Thursday, June 26, 2008
2007 Drilling And Geophysical Results All Show Increased Potential For Schaft
Creek Deposit, Copper Fox Says
Calgary, Alberta - June 26, 2008 - Copper Fox Metals Inc.
(TSX-V: CUU) said today that drilling results indicate the Mineral Resource
at the Schaft Creek (Cu/Mo/Au), BC property is comparable in copper
equivalent grade to the nearby Cu/Au Galore Creek deposit. A NI 43-101
compliant resource report prepared by Associated Geosciences Ltd. released in
June of 2007 estimated Schaft Creek to contain measured and indicated 1.393
billion tonnes of resource with 0.25% Cu, 0.019% Mo, 0.18 g/t Au and 1.55 g/t
Ag.
The company also announced that the Preliminary Economic Assessment report (PEA)
prepared by Samuel Engineering Ltd. on December 7, 2007 confirmed that due to
favorable differences of access, topography and climate between the Schaft
Creek and Galore Creek projects, the Schaft Creek project should, on a
comparative per tonne basis, have significantly less expensive access and
reduced capital and operating expenses. The Samuel PEA Case2 price
assumptions also predicted that Schaft Creek could mine a 0.61% CuEq grade
producing 4,409,000 million tonnes of over a 31 year mine life. The metallurgical
testing to date has indicated excellent recovery rates to concentrate for
both copper and molybdenum.
These findings are contained in Copper Fox's release of detailed information
on the completion of its 2007 drilling, geophysical, engineering and economic
studies.
Guillermo Salazar, Copper Fox President, said "Together with geophysical
and engineering studies completed late last year, these findings augment our
confidence that Copper Fox is shaping up as a viable, major mining project of
the near future."
Diamond drilling data indicates that the Liard Main Zone at the Schaft Creek
property in northwestern BC is larger than previously thought. During 2007
Copper Fox drilled 42 holes for a total of 6,274 metres. Five of these holes
tested the deposit's depth extension to the northeast; results from these
holes supported the indications from geophysical data of increased mineral
potential to the east and northeast of the existing outline of the Main/Liard
Zone. Of particular note were the results from DDH 07CF313, drilled onto an
area between the Paramount and Liard Main Zones west of Mount LaCasse.
DDH 07CF313 returned:
From
|
To
|
Interval
|
Copper
|
Molybdenum
|
Gold
|
Silver
|
62.80 m
|
110 m
|
47.2 m
|
0.506%
|
0.016%
|
0.241 g/t
|
0.3 g/t
|
Detailed drilling and metallurgical results have been posted on Copper Fox's
website www.copperfoxmetals.com.
Copper Fox is scheduled to complete a pre-feasibility study of the Schaft
Creek property in early Q3 2008. The study will review a 100,000 tpd mill; a
bankable feasibility study for the same production rate will be completed in
Q1 2009.
Copper Fox also announced that geophysical testing of one of the proposed
mill sites, a 250-300 metre wide area not previously covered by geophysical
surveys or drilling, found a strong anomaly immediately east of the Liard
Zone with coincident chargeability and resistivity responses with signatures
similar to that of the Main/Liard Zone. This area will be subjected to
further geophysical surveys in the 2008 program prior to drilling to
determine the cause of the anomaly.
About Copper Fox:
Copper Fox (CUU, CPFXF) is a Canadian-based mining company listed on the
TSX-Venture Exchange. The Company has concentrated its project activities
exclusively to the Schaft Creek mineral deposit, one of the larger
undeveloped copper, gold, molybdenum and silver deposits in the world. Based
on the PEA (see News Release of January 14, 2008), the preliminary mining
plan is designed to extract the core 713.3 million tonnes of a Measured and
Indicated, 43-101 compliant, Mineral Resource grading 0.304% copper, 0.218
g/t gold, 1.77 g/t silver, and 0.020% molybdenum, for a copper equivalent
(based on the study's Case 2 metal pricing) of 0.61% and a waste to ore ratio
of 1.66 over 31 years. This sits within the current NI 43-101 Mineral
Resource of 1.4 billion tonnes, using a 0.20% CuEq cut off. Currently the
company is working on a pre feasibility study, which will be based on a 100,000
tpd throughput scenario, and which is expected to be released this quarter.
