Rupert Resources Drills 27g/t Gold Over 3.9m and 13.1g/t Gold Over 7m at the Pahtavaara Mine
Rupert Resources Ltd (“Rupert” or “the Company”) reports results from ongoing exploration activities at the 100% owned Pahtavaara Project in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, Finland.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200521005372/en/
Figure 1: Plan view showing new results and location of T-Vein and East Vein zones (Photo: Business Wire)
The Company has completed 8,858m of exploration drilling at the Pahtavaara Mine, since October 2019, successfully defining multiple new high grade gold intersections outside of the current known resource, in areas of limited historic drilling and in close proximity to the existing open pits and underground infrastructure.
Highlights
T-Vein and East Vein lie to the south of main trend targeted by prior operators in a relatively underexplored area of the Pahtavaara mine. The strike length of this structure is 600m and potentially links to the Karoliina zones in the west.
Hole 120501 intersected 15g/t over 1.7m from 55m (including 20.2g/t over 1m and 7.5g/t over 0.7m) and 9.7g/t over 4m from 85m (including 33g/t over 1m) representing the up-dip extension of two zones at the westward end of the T-Vein structure. Holes 120332, 120342 and 120350, drilled from underground, intersected 5.9g/t over 5m (including 25.6g/t over 1m) and 27g/t over 3.9m (including 51.3g/t over 2m) and 9.3g/t over 4.0m (including 34.5g/t over 1m) respectively. These define up-plunge extensions up to 80m eastward of known T-Vein mineralisation at vertical depth of 250m below surface. Holes 220022, 220026 and 220027 intersected 13.1g/t over 7m from 27m (including 21.4 g/t over 4m), 28.2g/t over 1m from 28m and 17g/t over 2m from surface (including 33.4g/t over 1m) respectively. These shallow holes drilled at the East Vein structure confirm historic intercepts in the area and potential for further high-grade plunging shoots that may extend to depth.James Withall, CEO of Rupert Resources commented “The exploration at the mine since late 2019 demonstrates the effectiveness of systematic drill targeting based on our new geological model at the mine. The results show continuity of the gold mineralisation, define extensions to surface and very high-grade intersections compared to previous mining and resource statements. This drilling will contribute to an updated resource in the coming months. More importantly, it has provided the geological confidence to step out drilling further to explore potential extensions to the known deposit.”
Summary
The 2019/20 exploration program at the Pahtavaara mine has intersected some of the highest grades drilled since the acquisition in 2016. Figure 1 shows a plan view of the mine with highlights from this recent drilling program including the new T-Vein and East Vein zones (see also Figure 2). Table 1 shows a summary of the intercepts that exceed 20g/t and Table 2 shows all the significant intercepts since the last release on mine exploration dated January 16th, 2020. Also included in today’s release is an intersection of 10.8g/t over 4m from surface in the NFE zone.
Recent drilling has focussed on stepping out around historic high-grade intercepts at the margins of the mined deposit. Near-surface has been drilled using reverse circulation (RC) with deeper holes and all underground drilling using diamond drilling. Re-interpretation of geology has indicated targets in brittle fracture zones at lithological contacts and fold axes, and modelling of these zones has permitted systematic drill testing along strike and down plunge to expand the mineralised footprint.
Results to the date of this release will now be used for the preparation of an updated NI 43-101 resource statement that is expected to be completed by the end of the 3rd calendar quarter of 2020. Further drilling is planned in the coming months to explore potential extensions to the deposit and results will be released as they become available.
Table 1. Ranked intercepts from all 2019/20 drilling at the Pahtavaara mine (new results in bold)
Hole ID
Zone
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Au (g/t)
119507
NFE
150.0
155.0
5.0
220.3
119507
incl.
150.0
152.0
2.0
550.0
119507
Incl.
151.0
152.0
1.0
935.0
119503
Harpoon
169.6
181.5
11.9
62.7
119503
incl.
177.0
178.0
1.0
8.5
119503
incl.
178.0
179.0
1.0
18.0
119503
incl.
180.0
181.5
1.5
468.0
119519
NFE
165.3
167.0
1.7
181.1
119519
incl.
165.3
166.0
0.7
438.0
120342
T-Vein
16.1
20.0
3.9
27.0
120342
incl.
16.1
18.0
2.0
51.3
220022
T-Vein
27.0
34.0
7.0
13.1
220022
incl.
29.0
33.0
4.0
21.4
119512
NFE
121.1
121.8
0.7
111.0
220008
NFE
29.0
31.0
2.0
26.1
220008
incl.
