Tempus Announces High-Grade Assays Elizabeth Gold Project

February 08, 2021 7:00 AM EST | Source: Tempus Resources Limited

Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2021) - Tempus Resources Ltd. (ASX: TMR) (TSXV: TMRR) ("Tempus Resources" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received assays from the first 11 successfully completed drill-holes of the Phase 1 drilling program on the Elizabeth sector of the Blackdome Elizabeth Gold Project.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 5 drill-holes with significant intersections >5g/t gold
  • Outstanding intersections included:

    • EZ-20-06: 5.0m at 61.3g/t gold from 116.5m, including 1.5m at 186.0g/t gold from 118.0m

    • EZ-20-10: 3.2m at 28.1g/t gold from 184.0m, including 0.5m at 178.0g/t gold from 184.5m

  • Drilling at Elizabeth to re-commence to complete remaining two thirds of Phase 1 drilling program during the Canadian spring

Tempus Resources President, Jason Bahnsen, commented "The Phase 1 drilling results confirm the high-grade potential of Elizabeth. We look forward to continuing with the drilling program there in the Canadian spring, leading to an updated NI43-101 resource estimate thereafter."

11 diamond drill holes, for a total of 2,006 meters, were successfully completed of the total 6,000 meter Phase 1 drilling program on the Elizabeth sector of the Blackdome Elizabeth Gold Project. The drilling was completed from mid-November to mid-December 2020. The primary focus of this initial drilling was infill and down dip extension at the southern portion of the Southwest (SW) Vein and a single drill-hole testing the extension of the West and Main veins (see Figures 1 and 2).

The 10 holes with reportable intersections provided the following results.*

  • EZ-20-01
    • 1.20m at 0.62g/t gold and 3.12g/t silver from 52.4m
  • EZ-20-04
    • 3.02m at 5.26g/t gold and 7.51g/t silver from 101.5m, including:
      • 1.70m at 9.74g/t gold and 3.88g/t silver from 103.0m
  • EZ-20-05
    • 0.60m at 0.27g/t gold and 0.13g/t silver from 175.9m
  • EZ-20-06
    • 5.00m at 61.3g/t gold and 44.5g/t silver from 116.5m, including:
      • 1.50m at 186.0g/t gold and 133.0g/t silver from 118.0m
  • EZ-20-07
    • 1.50m at 9.60g/t gold and 0.70g/t silver from 71.0m
    • 1.00m at 8.09g/t gold and 1.40g/t silver from 155.0m
  • EZ-20-08
    • 2.00m at 1.80g/t gold and 2.96g/t silver from 86.0m
    • 2.00m at 2.54g/t gold and 0.89g/t silver from 92.0m
  • EZ-20-09
    • 1.70m at 0.59g/t gold and 0.50g/t silver from 77.0m
    • 0.55m at 0.86g/t gold and 4.75g/t silver from 190.7m
  • EZ-20-10
    • 2.00m at 1.20g/t gold and 1.19g/t silver from 107.0m
    • 3.20m at 28.1g/t gold and 4.74g/t silver from 184.0m, including:
      • 0.50m at 178.0g/t gold and 27.0g/t silver from 184.5m
    • 0.55m at 1.20g/t gold and 1.35g/t silver from 198.2m
  • EZ-20-11
    • 3.00m at 0.15g/t gold and 0.36g/t silver from 73.0m
    • 0.50m at 0.52g/t gold and 0.92g/t silver from 269.0m
  • EZ-20-12
    • 3.70m at 3.73g/t gold and 1.95g/t silver from 52.0m, including
      • 2.00m at 5.60g/t gold and 2.95g/t silver from 52.0m
    • 2.00m at 0.61g/t gold and 2.55g/t silver from 63.0m

* Note: No significant intersections were returned from drill-hole EZ-20-03.

Intersection widths are down hole widths, true width estimates are shown in Appendix 1 - Table 2.

There are approximately 4,000 meters of drilling remaining in the Elizabeth Phase 1 drilling program. Tempus expects to re-commence drilling and complete the remaining program in the Canadian spring. Given the early success of the Phase 1 drilling program, it will be immediately followed by: preparation of an updated NI43-101 Mineral Resource estimate; and an additional 7,500 meter Phase 2 program focused on delineation of additional resources at the Southwest, Main and West Veins as well as untested soil geochemistry targets identified in previous years.

