Antares Discovers New Mineralized Zone at Rio Grande Project
134.5 m with 0.53% Cu and 0.65 g/t Au,
including 48 m with 0.82% Cu and 1.28 g/t Au
January 18, 2008, Waterdown, ON - Antares Minerals Inc. ("Antares", ANM.TSX-V) is pleased to announce the results from an additional twelve holes (5,500 m) of the thirty-five hole (16,238 m) Diamond drilling program completed in late 2007 at the Rio Grande copper-gold project in north-western Argentina. Highlights from these holes include the discovery of significant copper-gold mineralization in the previously un-tested #7 Zone along the western margin of the Rio Grande prospect as well as further encouraging results from the North and Sofia Zones. Some of the more significant intercepts are as follows:
-
RGA-07-056 (#7 Zone): 134.50 m with 0.53% Cu, 0.65 g/t Au, and 8.9 g/t Ag
-
Includes 48.00 m with 0.82% Cu, 1.28 g/t Au, and 8.7 g/t Ag
-
Discovery of new Cu-Au zone along western margin of Rio Grande prospect
-
Mineralization commences from near surface
-
RGA-07-045 (North Zone): 131.97 m with 0.38% Cu, 0.40 g/t Au, and 2.8 g/t Ag
-
Includes 50.23 m with 0.49% Cu, 0.46 g/t Au, and 2.7 g/t Ag
-
Collared 150 m east of similar mineralization in RGA-07-043
-
RGA-07-050 (Sofia Zone): 111.15 m with 0.42% Cu, 0.41 g/t Au, and 8.5 g/t Ag
-
Includes 24.90 m with 0.64% Cu, 0.79 g/t Au, and 16.2 g/t Ag
-
Collared 150 m north of well mineralized RGA-07-034
Thirty-five holes (16,238 m) were completed in the 2007 Diamond drilling campaign at Rio Grande. Results from sixteen of these holes were previously released on September 14 and October 25, 2007. Results from the remaining seven holes will be released within the next few weeks upon receipt of pending assay results. Please see table 1 below for a complete summary of the new results and refer to the Antares website at www.antaresminerals.com for drill-hole location maps and sections.
John Black, President and CEO of Antares Minerals Inc. commented as follows:
"The results from the 2007 drilling campaign at Rio Grande continue to meet and exceed our expectations. We are particularly encouraged by the consistent zone of higher gold grades encountered in hole RGA-07-056 (48 m averaging 1.28 g/t Au and 0.82% Cu with a maximum individual interval of 2.32 g/t Au). With the discovery of encouraging copper-gold mineralization at the #7 Zone we have at least four areas where we have encountered longer runs of higher grade copper-gold mineralization. These four areas have the potential to collectively host a significant volume of better grade mineralization and are interconnected by zones with lower grades. We are currently working with our partners, Mansfield Minerals, to design an extensive infill drilling program that would provide the possibility to complete an initial resource estimate at Rio Grande by the end of