29.0
30.0
1.0
56.2
119519
NFE
82.4
93.6
11.2
4.3
220005
NFE
16.0
20.0
4.0
10.8
119519
incl.
84.0
85.3
1.3
10.1
119519
incl.
89.9
90.9
1.0
25.1
119503
Harpoon
83.0
86.0
3.0
13.8
119503
incl.
83.0
84.7
1.7
6.0
119503
incl.
84.7
86.0
1.3
24.1
120350
T-Vein
54.0
58.0
4.0
9.3
120350
incl.
54.0
55.0
1.0
34.5
120501
T-Vein
85.0
89.0
4.0
9.7
120501
incl.
85.0
86.0
1.0
33.1
220027
East Vein
3.0
5.0
2.0
17.0
220027
incl.
3.0
4.0
1.0
33.4
119503
Harpoon
69.0
75.0
6.0
5.6
119503
incl.
72.6
73.6
1.0
21.1
119503
incl.
73.6
75.0
1.4
8.1
120332
T-Vein
41.0
46.0
5.0
5.9
120332
incl.
45.0
46.0
1.0
25.6
220026
East Vein
28.0
39.0
1.0
28.2
120501
T-Vein
55.0
56.7
1.7
15.0
120501
incl.
55.0
56.0
1.0
20.2
120501
incl.
56.0
56.7
0.7
7.5
220022
East Vein
30.0
31.0
1.0
20.4
About the Pahtavaara Project
The project is located in the heart of the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, northern Finland where the company owns the permitted Pahtavaara mine that is on active care & maintenance and 297km2. The company acquired the project for just USD2.5m in 2016 and is undertaking exploration both at the existing mine and across the region to demonstrate the potential for significant economic mineralisation.
The Pahtavaara Mine is an orogenic gold deposit hosted in an altered komatiitic sequence in the eastern part of the greenstone belt. Mineralisation is hosted by the predominantly pyroclastic, voluminous ultramafic volcanic rocks of the Sattasvaara komatiite complex (Savukoski group).
Mineralisation consists of structurally controlled sub-parallel lodes with steeply dipping ore shoots, comprising mostly free gold in quartz-dolomite vein stockwork. Mineralization is hosted predominantly by coarse-grained, non-schistose amphibole rocks with brittle dolomite ± quartz (± barite) veins, or biotite-talc (± chlorite) dominated schists with talc-carbonate ± pyrite ± magnetite veins, which are related to structural failure at the contact between the amphibolite rocks and the talc-chlorite schists. Coarse-grained amphibole dominated lithologies dip and plunge sub-vertically to the west-southwest within a wider, more diffuse, amphibole porphyroblast alteration domain which overprints the talc schists. Folding of the amphibole unit controls brittle fracture in hinges and associated gold mineralisation in places.
True widths cannot be determined in all circumstances from currently available information
Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports
Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo. Director and Dr Charlotte Seabrook, MAIG are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of scientific and technical information in this news release.
Samples are prepared by ALS Finland in Sodankylä and assayed in ALS laboratories in Ireland, Romania or Sweden. All samples are under watch from the drill site to the storage facility. Samples are assayed using fire assay method with aqua regia digest and analysis by AAS for gold. Over limit analysis for >10 ppm Au is conducted using fire assay and gravimetric finish. For multi-element assays Ultra Trace Level Method by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and a combination of ICP-MS and ICP-AES is used. The Company’s QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at appropriate intervals. Approximately five percent (5%) of the pulps and rejects are sent for check assaying at a second lab.
Base of till samples are prepared in ALS Sodankylä by dry-sieving method prep-41, and assayed by fire assay with ICP-AES finish for gold. Multi-elements are assayed in ALS laboratories in either of Ireland, Romania or Sweden by aqua regia with ICP-MS finish. Rupert maintains a strict chain of custody procedure to manage the handling of all samples. The Company’s QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication.
About Rupert
Rupert is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “RUP”. The Company owns the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill, and exploration permits and concessions located in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Northern Finland (“Pahtavaara”). Pahtavaara previously produced over 420koz of gold and 474koz remains in an Inferred mineral resource (4.6 Mt at a grade of 3.2 g/t Au at a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off grade, see the technical report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report: Pahtavaara Project, Finland” with an effective date of April 16, 2018, prepared by Brian Wolfe, Principal Consultant, International Resource Solutions Pty Ltd., an independent qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). The Company also holds a 100% interest in two properties in Central Finland - Hirsikangas and Osikonmaki; the Gold Centre property, which consists of mineral claims located in the Balmer Township, Red Lake, Ontario; and the Surf Inlet Property in British Columbia.
