TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 5953F
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
19 July 2021
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Alba Mineral Resources plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
Clogau-St David's Gold Mine Update
Phase 2 Surface Drilling Completed
Alba Mineral Resources plc (AIM: ALBA) is pleased to provide an
update on its ongoing activities at the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine
("Clogau" or the "Mine").
Key Points
Phase 2 Surface Drilling Completed
-- Ten holes drilled for 1,475.6 m. All holes to date have
intersected the Main Lode Extension.
-- JW008 intercepted the best developed example of the Main Lode
extension including an intercept of 3.40 m from 49.90 m.
-- Galena has been identified in this intercept, an indicator
mineral for gold-bearing veins and previously associated with high
gold grades.
-- Main Lode Extension now projected to have strike length of
585 m and a depth extent of 63 m below surface.
-- Targets below Grandfathers and 7-10 Lodes also successfully
intersected, with the Grandfathers Extension now being projected to
measure approximately 57.6m and the 7-10 Extension 30m.
Phase 2 Underground Drilling
-- Three underground holes drilled, two successfully
intersecting the Main Lode Extension north of the Llechfraith
adit.
Dewatering Llechfraith Shaft
-- Permit applications progressing well.
Mine Development
-- Next steps will be to undertake technical and engineering
studies to assess the optimal means to access the gold targets
defined by Alba's drilling.
Alba's Executive Chairman, George Frangeskides, commented:
"The key objective of this second phase of surface drilling at
Clogau-St David's was to prove up the continuity of the Main Lode
Extension we had identified during the drilling at the end of last
year. We have now delivered emphatically on that aim, by
intersecting the Main Lode Extension on every one of the 10 holes
we have drilled in this phase. We are now projecting the Main Lode
Extension to have a strike extent of 585 m and a depth extent of up
to 63 m. This is shaping up to be a significant target."
"As we approach the end of this phase of drilling, we will be
focusing next on a detailed technical and engineering evaluation of
the most efficient access routes to the key gold targets we have
identified through our drilling, namely the Llechfraith Lode, Main
Lode Extension, Grandfathers Extension and 7-10 Extension."
Completion of Phase 2 Surface Drilling
The Phase 2 Surface Drilling Programme at Clogau-St David's,
which commenced in April 2021, has now been completed. A total of
ten holes have been drilled for a total of 1,475.6 metres.
The Phase 2 programme was designed to confirm the continuity of
the westerly, potential 550-metre extension of the Clogau Main Lode
(the "Main Lode Extension") which Alba identified during its
October 2020 underground drilling. The significance of such a
discovery is that the Main Lode is the source of most historic
production at the Mine. If the continuity of the Main Lode
Extension could be confirmed, this would become a primary zone for
underground development and extraction.
All holes have successfully intersected the Main Lode Extension.
As seen in Figure 1 (in the PDF version of this RNS), the Main Lode
Extension is now projected to have a strike extent of 585 metres,
and a depth extent of 63 metres below surface at its widest
point.
In relation to the other zones targeted during this Phase 2
drilling, namely the depth extensions to the Grandfathers Lode
("Grandfathers Extension") and to the 7-10 Lode ("7-10 Extension"),
holes JW001 and JW006 both intersected the Grandfathers Lode below
the Llechfraith Level. It should also be noted that the bulk
sampling from Grandfathers returned the highest value concentrates
with values up to 461 g/t. Holes JW002 (2.0m at 171m) and JW010
(4.5m at 119m) intersected thick quartz veining below the 7-10
Lode. These intersections are considered to represent extensions of
the Grandfathers and 7-10 Lodes systems and thus justify further
exploration. Both existing Lodes are significant targets, with
Grandfathers measuring approximately 80m on strike and 7-10
approximately 90m (see Figure 1 in the PDF version of this RNS).
The drilling beneath these Lodes has now confirmed continuity of
these Lodes below the existing Llechfraith level, some 57.6m
beneath Grandfathers, and some 30m beneath 7-10.
For illustration, the intercepts from JW001-4 can be seen in
Figure 2 (in the PDF version of this RNS).
