Blackthorn Resources Limited (ASX: BTR) (“the Company” or “Blackthorn Resources”) is pleased to provide assay results for drill holes KITDD_001, KITDD_002, KITDD_004 and KITDD_005. KITDD_005 was designed as a step-out hole to the west of the existing Kitumba Mineral Resource area to test a zone of high chargeability from the Orion 3D Induced Polarisation (IP) survey. This hole was drilled beyond its target depth (600 m). Details of the mineralisation intersected in this hole were released to the market on 4 September 2012. KITDD_001 was designed as a step-out hole to the east of the Kitumba Mineral Resource area in proximity to the Mumbwa Fault Zone (MFZ) targeting a north-south oriented Controlled Source Automated Magnetotelluric (CSAMT) conductive feature. As a result of the brecciated nature of the rock in the fault zone the hole failed at 231.72 m and again at 329.72 m after being wedged from 171 m, and did not reach its 600 m target depth.
KITDD_002 was also designed as a step-out hole to the east of the Kitumba Mineral Resource area in the MFZ targeting the CSAMT feature. This hole was drilled vertically to 178.5 m where it failed and then wedged to 555.85 m, short of its target depth (600m) due to a lack of mineralisation. KITDD_004 was planned to test shallow mineralisation east of S36_018, and to test the potential extension of the high-grade zone to the east. The hole was drilled to its target depth (600 m). The location of drill holes KITDD_001, KITDD_002, KITDD_004 and KITDD_005 are shown in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1 – Phase 6 drill hole location plan for the Kitumba Mineral Resource area showingcollar location for KITDD_001, KITDD_002, KITDD_004 and KITDD_005 on surface geologyand the surface projections of the 1%, 0.5%, 0.25% and 0.15% Cu shells.
Sampling and assaying of the drill core collected follows a standard site protocol with samples of half core being submitted to the Intertek Genalysis laboratory preparation facility in Chingola, Zambia before being shipped to South Africa for gold fire assay with an AAS finish and Perth for multi-element ICP analysis.
A cut-off grade of 0.25% Cu is applied when delineating the drilled thickness intervals of mineralisation, with length-weighted average grades reported. True-widths are not quoted, as further work is required to determine the geometry of the mineralisation. No upper limit has been applied to copper or gold grades in these exploration results. Final assays were expected approximately one month after submission; the delay in receipt of final assays was due to shipping and customs constraints. The laboratory has indicated the samples are now clearing customs more readily and reporting times should improve accordingly.
Managing Director, Mr Scott Lowe said;
“With KITDD_005 drilling to the west and underneath the Kitumba Mineral Resource area, the positive results have the potential to grow the mineralised zone and add grade and tonnes to the resource. We look forward to updating our resource statement with the phase 6 results in the first half of CY 2013. Kitumba is already a considerable resource, and we are optimistic about the possibility of adding to the contained metal.
The Orion 3D IP chargeability data helped guide our drill plan at Kitumba and we are hopeful that this technique will assist in identifying satellite zones of similarly high chargeability with potential to yield similar results. While we are giving priority to drilling to increase confidence in the deposit, we will also drill some of these satellite high chargeability zones.
Our plan is to once again drill through the wet season which begins in November and we look forward to continuing to report the results of the Phase 6 drilling to the market as received.”
About The Phase 6 Drilling Program
Drilling restarted on both the Kitumba and Kakozhi prospects in July 2012. Four diamond drill rigs are now operating on Kitumba hills following the completion of three planned holes on Kakozhi, with 13 holes completed for a total of approximately 8076 meters. The Company has made provision for $11m to drill 16,000m for the financial year ending 30 June 2013.
Kitumba
The planned drilling includes both infill and step-out drilling. Infill drilling is designed to add to the confidence level of the recently released mineral resource estimate and upgrade areas of the resource from the inferred to indicated categories. The design of the step-out drilling seeks to expand the area of known mineralisation and potentially increase total tonnes at Kitumba.
Kakozhi
At the Kakozhi high-priority satellite target, drilling is focused on testing a coincident soil geochemical and airborne gravity anomaly. The three holes in the planned drill program have been designed to gain the best stratigraphic coverage and are centred on the gravity and soil copper geochemical anomalies.
Click here to read the full announcement including drill holes and assay results.