Aldebaran Resources Inc.
(“
Aldebaran” or the “
Company”)
(TSX-V: ALDE, OTCQX: ADBRF) is pleased to report
results for holes ALD-23-227 and ALD-23-228 from its ongoing
drilling campaign at the Altar copper-gold project in San Juan
Province, Argentina.
Hole ALD-23-227 was a 200 m step out hole to the
north from previously released ALD-22-223 (1,167.50 m of 0.48% CuEq
– see March 1, 2023 press release). ALD-23-228 was a 200 m step out
to the north from previously released ALD-23-225B (951.20 m of
0.60% CuEq – see May 31, 2023 press release).
Both holes have provided valuable additional
pierce points into the promising geophysical anomaly beneath and
lateral to current resources at the Altar project. In addition,
both ALD-23-227 and ALD-23-228 tested the northern extension of the
newly identified Altar United trend.
ALD-23-227 entered favourable host rocks at
approximately 1,000 m depth, and then returned attractive grade
mineralization until the end of the hole. ALD-23-228 hit the
favourable host rock formation at approximately 750 m depth and
thereafter returned some of the highest-grade copper mineralization
encountered on the project to date, demonstrating that the
high-grade mineralization found previously in hole ALD-23-225B has
continuity.
Highlights
ALD-23-228
- 565.60 m of 0.60% CuEq from
676.00 m depth
- Including 474.60 m of 0.69% CuEq
from 767.00 m depth
- Including 329.60 of 0.80%
CuEq from 912.00 m depth
- Including 58.00 m of 1.02% CuEq from
1,011.00 m depth
- Hole ended in 74.60 m of
0.80% CuEq with the last sample running 0.96% CuEq
- The Company has re-entered hole
ALD-23-228 and is actively drilling to test for the deeper
extension of this higher-grade mineralization
ALD-23-227
- 198.50 m of 0.50% CuEq from
1,040.00 m depth
- Including 60.50 m of 0.63% CuEq from
1,178.0 m depth
- Hole ended in 31.50 m of 0.69%
CuEq
John Black, Chief Executive Officer of
Aldebaran, commented as follows: “Hole 228 represents
another remarkable run of mineralization and represents some of the
better grades we’ve seen at the Altar project. We have re-started
drilling on hole 228 to see if the higher-grade mineralization
continues to depth. The Altar system continues to grow well beyond
what was previously understood. The resource we have in hand
already represents one of the largest undeveloped copper projects
in the world; however, with the mineralization we’ve been hitting
in recent drill results, we expect it to grow substantially.”
Dr. Kevin B. Heather, Chief Geological
Officer of Aldebaran, commented as follows: “Both
holes reported today demonstrate that the new Altar United trend
continues to deliver solid runs of higher-grade mineralization that
build onto the previous higher-grade intercepts reported recently
in holes 223, 224, and 225B. With these new results, it’s clear
that Altar United is delivering continuity of higher-grade
mineralization, within an already very large Altar system, that
will add additional higher-grade tonnage. The upper portions of
holes 227 and 228 both drilled through less favourable rhyolite
host rocks, and while they didn’t return exceptional grades, it
demonstrates that even poor host rocks can be mineralized in this
strong system. The lower-grade intervals reported today will likely
report to resource at a break-even cut-off grade, which typically
hovers around 0.1% CuEq, thus potentially reducing the strip
ratio.”
Table 1 below displays detailed assay results.
Figure 1 displays a plan map with the location of the reported
holes as well as completed and active drill holes. Figure 2
displays a cross-section, looking to the east, showing results from
ALD-23-227. Figure 3 displays a cross-section, looking to the east,
showing results from ALD-23-228. Figure 4 displays a cross-section,
looking to the east, showing results from ALD-23-228 in
histogram.
