
Drilling at newly discovered Tesla Zone encountered 200m of continuous massive and disseminated sulphides
Assays received to-date highlight significant copper-zinc-gold mineralization
Geophysical modelling suggests zone could reach to ~300m from Foran’s McIlvenna Bay Deposit
Additional drill rig ordered to expand the 2022 drill program
Foran Mining Corporation (TSX-V: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) is pleased to announce partial assay results from diamond drill hole TS-22-03 at the near-mine Tesla target, on its 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay Project in Saskatchewan.
Key Highlights:
Dan Myerson, Foran’s Executive Chairman & CEO, commented: “The Tesla zone, discovered in a very short period and so rapidly after the company has been re-focused with a fresh perspective and capital, is a true testament to the strength of our team and the significant untapped nature of our land package. While it is still early days, this new discovery is a potential game-changer and could drive future value from economies of scale under a centralized milling scenario with the planned and existing infrastructure at McIlvenna Bay. In a world where new discoveries are declining, we believe our exploration techniques are working and this will help unlock the full potential of our district. Follow-up drilling will occur at Tesla over the summer which, in addition to targeting other geological anomalies, should prove to be exciting for investors through the rest of 2022 and beyond.”
Tesla Background
The Tesla modelled conductor begins ~300m north of the McIlvenna Bay deposit and was initially interpreted from magnetic and fixed-loop surface electromagnetic (“EM”) data combined with our geological knowledge of the project area. An initial hole, TS-21-01, was drilled as a platform for downhole geophysics and, based on borehole EM modelling, the target was refined. Follow-up hole TS-21-02 deviated and was abandoned at 45m. The hole was restarted as TS-22-03, which successfully intercepted the mineralization located approximately 600m north of McIlvenna Bay, as shown in Figure 1 above.
Based on our current understanding of the anomaly, geophysics outlines potential dimensions of ~900m strike by 300m depth. True width of the sulphide mineralization is estimated to be ~25-50m, however follow-up drilling is required to generate an accurate determination of geometry. This discovery hole, in conjunction with the interpretation of the geophysics, indicates potential for mineralization on multiple horizons for approximately 1km along strike to the northwest from McIlvenna Bay, which also remains open. Additional drilling will be required to develop a full understanding of the new zone and its relationship to the known deposit.
Table 1 – Tesla Assay Results
Hole | From_m | To_m | Interval_m | Cu % | Zn % | Au g/t | CuEq % |
TS-22-03 | 866.05 | 878.44 | 12.39 | 1.64 | 0.17 | 0.30 | 1.8 |
Including | 872.24 | 873.44 | 1.20 | 7.80 | 0.64 | 0.61 | 8.3 |
TS-22-03 | 914.16 | 917.26 | 3.10 | 2.19 | 0.08 | pending | 2.2 |
Including | 915.68 | 917.26 | 1.58 | 3.57 | 0.12 | pending | 3.6 |
TS-22-03 | 927.11 | 928.88 | 1.77 | 1.39 | 8.99 | 0.13 | 4.8 |
Including | 927.92 | 928.88 | 0.96 | 1.49 | 15.88 | 0.17 | 7.5 |
TS-22-03 | 933.00 | 940.71 | 7.71 | 0.98 | 1.50 | 0.29 | 1.7 |
Including | 939.16 | 940.71 | 1.55 | 0.35 | 4.16 | 0.32 | 2.1 |
TS-22-03 | 948.15 | 953.14 | 4.99 | 0.71 | 2.62 | 0.32 | 1.8 |
Including | 948.15 | 950.15 | 2.00 | 1.36 | 1.58 | 0.45 | 2.2 |
And | 950.15 | 953.14 | 2.99 | 0.28 | 3.31 | 0.23 | 1.6 |
TS-22-03 | 955.14 | 960.54 | 5.40 | 2.29 | 1.66 | 0.96 | 3.3 |
Including | 959.09 | 960.15 | 1.06 | 7.19 | 3.62 | 3.63 | 10.2 |
Note: Intersections are not true width. Intervals composited using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade. Results are preliminary with the analysis of additional elements (including gravimetric finish for Au results >1 g/t) pending, along with the results for the remaining samples for TS-21-03.1Copper Equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn and $1,800/ounce Au. | |||||||
Hole TS-22-03 was drilled to a depth of 1,256m, targeting a downhole EM conductor. Visually significant chalcopyrite & sphalerite have been identified within the zone of sulphides intersected from 822m to 1,022m (~200m). Assays received to date represent two sub-intervals of the sulphide intercept. Samples from the remainder of the hole, consisting of ~130 meters, have been submitted for analysis and results are pending.
