Initial Deacon Resource Exceeds Expectations; 1,325,000 Tonnes at 2.83% Ni as an Indicated Resource
March 5, 2007
Vancouver, B.C. - Brilliant Mining Corp. (BMC:TSXV)
("Brilliant" or the "Company") today announced an initial mineral resource estimate (See Table 1), for the Deacon Zone
at the Lanfranchi Nickel Mine, located in the Kambalda District of Western Australia. Since the Company's February 12, 2007 news release, results have also been received from an additional 7 drill holes.
Key Point Summary:
Indicated Resource: 1,325,000t at 2.83% Ni for 37,540t contained nickel metal
Inferred Resource: 101,000t at 4.59% Ni for 4,650t contained nickel metal
Deacon increases Indicated Resource by 70% at the Lanfranchi Mine(1)
The Deacon Resource remains open both up and down plunge
The resource estimate is based only on a portion of the Deacon channel structure over a 385m strike length
Mine planning is being fast-tracked based on the size and grade of the Deacon Resource
Extensive 92.7m intersection grading 2.24% (28.0m true thickness) on lowermost drill section
"The Deacon Resource is already close to twice the size of the Helmut South resource, which underpinned the original purchase of the Lanfranchi mine, and remains open both up and down plunge." stated John Williamson, CEO, Brilliant Mining Corp. "With the current record breaking nickel prices, the accelerated incorporation of the Deacon Resource into the active mine plan is a high priority for the Lanfranchi JV and will provide a remarkably positive impact on the economics of the operation."
The Deacon Resource estimate of 37,540t
Ni has significantly increased the overall Lanfranchi nickel resource inventory and is almost double the Helmut South resource of 729,000 tonnes at 2.9% Ni(1)
which was the foundation for the original purchase of the Lanfranchi Nickel Mine by the Lanfranchi Joint Venture. More importantly, the Deacon Resource remains open both up and down plunge.
Drilling is ongoing with the short term focus being twofold. Firstly, several infill holes are planned within the current resource area to confirm continuity between several areas of massive sulphide mineralization. These holes will enable the current Inferred Resource Category to be converted to Indicated and also have the potential to push the overall resource grade above 3.0% Ni by demonstrating continuity of several areas of massive sulphide mineralization between existing drill sections. Secondly, the drilling focus will be to extend the Deacon resource up and down plunge. The priority target area, which will require an additional hanging wall drill platform, is up-plunge between Deacon and Helmut (Figure 1). The Deacon/Helmut channel structure is clearly evident in this gap and has not previously been tested by drilling.
Work has commenced on a detailed mine plan, ore reserve estimate and project financial analysis. It is anticipated that this work will be completed during Q2 2007 and if the outcome is positive, could result in development of the Deacon orebody commencing as early as Q3 2007, subject to the Lanfranchi Joint Venture making a decision to proceed.
"Since its discovery in October 2006 the Deacon zone has grown into one of the most significant nickel discoveries found anywhere in the world over the last few years." stated John Robins, Chairman, Brilliant Mining Corp. "The Deacon discovery presents compelling evidence of the future exploration potential within our land package."
Drilling is ongoing with a total of 33 underground Diamond drill holes, comprising 5,150 drill metres completed to date from the Deacon hanging wall drill drive. The holes completed define the current shape of the Deacon mineralization and form the basis of this initial resource estimate.
Table 1: Deacon - February 2007 Mineral Resource Estimate(2)
Category
|
Tonnes
|
Ni %
|
Ni Tonnes
|
Cu %
|
Cu Tonnes
|
Indicated Resources
|
1,325,000
|
2.83
|
37,540
|
0.26
|
3,470
|
Inferred Resources
|
101,000
|
4.59
|
4,650
|
0.20
|
380
|
Deacon is a coherent zone of disseminated and matrix style mineralization containing significant zones of high grade massive sulphide mineralization. The mineralization occurs within a well defined "channel" structure located immediately to the west of Helmut South (Figure 1). The channel appears to be oriented sub-parallel to the Helmut South orebody with mineralization outlined so far over a strike length of 385m and is still open both up and down plunge
.. This initial resource estimate is for the Deacon mineralization contained within the channel structure between Lanfranchi mine grid northing's 513600mN and 513985mN (Figure 2)
Latest Drill Results
The drill results for seven recent drill holes not previously reported by Brilliant are reported here in Table 2 and their respective spatial positions are shown in Figure 2.
