Highlight Intercept 4.11% CuEq over
34.3m
Strike Length Extended by 150m and Remains Open in All Directions
Borehole EM Surveys Underway to Better Define
Additional Tesla Potential
VANCOUVER, BC, March 30,
2023 /CNW/ - Foran Mining Corporation (TSXV: FOM)
(OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is pleased to announce
assay results from three additional holes from its winter drill
program at the new Tesla discovery, located approximately 300
metres ("m") north of Foran's McIlvenna Bay Deposit in Saskatchewan.
Key Highlights:
- Significant assay results from Hole
TS-23-07w1:
-
- 34.3m grading 0.25% Cu, 8.47%
Zn, 57.5 g/t Ag and 0.41 g/t Au (4.11% CuEq), including
19.8m grading 0.25% Cu, 12.44% Zn,
74.6 g/t Ag and 0.37 g/t Au (5.70% CuEq).
- Significant assay results from Hole TS-23-07w2:
-
- 10.7m grading 0.38% Cu, 4.86%
Zn, 34.2 g/t Ag and 0.46 g/t Au (2.75% CuEq), including
2.5m grading 0.49% Cu, 13.17% Zn,
38.8 g/t Ag and 0.30 g/t Au (5.91% CuEq).
- 40.5m grading 1.05% Cu, 0.21%
Zn, 8.9 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au (1.34% CuEq), including 2.3m grading 2.52% Cu, 1.56% Zn, 39.7 g/t Ag and
0.99 g/t Au (4.04% CuEq).
- Significant assay results from Hole TS-23-09A:
-
- 5.0m grading 0.94% Cu, 5.00%
Zn, 19.0 g/t Ag and 0.21 g/t Au (3.09% CuEq), including
1.5m grading 1.26% Cu, 14.32% Zn,
39.8 g/t Ag ad 0.42 g/t Au (7.20% CuEq).
- 4.0m grading 1.40% Cu, 3.98%
Zn, 24.8 g/t Ag and 0.12 g/t Au (3.11% CuEq).
- Significant zones of sulphide mineralization have been
intersected in holes TS-23-10 and TS-23-11w2 (assays pending),
extending the current strike length of the Tesla Zone to
550m.
- Borehole Electromagnetic ("EM") surveys underway to better
define the Tesla conductor for follow up drilling this
summer.
- 2023-24 exploration will focus on continued definition
drilling of the Tesla Zone, which remains open in all
directions.
Dan Myerson, Foran's Executive
Chairman & CEO, commented, "It is truly extraordinary how
quickly our exploration team's strategy and techniques have enabled
a swift understanding of the Tesla Zone, evidenced by our high
success rates to date in intercepting robust zones at such an early
stage of discovery. Assay results continue to demonstrate the
sizeable near-mine opportunity at the Tesla Zone, with recent
results including some of the highest zinc intersections we've
encountered to date across notably thick intercepts. Excitingly,
mineralization encountered in holes with assays yet to be
released have now extended Tesla's strike a further 150m to 550m, and
it remains open in all directions. We are still in the early
innings of our exploration journey as we work to establish a truly
world-class district-scale critical minerals infrastructure-type
asset at McIlvenna Bay & Tesla, and we look forward to sharing
future results regularly in 2023 and beyond."
Tesla Zone
The Tesla Zone lies adjacent to the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and
was discovered during the 2022 summer program (see June 8, 2022 press release), while drill testing
a ~900m (strike) by 300m (width)
electro-magnetic conductor (Figure 1). Significant widths of copper
and zinc-rich sulphide mineralization have now been intersected in
thirteen drill holes, successfully expanding the currently defined
strike of the zone to approximately 550m. Tesla remains open in all directions for
expansion with further drilling.
Drilling continues to expand the footprint of the Tesla
mineralization with additional thick intersections of massive to
semi-massive and stringer sulphides:
Drill hole TS-23-07w1 was drilled as an up-dip wedge starting
from 400m depth on the pilot hole
TS-23-07 and reaching a final depth of 1,278m. TS-23-07w1 successfully intersected the
Tesla zone mineralization approximately 90m up-dip from TS-23-07. TS-23-07w1 intersected
a substantially thicker zone of mineralization than the parent
hole, with zinc-rich massive and semi-massive sulphides overlying a
copper-rich stringer zone, together reaching a combined thickness
of over 50m. Similar to other drill
holes intersecting the Tesla Zone and the adjacent McIlvenna Bay
Deposit, the massive/semi-massive sulphide intervals generally
consist of coarse-grained pyrite in a fine-grained red-brown
sphalerite-rich groundmass associated with strong chlorite
alteration, while the underlying stringer zone is associated with
stringer-style and foliation-bound chalcopyrite and pyrite in
moderately to strongly chlorite and/or sericite altered felsic
volcanic units.