2008. Drilling will recommence in February."
Table 1. Antares Rio Grande Drilling 2007 - Significant Intervals |
Drill Holes reported on 18 January 2008 |
Drill Hole |
Zone |
Total depth (m) |
Significant Interval (m) |
Length (m) |
Cu % |
Au g/t |
Ag g/t |
RGA-07-44 |
Discovery |
602.70 |
469-504 |
35.00 |
0.37 |
0.25 |
3.0 |
|
south |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RGA-07-45 |
North |
447.20 |
128.00-259.97 |
131.97 |
0.38 |
0.40 |
2.8 |
|
|
|
incl. 128-154 |
26.00 |
0.44 |
0.51 |
2.9 |
|
|
|
incl. 163-199 |
36.00 |
0.32 |
0.38 |
4.2 |
|
|
|
incl. 209.74-259.97 |
50.23 |
0.49 |
0.46 |
2.7 |
RGA-07-46 |
North |
537.85 |
203-223 |
20.00 |
0.28 |
0.19 |
1.6 |
|
|
|
325-435 |
110.00 |
0.36 |
0.32 |
3.4 |
|
|
|
incl. 325-346 |
21.00 |
0.41 |
0.36 |
3.4 |
|
|
|
incl. 352.00-406.35 |
54.35 |
0.42 |
0.38 |
3.6 |
|
|
|
incl. 417-435 |
18.00 |
0.32 |
0.29 |
3.7 |
|
|
|
461.90-484.00 |
22.10 |
0.26 |
0.13 |
3.8 |
RGA-07-47 |
North |
364.75 |
57-117 |
60.00 |
0.36 |
0.37 |
3.2 |
RGA-07-49 |
Sofia |
410.35 |
41.00-95.50 |
54.50 |
0.33 |
0.26 |
2.6 |
|
north |
|
119-135 |
16.00 |
0.25 |
0.09 |
0.9 |
RGA-07-50 |
Sofia |
406.75 |
12.00-225.15 |
213.15 |
0.37 |
0.37 |
6.1 |
|
north |
|
incl. 12-42 |
30.00 |
0.32 |
0.32 |
2.3 |
|
|
|
incl. 50-104 |
54.00 |
0.39 |
0.40 |
4.6 |
|
|
|
incl. 114.00-225.15 |
111.15 |
0.42 |
0.41 |
8.5 |
|
|
|
incl. 152.00-176.90 |
24.90 |
0.64 |
0.79 |
16.2 |
|
|
|
250.00-261.90 |
11.90 |
0.23 |
0.17 |
3.3 |
|
|
|
292-304 |
12.00 |
0.22 |
0.31 |
8.4 |
RGA-07-51 |
#7 north |
493.10 |
no significant intervals to report |
RGA-07-52 |
Sofia |
397.80 |
225-243 |
18.00 |
0.23 |
0.27 |
2.6 |
|
north |
|
292-312 |
20.00 |
0.23 |
0.23 |
4.2 |
RGA-07-53 |
#7 south |
396.50 |
no significant intervals to report |
RGA-07-54 |
North |
430.40 |
120.60-133.00 |
12.40 |
0.30 |
0.65 |
7.5 |
|
|
|
272-291 |
19.00 |
0.41 |
0.29 |
3.5 |
|
|
|
307-329 |
22.00 |
0.21 |
0.18 |
1.8 |
RGA-07-55 |
North |
599.70 |
56-74 |
18.00 |
0.24 |
0.34 |
2.9 |
|
|
|
80-98 |
18.00 |
0.22 |
0.28 |
3.9 |
|
|
|
118-151 |
33.00 |
0.19 |
0.34 |
11.1 |
|
|
|
227.00-260.60 |
33.60 |
0.25 |
0.31 |
3.7 |
|
|
|
276.15-291.20 |
15.05 |
0.18 |
0.27 |
2.6 |
|
|
|
301-315 |
14.00 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
5.1 |
|
|
|
404-416 |
12.00 |
0.35 |
0.44 |
5.6 |
|
|
|
422-432 |
10.00 |
0.25 |
0.33 |
3.6 |
|
|
|
543-567 |
24.00 |
0.36 |
0.40 |
5.1 |
RGA-07-56 |
#7 |
412.90 |
4.50-219.50 |
215.00 |
0.42 |
0.49 |
7.1 |
|
|
|
incl. 21-47 |
26.00 |
0.32 |
0.29 |
4.2 |
|
|
|
incl. 53-79 |
26.00 |
0.25 |
0.26 |
3.9 |
|
|
|
incl. 85-219.5 |
134.50 |
0.53 |
0.65 |
8.9 |
|
|
|
incl. 101-149 |
48.00 |
0.82 |
1.28 |
8.7 |
Please Note - Reported mineralized intervals represent down-hole lengths and do not represent true thicknesses as there is currently insufficient geological data to calculate true thicknesses
Discussion of Results
The objectives of the 2007 Diamond drilling program were (1) to conduct follow-up drilling on encouraging results from previous drilling campaigns in the Sofia and Discovery Zones, (2) to drill test the remaining two-thirds of the prospect that has not been adequately explored to date, and (3) to provide an initial drill test of the satellite Northeast Target which bears geological and geochemical similarities to the nearby Lindero gold deposit owned 100% by Mansfield.