One of the most recently drilled holes, JW008, was drilled to
intercept the lode in between JW002 and JW003 in the eastern
portion of the drilling programme. JW008 intercepted the best
developed example of the Main Lode extension at approximately 10 m
west of the intersection in JW002, which is also relatively well
developed in terms of thickness. Preliminary observations indicate
an intercept of 3.40 m from 49.90 m in JW008, which is preceded by
a 0.80 m intercept at 49.00 m downhole (see Figure 4 in the PDF
version of this RNS).
Galena has been identified in the intercept in JW008. This is an
indicator mineral for gold-bearing veins and in the past has been
associated with high gold grades in the John Hughes lode, an
offshoot from the Main Lode/Jack Williams target structure.
JW009 was drilled on the same azimuth but at a slightly steeper
angle to try and ascertain
whether this thick intercept marked the development of a
previously unidentified payshoot. JW009 did intersect the lode,
which was similar in size to the intercept in JW002. Initial core
observations show a 0.60 m intercept from 109.70 m and a second
0.70 m from 111.40 m. This may suggest that the thickest section of
the lode (i.e. the intercept in JW008) plunges to the south-west
within the main vein structure itself, a phenomenon which has been
historically observed elsewhere at Clogau.
JW010 was drilled slightly to the west of JW008 and was
completed at 123.60 m. This final hole intercepted a relatively
diffuse example of the Main Lode extension with stringer zones at
36 and 48 m. This clearly indicates that the potential payshoot
identified in JW008 pinches to the west before the intersection of
JW010, whilst remaining open east of JW002 in which there is still
notable mineralisation (see Figure 2 in the PDF version of this
RNS). Prior to completing JW010, the hole encountered further
diffuse stringers over 4-5 m from 119.00 m. These are thought to
show a branch of the 7-10 Lode which has seen minor trial
development on the Llechfraith Level.
Alba's technical team will now concentrate on integrating the
results of Phase 2 into the Company's geological model for
Clogau-St David's, as well as cutting and assaying the core for
gold content.
Table 1: Phase 2 Surface Drilling: Key Structural Intercepts
Hole Azimuth Dip Length Lode Classification Structural Intercepts
(m)
Structure Lode Name Depth Thickness
(m)
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
JW001 177.5 -42.9 240.30 Quartz Vein Extension 33.78 0.98
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Unnamed
Quartz Vein Lode 164.20 0.52
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Unnamed
Quartz Vein Lode 168.60 0.75
---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer
Network Grandfathers 187.60 0.95
---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer Unnamed
Network Lode 190.00 8.00
---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Unnamed
Quartz Vein Lode 202.00 2.00
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
GMOW_ Extension
JW002 120 -45 204.30 Quartz Vein offshoot 94.32 0.24
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Quartz Vein Extension 94.87 0.95
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer
Network 7-10 Lode 171.00 2.00
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
JW003 143.6 -55.2 115.00 Quartz Vein Extension 89.36 0.81
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Extension
Quartz Vein offshoot 90.34 0.17
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
JW004 165.2 -46 205.40 Quartz Vein Extension 35.08 0.93
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
JW005 166.1 -55.4 108.00 Quartz Vein Extension 87.50 0.65
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
JW006 154.2 -44.1 189.00 Quartz Vein Extension 38.00 0.05
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer
Network Grandfathers 121.00 0.30
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
JW007 154 -55 94.00 Quartz Vein Extension 79.40 0.30
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer Unnamed
Network Lode 92.00 0.75
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
GMOW_ Extension
JW008 130 -45 69.00 Quartz Vein offshoot 48.20 0.25
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Extension
Quartz Vein offshoot 49.00 0.80
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Quartz Vein Extension 49.90 3.40
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
GMOW_ Extension
JW009 130 -55 127.00 Quartz Vein offshoot 109.70 0.60
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Quartz Vein Extension 111.40 0.70
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Quartz Stringer Main Lode
JW010 120 -45 123.60 Network Extension 36.10 0.20
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer 7-10 Lode
Network branch 119.00 4.50
-------- ------ ------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- ------------
Update on Phase 2 Underground Drilling
To date, three drill holes have been completed in the Phase 2
Underground Drilling Programme.
