Vancouver, B.C. -
Brilliant Mining Corp. (BMC:TSXV)
("Brilliant") today announced that five out of five drill holes from the current program have intersected the overturned contact that is associated with the known nickel sulphide channels within the Tramways Tenements, Kambalda, Western Australia. This validation of the 'Overturned Tramways Dome Model' effectively doubles the prospective area which is host to the nickel sulphide mineralization on the property. In addition, one hole, TD8030, intersected 3.4% Ni over 1 metre on the upper contact of the Dome in a previously untested area.
Key Points:
- 5 out of 5 new holes intersect overturned contact associated with Ni channels
- Discovery doubles prospective area of the property to host Ni channels
- 3.4% Ni over 1 metre intersected on upper contact of dome
- Down hole geophysics survey underway on all holes to detect Ni sulphide conductors
Current Program
The current drill program consists of five holes, on an east-west fence pattern at 200m drill centers, targeting the inferred overturned ultramafic komatiite / mafic basalt contact ("contact"). The first five holes have successfully intersected the overturned contact. (See Figure 1 to view drill hole plan map)
"In the Kambalda Region, the ultramafic Komatiite / mafic Lunnon basalt contact is associated with the vast majority of the known Ni sulphide deposits. Therefore, the identification that this target horizon is repeated as an overturned limb of a fold effectively doubles the economic potential for the Property." states John Williamson, CEO of Brilliant Mining.
Hole TD8030 collared in ultramafic and intersected 1m grading 3.4% Ni on the upper contact. The presence of nickel mineralization proximal to the hinge of the overturned fold highlights the potential for the continuity of mineralization on the overturned contact of the Tramways Dome. (See Figure 2 to view a Cross Section of the Overturned Dome)
Since the 1960's more than 1 million tonnes of nickel metal (35 million tonnes of ore at 3% Ni) have been produced from over 30 mines in the Kambalda Nickel District. The bulk of this production was sourced from various operators collectively mining the nickel channels immediately surrounding the Kambalda Dome. The vast majority of the nickel channels mined at Kambalda is associated with one stratigraphic contact (i.e. the ultramafic Komatiite / mafic Lunnon basalt contact). Recent drilling has identified that the same stratigraphic contact as observed at Kambalda is repeated as an overturned dome at the Tramways Property. This updated 'Tramways Dome' model dramatically increases the prospective area to host nickel channels within the property boundary. A budgeted AUD$2 million surface exploration program is underway to target this highly prospective and previously untested north flank of the Tramways Dome.
The current and future surface exploration drill programs will focus on the continuation of the known Ni sulphide channels as projected on the overturned north limb of the Tramways Dome. These Ni sulphide channels are blind deposits (i.e. not exposed at surface) and rely on down-hole geophysics as the primary tool for discovery.
Down-hole geophysics will be performed on all the pertinent current and historic holes to determine the presence of near-hole conductors. Drilling is planned to recommence on the highly prospective overturned contact once the geophysical survey has been completed and the results are compiled.
Table 1: Drill Hole Summary - Current Drill Program
Hole
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
Az
|
Dip
|
Overturned Contact (m)
|
TD8030*
|
391000
|
516030
|
0
|
-60
|
366.0
|
TD8031
|
390800
|
516050
|
0
|
-60
|
247.4
|
TD8032
|
391200
|
516060
|
0
|
-70
|
237.7
|
TD8033
|
391400
|
515900
|
0
|
-60
|
259.5
|
TD8034
|
390600
|
516100
|
0
|
-60
|
450.0
|
* 79-80m a 1m intersection grading 3.4% Ni was observed
Updated plan maps, drill hole locations and the Tramways Dome geological model can be viewed below or on our website at www.brilliantmining.com
.
Previous Programs
A small RC-Diamond drilling program was completed in mid-2005 on the margin of the Tramways Thrust revealing that in the vicinity of the thrust the prospective Kambalda Komatiite / Lunnon Basalt contact is overturned (as intersected in TD8006). This observation highlighted the potential for nickel mineralization beneath the basalt in this area and has lead to a continuing exploration focus in this region of the property. A follow-up drill program, undertaken in January 2007, in addition to testing several EM anomalies, tested the stratigraphy on-strike from TD8006. The stratigraphic drilling confirmed the results from TD8006 with the intersection of the overturned ultramafic beneath the Lunnon Basalt. The drilling program also facilitated better delineation of the overturned UM/M contact surface.
Table 2: Drill Hole Summary - Previous Drilling
Hole
|
Year
|
Easting
|
Northing
|
Az
|
Dip
|
Overturned Contact (m)
|
TD8006
|
2005
|
390900
|
516150
|
0
|
-90
|
300
|
TD8023
|
Jan 07
|
390700
|
516157
|
0
|
-90
|
ended in basalt
|
TD8024
|
Jan 07
|
391100
|
516165
|
0
|
-90
|
321
|
TD8026
|
Jan 07
|
391300
|
516150
|
0
|
-90
|
141
|
The project is supervised by John Williamson, PGeol, of Edmonton, Alberta, CEO and a Director of Brilliant, and is the qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.
About Brilliant Mining
Brilliant Mining Corp. (BMC: TSXV) is focused on the production, development and exploration of nickel opportunities world wide. The Company currently has a 25% interest in the producing Lanfranchi Nickel Mine in Western Australia and has 3 active nickel projects in Canada, including the Michikamau property in central Labrador.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"John Robins"
John Robins, P.Geo.
Chairman
Brilliant Mining Corp.
For further information about Brilliant Mining Corporation, or this news release, please visit our website at www.brilliantmining.com
, or contact:
Mike Sieb Derek Iwanaka
President Investor Relations
604-331-2263 604-331-2269
mikes@brilliantmining.com
info@brilliantmining.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain disclosures in this release, including management's assessment of Brilliant's plans and projects, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to Brilliant's operation as a mineral exploration company that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Brilliant expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Figure 1. Tramways Dome North Drill Hole Locations
Figure 2. Tramways Over turned Dome Cross Section