TIDMEST
RNS Number : 5236A
East Star Resources PLC
03 February 2022
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3 February 2022
East Star Resources Plc
("East Star" or the "Company")
Historical Drill Results from "Southern Shabdar" Target on
Apmintas Licence, Kazakhstan
East Star Resources Plc (LSE:EST), the Kazakhstan-focused gold
and copper explorer, is pleased to announce historical drill
results acquired over the "Southern Shabdar" target on the Apmintas
Licence in central Kazakhstan. Based on the Company's analysis,
"Southern Shabdar" will be added as a highly ranked target for the
2022 drill programme.
Highlights:
-- 1987 - 1994 drilling by Stepgeologya includes the following highlighted intersections:
o Southwest dipping borehole C-375 intersected 24.9m @ 2.86 g/t
Au
o Vertical Borehole C-32069 intersected 8.2m @ 13.0 g/t Au
-- 2005 -2006 drilling by Odak includes the following highlighted intersections:
o Vertical Borehole C-36 intersected 5m @ 4.89 g/t Au from
53m
o Vertical Borehole C-38 intersected 1m @ 24.8 g/t Au from 15m
and 2m @ 39.3 g/t Au from 28m
o Southwest dipping borehole C-78 intersected 2m @ 39 g/t Au
from 275m downhole
Alex Walker, East Star CEO, commented:
"The acquisition of this drill data further demonstrates the
quality of the exploration potential of the Apmintas Licence. The
shallow, high-grade intersections at "Southern Shabdar," repeated
over a number of structures, and with demonstrated continuation of
the gold mineralisation at depth, provides another high priority
target on the Apmintas Licence with the potential to form an
economic orebody. We are therefore very excited to add the target
to our 2022 exploration programme."
"Further, the ongoing interpretation of the magnetic survey
data, flown in September 2021, will give us a much better idea of
the wider potential of the "Southern Shabdar" target and, we hope,
identify similar orebodies underneath cover which represents around
60% of the Apmintas Licence."
The recently received historical data were the results of
research in physical archives of historic reports conducted by East
Star's geological team based in Almaty and Karaganda. The team
continues to locate and acquire historical reports for all the
Company's current licences.
The additional information has principally been derived from
three reports: A 1994 report by the Kazakh State Geology Company
("Stepgeologya") titled " Prospecting of Au deposits in Northern
part of Shabdar-Ergenekty structural-metallogenic zone of
Dzhalair-Naiman syncline " and the 2005 and 2006 annual reports by
private Kazakh Company, Odak LLP ("Odak").
The "Southern Shabdar" target was not part of the Company's
drill programme in September 2021. Results from the remainder of
the 2021 drill programme across the Apmintas Licence are pending
and expected to be received, interpreted, and released during Q1
2022.
"Southern Shabdar" Summary
The "Southern Shabdar" gold target was initially explored for
uranium by the Kazakh State Geology Company "Stepgeologya". During
initial reconnaissance, elevated gold contents were identified in
the weathered crust, which served as the basis for reorienting the
work as a gold prospect.
A supplementary version of this announcement with images can be
found at:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5236A_1-2022-2-2.pdf
.
Mineralisation Assessment
Stepgeologya exploratory drilling in 1990 revealed a footprint
of the gold mineralisation of circa 700 m x 400 m in the weathered
crust, with veins up to 15 m thick (average of 4 m) and gold grades
up to 32 g/t (average of 2 g/t). Free gold occurs as fine particles
with individual flakes up to 1.4 x 1.0 mm. Two primary types of
gold mineralisation described are gold-sulfide-quartz and
gold-sulfide type.
Gold in the gold-sulfide-quartz type is contained in quartz
veins made mainly of white coarse-crystalline quartz, containing
veins of grayish fine-grained quartz, and accompanied by sulfides
(pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, etc) and gold.
Gold in the gold-sulfide type occurs in the wider zones of
propylitic or phyllic alteration with sulfides and albite. The gold
mineralisation is associated with typical pathfinder elements such
as silver and arsenic. Broad zones of mineralisation within the
alteration halo around main structures opens the possibility for a
high tonnage deposit.
In the bedrock, an initial mineralised sub-horizontal stockwork
zone of 400 m length was delineated which is slightly inclined to
the northeast. The stockwork is reported to extend to circa 200 m
depth with an average width and grade of 9.85 m and 2.35 g/t,
respectively. The maximum grade was recorded as 59.8 g/t. A second
mineralised zone was recorded at a depth of 110-140 m with an
average width and grade of 4.1 m and 1.7 g/t. The peak gold grade
was 4.4 g/t. Both mineralised zones remain under explored with
significant upside to be determined.