A preliminary geological assessment of the new zone indicates the presence of multiple overprinting events of sulphide mineralization and alteration, as well as remobilization of copper and zinc sulphides, similar to other notable VHMS deposits along the Flin Flon greenstone belt.
The discovery of Tesla validates Foran’s exploration methodology of integrating innovative geophysical interpretation with geological understanding of the area. Foran continues to explore and test multiple targets both at McIlvenna Bay and other brownfields areas in the Hanson Lake District.
Summer Drill Program Underway
Foran is currently in the process of completing a wedge off hole TS-22-03, which is planned to intersect the discovery zone 75m up-dip of the recent intersection. The company plans to drill an additional ~3,000m on Tesla by the end of 2022, evaluating the new discovery and new exploration space in and around McIlvenna Bay. This is additional to ~7,000m of planned drill testing of established targets at Bigstone and Marconi on our Bigstone Property, 25km west of McIlvenna Bay, and drilling at the Flinty Prospect located 7km SE of McIlvenna Bay.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Drilling was completed using NQ size diamond drill core and core was logged by employees of the Company. During the logging process, mineralized intersections were marked for sampling and given unique sample numbers. Sampled intervals were sawn in half using a diamond blade saw. One half of the sawn core was placed in a plastic bag with the sample tag and sealed, while the second half was returned to the core box for storage on site. Sample assays are performed by the Saskatchewan Research Council (“SRC”) Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. SRC is a Canadian accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) and independent of Foran. Analysis for Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn is performed using ICP-OES after total multi-acid digestion. Au analysis is completed by fire assay with ICP-OES finish. Any samples which return results greater than 1.0 g/t Au are re-run using gravimetric finish. A complete suite of QA/QC reference materials (standards, blanks, field and pulp duplicates) are included in each batch of samples processed by the laboratory. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data.
Qualified Person
Mr. Roger March, P. Geo., Senior Geoscientist for Foran, is the Qualified Person for all technical information herein and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
About Foran Mining
Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future, empowering communities and creating circular economies which create value for all our stakeholders, while also safeguarding the environment. The McIlvenna Bay project is located entirely within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. The Company also owns the Bigstone project, a resource-development stage deposit located 25km southwest of its McIlvenna Bay project.
McIlvenna Bay is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. McIlvenna Bay sits just 65km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran’s ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225km.
McIlvenna Bay is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company announced the results from its Feasibility Study on February 28, 2022, outlining that current mineral reserves would support an 18-year mine life producing an average of 65 million pounds of copper equivalent annually. The Company filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the McIlvenna Bay Feasibility Study on April 14, 2022. The Company filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bigstone Deposit resource estimate on February 11, 2022.
Figure 1 – Plan View of Tesla and McIlvenna Bay (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Figure 2 – Cross Section of Tesla (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)
Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSX-V: SPA) (FSE: S3Y) (OTCQB: SPAUF)... READ MORE
Aura Minerals Inc. (TSX: ORA) (B3: AURA33) (OTCQX: ORAAF) is plea... READ MORE
Cascadia Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V:CAM) (OTCQB:CAMNF) is pleased to an... READ MORE
Abcourt Mines Inc. (TSX-V: ABI) (OTCQB: ABMBF) is pleased to anno... READ MORE
Agreement setting out the significant participation of Mishkeegog... READ MORE