Focus Reports Further Phosphate Drill Assays at Bayovar 12, Peru
June 16 2014 - 7:30AM
Marketwired Canada
Focus Ventures Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:FCV) is pleased to provide assay results from a
second batch of 6 holes drilled at the Bayovar 12 phosphate project near Piura,
northern Peru. Assays have been received for holes JPQ-14-14, 14-12, 14-04,
14-10 and 14-11, drilled along a west to east section and 800m south of the
first section reported previously (see press release May 20, 2014).
The new holes all intersected the same sequence of phosphate beds and highlight
the remarkable consistency and continuity of the geology and phosphate
mineralization over long distances. Highlights of the holes, spanning a 3.2 km
section line (Section 2) are:
-- Up to 18 individual phosphate beds in each hole, with the average width
of 11 main beds varying between 0.3m - 1.2m over all 5 holes, and
averaging 0.54m overall
-- Individual beds up to 1.55m thick (JPQ-14-04 13.7% P2O5 from 87.1m -
88.65m)
-- Average grade of all the main beds over all 5 holes is 14.8% P2O5, with
individual beds averaging 10.4% to 20.8% P2O5 over the holes
-- Phosphate beds occur less than 26m below surface in JPQ-14-11 drilled
furthest east and confirm the shallowing of the beds as previously
reported in JPQ-14-13 located 800m to the north
-- No faulting or structural features were observed affecting the beds,
allowing for easy correlation of individual beds hole to hole
Additional assays were also received for hole JPQ-14-15 drilled 800m to the west
of hole JPQ-14-06 along Section 1 (reported May 20, 2014) demonstrating
continuity of the phosphate beds for a further 800m west for a total of 4
kilometers with grades and thicknesses in line with adjacent holes.
David Cass, the President of Focus, said: "These latest results are remarkably
similar to the initial results we published, underlining the extraordinary
regularity in the geology and grade of the phosphate beds across these initial
two drill sections. The average grade of the top 5 beds, which we believe are
the same as those currently being mined by Vale, in our first drill section is
16.9% P2O5 and 15.9% in Section 2 some 800m south. We're seeing an average grade
across all 11 beds of 14.8% P2O5 in Section 2, and with the new results for
JPQ-14-15 included, Section 1 averages 14.9% P2O5 over a distance of 4km. This
consistency, despite the wide drill spacings, should make the upcoming resource
calculation relatively straight forward. We continue to be encouraged by the
shallower depth of the beds from surface in the eastern part of the drill grid."
A drill collar plan with geological cross sections, updated results tables and
full set of assays are posted on Focus's website www.focusventuresltd.com. Cross
sections 1 and 2 are shown below.
Holes were drilled vertically to between 80m - 110m depth targeting horizontal
phosphate beds within the Diana Formation, a sequence of phosphoric diatomites
and sandstones approximately 40 metres thick. The phosphate beds comprise up to
40% apatite pellets, ooliths and fossil debris consisting of mainly fish teeth,
bones and scales representing the remains of marine organisms that accumulated
on the sea floor. Flat-lying deposits such as sedimentary phosphates and other
bulk commodities such as bauxite and gypsum may be amenable to precision
mechanized strip mining using surface miners, which can efficiently mine beds
down to as little as 10cm in thickness.
Summary Table showing Assays of Main Phosphate Beds for Holes JPQ 14-14, 12, 04,
10, 11 (Section 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Averages All Holes JPQ-14-14 JPQ-14-12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MAIN Width % % %
BEDS (m) P205 Width P205 Width P205
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 0.45 14.2 0.25 18.87 0.53 13.87
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 0.72 12.9 0.72 13.81 0.9 12.58
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 0.54 20.8 0.51 20.94 0.51 20.85
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 0.30 15.5 0.45 13.77 0.19 15.48
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 0.48 16.9 0.4 17.74 0.41 18.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 0.57 10.8 0.54 11.17 0.5 10.51
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 0.46 14.3 0.51 13.12 0.4 14.06
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 0.40 10.4 0.44 9.44 0.67 10.83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 0.36 16.6 0.27 17.38 0.35 16.39
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 0.46 16.4 0.34 19.32 0.25 16.83
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 1.21 14.7 1.15 16.1 1.13 16.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average 0.54 14.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
JPQ-14-04 JPQ-14-10 JPQ-14-11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MAIN % % %
BEDS Width P205 Width P205 Width P205
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 0.44 12.15 0.64 13.54 0.38 15.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 0.95 11.58 0.58 13.28 0.45 14.49
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 0.65 20.55 0.41 23.36 0.6 19.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 0.23 15.82 0.14 20.66 0.5 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 0.44 18.14 0.46 17.13 0.69 14.29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 0.78 10.48 0.61 10.78 0.42 11.04
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 0.3 16.92 0.51 14.14 0.56 14.46
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 0.12 11.52 0.52 10.41 0.26 12.91
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 0.42 16.6 0.41 15.93 0.34 17.09
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 0.74 15.34 0.35 18.01 0.6 15.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 1.55 13.72 1.49 14.1 0.71 13.13
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerals in italics denote weighted composites
Additional drill hole results will be published shortly once all assays from the
next full section line have been received.