Drill holes UG002 and UG003 were drilled in a northerly
direction, and both intercepted the Main Lode extension, adding
critical data on how this structure behaves in 3D. The drill trace
for UG002 is shown in Figure 3 (in the PDF version of this
RNS).
Both holes show relatively diffuse mineralisation, with the
target structure presenting as two intercepts (0.18 m @ 86.08 m and
0.24 m @ 87.36 m) in UG002. In UG003 the first indications of the
Lode system occur at 87.70 m (0.20 m thick), however the hole was
deepened and encountered further mineralisation at 106.90 m with a
prominent stringer zone at 108.90m for 0.40 m with the last
intercept (0.10 m thick) in this zone finishing at 109.58 m. This
indicates that there has been a split in the Main Lode extension
into two branches which remains to be defined by UG004 and UG005
from the current drill pad.
Drill hole UG001 was targeted to the south of the Llechfraith
workings in order to intercept potential target structures for
future drilling programmes, and despite intercepting a 0.99 m thick
mineralised zone from 42.24 m (analogous to the Canol Vein System
from the Phase 1 Surface Drilling Programme), technical
difficulties meant that the hole could not reach far enough to
intercept a possible extension of the Sill Vein System. The drill
trace for UG001 is shown in Figure 3 (in the PDF version of this
RNS). Alba is confident that the additional holes planned to the
south from the remaining two drill pads will be able to intersect
this target and provide further critical data for Alba's geological
model.
The underground drilling programme is currently paused but
expected to resume again in due course. A further update will be
provided on completion of the programme.
Table 2: Phase 2 Underground Drilling: Key Structural
Intercepts
Hole Azimuth Dip Length Lode Classification Structural Intercepts
(m)
Structure Lode Name Depth Thickness
(m)
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Unnamed
UG001 127.3 -7.0 142.00 Quartz Vein Lode 42.24 0.99
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Main Lode
UG002 350.0 -10 93.60 Quartz Vein Extension 86.08 0.18
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer Main Lode
Network Extension 87.36 0.24
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
GMOW_ Quartz Stringer Main Lode
UG003 0.0 -7.0 114.00 Network Extension 87.70 0.20
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Quartz Vein Extension 106.90 0.25
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Quartz Stringer Main Lode
Network Extension 108.90 0.40
---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Main Lode
Quartz Vein Extension 109.58 0.10
-------- ----- ------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ------------
Dewatering of Llechfraith Shaft
As previously advised, Alba has applied to the competent
regulator, Natural Resources Wales, for permission to divert the
drainage water from the current Llechfraith drainage adit and to
dewater the lower workings in the Llechfraith Shaft, in order to
undertake underground drilling and bulk sampling directly from that
zone.
Two permits have been applied for, a Transfer Permit which
allows for the dewatering of the Llechfraith Shaft and the water to
be transferred to a water treatment plant which will be established
at the mine site, and a Discharge Permit which allows for the water
to be discharged into a water course. All pumped water will be
treated with flocculant and passed through a clarifier to remove
any silt. Samples of the treated water will be sent for laboratory
analysis throughout the dewatering process.
Alba is confident that the application process for the Discharge
and Transfer Permits will be concluded shortly and the permits
issued. As and when the permits are issued, it is expected that the
dewatering of the Llechfraith Shaft will take around two weeks,
after which Alba's technical team will be able to access the lower
levels and assess the exposed lode. After dewatering, and while
this exploration work is being undertaken, a constant discharge
will be maintained in order to ensure dry workings.
By way of a recap, the Company regards the Llechfraith Lode,
incorporating the Llechfraith Shaft, as a key target for future
mining operations, not least given the positive results of the
Phase 1 Surface Drilling Programme (see the Company's RNSs of 2 and
12 March 2021). At its deepest point, the Phase 1 drilling
intersected the Llechfraith Lode structure 122 metres below the
existing Llechfraith mine workings. Alba's initial geological
modelling indicates that the total tonnage estimation for this
newly identified lode structure is between 24,000 to 27,000 tonnes
in the Lower Lode alone.
