Philippine Metals Inc. ("Philippine Metals" or the "Company") (TSX
VENTURE: PHI)(OTCQX: PHIXF)(FRANKFURT: PM7) is pleased to announce
the initial results of the drilling program (see news release dated
September 23, 2010), carried out on its Taurus Project located on
the Island of Leyte in the Philippines.
To date exploration work on the Taurus Project has included
surface mapping, sampling and trenching and the completion of
orientation geophysical work including 20 line km of induced
polarization ("IP") and ground electromagnetic surveying covering
the Buen Suerte Area. Drill testing in one of the areas of known
copper mineralization was initiated to better determine its nature,
mode of occurrence and the calibration/orientation of the IP
survey. Six drill holes aggregating 792.5 m have now been
completed, with the first four holes focusing on the Buen Suerte
Area and two holes on the Malayahay Area. The Company has received
the assay results from these holes and the significant mineralized
intercepts are shown in the table set out below.
The drilling results indicate the copper mineralization in the
Buen Suerte Area is gently dipping stratabound-type volcanogenic
massive sulphide (VMS) mineralization, rather than the structurally
bound mineralization management anticipated. With this new
understanding of the system, management has put on hold further
drilling activity and has accelerated plans to conduct an airborne
electromagnetic survey over the entire 9,896 ha tenement, which the
Company believes is the most appropriate, cost-effective and
time-efficient tool to identify this type of VMS mineralization and
progress exploration of the Taurus Project. A powerful,
state-of-the-art helicopter-borne time domain EM system (HTEM)
survey is currently being initiated over the Taurus Project to
provide coverage of the entire tenement. The survey will utilize
Geotech Airborne Malta Ltd.'s 26 m diameter loop system, which is
capable of depth penetration ranging to 300 m, and therefore will
survey a very large volume of ophiolite for conductors associated
with VMS mineralization.
"We believe that the information gained from our initial
drilling activity is very significant and greatly advances our
understanding of the mineralization potential of Taurus," stated
Feisal Somji, CEO of the Company. "Confirmation of the strata bound
nature of the mineralization provides a significant constraint to
the horizon of the mineralization and enables us to recalibrate our
exploration focus. The airborne survey results will be a critical
next step in unlocking the potential of Taurus. Given the size of
the mineralized ophiolite covered in the tenement and the
widespread nature of the mineralization known to date, we expect a
significant cluster of Cu - Zn targets will be discovered over the
next year. This expectation is supported by new discoveries
stemming from our ongoing mapping, sampling and trenching
activities across the tenement."
The results from the drilling confirm the persistence at depth
of VMS mineralization and that the copper mineralization in the
Buen Suerte Area appears to have been little deformed during and
after obduction. Multiple horizons of mineralization are indicated
and further work will determine hanging wall versus footwall
stratigraphic characteristics.
Philippine Metals has also completed a mapping and sampling
program focusing on the immediate south and eastern extension of
the Buen Suerte Area at the Don Amado Tunnels. This area correlates
with the target testing from drill hole "TAU-10-002", the
southern-most drill hole. Several gossaniferrous areas were
identified representing near surface expression of potential
lenticular massive sulphide bodies underneath. Trenching along a
creek located 750 m southeast of drill hole "TAU-10-002" has
revealed a steeply dipping, 30 degrees AZ trending, lenticular
massive sulphide zone, consisting of about 70% to 75% sulphide
mineralization. The trench samples averaged 4.96% Cu, reported as
chalcopyrite and 0.40% Zn (reported as marmatitic sphalerite) over
a section 8 m in length with approximately 3 m true thickness at
its widest. This outcrop is encouraging as it opens up the
immediate southern continuity of the current drilling area, and
provides a better understanding of the stratigraphic and structural
controls and what to expect as drilling progresses southward. Based
on the Company's mapping, sampling and trenching in the area, it is
anticipated better grade will be intercepted when the stratabound
mineralization is traversed by grade-enhancing cross
structures.
