Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 21, 2017) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) ("Los Andes", or the "Company") is very pleased to announce the results of drill holes V2017-06 and V2017-07. Following the results already published for the 2017 campaign, these results provide further support to the continuity of higher grade mineralization near surface in the project's central core over an area of 350 metres north-south by 400 metres east-west.
The key results from these holes are:
V2017-06:
- 440.0 m @ 0.51 % Cu, 164 ppm Mo and 1.1 g/t Ag (0.56 % CuEq) from 64.0 m downhole
Including:- 56.0 m @ 0.81 % Cu, 72 ppm Mo and 1.6 g/t Ag (0.85 % CuEq) from 76.0 m downhole
- 30.0 m @ 0.64 % Cu, 292 ppm Mo and 1.5 g/t Ag (0.73 % CuEq) from 376.0 m downhole
- 36.0 m @ 0.62 % Cu, 265 ppm Mo and 1.4 g/t Ag (0.70 % CuEq) from 456.0 m downhole
- 66.0 m @ 0.53 % Cu, 294 ppm Mo and 1.1 g/t Ag (0.61 % CuEq) from 588.0 m downhole
- V2017-07: 102.0 m @ 0.62 % Cu, 157 ppm Mo and 1.5 g/t Ag (0.66 % CuEq) from 44.0 m downhole
- 28.0 m @ 0.50 % Cu, 232 ppm Mo and 1.3 g/t Ag (0.57 % CuEq) from 284.0 m downhole
Cautionary Statement: All thicknesses from intersections from drill holes are down-hole drilled thicknesses. True widths cannot be determined from the information available.
Background
Historical drilling was carried out on the Vizcachitas project in three exploration campaigns during 1993, 1996/1997 and 2007/2008. However, the higher grade central core had only been drilled in the 1990's campaigns and with generally shallower drill holes, therefore not properly reflecting the potential of this core area.
During 2014, a complete review of the historical information was performed to better understand the project, including re-logging all of the 146 drill holes located within the property. The re-logging was led by Gonzalo Saldias, a Chilean geologist and one of the most recognized experts in Chilean porphyry systems. This detailed review showed that the historical logging and geological model had not properly identified the importance of the higher grade early diorite porphyry and hydrothermal breccias. The re-logging showed that these higher grade geological units extend over a distance of 1,400 metres north-south and 700 metres east-west. The mapping showed that these breccias have grades increasing with depth and demonstrates the potential for higher grades below the historical drilling.
In 2015, Los Andes began a drill program to confirm a new geological model and to demonstrate the extent of the central core mineralisation. A first stage of this exploration campaign was completed in 2015/2016, with eight diamond drill holes totaling 3,661 metres. During 2017, Los Andes has carried out a second stage of this campaign with the purpose of demonstrating the northern and southern extension of the high grade core.
Location of Drill Holes:
Hole | Easting | Northing | Elevation (metres) |
Azimut (degrees) |
Inclination (degrees) |
Final depth (metres) |
V2017-01 | 365,778 | 6,413,544 | 2,003 | 110 | -60 | (69.90) Abandoned |
V2017-01A | 365,786 | 6,413,534 | 2,003 | 105 | -60 | 851.25 |
V2017-02 | 366,278 | 6,413,255 | 2,090 | 290 | -65 | 1,030.60 |
V2017-03 | 365,936 | 6,413,856 | 2,049 | 290 | -80 | (62.00) Abandoned |
V2017-04 | 366.200 | 6,413,056 | 1,978 | 110 | -70 | 653.00 |
V2015-08 Ex | 365.159 | 6,413,542 | 2,154 | 290 | -75 | 1,001.00 |
V2017-05 | 365,996 | 6,413,879 | 2,080 | 270 | -80 | 931.90 |
V2017-06 | 366,037 | 6,413,538 | 2,073 | 110 | -65 | 857.00 |
V2017-07 | 366,099 | 6,413,337 | 2,046 | 110 | -60 | 721.10 |
V2017-08 | 365,996 | 6,413,879 | 2,080 | 15 | -70 | 400.25 |
V2017-09 | 365,785 | 6,413,377 | 1,993 | 120 | -70 | (85.50) Abandoned |
V2017-09B | 365,785 | 6,413,382 | 1,993 | 120 | -75 | 804.20 |
V2017-10 | 365,682 | 6,413,878 | 2,040 | 65 | -75 | 1,001.00 |
V2017-11 | 365,745 | 6,413,745 | 2,024 | 85 | -75 | 735.90 |
All coordinates are in UTM WGS84
A drill hole location plan is available on our website: www.losandescopper.com
Summary of Drill Holes
Drill Hole V2017-06
V2017-06 was drilled in a south east direction underneath the drill holes V2015‑08 which was drilled in a north-easterly direction. The aim of the drill hole was to confirm the good mineralisation identified in this drill hole and then to test the eastward extension of this mineralisation.