Next Steps
As we approach the end of this phase of drilling, the Company
will be moving into a detailed evaluation of the optimal means to
access the key target zones which have been identified from the
completed drilling phases, in particular the Llechfraith Lode, Main
Lode Extension, Grandfathers Extension and 7-10 Extension. This
evaluation will be undertaken by Alba's technical team, headed by
Senior Geologist and COO Mark Austin, with specialist input from
Alba's preferred mining, geotechnical and confined space
engineering contractors.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company
are responsible for the release of this announcement.
Glossary
7-10 Lode: The 7-10 Lode is a parallel vein structure to the
Main Lode, lying some 30-40m to the south of the Main Lode. The
whole of the Llechfraith Level is developed on the 7-10 Lode.
Borehole or
drillhole: A hole drilled into bedrock using a diamond-coated bit to return core samples.
Grandfathers: Grandfathers or Grandfathers Lode is a pay-shoot
within the 7-10 Lode.
Jack Williams: The Jack Williams Stope is the most westerly
mined portion of the Main Lode on the Ty'n-y-Cornel Level.
Intercept: A section of core in which a target lithology,
structure or significant assay result has been identified.
Main Lode: The main quartz vein structure along which the
majority of historic mining took place at Clogau-St David's. The
Main Lode was mined from the Jack Williams Stope for approximately
300m eastwards to the Bryntirion Fault, on the other side of which
it was mined over a strike of at least 150m at the St David's
Mine.
Mineralisation: Any single mineral or combination of minerals
occurring in a mass, or deposit, of economic interest. The term is
intended to cover all forms in which mineralisation might occur,
whether by class of deposit, mode of occurrence, genesis or
composition.
Quartz vein: A sheet-like body consisting predominantly of the
mineral quartz, which is known to host gold mineralisation in the
Dolgellau Gold Belt.
Stope: A mined-out area along a lode structure from which ore has been extracted.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating
to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results
that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market
and business conditions, competition for qualified staff, the
regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation,
uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans,
uncertainties resulting from working in a new political
jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration,
uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting
rights, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of
regulatory and other third party consents and approvals,
uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability
to execute and implement future plans, and the occurrence of
unexpected events.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing,
uncertainties also exist in connection with the ongoing Coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic which may result in further lockdown measures
and restrictions being imposed by Governments and other competent
regulatory bodies and agencies from time to time in response to the
pandemic, which measures and restrictions may prevent or inhibit
the Company from executing its work activities according to the
timelines set out in this announcement or indeed from executing its
work activities at all. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may
also affect the Company's ability to execute its work activities
due to personnel and contractors testing positive for COVID-19 or
otherwise being required to self-isolate from time to time.
Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided
herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and other factors.
Competent Person Declaration
The information in this release that relates to Exploration
Results has been reviewed by Mr Mark Austin. Mr Austin is a member
of SACNASP (Reg. No. 400235/06), Fellow of The Geological Society
and Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa. He has a
B.Sc. Honours in Geology with 38 years' experience.
Mark Austin has sufficient experience that is relevant to the
style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and
to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person
as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration targets, Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves', also known as the JORC Code. The JORC
code is a national reporting organisation that is aligned with
CRIRSCO. Mr Austin consents to the inclusion in the announcement of
the matters based on his information in the form and context in
which they appear.
For further information, please contact:
Alba Mineral Resources plc
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman +44 20 3950 0725
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nomad)
James Caithie / Liam Murray +44 20 7213 0880
ETX Capital (Broker)
Thomas Smith +44 20 7392 1494
Alba's Project and Investment Portfolio
Project (commodity) Location Ownership
Mining Projects
Amitsoq (graphite) Greenland 90%
----------- ----------
Clogau (gold) Wales 90%
----------- ----------
Gwynfynydd (gold) Wales 100%
----------- ----------
Inglefield (copper, cobalt,
gold) Greenland 100%
----------- ----------
Limerick (zinc-lead) Ireland 100%
----------- ----------
Melville Bay (iron ore) Greenland 51%
----------- ----------
TBS (ilmenite) Greenland 100%
----------- ----------
Oil & Gas Investments
Horse Hill (oil) England 11.765%
----------- ----------
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