Drill Hole TS-23-07w2 was also drilled as a wedge from
approximately 400m depth on pilot
hole TS-23-07, this time rolled to the south to obtain an
additional intersection into the Tesla horizon. TS-23-07w2
successfully intersected the Tesla Zone approximately 60m up dip from the pilot hole and also contained
a thickened zone of mineralization relative to the pilot hole, with
similar zinc-rich massive and semi-massive sulphides underlain by a
thick copper-rich stringer zone. Again, these two zones formed a
mineralized interval over 50m
thick.
TS-23-09A was drilled approximately 300m south of TS-23-07 where it also successfully
intersected the Tesla horizon. TS-23-09A was drilled to a depth of
1,259m and intersected three zones of
mineralization: a 4.9m combined
interval of zinc-rich massive sulphide and copper-rich stringer
mineralization, followed downhole by a 4.06m interval of zinc and copper-rich massive
sulphides consisting of coarse-grained pyrite and +/- chalcopyrite
in a fine-grained sphalerite-rich groundmass, followed directly
downhole by a 27m interval of
copper-rich stringer style mineralization consisting of pyrite and
chalcopyrite stringers in a moderately sericite- and silica altered
unit with patchy chlorite-rich intervals.
Two additional holes, TS-23-10 and TS-23-11w2, were collared
100m to the northwest of TS-23-07 and
100m southeast of TS-23-09A
respectively. Both holes have successfully intersected significant
sulphide mineralization, thus extending the known strike length of
the Tesla Zone to approximately 550m
where it remains open in all directions for expansion. Assays for
TS-23-10 and TS-23-11 are pending and will be reported when
received from the assay lab.
An image of TS-23-10 mineralization is provided in Figure 2, a
cross section showing the relationship between the Tesla
mineralized zones and drill holes is provided in Figure 3, and a
table of detailed composites from the 2023 winter program are
provided in Table 1 below.
Table 1 – 2023 Tesla Assay Results1 (*Denotes
Previously Released)
Hole
|
From_m
|
To_m
|
Interval_m
|
Cu %
|
Zn %
|
Ag
g/t
|
Au
g/t
|
CuEq
%
|
TS-23-07w1
|
951.2
|
985.5
|
34.3
|
0.25
|
8.47
|
57.5
|
0.41
|
4.11
|
Including
|
951.2
|
971.0
|
19.8
|
0.25
|
12.44
|
74.6
|
0.37
|
5.70
|
TS-23-07w1
|
987.0
|
1001.8
|
14.8
|
1.05
|
0.15
|
7.3
|
0.35
|
1.39
|
Including
|
994.8
|
1001.8
|
7.0
|
1.51
|
0.13
|
7.5
|
0.33
|
1.83
|
TS-23-07w2
|
977.5
|
988.2
|
10.7
|
0.38
|
4.86
|
34.2
|
0.46
|
2.75
|
Including
|
977.5
|
980.0
|
2.5
|
0.49
|
13.17
|
38.8
|
0.30
|
5.91
|
TS-23-07w2
|
988.2
|
1028.7
|
40.5
|
1.05
|
0.21
|
8.9
|
0.23
|
1.34
|
Including
|
988.2
|
990.5
|
2.3
|
2.52
|
1.56
|
39.7
|
0.99
|
4.04
|
And
|
1005.8
|
1011.0
|
5.2
|
1.57
|
0.06
|
7.2
|
0.16
|
1.75
|
TS-23-09A
|
936.7
|
941.7
|
5.0
|
0.94
|
5.00
|
19.0
|
0.21
|
3.09
|
Including
|
937.3
|
938.8
|
1.5
|
1.26
|
14.32
|
39.8
|
0.42
|
7.20
|
TS-23-09A
|
963.3
|
967.3
|
4.0
|
1.40
|
3.98
|
24.8
|
0.06
|
3.11
|
TS-23-09A
|
986.0
|
1013.0
|
27.0
|
0.69
|
0.77
|
9.8
|
0.12
|
1.13
|
Including
|
986.0
|
988.0
|
2.0
|
1.30
|
2.09
|
22.0
|
0.27
|
2.42
