, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has verified data disclosed in this release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AFRICAN METALS CORPORATION
"Nigel Ferguson"
Nigel Ferguson
President & CEO
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 NEW RELEASE.
This News Release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements which relate to future events. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our industry, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
Drill Hole Sampling and Assaying Procedure
The Company undertakes drilling and sampling to strict guidelines. The core was collected from the drill rig at the end of each shift, processed for RQD geotechnical logging, and digitally photographed. The drill core was predominantly NQ in size, with a small percentage of HQ core in the upper 20m of holes cored from surface in clay soils. Core was 'fitted' back together whenever possible, and geologically logged on site by the supervising project geologist. The project geologist ensured a representative cutting line was marked along the length of the on the core and samples highlighted at appropriate intervals. Once the sample intervals and cut lines had been clearly marked out, the start and end of each sample interval was cut orthogonal to the long axis of the core to clearly define the end of each sample interval. The core was then cut in half lengthways along the representative cut line. A stand mounted, diamond impregnated electric saw blade purchased from Johannesburg, South Africa, was used for all core cutting purposes. The left half of the core was returned to the metal core trays and retained for future reference; the right half was placed into appropriately marked and labeled plastic sample bags. Quality Control protocols enforced by the company require the collection and insertion of Certified Reference Materials (CRM's) at the rate of one CRM "blank", one field blank (sand), one CRM "copper standard" and one field duplicate sample within each sample stream of 20 samples.
Samples were delivered under security by company vehicle to SGS Minerals Laboratory in Kalulushi, Zambia for sample preparation and analysis. The laboratory maintains quality assurance protocols in line with ISO 17025, and maintains quality accreditation for commercial laboratories in line with ISO 9002. The laboratory also participates in international round robin programs organized by LQSI of the USA.
The sample preparation scheme was PRP90; drying for 4 hours at 105 degrees Celsius; crushing to 2mm with 90% passing 2mm; and pulverizing of a 1000 gram sub-split of the 2mm chips to 85% passing 75 microns. Digest was scheme DIG42S; 0.4 grams of pulverized material digested in a 4 acid mixture on a hot plate at 200 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes, with subsequent dilution back to 100ml before AAS analysis by method 'AAS42S'. Results for copper and cobalt were reported in percentages. Lower detection limits were 0.01% for both elements.
About African Metals Corporation.
African Metals Corporation [TSXV "AFR"] is a Canadian listed company focused on the discovery and development of Copper and Cobalt deposits in the highly mineralized Katanga Copper Belt of the world renowned Africa Copper Belt in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC").
AFR purchased all the assets of Chevalier Resources Inc. in March 2010 including a 57% interest in the Luisha South Project contained within licence PEPM 4881, Katanga Provence, Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC") through subsidiaries incorporated in the DRC. In July AFR negotiated a further 18% interest in the project with the option to increase the equity interest to 90% based on results. The project is located 75 kilometres northwest of Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga Province and consists of approximately 16.2km2.
The Luisha South Project includes a small historical open pit mine and associated stockpile and is underlain by Roan Group sediments which host major Cu-Co deposits in the DRC. The Luisha South ore body was explored between 1923 and 1928 and an oxide deposit with an estimated pre-production tonnage of approximately 350,000 tonnes at 8.6% Cu was delineated. The Luisha Project also covers some three kilometres of the Roan Group strike length which is favorable for Cu-Co mineralization. AFR is currently conducting metallurgical tests on stockpile Reverse Circulation drill samples to determine characteristics and heavy media separation qualities, with the aim of commencing production of an oxide concentrate by the end of Q2 2011.
Additionally, African Metals has an option to earn an 80% interest in 8 properties held by local company, KMH, covering some 682 square kilometres within the Katanga Provence Central African Copper Belt in the southeastern part of the DRC. AFR has delineated several sizeable soil anomalies within the licenses and is progressing exploration to test depth continuations of this mineralization.
For further information:
Jag Sandhu, Corporate Development
+1-604-306-1950
(AFR.)
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