Web: http://rupertresources.com/
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 release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements which, other than statements of historical fact constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to: results of exploration activities, mineral resources. The words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended February 28, 2019 available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Table 2. New intercepts from Pahtavaara mine 2019/2020 drilling.
Hole ID
Zone
From
(m)
To (m)
Interval
(m)
Au (g/t)
Estimated
true width %*
119522
NFE
114.0
115.0
1.0
3.0
Unknown
119523
NFE
18.0
19.0
1.0
1.0
85
119523
56.0
57.0
1.0
0.8
85
119524
NFE
68.0
69.3
1.3
1.2
85
220001
NFE
13.0
14.0
1.0
0.7
85
220001
74.0
75.0
1.0
1.4
85
220002
NFE
7.00
12.0
5.0
1.5
85
220002
31.0
32.0
1.0
1.5
85
220003
Harpoon
97.0
99.0
2.0
1.2
90
220004
Harpoon
82.0
83.0
1.0
3.8
90
220004
99.0
100.0
1.0
0.5
90
220005
NFE
11.0
12.0
1.0
2.2
90
220005
16.0
20.0
4.0
10.8
90
220005
23.0
30.0
7.0
1.9
85
220005
incl.
23.0
24.0
1.0
7.4
85
220008
NFE
5.0
6.0
1.0
0.7
85
220008
21.0
25.0
4.0
0.7
85
220008
29.0
31.0
2.0
26.1
85
220008
incl.
29.0
30.0
1.0
51.6
85
220009
21.0
22.0
1.0
0.5
85
220009
37.0
38.0
1.0
1.7
90
220010
NFE
6.00
7.00
1.0
0.6
90
220018
NFE
21.0
25.0
4.0
0.7
Unknown
220019
NFE
20.0
21.0
1.0
0.6
Unknown
220022
East Vein
20.0
24.0
4.0
3.2
Unknown
220022
incl.
21.0
22.0
1.0
6.7
Unknown
220022
27.0
34.0
7.0
13.1
Unknown
220022
incl.
29.0
33.0
4.0
21.4
Unknown
220023
East Vein
29.0
30.0
1.0
5.0
85
220025
East Vein
41.0
46.0
5.0
0.8
85
220026
East Vein
28.0
39.0
1.0
28.2
85
220027
East Vein
3.0
5.0
2.0
16.9
85
220027
incl.
3.0
4.0
1.0
33.4
85
220029
Karoliina
37.0
38.0
1.0
0.6
85
220029
49.0
55.0
6.0
0.9
85
220030
Karoliina
46.0
48.0
2.0
10.9
90
220030
incl.
46.0
47.0
1.0
19.3
90
220032
Karoliina
23.0
28.0
5.0
2.8
90
220032
incl.
26.0
27.0
1.0
10.3
90
220032
112.0
114.0
2.0
1.7
90
120304
Decline
14.0
15.4
1.4
2.0
Unknown
120309
Decline
18.0
19.0
1.0
2.1
Unknown
120311
Decline
0.2
1.1
0.9
2.8
Unknown
120311
8.5
9.5
1.0
0.7
Unknown
120316
T-Vein
23.7
24.6
0.9
0.7
95
120327
4.0
5.0
1.0
1.2
Unknown
120327
29.0
30.0
1.0
0.6
Unknown
120332
T-Vein
20.6
21.9
1.3
0.8
95
120332
27.6
28.3
0.7
0.5
95
120332
41.0
46.0
5.0
5.9
95
120332
incl.
45.0
46.0
1.0
25.6
95
120333
T-Vein
32.0
36.0
4.0
2.3
100
120333
incl.
35.0
36.0
1.0
6.0
100
120334
T-Vein
28.0
32.0
4.0
1.4
85
120334
47.0
49.0
2.0
1.4
85
120334
52.0
53.0
1.0
4.8
85
120341
T-Vein
7.40
8.70
1.30
0.6
95
120342
T-Vein
0.0
1.70
1.70
1.1
90
120342
16.1
20.0
3.9
27.0
90
120342
incl.
16.1
17.0
0.9
45.5
90
120342
incl.
17.0
18.0
1.0
61.6
90
120342
24.0
26.4
2.4
1.7
90
120343
Harpoon
37.0
38.0
1.0
9.8
50
120344
Gap
120.0
121.0
1.0
1.1
Unknown
120344
T-Vein
123.0
124.0
1.0
0.8
Unknown
120344
124.6
125.6
1.0
6.4
Unknown
120344
155.5
156.2
0.7
1.4
Unknown
120345
T-Vein
68.4
69.2
0.8
0.6
80
120346
T-Vein
22.0
28.0
6.0
1.3
75
120348
T-Vein
38.0
39.0
1.0
1.4
100
120348
51.5
52.5
1.0
5.2
100
120349
T-Vein
44.0
45.0
1.0
0.6
95
120349
49.0
55.0
6.0
1.4
95
120349
incl.