|
And
|
997.5
|
1001.0
|
3.5
|
1.14
|
0.51
|
11.8
|
0.03
|
1.44
|
TS-23-07*
|
1034.5
|
1042.3
|
7.9
|
1.17
|
4.38
|
28.6
|
0.33
|
3.24
|
Including
|
1035.2
|
1038.7
|
3.6
|
0.22
|
8.34
|
30.2
|
0.17
|
3.68
|
And
|
1039.8
|
1042.3
|
2.5
|
2.51
|
1.04
|
26.1
|
0.70
|
3.55
|
TS-23-07*
|
1045.8
|
1046.9
|
1.1
|
1.72
|
0.42
|
13.7
|
0.62
|
2.38
|
TS-23-07*
|
1051.9
|
1061.3
|
9.4
|
1.22
|
0.17
|
6.9
|
0.24
|
1.49
|
Including
|
1056.6
|
1059.8
|
3.2
|
2.18
|
0.30
|
10.2
|
0.32
|
2.58
|
TS-23-07*
|
1223.1
|
1227.6
|
4.5
|
0.12
|
4.12
|
79.1
|
1.49
|
3.22
|
Including
|
1225.2
|
1226.4
|
1.2
|
0.08
|
3.91
|
78.8
|
3.22
|
4.23
|
TS-23-08*
|
1003.0
|
1019.9
|
16.9
|
1.07
|
6.06
|
30.4
|
0.02
|
3.58
|
Including
|
1010.9
|
1014.0
|
3.1
|
0.29
|
14.50
|
22.7
|
0.01
|
5.90
|
TS-23-08*
|
1019.9
|
1052.0
|
32.1
|
2.04
|
1.06
|
21.5
|
0.02
|
2.61
|
Including
|
1034.2
|
1037.8
|
3.6
|
4.17
|
1.97
|
29.5
|
0.001
|
5.12
|
And
|
1040.4
|
1049.5
|
9.1
|
3.40
|
0.43
|
25.0
|
0.001
|
3.74
|
TS-22-06A*
|
809.2
|
812.8
|
3.6
|
0.56
|
0.07
|
4.3
|
0.003
|
0.62
|
TS-22-06A*
|
886.2
|
901.4
|
15.2
|
1.35
|
0.15
|
11.9
|
0.07
|
1.54
|
Including
|
889.0
|
892.4
|
3.4
|
3.05
|
0.25
|
24.0
|
0.07
|
3.36
|
TS-22-06A*
|
905.4
|
915.5
|
10.1
|
3.10
|
3.00
|
32.2
|
0.25
|
4.62
|
Including
|
911.1
|
914.5
|
3.4
|
6.10
|
3.96
|
61.9
|
0.39
|
8.29
|
TS-22-06A*
|
937.5
|
941.0
|
3.5
|
0.95
|
0.07
|
9.5
|
0.62
|
1.45
|
TS-22-06A*
|
991.6
|
996.0
|
4.4
|
1.86
|
0.25
|
11.9
|
0.10
|
2.11
|
Including
|
992.4
|
993.0
|
0.6
|
9.90
|
1.48
|
57.8
|
0.17
|
10.99
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1058.5
|
1059.7
|
1.2
|
1.01
|
3.82
|
14.0
|
0.002
|
2.55
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1064.9
|
1066.6
|
1.7
|
0.74
|
2.71
|
8.7
|
0.001
|
1.82
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1073.6
|
1076.0
|
2.4
|
0.48
|
1.30
|
5.9
|
0.001
|
1.01
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1078.0
|
1093.7
|
15.7
|
2.17
|
1.21
|
18.6
|
0.01
|
2.77
|
Including
|
1080.0
|
1081.5
|
1.5
|
5.90
|
2.06
|
39.6
|
0.02
|
6.97
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1093.7
|
1100.8
|
7.1
|
0.26
|
11.82
|
16.7
|
0.004
|
4.82
|
Including
|
1093.7
|
1096.4
|
2.7
|
0.15
|
18.90
|
19.4
|
0.006
|
7.38
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1103.6
|
1105.7
|
2.1
|
0.29
|
9.15
|
19.5
|
0.01
|
3.87
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1105.7
|
1109.9
|
4.2
|
0.78
|
0.91
|
15.7
|
0.04
|
1.26
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1114.6
|
1132.0
|
17.4
|
2.08
|
4.47
|
29.3
|
0.11
|
4.04
|
Including
|
1117.9
|
1119.9
|
2.0
|
6.64
|
6.14
|
59.5
|
0.14
|
9.47
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1205.0
|
1222.1
|
17.1
|
0.59
|
13.07
|
23.5
|
0.04
|
5.69
|
Including
|
1205.4
|
1210.1
|
4.7
|
0.29
|
19.41
|
20.9
|
0.02
|
7.73
|
TS-22-06A*
|
1224.9
|
1246.5
|
21.6
|
0.57
|
7.09
|
30.2
|
0.23
|
3.60
|
Including
|
1238.4
|
1242.4
|
4.0
|
0.25
|
14.26
|
17.4
|
0.14
|
5.82
|
Note: True widths
for are estimated to be approximately 80% of reported
intersections, except TS-23-06A which was drilled down dip.