Table 1 – Altar Drill Hole Results |
|
From(m) |
To(m) |
Interval(m) |
Cu(%) |
Au(g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Mo (ppm) |
As(ppm) |
CuEq (%) |
ALD-23-227 |
Interval |
240.00 |
297.00 |
57.00 |
0.10 |
0.03 |
0.48 |
16 |
184 |
0.12 |
Interval |
355.00 |
428.20 |
73.20 |
0.22 |
0.02 |
0.46 |
33 |
464 |
0.23 |
Interval |
492.00 |
667.00 |
175.00 |
0.12 |
0.02 |
0.47 |
16 |
273 |
0.13 |
Interval |
757.00 |
1,040.00 |
283.00 |
0.15 |
0.01 |
0.69 |
30 |
223 |
0.16 |
Interval |
1,040.00 |
1,238.50 |
198.50 |
0.46 |
0.01 |
3.03 |
85 |
521 |
0.50 |
Incl. |
1,178.00 |
1,238.50 |
60.50 |
0.57 |
0.02 |
3.92 |
153 |
223 |
0.63 |
ALD-23-228 |
Interval |
93.00 |
182.00 |
89.00 |
0.11 |
0.02 |
0.60 |
32 |
78 |
0.13 |
Interval |
262.00 |
405.15 |
143.15 |
0.13 |
0.02 |
0.50 |
25 |
233 |
0.14 |
Interval |
454.00 |
610.00 |
156.00 |
0.13 |
0.02 |
0.48 |
21 |
183 |
0.14 |
Interval |
676.00 |
1,241.60 |
565.60 |
0.54 |
0.02 |
2.91 |
166 |
318 |
0.60 |
Incl. |
767.00 |
1,241.60 |
474.60 |
0.62 |
0.02 |
3.34 |
192 |
338 |
0.69 |
Incl. |
912.00 |
1,241.60 |
329.60 |
0.72 |
0.02 |
3.07 |
262 |
223 |
0.80 |
Incl. |
1,011.00 |
1,069.00 |
58.00 |
0.90 |
0.04 |
7.36 |
348 |
672 |
1.02 |
The grades are uncut. CuEq values were calculated using copper,
gold, silver, and molybdenum. Metal prices utilized for the
calculations are Cu = US$3.00/lb, Au = US$1,400/oz, Ag = US$18/oz,
and Mo = US$10/lb. Recoveries used for the supporting metals found
in the CuEq equation are as follows: Au = 50%, Ag = 51%, (based on
historical metallurgical test work) and Mo = 70% (benchmarking from
similar deposits). The formula utilized to calculate equivalent
values is CuEq % = Cu % + (Au g/t * 0.34025) + (Ag g/t * 0.00446) +
(Mo ppm * 0.00023). |
Discussion of Results
ALD-23-227
Drillhole ALD-23-227 was collared 200 m north of
ALD-22-223 (see Company news release dated March 1, 2023). It was
drilled at an -75-degree inclination and a 180-degree azimuth. The
final depth of the hole was 1,238.50 m.
Drillhole ALD-23-227 intersected a package of
strongly fragmental dacitic crystal tuff over the first 428 m, then
transitioned to less favourable but weakly mineralized massive
rhyolite, which continued to a depth of 1,179.60 m. The hole then
transitioned into the better mineralized diorite porphyry intrusive
rocks until the end of the hole, with mineralization increasing
towards the bottom of the hole.
The base of oxidation in hole ALD-23-227 is only
26 m depth. Alteration in this hole is characterized dominantly by
white sericite-pyrite-tourmaline-quartz assemblages and sporadic
pyrite-enargite-anhydrite /
anhydrite-carbonates-chalcopyrite-sphalerite structures and veins.
This white sericite alteration overprints, and locally obliterates,
an earlier green sericite-chalcopyrite-pyrite assemblage from the
very first metres of the hole up until approximately 750 m depth,
leaving only local windows of the earlier green sericite
assemblage. Beyond 750 m depth, the green
sericite-chalcopyrite-pyrite assemblage progressively increases
along with an associated increase in both chalcopyrite and
quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite-molybdenite veins.