Copper-gold mineralization at Rio Grande is hosted by a complex sequence of intermediate sub-volcanic intrusive rocks with variable degrees of potassic, calcic, and propylitic alteration and local late- to post-mineral intermediate dikes. The mineralization originally consisted of chalcopyrite and magnetite as disseminations and fracture fillings. The chalcopyrite has subsequently been partially to completely oxidized to green and black copper oxides to depths of 300-400 m or more. Oxidation is typically in situ with little to no remobilization of copper.
The majority of the twelve holes presented in this release were drilled in the previously under-explored North and #7 targets along the northern and western margins of the Rio Grande system. Significant mineralized intervals from the drill holes are listed in Table 1 above. All of the holes were drilled at angles of 50-75 degrees from horizontal to traverse better the potentially sub-vertical zones of mineralization. Reported mineralized intervals represent down-hole lengths and do not represent true thicknesses as there is currently insufficient geological data to calculate true thicknesses (please refer to the Antares website at www.antaresminerals.com for drill-hole location maps and sections).
Drill-hole RGA-07-044 was drilled to complete the deeper hole of a drill fence at the southern end of the Discovery zone. Mineralization encountered deep in this hole is thinner and lower grade than elsewhere in the Discovery zone indicating that the zone is beginning to terminate to the southwest.
Drill-holes RGA-07-045, -046, -047, and -055 were drilled in the North Zone on north-south drill sections located approximately 150 m apart. Holes RGA-07-045 and -046 both encountered long runs of moderate grade copper-gold mineralization near previously reported mineralization in RGA-07-043 and -048. The majority of these holes were drilled to the south but RGA-07-046 was drilled to the north to form a scissor pair with previously announced RGA-07-043. This pair of holes indicates that the east-west striking zone of mineralization most likely has a sub-vertical dip.
Drill-holes RGA-07-49 and RGA-07-50 were drilled at the northern end of the Sofia Zone approximately 150 m to the northeast of well-mineralized hole RGA-07-034. The holes were drilled from the same pad but at 90 degrees to each other to help identify potential structural trends. Both holes encountered significant copper-gold mineralization with hole RGA-07-050 hosting an interval of 111.15 m with 0.42% Cu and 0.41 g/t Au which includes a sub-interval of 24.90 m with 0.64% Cu and 0.79 g/t Au. Further drilling will be warranted to see how this interval connects with mineralization encountered in RGA-07-034 (189 m with 0.70% Cu and 0.67 g/t Au). RGA-07-049 also hosts a 54.40 m interval containing 0.10% Mo with little Cu or Au. This occurrence is not well understood but warrants further investigation. Holes RGA-07-052 and 054 were drilled in the gap between the Sofia and North Zones and only encountered narrow zones of low to moderate copper-gol
d mineralization.
Drill-holes RGA-07-051, -053, and -056 were drilled in the #7 zone and are spaced approximately 400 m apart in this poorly exposed and under-explored portion of the Rio Grande prospect. This area has thicker colluvium cover than most of the project area. This means there is little outcrop and therefore soil sampling is not very effective. Holes RGA-07-051 and -053 encountered no significant mineralized intervals and may have been drilled too far to the east to intersect the favourable mineralized structure. Hole RGA-07-056 was drilled farther to the west and entered almost immediately into well mineralized rock including an interval of 134.50 m with 0.53% Cu and 0.65 g/t Au with a sub-interval of 48 m with 0.82% Cu and 1.28 g/t Au. This sub-interval has very consistent gold grades ranging from 1-2 g/t Au with a maximum individual assay value of 2.32 g/t Au. Mineralization remains open to the north, south and most likely to the west, as
well to depth. As typical for most mineralized intervals encountered to date at Rio Grande, the mineralization has been partially to completely oxidized with little secondary transport of secondary copper mineralization.