Intervals generally composited using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade in
stringer zones. 1Copper Equivalent values calculated
using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce
Ag and $1,800/ounce Au with no provision for metallurgical
recoveries.
|
2023 Exploration
Programs
The 2023 winter exploration program, which focused on expansion
drilling of the Tesla Zone from the ice on Hanson Lake, is nearing
conclusion as ice conditions wane. Foran is currently planning for
an expanded drill program at the Tesla Zone from land during the
remainder of the year utilizing directional drilling technologies.
With the closing of the recently completed $100M financing (see our March 27, 2023 press release), of which
C$25 million was flow-through, the
Company is well funded and is exploring options to add additional
rigs to further fast-track drilling at Tesla as we continue to
expand the mineralized footprint of the zone and work towards the
completion of a future resource estimate.
Planning is also underway for the summer regional exploration
program focusing on drill targets located both proximal to
McIlvenna Bay and on our Bigstone Project (25km to the west), along
with geophysical surveys to define drill targets on our extensive
land holdings to the south. It is currently anticipated that the
summer program will begin in June.
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. A complete suite of
QA/QC reference materials (standards, blanks and 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.
The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street,
Suite 904, Vancouver, BC,
Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of
the Company are listed for trading on the TSXV under the symbol
"FOM".
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.
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 potentially 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. Investors are
encouraged to consult the full text of these technical reports
which may be found on the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.
Foran trades on the TSX.V under the symbol "FOM" and on the
OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF".
Forward Looking
Statements
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain forward-looking information
and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable
securities laws (collectively referred to herein as
"forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future
events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corporation
(the "Company") and reflect management's expectations and
assumptions as of the date hereof or as of the date of such forward
looking statement.
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forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of
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Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown
risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the
Company to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These
factors include management's belief or expectations relating to the
following and, in certain cases, management's response with regard
to the following: The proposed strategic investment by Ontario
Teachers' Pension Plan; the status and progression of credit
facility discussions; unlocking the untapped value of the Company's
properties, delivery of superior or any investment returns; scale,
scope and location of future exploration and drilling activities;
the potential for the Company's land package to be
transformational, the focus of the Company's future drill programs,
the incorporation of geotechnical and hydrogeological information
into the overall project design; The long-term investment horizon
of shareholders; The growth of the Company from developer to
producer; The certainty of funding; The future of the Company;
De-risking McIlvenna Bay; Delivering on the Company's Net Positive
Business strategy; Ownership and reliance on the Company's mineral
projects; The Company's history of losses and potential inability
to generate sufficient revenue to be profitable or to generate
positive cash flow on a sustained basis; The Company's statements
about the expected life of mine, productive capacity and other
technical estimates on its projects, and the Company's reliance on
technical experts with respect thereto; The Company's exposure to
risks related to mineral resources exploration and development;
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Infectious Diseases and Other
Health Crises on the Company; Global financial volatility and its
impact on the Company; The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict; Government, securities, and
stock exchange regulation and policy; Legal proceedings which may
have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations and
financial condition; Capital market conditions and their effect on
the securities of the Company; Insurance and uninsurable risks;
Environmental, health and safety regulation and policy; Mining
hazards and risks; Title rights to the Company's projects;
Indigenous peoples' title and other legal claims; Mineral resource
and mineral reserve estimates; Uncertainties and risks relating to
the Feasibility Studies; Fluctuations in commodity prices,
including metals; Competition; Expertise and proficiency of
management; Limited operating history; The availability of future
financing; Dilutive effects; Impacts of global climate change and
natural disasters; Inadequate infrastructure; Relationships with
local communities; Reputational damage; Risks arising from the
Company's reliance on financial instruments; Risks arising from
future acquisitions; Management conflicts of interest; Security
breaches of the Company's information systems; and the additional
risks identified in our Annual Information Form dated June 8, 2022 and other securities filings with
Canadian securities regulators available at www.sedar.com.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release
reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events
and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while
considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to
significant operational, business, economic and regulatory
uncertainties and contingencies. Although the Company has attempted
to identify important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results
not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Readers
are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements
and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed
above do not contain an exhaustive list of the factors or
assumptions that may affect the forward-looking statements, and
that the assumptions underlying such statements may prove to be
incorrect. Actual results and developments are likely to differ,
and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained in the Company's securities
filings and this news release. All forward-looking statements
herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information
or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by
law.
![Foran Mining Corporation Logo (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation) Foran Mining Corporation Logo (CNW Group/Foran Mining Corporation)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2043613/Foran_Mining_Corporation_Foran_Announces_Additional_Drill_Result.jpg)
SOURCE Foran Mining Corporation