Copper Fox holds the property pursuant to an option agreement with Teck
Cominco Limited and has earned a direct 70% interest in the Schaft Creek
Mineral Deposit. The Company may acquire up to a 93.4% direct and indirect
interest in the property, subject to certain back-in rights to Teck Cominco
Limited.
For additional information contact: Investor inquiries: Jason Shepherd,
Phoenix Communications Group Tel: 1-866-913-1910, E-mail: investor@copperfoxmetals.com
The TSX-Venture Exchange has not reviewed the contents of this news release
and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy thereof.
This news release includes "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of the Canadian securities laws. Statements, other than statements of
historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information and include,
without limitation: anticipated timing and content of upcoming work programs,
geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, and potential mineral
recovery processes; anticipated dates for receipt of permits, approvals and
other milestones; anticipated results of drilling programs, feasibility
studies and other analyses; anticipated availability and terms of future
financing; future production, operating and capital costs; and operating or
financial performance. Information concerning mineral reserve and resource
estimates also may be deemed to be forward-looking information in that it
reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered if a
mineral deposit were developed and mined. For any forward looking information
given, management has assumed that the assay results it has received are
reliable, and has applied geological interpretation methodologies which are
consistent with industry standards. Forward-looking information involves
various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such
information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events
could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
management's expectations include: fluctuations in commodity prices and
currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill
results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits;
uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates,
production estimates and estimated economic return; the need for co-operation
of government agencies in the exploration and development of properties and
the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to
develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future
financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs or
in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program
milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other
governmental approvals; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the
Company's other filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at
www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information in this news release is based
on management's current expectations and Copper Fox assumes no obligations to
update such information to reflect later events or developments, except as
required by law.
DETAILED
INFORMATION
The 2007 Season's results are summarized as follows:
Metallurgical Testing Update -- Flotation
Based on the metallurgical results to date, our consulting metallurgical
engineers suggest that the Marketing Section of the pre-feasibility study use
the following Copper and Molybdenum Concentrate values:
|
%Cu
|
%Mo
|
g/tAu
|
G/t A
|
ppm Re
|
Copper Concentrate
|
30.6
|
0.18
|
147.4
|
16.1
|
N/A
|
Moly Concentrate
|
1.6
|
50.0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
368
|
The Copper Concentrate grade can reach up to 30.6% Cu after molybdenum has
been removed into a separate concentrate. It is possible that the ongoing
G&T locked cycle test data will produce higher copper concentrate grades,
but a balance between concentrate grade and metal recovery needs to be
optimized. Hyppaa Engineering had previously predicted a 30% grade at a 90%
recovery for use in the Scoping Study. "This type of high grade copper
concentrate is usually rewarded with premium payments," says Mr. Salazar.
The rhenium assay from G&T test No.KM2050-33 was 227 ppm in a Molybdenum
Concentrate that assays 46.4% Mo. This equates to a rhenium assay of 245 ppm
into a Molybdenum Concentrate that assays 50% Mo. The PRA Laboratory assay of
rhenium for test F75 was 181 ppm into a Molybdenum Concentrate that assayed
18.44% Mo. This equates into a rhenium assay of 491 ppm into a Molybdenum
Concentrate that assays 50% Mo. A previous Hecla Mining report indicated that
a 33% Molybdenum Concentrate assayed 325 ppm rhenium. This translates into a
490 ppm rhenium assay for a 50% Mo concentrate. Hyppaa suggests averaging the
two recent values and use a value of 368 ppm as a conservative estimate of
rhenium content in the Molybdenum Concentrate.
Rhenium is a metal used as an alloy in the catalytic converters that make
possible the use of unleaded gas and as an aluminum alloy for propellers in
jet engines. It sells for $5,000 an ounce at the present time. "We
continue to work with the consultants to gain confidence in the early rhenium
results to determine the pay ability of its rhenium content and expect to
eventually see this metal reflected in the revenue of the project," says
Mr. Salazar.