About the Rio Grande Project, Salta Province, Argentina
The Rio Grande project is very favourably located along the prominent northwest-trending Archibarca Lineament which also controls the location of the world-class giant Escondida porphyry copper deposit 150 km to the northwest in Chile. The Rio Grande project shares many geologic similarities with the Bajo de Alumbrera porphyry copper-gold deposit which is located along a similar northwest-trending regional structural lineament approximately 300 km to the south.
Copper-gold mineralization at Rio Grande occurs within a distinct two-km diameter ring fracture zone defined by IP chargeability as well as copper and gold soil geochemical anomalies. Exploration prior to 2007 focused on the better exposed Discovery and Sofia zones along the south-eastern portion of the system. Drilling and trenching in these areas has defined a copper-gold mineralized zone 1500 m long, 80-200 m wide, with a minimum depth of 200 m. Mineralization remains open in both directions along strike and to depth. An extensive trenching program completed by Antares earlier this year was successful in identifying additional drill targets on the property.
Antares has earned a 50% interest in the Rio Grande project pursuant to an agreement with Mansfield Minerals Inc. ("Mansfield", MDR.TSX-V). Antares recently completed the required expenditures and payments and plans to vest in its 50% interest in the property shortly. Antares and Mansfield will formalize a definitive joint venture agreement in the near future to fund ongoing development at Rio Grande on a 50/50 basis with Antares as the operator.
About Antares
Antares is focused on the acquisition and exploration of precious and base-metal exploration properties in Latin America that can be quickly and cost-effectively advanced to the discovery and production stage. In addition to the Rio Grande copper-gold project in Argentina, Antares is aggressively advancing the Haquira SX-EW copper project in south-central Peru, immediately adjacent to the Las Bambas copper project of Xstrata Copper. Antares recently announced an updated resource estimate for the near-surface, SX-EW amenable portion of the Haquira project (October 09, 2007) and is in the process of completing the corresponding 43-101 technical report which will also include a preliminary economic analysis. Based on 215 drill holes completed through the end of 2006, Haquira hosts an indicated resource of 133.7 million tonnes at 0.53% total Cu with an additional inferred resource of 43.6 million tonnes at 0.44% total Cu (0.3% total Cu cut-off, leachable secondar
y copper sulphide and oxide mineralization only). The current resource estimate does not incorporate any of the 2007 drilling that has been focused on delineation of the newly discovered primary copper-molybdenum-gold zone beneath the Haquira East copper oxide zone. Antares has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Haquira project from Minera Phelps Dodge del Peru S.A.C.
For further information: please visit our website at www.antaresminerals.com or contact:
Antares Minerals Inc.:
John Black, President and CEO
(720) 514-9036 office
(303) 618-7797 cellular
john.black@antaresminerals.com
or
Mark Wayne, CFO
(403) 705-4968
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.:
John Boidman: boidman@renmarkfinancial.com
Melanie Lecavalier : mlecavalier@renmarkfinancial.com
Media - Eva Jura : ejura@renmarkfinancial.com
Tel. : (514) 939-3989
Fax : (514) 939-3717
www.renmarkfinancial.com
Broadgate Consultants, LLC:
Alan Oshiki: aoshiki@broadgate.com
Tel: (212) 232-2354.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
All of Antares' exploration programs and pertinent disclosure of a technical or scientific nature are prepared by, or prepared under the direct supervision of John Black, Antares' President, who serves as the qualified person (QP) under the definitions of National Instrument 43-101. Antares' security, chain of custody and quality control is described on their website and can be reviewed at: www.antaresminerals.com/bestpractices_samplingmethodologies.asp.
Mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability and future in-fill drilling and scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies will determine what percentage of the inferred resource can be placed into the mineable category. Antares is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other issue which may materially affect this estimate of mineral resources.
CERTAIN DISCLOSURE IN THIS RELEASE, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF ANTARES' PLANS AND PROJECTS, CONSTITUTES FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS RELATING TO ANTARES' OPERATION AS A MINERAL EXPLORATION COMPANY THAT MAY CAUSE FUTURE RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.