From 843.80 m to 1179.60 m depth, white
sericite-pyrite-quartz alteration is of moderate intensity and
associated with an increase in the occurrence of chalcopyrite. In
this interval, the rhyolite porphyry has some relicts of
biotite-magnetite-k feldspar (potassic) alteration, which is
overprinted by increasing green sericite-chalcopyrite-anhydrite
assemblages associated with halo-style veins (as documented in
nearby holes 223, 224 and 225B).
From 1,179.60 m to the end of the hole,
biotite-k feldspar-magnetite-chalcopyrite-bornite (potassic) is the
dominant alteration in the diorite porphyry intrusion, but is also
overprinted by moderate intensity, green
sericite-quartz-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-(chalcocite)
alteration-mineralization, pervasively developed in the halos of
hairline veins. A substantial increase in the frequency of
quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite-molybdenite veins is also observed
towards the bottom of the hole.
ALD-23-228
Drillhole ALD-23-228 was collared 212 m north of
ALD-23-225B (see Company news release dated May 31, 2023). It was
drilled at an -75-degree inclination and a 180-degree azimuth. The
final depth of the hole was 1,241.60 m (drilling has re-started on
this hole to deepen it).
Similar to drillhole ALD-23-227, hole 228
intersected a package of strongly fragmental dacitic crystal tuffs
from surface to 205.30 m. These volcaniclastic rocks overlie a long
run of massive rhyolite extending to a depth of 805 m, followed by
more favourable andesitic volcanic host rocks until 918.55 m depth
and then from there until the bottom of the hole within well
mineralized diorite porphyry intrusive rocks.
The oxidation profile in ALD-23-228 is poorly
developed in the upper portion of the hole, with the occurrence of
sulphides from near surface and minor jarosite-goethite-hematite in
fractures up to the base of oxidation at approximately 266 m
depth.
Alteration within the upper crystal tuff and
rhyolite units is characterized dominantly by the occurrence of
white sericite-pyrite-tourmaline-quartz assemblages with minor
pyrite-enargite-anhydrite /
anhydrite-carbonates-chalcopyrite-sphalerite vein structures
overprinting an earlier green sericite-quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite
alteration. “D” type veins, which are typically late in the
development of porphyry copper systems, are very frequent in the
upper portion of the hole, with a lesser number of high-sulfidation
structures; all crosscutting earlier quartz-green
sericite-chalcopyrite-pyrite and white quartz-chalcopyrite-moly
veins.
A major change in the style of alteration occurs
within the andesite volcanic rocks and the diorite porphyry units
below approximately 805 m depth. From this depth and to the bottom
of the hole, the white sericite-pyrite assemblages decrease
considerably, and the dominant alteration is characterized by an
early, strongly developed biotite-k feldspar-chalcopyrite potassic
assemblage overprinted by a green
sericite-quartz-anhydrite-chalcopyrite-(chalcocite) assemblage
associated with the halos on hairline veins, both of which are well
mineralized.
These halo-style veins are pervasive and
obliterate the original texture of the rock and are associated with
very high copper grades due to abundant fine-grained sulphides
consisting of chalcopyrite-pyrite-bornite-molybdenite. Occurrence
of these halo veins also corresponds with an increasing frequency
of quartz-chalcopyrite-pyrite-molybdenite veins, which in most
cases are crosscutting the halo-style veins.
Project Update
The Company is actively drilling with four rigs.
Holes ALD-23-229, ALD-23-230, ALD-23-231 and ALD-23-189EXT are
completed and were terminated at 1,413.60 m, 611.40 m, 1,211.80 m,
and 1,246.00 m respectively: all pending final assays. Hole
ALD-23-189EXT, is an extension of a historically drilled hole
ALD-12-189, which was originally terminated at 592 m depth. At the
date of this release, holes ALD-23-232, ALD-23-124EXT and
ALD-23-228EXT were active and at approximately 1064.70 m, 751.00 m
and 1,358.70 m depths, respectively. Hole ALD-23-124EXT is an
extension of a historically drilled hole ALD-12-124, which was
originally terminated at 226.50 m depth. A fourth rig just
commenced drilling on hole ALD-23-233 and will not reach its
planned target depth during the current campaign but will be left
in good standing in order to re-enter and continue the hole at the
start of the next field campaign. The Company plans to begin
demobilizing the drill rigs and then shut down the camp to close
out the 2022/2023 drill campaign in the coming week.