Pit Optimization and Resources Update
In late 2007, Samuel Engineering completed the PEA. The PEA has a designed
capacity of 65,000 tpd of mill throughput. The PEA includes the Resource
Calculations completed by Associated Geosciences Ltd. in July of 2007. At PEA
Case 2 metal prices copper represents 44% of the potential net smelter revenue
while molybdenum is 45% and gold is 10%. Silver and rhenium represent between
1% and 2% of potential net smelter revenue. Copper Fox is scheduled to
publish its Pre Feasibility Study in early Q3 2008 which will be based on a
100,000 tpd mill throughput. The Company expects to complete the Feasibility
Study based on a production rate of 100,000 tpd in Q1 2009.
The PEA stresses the differences of access, topography and climate between
the Galore Creek and Schaft Creek projects which highlight the significantly
less expensive access, CAPEX and OPEX for Schaft Creek when compared to
Galore Creek. The PEA's open pit mine design envisions mining a 0.61% copper
equivalent grade and 4,409,000 tonnes of equivalent copper over the 31 year
mine life.
2007 Diamond Drilling Program
A total of 42 drill holes were drilled in 2007 for a total depth of 6,275
meters. Drilling was allocated as follows:
Table 1: 2007 Diamond Drilling Campaign
Purpose
|
Number of Drill Holes
|
Total Meters
|
Extensions to Mineralization - NE Pit Slope and Snipe Lake
|
11
|
2,357.8
|
Proposed Tailings Ponds & Mill Site
|
14
|
1,405.2
|
Proposed Waste Disposal Areas
|
17
|
2,412.0
|
TOTALS
|
42
|
6,275.0
|
Extensions to Mineralization: NE Pit Slope -- Snipe Lake
Drilling into the north eastern portions (The Mt. LaCasse Ridge area) of the
deposit has been difficult at best. Low core recoveries and high winds are
the main difficulties encountered. Mineralization, however, was found by
previous operators and was confirmed in 2007. Of special note are the results
from DDH 07CF313, drilled into an area, between the Paramount and the Liard
zones, that is heavily weathered, leached and shattered. This hole returned:
Table 2: Schaft Creek Project - DDH 07CF313 Results
Hole No
|
Total Depth (m)
|
From
|
To
|
Interval
|
Weighted
Avg Cu_%
|
Weighted
Avg Mo_%
|
Weighted
Avg Au_g/t
|
Weighted
Avg Ag_g/t
|
Eqv Cu %
|
07CF313
|
421.8
|
47.5
|
110
|
62.5
|
0.439
|
0.015
|
0.208
|
9.6319
|
0.765
|
07CF313
|
421.8
|
114.6
|
129.8
|
15.2
|
0.394
|
0.015
|
0.345
|
0.0001
|
0.725
|
07CF313
|
421.8
|
382.8
|
407.2
|
24.4
|
0.359
|
0.039
|
0.32
|
2.9898
|
1.053
|
This mineralization extends the Main or Liard zone north eastwards under the
La Casse Ridge and correlates to two mineralized intervals found in drill
hole T81CH198, one with 0.582% Cu, 0.01% Mo and 0.62g/t gold over 36.6 meters
and another of 6.1 meters grading 1.17% Cu, 0.03% Mo and 0.62 g/t Au. These
higher grade sections of mineralization extend north easterly away from the
Main or Liard zone and under the La Casse Ridge, into an area of the property
not previously. The ridge rises steeply to the north and east from the
drilled area. Attempts at testing possible extensions to this zone with holes
07CF316A/B (636.1 meters deep) and 07CF317A/B (122.0 meters deep) failed due
to the very difficult drilling conditions encountered.
DDH's 07CF301, 07CF303, 07CF308 and 07CF309 were drilled onto the north and
west edges of a swamp located immediately south of the Main or Liard Zone.
The best mineral intersection here was found in DDH 07CF303 which returned
3.1 meters, assaying 1.28% Cu, 0.001% Mo and 0.020 g/t Au with no silver
values, from 94.2 to 97.2 meters of hole depth. Gold values of 0.60 and 0.68
g/t over 3.1 and 23.5 meters, respectively, were intersected in holes 07CF308
and 07CF309. DDH 07CF301 returned a 12.2 meter long intersection that assayed
0.40% Cu, 0.002% Mo, 0.020 g/t Au and 0.5g/t Ag.