Historical Exploration
Initial exploration was carried out by the Soviet uranium
explorer "Stepgeologya" in 1987. Further, in 2005, Odak carried out
reconnaissance of the area. Systematic exploration was carried out
in accordance with the Soviet era "Instructions for topographic
survey on a scale of 1: 5000 - 1: 500 GUGC, 1985". All graphic
materials were made using encrypted coordinates, of the "Pulkovo
42" system and as such, the precise coordinates are unknown.
However, the Company's geologists visited the site in May and
September 2021 where traces of some trenches, drill collars and
mine workings were found. The information obtained from these
visits provides only an approximate spatial reference for the
historical maps.
Stepgeologya drilled in several stages:
1. Drilling was conducted by ZIF-650M and SKB-5 machines with a
diameter of 112 mm and recoveries of 65-93%. Low core yield was
caused by uneven weathering and alteration of rocks within multiple
fracture zones.
2. Drilling was conducted on a 100 m x 20 m grid on an area of
0.35 km(2) . The average depth of drilling was 55 m with a maximum
of 79 m. Reconnaissance holes which intersected gold mineralization
of more than 1 g/t Au were twinned by Diamond Core holes with a
diameter of 112 mm with a core recovery of 80%.
3. Structural holes were drilled. Core recovery ranged between 56% and 86%.
4. Drilling of two transects of structural and exploratory
holes, with collar spacing of 200 m. Seven boreholes were drilled
between 217 m and 296.4 m depth with an average core recovery of
66.7%.
Stepgeologya drilling was documented by local geologists and
plotted on the corresponding maps and sections. Unfortunately, the
primary documentation has not been preserved and so the data has
been derived from summary reports and a series of geological maps
sections.
Odak's work programme in 2005 provided for drilling to assess
the gold mineralization of the weathering crust of the Southern Ore
Body. 1,850 m of core drilling was conducted with 1,800 core
samples taken and analysed for gold by atomic absorption. Drilling
was documented in the field documentation at the site and
geological maps and sections created. East Star acquired a series
of geological maps and geological sections created in AutoCAD and
MapInfo, as well as hand drawings of sections.
Sampling
Sampling by Stepgeologya in the first two exploration programmes
was limited to zones of quartz veins and hydrothermally altered
rocks. Only the structural holes were sampled throughout. The
sample length was usually 0.5-1 m and 2 m in twinned holes. Core
recovery was poor. The drill core was cut in half along the axial
plane and one half sampled. The weight of samples was usually 0.5-2
kg.
Sampling of the 2006 drill core was carried out throughout. The
length of the sample intervals was 0.5-1.0 m and depended on the
lithological composition of the rocks. Samples were taken as entire
core.
Sample preparation was carried out at the field laboratory of
Odak by jaw and roll crushers until samples passed 100% 200
mesh.
Assay
Samples taken by Stepgeology were analysed in the laboratories
of Yuzhkazgeologiya (1989-1990) and Centrokazgeologiya (1989-1991).
All samples without exception were subjected to spectral analysis.
Samples with gold contents of more than 0.1 g/t (0.5 g/t after
1991) underwent fire assay analysis. All core samples, from the
Southern Shabdar were subjected to a full spectral analysis.
Samples taken by Odak underwent atomic absorption and fire assay
analyses for gold and silver, and spectral analysis for 24
elements.
Au grades from historical drilling (1990 to 2006 years)
Year Section BHID from to thickness Au (g/t)
1990 12 C-32115 No rec No rec 1 0.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 12 C-32116 No rec No rec 1 2.5
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 12 C-32119 No rec No rec 10 1.1
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 12 C-32120 No rec No rec 9 1.4
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 12 C-378 No rec No rec 1.8 0.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 12 C-378 No rec No rec 2.4 0.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-372 No rec No rec 2 0.9
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-372 No rec No rec 1.4 1.3
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-375 No rec No rec 24.9 2.86
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-374 No rec No rec 38.3 1.56
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-374 No rec No rec 4.5 0.96
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-373 No rec No rec 1 1.56
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-373 No rec No rec 1.5 4.4
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-373 No rec No rec 5.7 1.5
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
1990 14 C-373 No rec No rec 2 2.5
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 5 C-1 22 23 1 1
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 5 C-4 42 43.5 1.5 1.55
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 5 C-5 17 18 1 4
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 7 C-16 5 6 1 1.90
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 7 C-16 26 27 1 2.80
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 7 C-16 34 35 1 1.62
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 7 C-16 38 39 1 1.00
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-30 17 18 1 1.4
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-30 18 19 1 7.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-30 19 20.1 1.1 0.43
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-30 20.1 21.5 1.4 0.16
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-30 21.5 22.5 1 1.4
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-30 22.5 23.5 1 1.72
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-32 50 51 1 11.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-33 44 45 1 2.06
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-35 46 47 1 3.9
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-36 53 54 1 7.7
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-36 54 55 1 13.85
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-36 55 56 1 2
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-36 56 57 1 0.53
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-36 57 58 1 0.38
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-36 60 61 1 2.23
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-37 49 50 1 1.74
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C-37 50 51 1 3.22
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C38 15 16 1 24.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C38 28 29 1 38.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 9 C38 29 30 1 39.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 12 C-65 No rec No rec 2 0.1
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 12 C-65 No rec No rec 5 0.94
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 12 C-66 No rec No rec 1 1.26
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 12 C-66 No rec No rec 2 0.8
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 14 C-78 No rec No rec 5 1.35
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 14 C-78 No rec No rec 2 1.1
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 14 C-78 No rec No rec 2 39.1
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 13 C-69 No rec No rec 3 3.24
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 13 C-69 No rec No rec 4 0.9
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 13 C-71 No rec No rec 3 1.5
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
2006 13 C-71 No rec No rec 2 2.2
-------- -------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
SRK CPR (22 September 2021) Summary of "Southern Shabdar"
Target
The "Southern Shabdar" gold occurrence is located within a
depression related to the Ergenektin regional fault zone and is
related to gold bearing weathering material with fresh rocks below.