Webinar
For more context, please join the Company in a
live event on Thursday, June 8th at 11:00 am EST / 8:00 am PST.
Q&A will follow the presentation. Click here to register:
https://my.6ix.com/dXIgQQmX.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical data contained in
this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Kevin B.
Heather, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc, Ph.D, FAusIMM, FGS, Chief Geological
Officer and director of Aldebaran, who serves as the qualified
person (QP) under the definitions of National Instrument
43-101.
ON BEHALF OF THE ALDEBARAN BOARD
(signed) “John Black”John BlackChief Executive Officer and
DirectorTel: +1-604-685-6800Email: info@aldebaranresources.com
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For further information, please consult our website
at www.aldebaranresources.com or
contact:
Ben CherringtonManager, Investor RelationsPhone: +1 347 394-2728
or +44 7538 244 208Email:
ben.cherrington@aldebaranresources.com
About Aldebaran Resources Inc.
Aldebaran is a mineral exploration company that
was spun out of Regulus Resources Inc. in 2018 and has the same
core management team. Aldebaran has the right to earn up to an 80%
interest in the Altar copper-gold project in San Juan Province,
Argentina from Sibanye Stillwater Limited. The Altar project hosts
multiple porphyry copper-gold deposits with potential for
additional discoveries. Altar forms part of a cluster of
world-class porphyry copper deposits which includes Los Pelambres
(Antofagasta Minerals), El Pachón (Glencore), and Los Azules
(McEwen Copper). In March 2021 the Company announced an updated
mineral resource estimate for Altar, prepared by Independent Mining
Consultants Inc. and based on the drilling completed up to and
including 2020 (independent technical report prepared by
Independent Mining Consultants Inc., Tucson, Arizona, titled
"Technical Report, Estimated Mineral Resources, Altar Project, San
Juan Province, Argentina", dated March 22, 2021 - see news release
dated March 22, 2021).
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements regarding Aldebaran,
including management's assessment of future-plans and operations,
may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable
securities laws and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, most of which are beyond Aldebaran's control. Often,
but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be
identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does
not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or
"believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements
that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would",
"might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Specifically, and without limitation, all
statements included in this press release that address activities,
events or developments that Aldebaran expects or anticipates will
or may occur in the future, including the proposed exploration and
development of the Altar project described herein, and management's
assessment of future plans and operations and statements with
respect to the completion of the anticipated exploration and
development programs, may constitute forward-looking statements
under applicable securities laws and necessarily involve known and
unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond
Aldebaran's control. These risks may cause actual financial and
operating results, performance, levels of activity and achievements
to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such
forward-looking statements. Although Aldebaran believes that the
expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will
prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in
this press release are made as of the date hereof and Aldebaran
does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by
applicable securities law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Figure 1 – Plan map showing completed
and active drill holes from the ongoing 2022/2023 drill program as
well as ALD-22-220 and ALD-22-221 from the 2021/2022 drill
program.
Figure 2 – Cross-section looking towards
the east displaying CuEq (%) values in ALD-23-227
Figure 3 – Cross-section looking towards
the east displaying CuEq (%) values in ALD-23-228
Figure 4 – Cross section looking towards the east
displaying CuEq (%) values for ALD-23-228 in histogram
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/948f037d-33e7-457a-9e67-da701c6707a4https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a2a0bad-9ca8-4c75-b3d5-39248f234f89https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bad90890-9f70-40b1-867b-475d22f6269fhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf7da6f0-7a43-4ed0-a6e2-69f54ad967b3
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