Barker Minerals’ 2009 Drilling Results Confirm Kuroko Style VMS Mineralization on the Frank Creek VMS Project
Prince George, British Columbia CANADA, March 08, 2010 /FSC/ – Barker Minerals Ltd. (BML – TSX Venture), (the “Company”) is pleased to report results and interpretation of the recently completed 900 metres of diamond drilling on its 100% owned Frank Creek VMS project where drillhole FC09-39 was successful in intercepting 286 metres of Kuroko style VMS footwall alteration and mineralization beginning at 280 metres and continuing down to the bottom of the drillhole at 566 metres. The property is located in the Cariboo Mining District of British Columbia approximately 77 kilometres northeast of Williams Lake B.C. and hosts excellent access and infrastructure.
Drillhole FC09-38 (FC09-38 Drillhole Section:
http://www.barkerminerals.com/nr155/FC09-38_ddh_section.pdf
The purpose of this hole was to test a strong HLEM conductor from the 2002 geophysical survey in the F1 Area. This conductor had several N-S oriented splays trending toward the massive sulphide exposure in the Discovery Trench, 200 metres to the south. These conductors terminate at Frank Creek 400 metres to the north, just above the occurrence of massive sulphide boulders which are up to approximately one metre in size. Hole FC09-38 encountered pyritic (10%) volcaniclastics, graphitic argillites and a gouge (fault) zone in the upper half of the 334 metre hole which is capable of explaining the near surface geophysical conductor. An anomalous gold (Au), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) zone occurred between 39 to 60 metres. This zone was associated with graphitic argillite characterized by breccia and local flow or slump textures which may represent the hanging wall of a favourable horizon for massive sulphide formation.
From 140.8 – 279.5 metres volcaniclastics occur again with intense silica, sericite and chlorite alteration. This broad altered zone is intensely altered between 176.6 – 184.2 metres and 202.6 – 279.5 metres, with the original rock type essentially unrecognizable. The rock is a distinctive pale yellow green with white patches which is due to a very intense pervasive and extensive sericite and silicification alterated zone, which is typical of the alteration and mineralization that occurs extensively in the footwall to massive sulphide deposits. Although low in sulphides this intense hydrothermal altered stockwork zone may be reflecting another important prospective horizon as the deep rooted Titan MT geophysical conductor was not explained by the drilling.
Considering the overall NW-SE trend of the geology on the property, the location of the FC09-38 which is north and slightly east of the Discovery Trench massive sulphides, targeting the conductor was probably too far east and high (hanging wall) in the overturned stratigraphy to intersect the extension of the favourable stratigraphic horizon.
Drillhole FC09-39 (FC09-39 Drillhole Section:
http://www.barkerminerals.com/nr155/FC09-39_ddh_section.pdf
The purpose of the hole was to test a Titan-24 IP low resistivity anomaly from the 2004 geophysical survey. Hole FC09-39 encountered pyritic and graphitic argillites in the upper 93 metres. The argillites tended to be foliated and brecciated. Below approximately 90 metres the rocks encountered were massive volcaniclastics to the bottom of the hole at 566 metres. Below approximately 160 metres alteration intensity and veining increases, between approximately 280 – 394 metres sulphide-quartz veins are more common with stronger alteration associated with local zones of stockwork veining. Between 280 and 394 metres the rocks are magnetic with numerous veins containing mostly pyrrhotite with chalcopyrite and grey quartz common. The occurrence of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite in the vein stockwork in Hole 39 suggests a closer proximity to a possible massive sulphide mound than in Hole 38 was.
The evidence for overturned stratigraphy has been demonstrated by graded bedding in core in previous drill programs at Frank Creek (Turna, 2009, Fig. 16, Graded Bedding in Hole FC08-29) and by nearby overturned lava pillows (Ferri and O’Brien, 2003). The geological interpretation of the Line 53N area where trenching and drilling has taken place indicates the target area is in an overturned recumbent anticline. A Line 53N schematic interpretation of the location of drillholes FC09-38 and FC09-39 relative to Titan-24 geophysics and tentative interpretation of the geology and structure can be viewed in the following link (Line 53 Interpretation: http://www.barkerminerals.com/nr155/l53_interp.pdf)
The Titan-24 geophysical survey shows a broad, strong conductor 200 metres to the south centred on Line 51N which has a subsurface 3-D signature similar to that as a massive sulphide body. FC09-39 may be reflecting the northern edge of the strong conductor on Line 51N. This large and strong anomaly, along with the Line 53N trenching and drilling discovery area are high priority targets for the next phase of drilling at Frank Creek. (Line 51 Titan Geophysical Sections: http://www.barkerminerals.com/nr155/l51_comp.pdf)
Summary and Recommendations
Drillholes FC09-38 and FC09-39 encountered local quartz-sulphide stockwork within zones of pervasive sericite and silica with lessor chlorite and fuschite alteration. Hole 38 had a more strongly altered zone than Hole 39 while the latter hole had a better-developed quartz stockwork which contained fairly abundant pyrrhotite and a higher occurrence of chalcopyrite clearly associated with the pyrrhotite veins. The anomalous Au zone in Hole 38 (39 metres to 60 metres) had a strong correlation with Pb and Zn. High Pb (1.06%) over 40cm at 13 metre depth in Hole 38, and galena in quartz veins in an outcrop in the road ditch adjacent to the drill pad indicate the possibility of gold-bearing veins near the surface as well as in the 39-60 metre zone. Vein-related Au-Pb-Zn mineralization in the F1 Target Area may post-date the massive sulphides in the Discovery Trench and may be structurally controlled. This type of mineralization may be the source of the placer gold taken from the adjacent Frank Creek by the Rasmussen brothers in the 1980’s.