Table 3: Liard South and NE Pit Slope - Snipe Lake Area
Hole No
|
Total Depth (m)
|
From
|
To
|
Interval
|
Weighted
Avg Cu_%
|
Weighted
Avg Mo_%
|
Weighted
Avg Au_g/t
|
Weighted
Avg Ag_g/t
|
Eqv Cu %
|
Liard South - Extension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
07CF301
|
192.7
|
9.7
|
30.2
|
20.5
|
0.221
|
0.014
|
0.057
|
0.0001
|
0.448
|
07CF301
|
|
48.5
|
54.6
|
6.1
|
0.236
|
0
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
0.242
|
07CF301
|
|
109.4
|
121.6
|
12.2
|
0.401
|
0.002
|
0.02
|
0.5337
|
0.439
|
07CF301
|
|
143.0
|
146
|
3.1
|
0.169
|
0
|
0.03
|
0.0001
|
0.178
|
07CF303
|
138
|
8.8
|
18
|
9.1
|
0.324
|
0.001
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
0.345
|
07CF303
|
|
48.5
|
60.7
|
12.2
|
0.454
|
0.001
|
0.055
|
0.0001
|
0.486
|
07CF303
|
|
75.9
|
85
|
9.1
|
0.201
|
0.001
|
0.007
|
0.0001
|
0.218
|
07CF303
|
|
94.2
|
97
|
3.1
|
1.279
|
0.001
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
1.300
|
07CF303
|
|
136.3
|
138
|
1.7
|
0.197
|
0
|
0.03
|
0.0001
|
0.206
|
07CF308
|
104.9
|
25.6
|
31.7
|
6.1
|
0.236
|
0.001
|
0.021
|
0.8263
|
0.261
|
07CF308
|
|
43.9
|
47
|
3.1
|
0.192
|
0.001
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
0.213
|
07CF308
|
|
77.4
|
80.5
|
3.1
|
0.367
|
0.003
|
0.06
|
0.0001
|
0.430
|
07CF309
|
111.3
|
9.5
|
32.9
|
23.5
|
0.232
|
0.014
|
0.068
|
0.0001
|
0.463
|
NE Pit Slope -- Snipe Lake Area
|
07CF312
|
156.7
|
48.2
|
57.3
|
9.1
|
0.19
|
0.002
|
0.326
|
0.0001
|
0.320
|
07CF312
|
|
66.4
|
69.5
|
3.1
|
0.165
|
0.001
|
0.03
|
0.0001
|
0.189
|
07CF312
|
|
72.5
|
81.7
|
9.1
|
0.175
|
0.001
|
0.057
|
0.7318
|
0.210
|
07CF312
|
|
124.4
|
133.5
|
9.2
|
0.278
|
0.003
|
0.053
|
0.0001
|
0.339
|
07CF313
|
421.8
|
11.0
|
14
|
3.1
|
0.475
|
0.002
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
0.511
|
07CF313
|
|
47.5
|
110
|
62.5
|
0.439
|
0.015
|
0.208
|
9.6319
|
0.765
|
07CF313
|
|
114.6
|
129.8
|
15.2
|
0.394
|
0.015
|
0.345
|
0.0001
|
0.725
|
07CF313
|
|
148.1
|
184.7
|
36.6
|
0.242
|
0.039
|
0.165
|
0.0001
|
0.877
|
07CF313
|
|
190.8
|
215.2
|
24.4
|
0.236
|
0.014
|
0.193
|
0.0001
|
0.505
|
07CF313
|
|
248.7
|
257.9
|
9.2
|
0.279
|
0.006
|
0.123
|
0.0001
|
0.407
|
07CF313
|
|
303.6
|
328
|
24.4
|
0.181
|
0.011
|
0.195
|
2.0004
|
0.413
|
07CF313
|
|
382.8
|
407.2
|
24.4
|
0.359
|
0.039
|
0.32
|
2.9898
|
1.053
|
07CF314
|
256.7
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF315
|
149.9
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF316
|
636.1
|
499.1
|
505.2
|
6.1
|
0.155
|
0.021
|
0.06
|
0.0001
|
0.488
|
07CF316
|
|
529.0
|
532.0
|
3.1
|
0.159
|
0.005
|
0.06
|
0.0001
|
0.252
|
07CF316
|
|
557.0
|
560.1
|
3.1
|
0.352
|
0.002
|
0.11
|
0.0001
|
0.416
|
07CF316
|
|
569.2
|
572.3
|
3.1
|
0.24
|
0.007
|
0.05
|
0.0001
|
0.360
|
07CF316
|
|
599.5
|
602.6
|
3.1
|
0.371
|
0.009
|
0.03
|
0.0001
|
0.515
|
07CF317
|
122
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF319
|
167.7
|
102.7
|
108.8
|
6.1
|
0.187
|
0.002
|
0.055
|
0.0001
|
0.234
|
07CF319
|
|
145.4
|
154.3
|
8.9
|
0.531
|
0.003
|
0.044
|
0.0001
|
0.589
|
07CF320A
|
36.3
|
NO ASSAYS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
07CF321
|
0
|
NO ASSAYS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 4: Drill Testing of Waste Disposal Areas
A total of 31 drill holes for 3,817.2 meters were dedicated to testing
potential Waste Disposal Areas near the deposit. The following Table
summarizes the results from this testing.