The top of bedrock was intersected at a depth of 15 metres and the drill hole continued through andesite and hydrothermal breccias to a depth of 802 metres when it intersected a tonalitic intrusive. The drill hole was stopped at a depth of 857.0 metres. From a downhole depth of 64 metres, the drill hole intersected 440 metre @ 0.51 % Cu, 164 ppm Mo and 1.1 g/t Ag (0.56 % CuEq) in andesites. This includes from a downhole depth of 76 metres, 56 metres @ 0.81 % Cu, 72 ppm Mo and 1.6 g/t Ag (0.85 % CuEq). This intersection confirms the near surface mineralisation identified within this eastern block. The mineralisation continues until the drill hole intersected the intermineral tonalite intrusive at a depth of 802 metres. Some of the better mineralisation is shown in the table below.
Key intersections from drill hole V2017-06:
Hole Number | Depth From (m) | Depth To (m) | Length (m) | Cu % | Mo ppm | Ag g/t | CuEq % |
V2017-06 | 64.0 | 504.0 | 440.0 | 0.51 | 164 | 1.1 | 0.56 |
including | 76.0 | 132.0 | 56.0 | 0.81 | 72 | 1.6 | 0.85 |
including | 182.0 | 204.0 | 22.0 | 0.63 | 129 | 1.5 | 0.68 |
including | 238.0 | 258.0 | 20.0 | 0.59 | 280 | 1.4 | 0.68 |
including | 376.0 | 406.0 | 30.0 | 0.64 | 292 | 1.5 | 0.73 |
including | 456.0 | 492.0 | 36.0 | 0.62 | 265 | 1.4 | 0.70 |
V2017-06 | 588.0 | 654.0 | 66.0 | 0.53 | 294 | 1.1 | 0.61 |
including | 606.0 | 634.0 | 28.0 | 0.61 | 219 | 1.3 | 0.68 |
* Copper equivalent grade has been calculated using the following expression: Cu Eq (%) = CuT (%) + 2.5 x Mo (%) + 110.55 x Ag (%), using the metal prices: $ 2.2 / lb. Cu, $5.5 / lb. Mo and $15.2 / Oz (same reference prices as in reporting of 2015/2016 results). All thicknesses from intersections from drill holes are down-hole drilled thicknesses. True widths cannot be determined from the information available.
Drill Hole V2017-07
V2017-07 was drilled in a south east direction underneath the drill holes V2015‑05 and V2017-02 which were drilled in a north-easterly direction. The aim of the drill hole was to confirm the good mineralisation identified in these drill holes and then to test the eastward extension of this mineralisation.