Sampling Quality Analysis and Quality Control
Logging and sampling are undertaken at site in Bayovar under a QA/QC protocol
developed by Focus in conjunction with Golder Associates. Due to the friable
nature of the diatomite, the core cannot be split by diamond saw or mechanical
splitter, and has to be split by hand. Once logged and sampled, the core is
bagged and transported in sealed plastic drums by Focus personnel to Certimin
laboratories in Lima for analysis. Phosphorous (P205) is determined by
gravimetric methods. Major oxides are determined by ICPOES and silica by
gravimetric analysis. Certimin is an affiliated ISO 9001 laboratory and uses
standards for phosphate and silica from the Association of Fertilizer and
Phosphate Chemists. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the
analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Quality
control is further assured by Focus's QA/QC program which involves the insertion
by Focus personnel of blind certified standards, blanks and core duplicates into
the sample stream at regular intervals in order to independently assess
analytical precision and accuracy of each batch of samples as they are received
from the laboratory.
Background
The Bayovar 12 concession shows potential to host a large sedimentary phosphate
deposit. The Bayovar district is situated in the Sechura Desert, a
north-trending basin approximately 22,000 square kilometres in area comprising
Miocene-aged sedimentary rocks. Phosphate was discovered in the 1950s during
drilling for petroleum. It occurs as beds of pelletal phosphate within the
Zapallal formation, a thick sequence of diatomites and sandstones. The phosphate
layers are remarkably regular in P2O5 content over long distances, a typical
characteristic of marine phosphate deposits. At Vale's Bayovar mine, the soft
and friable nature of the phosphate rock and diatomite permits mining by
conventional truck and shovel without the use of explosives.
To view Figures 1 & 2, please visit the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/952065_F1-2.pdf.
On January 14, 2014, the Company's Peruvian subsidiary, Agrifos Peru SAC, signed
a formal option agreement for the acquisition of shares in Juan Paulo Quay SAC,
the titleholder of the Bayovar 12 non-metallic mining concession. Agrifos can
earn a 70 per cent interest of the issued share capital of JPQ by investing in
exploration and making a series of cash payments up to the completion of a
positive prefeasibility study, after which Agrifos will have the first right of
refusal to purchase the remaining 30 per cent of JPQ.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information in this release were prepared under the
supervision of David Cass, Focus's President, who is a member of the Association
of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, and a Qualified
Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101.
About Focus
Phosphate rock is a raw material for fertilizers and vital to world food
production. Focus is acquiring and developing quality phosphate projects in
Latin America where the discovery and development of new deposits is becoming
increasingly important given the growing demand and limited local supply of
phosphate for fertilizer production. For further information, please call
604-630-5544 or visit our website www.focusventuresltd.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Ralph Rushton, Director & Vice-President, Corporate Development
Symbol: (TSX VENTURE:FCV)
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory
Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may include certain "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include
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negatives thereof. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to
be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from
those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a
number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include
actual exploration and development results, changes in project parameters as
plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and
financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions,
uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required
approvals, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to
time in the documents filed by the Company from time to time on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors
that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those
described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be
accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this news release.
The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required
by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Focus Ventures Ltd.
Ralph Rushton
Director & Vice-President, Corporate Development
(604) 630-5544
(604) 682-1514 (FAX)
info@focusventuresltd.com
www.focusventuresltd.com
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