Hole No
|
Total Depth (m)
|
From
|
To
|
Interval
|
Weighted
Avg Cu_%
|
Weighted
Avg Mo_%
|
Weighted
Avg Au_g/t
|
Weighted
Avg Ag_g/t
|
Eqv Cu %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waste Disposal Area
|
07CF291
|
122.5
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF292
|
136.9
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF293
|
125
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF294
|
151.4
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF295
|
120
|
36.1
|
39.2
|
3.05
|
0.242
|
0.013
|
0.05
|
0.0001
|
0.452
|
07CF295
|
|
75.55
|
78.6
|
3.05
|
0.165
|
0.001
|
0.06
|
0.0001
|
0.198
|
07CF296
|
185.4
|
52.3
|
58.3
|
6
|
0.226
|
0.005
|
0.115
|
0.0001
|
0.336
|
07CF296
|
|
76.6
|
82.7
|
6.1
|
0.225
|
0.002
|
0.085
|
0.0001
|
0.281
|
07CF296
|
|
104.05
|
107.1
|
3.05
|
0.209
|
0.005
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
0.290
|
07CF296
|
|
128.45
|
131.5
|
3.05
|
0.159
|
0.006
|
0.02
|
0.0001
|
0.255
|
07CF296
|
|
140.65
|
146.8
|
6.1
|
0.274
|
0.003
|
0.04
|
0.0001
|
0.331
|
07CF297
|
154
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF298
|
153.3
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF299
|
110.3
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF300
|
119.2
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF302
|
149.1
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF304
|
139.9
|
4.6
|
139.9
|
135.3
|
0.296
|
0.011
|
0.107
|
1.5534
|
0.500
|
07CF305
|
129.5
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF306
|
128
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF307
|
136.6
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
07CF310
|
150.3
|
100
|
103
|
3.1
|
0.248
|
0.002
|
0.03
|
0.0001
|
0.287
|
Paramount - Waste
|
07CF311
|
200.6
|
No significant mineralization found
|
|
|
|
|
DDH 07CF304 intersected 139.9 meters (from bottom of casing to bottom of
hole) assaying 0.296% Cu, 0.011% Mo, 0.107 g/t Au and 1.55 g/t Ag, with a
CuEq of 0.500%, and extends the West Breccia zone a further 400 metres to the
south, towards the swamp further south which was drill tested by holes
07CF301 and 07CF303. In addition, DDH's 07CF295 and 07CF296 returned up to
6.1 metres of up to 0.274% Cu and assays of 0.115, 0.085 and 0.107 g/t Au.
Although narrow, these intersections prove the mineralization extends into
these areas as well.
Geophysical Results -- 2007 Results
Condemnation testing of one of the proposed mill sites produced an induced
polarization -- chargeability/resistivity anomaly immediately east of the
Liard Zone. It is 250-300 meters wide and is located in an area not
previously drill tested or covered by geophysical surveys. The coincident
chargeability and resistivity anomalies have a similar signature to those of
the Main/Liard Zone. This anomaly is directly south of the mineralization found
under the LaCasse Ridge. This summer's plans are to test this area in detail
with further geophysical surveys prior to drilling.