Tempus is very encouraged by the first tranche, Phase 1 results at the Elizabeth Project. These results increase the confidence level of the geological model that will be utilized for resource estimation work over the coming year.

The Elizabeth Phase 1 high-grade intercepts are consistent with historic values previously reported, including 331 g/t gold over 95 cm (E07-43), and visible gold that was identified in drill hole EZ-20-06 as announced in a Tempus Resources press Release on December 15, 2020 which returned values up to 186g/t gold over 1.5 meters.

The high-grade gold mineralization in the SW Vein has only been defined to shallow depths (~200m) and along a strike length of approximately 400m however distant drill holes along trend indicate the SW Vein may extend along strike to the northeast an additional 400m for total strike of 800m.

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Figure 1- Elizabeth Project Veins and 2020 Drilling
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Figure 2- Elizabeth Project Southwest Vein Longitudinal Section
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The Main and West Veins were explored by underground drifts in the 1940's and 50's and have only seen minimal exploration since. EZ-20-11 is a significant step out to the southwest (~300m) of the West and Main vein and was successful in intersecting both veins. Although width and grade were low the alteration and associated mineralization indicate these to be the continuation of the West and Main vein. Tempus believes these veins warrant follow up exploration as it indicates continuity of the veins over a greater strike length.

This announcement has been authorised by the Board of Directors of Tempus Resources Limited.

Competent Persons Statement

Information in this report relating to Exploration Results is based on information reviewed by Mr. Kevin Piepgrass, who is a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the province of BC (APEGBC), which is a recognised Professional Organisation (RPO), and an employee of Tempus Resources. Mr. Piepgrass has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, and as a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI43-101. Mr. Piepgrass consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.

For further information:

TEMPUS RESOURCES LTD

Melanie Ross - Director/Company Secretary Phone: +61 8 6188 8181

About Tempus Resources Ltd

Tempus Resources Ltd ("Tempus") is a growth orientated gold exploration company listed on ASX ("TMR") and TSX.V ("TMRR") stock exchanges. Tempus is actively exploring projects located in Canada and Ecuador. The flagship project for Tempus is the Blackdome-Elizabeth Project, a high grade gold past producing project located in Southern British Columbia. Tempus is currently midway through a drill program at Blackdome-Elizabeth that will form the basis of an updated NI43-101/JORC resource estimate leading to a PEA study in 2021. The second key group of projects for Tempus are the Rio Zarza and Valle del Tigre projects located in south east Ecuador. The Rio Zarza project is located adjacent to Lundin Gold's Fruta del Norte project. The Valle del Tigre project is currently subject to a sampling program to develop anomalies identified through geophysical work.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable ‎Canadian securities ‎legislation. Such forward-looking ‎information and forward-looking statements are not ‎representative of historical facts or information or current ‎condition, but instead represent only the ‎Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of ‎which, by their nature, are ‎inherently uncertain and outside of Tempus's control. Generally, such forward-looking ‎information or ‎forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎"plans", ‎‎"expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", ‎‎‎"anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may ‎contain ‎statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be ‎taken", "will continue", ‎‎"will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-‎looking statements contained herein ‎may include, but are not limited to, the continuation of drilling in the Spring of 2021, the receipt of the analysis and assay results from the lab early in 2021, the ability of Tempus to successfully achieve business ‎objectives, ‎and expectations ‎for other economic, ‎business, and/or competitive factors.‎ Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Tempus to control or predict, that may cause Tempus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's listing application dated December 3, 2020 filed on SEDAR. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions ‎underlying the ‎forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary ‎materially from those described ‎herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or ‎expected.‎ Although Tempus believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations ‎contained ‎in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not ‎be placed on such ‎information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such ‎forward-looking information and ‎statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events ‎could differ materially from those anticipated ‎in such information and statements. The forward-looking ‎information and forward-looking statements contained in this ‎press release are made as of the date of ‎this press release, and Tempus does not undertake to update any ‎forward-looking information ‎and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in ‎accordance with ‎applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and ‎statements ‎attributable to Tempus or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this ‎‎notice.‎

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

 