49.0
50.0
1.0
5.2
95
120349
62.0
63.3
1.3
0.5
95
120350
T-Vein
44.0
49.3
5.3
1.1
95
120350
54.0
58.0
4.0
9.3
95
120350
incl.
54.0
55.0
1.0
34.5
95
120350
87.3
88.0
0.7
1.3
95
120501
T-Vein
55.0
56.7
1.7
15.0
Unknown
120501
62.0
63.0
1.0
4.3
Unknown
120501
71.0
72.0
1.0
0.5
Unknown
120501
81.0
82.0
1.0
0.6
Unknown
120501
85.0
89.0
4.0
9.7
Unknown
120501
incl.
85.0
86.0
1.0
33.1
Unknown
120501
98.0
99.0
1.0
4.2
Unknown
120502
T-Vein
60.5
61.4
0.9
0.8
Unknown
Notes to table: A lower cut of 0.5g/tonne Au has been used for all intervals. No upper cut-off grade was applied. Maximum two metre interval of less than cut-off used for reporting. Unless specified, true widths cannot be accurately determined from the information available. NSI – 22006-007, 220011-017, 220020-021, 220024, 220028, 220031, 120301-303, 120305-308, 120310, 120312-317, 120325-326, 120335-37, 120347, 119520-521. *estimated true width as a percentage of downhole intercept
Table 3. Drill collar locations of drilling at Pahtavaara Mine since December 2019
Hole ID
Type
Zone
Easting
Northing
Elevation
Azimuth
Dip
EOH (m)
119522
DD
NFE
475009.3
7502010.5
252.3
33.74
-59.8
33.7
119523
DD
NFE
474976.1
7502034.3
251.8
32.34
-49.5
32.3
119524
DD
NFE
475184.2
7501880.3
249.7
34.6
-59.3
34.6
220001
RC
NFE
475115.7
7501966.8
253.8
29.2
-67.0
111
220002
RC
NFE
475153.1
7501951.6
254.8
30.0
-45.0
50
220003
RC
Harpoon
474748.7
7502090.9
248.6
169.5
-42.3
120
220004
RC
Harpoon
474733.2
7502088.1
249.1
172.0
-46.6
120
220005
RC
NFE
475230.2
7501956.1
260.7
30.0
-60.0
60
220006
RC
NFE
475233.3
7501970.3
262.4
30.0
-50.0
52
220007
RC
NFE
475239.5
7501977.3
264.3
30.0
-50.0
32
220008
RC
NFE
475206.3
7501963.9
259.3
33.0
-47.0
52
220009
RC
NFE
475251.2
7501961.3
263.0
30.0
-50.0
40
220010
RC
NFE
475256.0
7501969.7
265.3
30.0
-50.0
32
220011
RC
NFE
475226.6
7501999
265.6
32.7
-48.9
32
220012
RC
NFE
475303.9
7501972.4
270.4
39.2
-48.0
28
220013
RC
NFE
475296.9
7501957.8
269.4
30.5
-51.1
40
220014
RC
NFE
475282.1
7501935.3
263.8
39.0
-50.1
40
220015
RC
NFE
475319.1
7501917.8
267.6
29.3
-51.1
80
220016
RC
NFE
475175.5
7501949.0
255.1
24.8
-51.5
50
220017
RC
NFE
475166.8
7501977.0
257.9
27.2
-45.2
50
220018
RC
NFE
475144.5
7501999.0
260.1
29.9
-45.5
101
220019
RC
NFE
475122.2
7502000.0
258.3
36.1
-45.3
101
220020
RC
East Vein
475407.0
7501726.2
260.4
165.9
-46.8
28
220021
RC
East Vein
475404.2
7501736.5
260.8
165.0
-45.0
40
220022
RC
East Vein
475392.4
7501734.3
261.1
164.7
-46.1
40
220023
RC
East Vein
475315.0
7501753.7
251.9
148.0
-52.6
50
220024
RC
East Vein
475314.7
7501754.1
251.8
142.1
-69.4
92
220025
RC
East Vein
475333.1
7501769.0
254.5
156.1
-64.0
101
220026
RC
East Vein
475351.0
7501792.2
257.5
162.1
-44.8
62
220027
RC
East Vein
475357.8
7501766.0
256.6
165.2
-46.1
104
220028
RC
Karoliina
474225.6
7501614.2