Table 2 - Deacon Resource - Latest Drill Results
Drill Hole
|
Pierce Point
|
Pierce Point
|
Pierce Point RL
|
From (m)
|
To
(m)
|
Interval (m)
|
True Width
|
Ni%
|
North
|
East
|
(m)
|
HS250
|
513907
|
391582
|
-580
|
136.00
|
168.20
|
32.2
|
16.00
|
3.50
|
|
Including massive sulphide
|
160.60
|
163.40
|
2.80
|
1.40
|
7.89
|
HS264
|
513660
|
391642
|
-710
|
178.10
|
204.20
|
26.10
|
11.00
|
2.15
|
HS265
|
513624
|
391585
|
-751
|
180.00
|
272.70
|
92.70
|
28.00
|
2.24
|
|
Including
|
211.00
|
272.70
|
61.70
|
23.00
|
2.50
|
HS266
|
513703
|
391681
|
-672
|
121.80
|
145.82
|
24.02
|
12.50
|
2.35
|
HS267
|
|
NSR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HS269A
|
513883
|
391657
|
-590
|
90.00
|
115.20
|
25.20
|
16.00
|
2.39
|
HS270
|
513914
|
391552
|
-540
|
168.60
|
184.00
|
15.40
|
10.00
|
1.75
|
Deacon Resource Discussion/Analysis
The resources at the Lanfranchi Nickel Mine as outlined in National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report dated March 17, 2006 prepared by Golder Associates Pty. Ltd. of Perth, Western Australia, entitled "Lanfranchi Nickel Project, Western Australia" includes an Indicated Mineral Resource of 2.43 million tonnes at 2.2% Ni (54,127 tonnes of nickel metal) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.24 million tonnes at 1.6% Ni (19,370 tonnes of nickel metal). The Technical Report can be viewed at www.sedar.com
Since production re-commenced in late 2005 through to December 2006, approximately 225,000 tonnes with an average grade of 2.4% Ni has been extracted from the Lanfranchi Mine.
The Deacon resource estimate is based on a 3D Surpac block model utilizing a block size of 10m NS x 10m EW x 2m vertical with 5.0m x 5.0m x 1.0m sub-cells. The model contains 42 underground Diamond holes, comprising a total of 6,320m of drilling. All holes have been accurately located using Leica survey instruments and down-hole Eastman survey cameras. Grade interpolation is by inverse Distance techniques using an oriented search ellipse based on the geometry of the mineralization. The Mineral Resource is largely classified as Indicated due to the good continuity of the mineralization, the adequate drill hole spacing and the confidence gained from QA/QC checks and data validation. A small zone of mineralization at the extremities of the resource has been classified as Inferred due to the lack of sample support and poor continuity of grade and lithological controls. The tonnes and grade of the mineral resource estimate is the material constrained within the interpreted mineralization wireframes which were constructed on sectional interpretations at 50m centres to a 1.0% Ni cut-off grade. When present, high grade massive nickel sulphide mineralization was domained separately on each wireframe. The mineral resource estimate, which is JORC-compliant, has been prepared by BM Geological Services Pty Ltd and Lanfranchi Nickel Mine's personnel; and has been reconciled to the mineral resource and mineral reserve categories as set out by and adopted by the CIM Council.
Figure 1:
Three dimensional model of Deacon mineralisation shell
(indicative shape only) relative to the currently active Helmut South mining area and the past producing Helmut Orebody.
Figure 2: Deacon drill plan showing pierce point locations and drill hole intercepts with grade x true thickness contours
Lanfranchi Joint Venture
Brilliant Mining Corp. holds a 25% interest in the Lanfranchi Joint Venture ("Lanfranchi JV"), which owns the Lanfranchi Nickel Mine together with associated infrastructure, mining leases and mineral claims. The remaining 75% interest in the Lanfranchi JV is owned by Sally Malay Mining Limited.
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 three active nickel projects in Canada, including the Michikamau property in central Labrador.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Mike Sieb Mike Sieb, B.Sc., MBA President Brilliant Mining Corp.
For further information about Brilliant Mining Corporation, or this news release, please visit our website at www.brilliantmining.com
, or contact:
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.
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