There is no original description, coordinates, or data available on
the occurrence and the information below is taken from a regional
map and review of Koshkin et al. (2000). Gold bearing weathered
crust on Ordovician sedimentary sequence occurs within an area of
approximately 700 m x 400 m. The depth to mineralisation varies
between 20-45 m and the total thickness of the weathered crust from
30 to 80 m deep. Average gold grades vary from 2.0 to 8.0 g/t Au
with a maximum of 32 g/t Au. Most of the gold is fine free gold and
nuggets can reach 1.4 mm across. There are four mineralised bodies
recognised: Northern, Central, Southern and South-Western. The
drilling programme allowed authors to estimate gold resources of
the mineralised weathered crust in P1 category at 4.8 tons of
gold.
The hard rock mineralisation is related to granodiorite porphyry
stock below the weathered crust. Mineralisation is located in
intrusive stocks and in Middle Ordovician sedimentary rocks along
the contact. Sedimentary rocks contain organic matter. There are
two mineralised zones: the upper and lower, each about 200 m x 400
m in size. Gold mineralisation is associated with disseminated
sulphides and quartz-sulphide stockwork. The average thickness of
upper and lower zones was reported as 9.8 and 4.1 m with the
average gold grade 2.35 and 1.7 g/t Au, respectively. The highest
gold grade in the upper zone was reported as 59.8 g/t Au, and in
lower zone as 4.4 g/t Au. The vein mineralised zones were subjected
to beresite and propylitic alteration. The depth to the upper
mineralised zone varies within 80-90 m. Sulphide mineralisation is
represented by pyrite and arsenopyrite, with minor amount of
chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, petzite, gersdorffite, galena
and chalcopyrite.
Total gold resources in hard rock were estimated at six tons of
gold in P1 category and 15 tons in P2 category (less confidence)
(Kushnerenko et al., 1994). There is no geological map available
for the occurrence.
For further information visit the Company's website at
www.eaststarplc.com , or contact:
East Star Resources Plc
Alex Walker, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7390 0234 (via Vigo Consulting)
Peterhouse Capital Limited (Corporate Broker and Placing
Agent)
Duncan Vasey / Lucy Williams
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 0930
Vigo Consulting (Investor Relations)
Ben Simons / Oliver Clark
Tel: +44 (0)20 7390 0234
About East Star Resources Plc
East Star Resources is focused on the discovery and development
of gold, copper, and base metal deposits in Kazakhstan. With an
initial four licences covering 1,432 km(2) in two mineral rich
belts, East Star is undertaking an intensive exploration programme,
applying modern geophysics to discover gold, copper, and base
metals in levels that were not explored in the Soviet era. The
Company also intends to expand its licence portfolio in Kazakhstan.
East Star's management are based permanently on the ground,
supported by local expertise, and a joint venture with the state
mining company.
Follow us on social media:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-star-resources/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EastStar_PLC
The person who arranged for the release of this announcement was
Alex Walker, CEO of the Company.
Competent Persons Statement
Information and data presented within this announcement has been
compiled by Mr Azamat Bizhanov, a Member of the Australian
Institute of Geoscientists ("MAIG"). Mr Bizhanov is the Exploration
Manager for East Star Resources Plc and has sufficient experience,
which is relevant to the style of mineralisation, deposit type and
to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent
Person defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for
Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
(the "JORC" Code). This includes 10 years of Mining, Resource
Estimation and Exploration relevant to the style of
mineralisation.
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