Drill Results - Table
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Cu
----------------
Hole no. From (m) To (m) Length (m) McPhar Assay Lab
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAU-10-001 93.05 93.70 0.65 0.47
96.10 97.10 1.00 1.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAU-10-002 23.40 31.50 8.10 0.49
including 23.40 24.95 1.55 1.68
and 49.60 57.95 8.35 0.89
including 49.85 51.20 1.35 3.02
56.65 56.85 0.20 1.14(1)
57.30 57.95 0.65 2.69(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1), (2) Marmatic sphalerite were noted in these sections as indicated by
elevated Zinc Values of 4.38% and 4.19% respectively
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAU-10-003 no significant mineralized intercepts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAU-10-004 75.90 76.30 0.40 0.96
85.35 85.60 0.25 0.42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAU-10-005 46.95 48.30 1.35 0.22
51.15 51.60 0.45 0.30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAU-10-006 no significant mineralized intercepts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drill Results - Notes
For reference, characteristic typical grades for the stratiform
sulphides of ophiolite hosted VMS's range from 0.1% to 4.0%
(Searle, D.L. 19722 Mode of occurrence of the Cupriferous pyrite
deposits of Cyprus: Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Transactions
v.81 p.189-197).
The drill cores, after collection of geotechnical data, sit on
the split tube right at the drill site and are transferred directly
into wooden core boxes. Full core boxes are transported covered and
with waybills from the drill site to the Taurus Project Field Camp,
where they are geologically logged in detail. Sampling for the
mineralized intervals are then determined and marked. The core for
sampling are cut by a diamond saw and one half of the sawed drill
core is placed in properly labelled plastic bags and delivered to
McPhar Assay Laboratory ("MacPhar") in Manila for standard core
sample preparation and metal content analysis using ICP1 (for
geochem grade samples) and eventually ICP3 (for ore grade samples).
Both ICP1 & ICP3 consist of 30 element induced coupled plasma
analysis with the former using 2 acid digestion and the later with
4 acid digestion. Gold content is analyzed by PM3 (i.e. fire assay
on a 30 gram sample with AAS finish). McPhar is independent and not
related to the Company (refer to http://www.mcphar.com.ph) and is
ISO 9001:2000 accredited with ISO 17025 accreditation in progress.
Aside from McPhar's in-house re-assaying of the same pulp (every 10
samples) and pulp re-assays (every 20 samples), the Company also
inserts adequate duplicates, blanks and standard reference
materials of various grades obtained from labs in British Columbia,
Canada, to each sample delivery batch at a frequency of 15 samples
per standard. Laboratory returns had been found to pass the
standard industry limit (+/- 2SD). As the drill holes are designed
to intercept projected mineralized zones perpendicularly, the
reported mineralized length and apparent width/thickness is not
expected to significantly vary with the true width/thickness. A
third of the remaining half core is also cut by diamond saw,
collected, labelled and subjected to the Company's in-house sample
preparation and X-ray fluorescence ("XRF") analysis. The
correlation coefficient of the in-house XRF and McPhar ICP for
copper is about 0.97.
Background information concerning the Taurus Project set out in
this news release has been summarized from, and is qualified in its
entirety by, a report on the Taurus Project dated October 22, 2009
(the "Technical Report"). The Technical Report was prepared in
accordance with NI 43-101 and a copy is available under the
Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
William Dynes P Geol, is the qualified person, as defined in NI
43-101, whom has reviewed and verified the scientific and technical
disclosures contained in this press release.
About Philippine Metals
Philippine Metals is focused on the exploration, discovery and
development of highly prospective copper and copper-gold deposits
in the Philippines. Based on the region's geological environment,
the Company's management team recognizes the country's potential
for hosting large, world-class deposits of copper and
copper-gold.
The Company's initial projects, Taurus, Malitao and Dilong, are
examples of management's ability to source quality, highly
prospective targets. The management team combines strong financial
capabilities with world-class experience in mineral exploration,
discovery and mine development.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF PHILIPPINE METALS INC.
Feisal Somji, Chief Executive Officer
This news release contains forward-looking information including
but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of
upcoming work programs, geological interpretations and potential
mineral recovery. Forward-looking information includes disclosure
regarding possible future events, conditions or results of
operations that is based on assumptions about future economic
conditions and courses of action, and therefore, involves inherent
risks and uncertainties. When used in this news release. The words
"estimated", "plan", "anticipated", "expected", "intend", believe",
and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks,
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 achievement
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For any
forward-looking information given, management has assumed that the
analytical results it has received are reliable, and has applied
geological interpretation methodologies which are consistent with
industry standards. Although management has a reasonable basis for
the conclusions drawn, there can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual
results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in
such statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news
release are made as of the date of this press release and the
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly
required by applicable securities legislation.
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.
Contacts: Philippine Metals Inc. Marshall Farris President &
Director 604.684.4743 ext. 222 403.398.0693 (FAX)
marshall@philippinemetals.com www.philippinemetals.com Ascenta
Capital Partners Inc. Jamie Mathers Investor Relations 604.684.4743
ext. 236 or 866.684.4209 Jamie@ascentacapital.com
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