The widespread occurrence of footwall-type alteration and mineralization on surface and in drill core affirms the overturned nature of the local stratigraphy, evidenced by results from previous exploration programs. The massive sulphide lenses discovered in the Discovery Trench in 2001 and in the F9 Target trenches in 2007/2009 are considered to exist in a favourable stratigraphic contact horizon occurring within, or somewhat below, sedimentary rocks that are locally graphitic, and atop and partly within a felsic volcaniclastic pile. VMS deposits in other mining districts commonly form at or along contact of sedimentary and volcanic rocks with similar alteration assemblages. The results of the 2009 drill holes show strongly anomalous base and precious metal mineralization in well-defined stratigraphic horizons with the mineralization intersected being enriched in copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold as well as a number of pathfinder elements that are characteristically elevated in and around Kuroko type deposits like Kidd Creek and Brunswick 12 deposits in eastern Canada.
Massive sulphide lenses discovered in trenches in 2007/2009 and drill holes in 2008 in the F9 Target area are recommended to be intensively followed up by trenching and drilling. Five thousand metres of drilling in a grid pattern is recommended to follow the massive sulphide mineralization outward from the known locations near Line 53N. A 750 metre deep drill hole is recommended on each of Lines 51N and 53N to test the heart of the compelling strong Trend “A” low resistivity anomaly. (Line 53 Titan Trend A Conductor: http://www.barkerminerals.com/nr155/l53_comp.pdf
The anomalous gold in drillhole FC09-38 should be followed up by re-analysing pulps from the soils collected in 2007 for gold by regular geochemical process. Trenching should be done in the F1 Target Area for gold-bearing veins and shear structures.
New Trenching Discovery in Line 53N Area
On January 11, 2010 the Company reported a new late season 2009 trenching discovery on Line 53N and 22+50W which was an extension across the stratigraphy of the 2008 original Line 53N area trenching and drilling discovery. The new discovery has exposed approximately 75 metres of a highly altered sulphide zone comprised of lenses, pods and blocks of massive sulphide mineralization and further extends the overall width of the Line 53N trenching and drilling mineralized and altered zone. The blocky massive sulphide mineralization occurs together with stringer sulphides in favourable felsic volcanic rocks. Massive pyrite occurs together with variable amounts of sphalerite (zinc), galena (lead), and chalcopyrite (copper). The width of the mineralized zone remains open to the southeast and northwest as well as being open along strike in both directions.
Samples taken across the width of the zone were prepared and sent to the lab late in the season for analysis and will be reported once received. The Line 53N and 22W area is centred on the strongest co-incident multi-element enzyme leach soil anomaly and is near the contact between chargeability highs and resistivity lows, a geophysical pattern which is consistent as a favourable location for the formation of volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization. A high priority has been given to the Line 53N trench and drilling discovery area in order to further extend the mineralization in the new trench and also to see it in drill core.
Line 53N 2009 Trenching Videos
Two short hand-held video clips of the 2009 trenching discovery, while it was in progress, can be viewed at the link below on You Tube. The short video clips allow shareholders a great opportunity to see an exciting trenching discovery as it happens. (Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw2Pw-FEh74 & Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahy_T_aGzqc)
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Rein Turna, B.Sc., P.Geo. the Company’s “qualified person” under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
About Barker Minerals
Barker Minerals is advancing exploration on its mineral properties in the Cariboo Gold District, one of the most mineralized belts in British Columbia. The Company has 20 projects on its exploration properties, all of which are 100% owned by Barker Minerals. Eight projects have drill-ready gold and/or massive sulphide targets.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information, including those relating to “plans” of the Company. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors — including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by the Company in its public securities filings — that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT EITHER:
Louis E. Doyle Robert H. Kuhl
Tel: (250) 563-8752 Tel: (604) 321-0709
Fax: (250) 563-8751 Fax: (604) 321-0719
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.
BM-10-155
Source: Barker Minerals Ltd. (BML – TSX-V)
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