250.9
177.1
-46.7
50
220029
RC
Karoliina
474245.7
7501640.5
250.3
179.6
-46.1
80
220030
RC
Karoliina
474377.1
7501709.1
251.6
177.6
-44.9
148
220031
RC
Karoliina
474377.0
7501686.5
250.3
180.8
-46.2
122
220032
RC
Karoliina
474357.9
7501694.5
250.8
183.4
-46.3
116
120301
UG DD
Decline
474910.0
7501893.0
-139.1
340.19
-0.2
42.1
120302
UG DD
Decline
474879.5
7501881.0
-142.4
169.37
-5.2
42.1
120303
UG DD
Decline
474879.5
7501881.0
-141.6
169.87
10.0
30.4
120304
UG DD
Decline
474879.3
7501881.0
-141.5
107.14
19.8
30.4
120305
UG DD
Decline
474867.8
7501871.0
-143.4
168.89
19.6
30.1
120306
UG DD
Decline
474867.7
7501871.0
-143.7
179.91
9.9
42.3
120309
UG DD
Decline
474914.3
7501890.0
-137.9
14.16
9.7
42.2
120310
UG DD
Decline
474914.2
7501890.0
-136.7
14.58
30.0
42.4
120311
UG DD
Decline
474910.0
7501893.0
-138.4
336.27
9.8
40.3
120312
UG DD
Decline
474922.2
7501868.0
-136.3
19.77
-0.1
51.4
120313
UG DD
Decline
474922.3
7501868.0
-136.7
20.05
-20.1
51.2
120314
UG DD
T-Vein
474977.7
7501648.0
-28.7
350.23
-30.2
42.2
120315
UG DD
T-Vein
474977.6
7501648.0
-28.7
348.46
-50.1
51.4
120316
UG DD
T-Vein
474977.9
7501647.0
-26.5
349.66
29.9
42.4
120317
UG DD
T-Vein
475048.6
7501744.0
-26.5
140.37
-30.0
90.3
120325
UG DD
Decline
474903.5
7501850.0
-133.5
70.53
-22.1
60.1
120326
UG DD
Decline
474906.9
7501853.0
-132.4
70.34
19.7
72.5
120327
UG DD
Decline
474868.3
7501879.0
-144.5
20.24
-20.1
50.8
120328
UG DD
Twin
474951.7
7501758.0
-59.9
165.56
9.7
14.6
120332
UG DD
T-Vein
474939.2
7501670.7
-0.3
169.8
-0.1
51.2
120333
UG DD
T-Vein
474939.2
7501670.8
-0.8
169.5
-20.0
51.2
120334
UG DD
T-Vein
474939.1
7501670.8
0.7
169.8
19.6
66.4
120335
UG DD
T-Vein
474939.0
7501671.0
-1.1
168.9
-50.3
60.3
120336
UG DD
T-Vein
475131.3
7501704.4
157.6
180.1
19.8
50.8
120337
UG DD
T-Vein
475131.5
7501704.2
156.0
180.2
39.5
50.8
120341
UG DD
T-Vein
475022.9
7501655.8
11.6
349.9
-4.7
51.3
120342
UG DD
T-Vein
475023.0
7501655.6
12.9
350.9
24.6
51.4
120343
UG DD
Harpoon
474783.8
7501985.0
113.6
215.0
35.0
50.7
120344
UG DD
Gap
474896.0
7501873.0
108.1
238.6
29.6
163.9
120345
UG DD
T-Zone
475156.2
7501753.4
79.7
161.1
-59.3
126.3
120346
UG DD
T-Zone
475097.8
7501695.5
90.1
162.3
-60.0
111.0
120347
UG DD
T-Zone
475022.7
7501676.5
69.4
169.2
-49.7
60.3
120348
UG DD
T-Zone
474936.7
7501681.2
27.3
170.2
-10.2
72.5
120349
UG DD
T-Zone
474936.6
7501681.2
28.5
170.8
14.6
90.1
120350
UG DD
T-Zone
474936.2
7501681.3
29.1
169.4
29.8
90.3
120351
UG DD
T-Zone
474975.8
7501681.0
19.5
170.3
-39.9
60.4
120501
DD
T-Vein
474804.2
7501606.9
246.6
262.8
-44.3
121.7
120502
DD
T-Vein
474816.7
7501589.8
246.2
265.2
-46.2
100.2
120503
DD
T-Vein
474842.9
7501588.0
245.9
263.8
-45.7
95.2
Notes to table: DD – Diamond drilling, UG – Underground, RC – Reverse Circulation
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