The top of bedrock was intersected at a depth of 33 metre and the drill hole continued through andesite and hydrothermal breccias to final depth of 721 metres. From a downhole depth of 44 metres, the drill hole intersected 102 metres @ 0.62 % Cu, 157 ppm Mo and 1.5 g/t Ag (0.66 % CuEq) in andesites. This intersection further confirms the horizontal extension of the near surface supergene mineralisation over an area of 350 metres north-south by 400 metres east-west within this block. The mineralisation continues to a downhole depth of 344 metros with an average grade over 300 metres of 0.48 % Cu, 135 ppm Mo and 1.2 g/t Ag (0.53 % CuEq). The mineralisation below this depth decreases as the drill hole intersected andesites and a post mineral dacite dyke.
Key intersections from drill hole V2017-07:
Hole Number | Depth From (m) | Depth To (m) | Length (m) | Cu % | Mo ppm | Ag g/t | CuEq % |
V2017-07 | 44.0 | 146.0 | 102.0 | 0.62 | 157 | 1.5 | 0.66 |
V2017-07 | 284.0 | 312.0 | 28.0 | 0.50 | 232 | 1.3 | 0.57 |
V2017-07 | 394.0 | 412.0 | 18.0 | 0.49 | 105 | 1.4 | 0.53 |
* Copper equivalent grade has been calculated using the following expression: Cu Eq (%) = CuT (%) + 2.5 x Mo (%) + 110.55 x Ag (%), using the metal prices: $ 2.2 / lb. Cu, $5.5 / lb. Mo and $15.2 / Oz (same reference prices as in reporting of 2015/2016 results). All thicknesses from intersections from drill holes are down-hole drilled thicknesses. True widths cannot be determined from the information available.
QA/QC
Quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of duplicate and standard samples in to the sample stream. Drill core samples were sawn in half, labelled, placed in sealed bags and were shipped directly to the preparatory laboratory of ALS Minerals in Coquimbo, Chile. All geochemical analyses were performed by ALS Minerals in Lima Peru. All samples were assayed using the method ME-MS61, a four-acid digestion with an ICP-MS finish. Copper samples with grades above 0.6 % Cu were reanalysed using ALS method Cu-OG62, a four-acid digestion with an AAS finish.
Mr. Amberg MSc CGeol FGS is the Qualified Person responsible for the preparation of this news release.
Team Credentials
Mr. Amberg MSc CGeol FGS is a geologist who is a graduate of the Royal School of Mines, London, has an MSc. from University College and is also a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society of London. He has close to 30 years of diverse experience having worked in Asia, Africa and South America for both multinational and junior companies. He began his career in 1986 working with Anglo American in South Africa before moving on to an exploration position with Severin-Southern Sphere. In 1990 Mr. Amberg moved to Chile where he first worked with Bema Gold on the Refugio project before taking up a position with Rio Tinto. At Rio Tinto he was involved in exploration programs in the Atacama and Magallanes Regions and managed the Barreal Seco (now part of Las Cenizas) exploration program. In 1996 he joined Kazakhstan Minerals Corporation in Kazakhstan, setting up and managing offices for the drilling and resource estimation for JORC compliant feasibility studies on three large projects that are now operating mines. He became General Director for two joint ventures in KazMinCo where he managed all technical and local issues. In 2001 he returned to Chile where he started a geological consulting firm specialising in project evaluation and NI 43-101 technical reports. Mr. Amberg's clients included Rio Tinto, Barrick, Codelco, Anglo American, Pan Pacific Copper and various junior mining companies. He joined Los Andes Copper in 2012 as Chief Geologist and is now also the President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Amberg MSc CGeol FGS is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
Gonzalo Saldias is a geologist who is a graduate of Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile. He has over 35 years of experience working within Chile and internationally; mainly on copper porphyry, epithermal gold silver and iron-oxide copper gold systems. For the last seven years, he worked for Antofagasta Minerals evaluating copper porphyry projects within Chile, assessing their geological and economical potential. Prior to that he had worked for ten years with Placer Dome Latin America, generating and evaluating exploration projects within the region. Prior to Placer Dome, he worked for Codelco as head of exploration geology for the El Salvador Division, developing the prospective areas near to the mine. He also worked for Northern Resources, Homestake, Utah, Anaconda and as an independent consultant.