Appendix 1

Table 1:Drill Hole Collar Table

Hole IDTargetUTM Easting (NAD83 Z10)UTM Northing (NAD83 Z10)Elevation (m)LengthAzimuthDip
EZ-20-01SW Vein5310885653604230280125.2-45
EZ-20-02SW Vein5310885653604230283107-45
EZ-20-03SW Vein53104456536032302128122.8-45
EZ-20-04SW Vein53104456536032302125140.1-50
EZ-20-05SW Vein5310445653603230218082.3-60
EZ-20-06SW Vein53112056536602339147157.8-65
EZ-20-07SW Vein53098656535982302150116.5-52
EZ-20-08SW Vein53103056537202360309130.5-54
EZ-20-09SW Vein53098656535982302195116.5-65
EZ-20-10SW Vein53103056537202360222127.7-45
EZ-20-11West Vein53128156535992300303100.1-45
EZ-20-12SW Vein5310885653604230284104.6-45

 

Table 2: Significant Interval Table

Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Interval (m)True Thickness (m)Gold GradeSilver GradeGrade x MetresVein
EZ-20-0152.453.61.20
0.623.121SW Vein
EZ-20-02Hole Lost0SW Vein
EZ-20-03NSI0SW Vein
EZ-20-04101.5104.73.202.455.267.5117SW Vein
including103.0104.71.701.309.743.8817SW Vein
EZ-20-05175.9176.50.600.500.270.130SW Vein
EZ-20-06116.5121.55.003.8361.344.5307SW Vein
including118.0119.51.501.15186133279SW Vein
EZ-20-0771.072.51.501.159.600.7014SW Vein
and155.0156.01.000.778.091.408SW Vein
EZ-20-0886.088.02.001.151.802.964SW Vein
and92.094.02.001.152.540.895SW Vein
EZ-20-0977.078.71.700.350.590.501SW Vein
and190.7191.20.550.270.864.750SW Vein
EZ-20-10107.0109.02.001.531.201.192SW Vein
and184.0187.23.202.4528.14.7490SW Vein
including184.5185.00.500.3817827.089SW Vein
and198.2198.70.550.451.201.351SW Vein
EZ-20-1173.076.03.002.300.150.360West Vein
and269.0269.50.500.380.520.910Main Vein
EZ-20-1252.055.73.702.953.731.9514SW Vein
including52.054.02.001.605.602.9511SW Vein
and63.065.02.001.600.612.551SW Vein

 

Table 3: Historic Intervals

Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Length (m)Au
[ppm]
VeinGrade x Metres
E04-0889.5095.305.805.06SW29
E04-09140.30143.303.005.18SW16
E04-1088.7593.204.4540.5SW180
including89.8090.450.65258SW168
E04-11A110.24111.241.0018.3SW18
E05-1917.6517.950.3068.0SW20
E05-1949.2150.901.693.70SW6
E05-2282.1084.122.023.87SW8
E05-2636.4037.000.604.96SW3
E05-29136.00138.902.9026.8SW78
including136.92137.800.8887.3SW77
E05-3167.3668.881.525.54SW8
E05-3172.0073.001.006.35SW6
E05-3270.5073.503.004.92SW15
including71.5072.501.009.35SW9
E07-4081.4581.950.505.62SW3
E07-40150.04154.944.901.41SW7
E07-4274.5382.357.827.00SW55
including78.9080.902.0017.5SW35
E07-4383.1095.5312.4333.8SW420
including85.0586.000.95331SW314
including88.1088.850.7539.6SW30
including92.2893.200.9210.4SW10
including93.2094.130.936.17SW6
including94.1395.531.4029.7SW42
E07-44117.86122.394.5310.5SW48
including120.26121.531.2724.7SW31
E07-45128.90130.651.753.15SW6
E07-47103.90105.801.902.93SW6
E07-4897.85101.093.2412.4SW40
E07-5099.10103.934.837.15SW35
including99.10100.251.1521.3SW24
E10-51176.50178.131.634.8SW8
E10-5251.9152.820.91135SW123
E10-5465.1667.162.007.24SW14
including66.7167.160.4527.3SW12
E10-5570.2476.105.866.01SW35
including75.1276.100.9826.3SW26
E10-58225.61226.250.6429.1SW19
E10-5991.4193.572.1622.1SW48
including91.9392.750.8257.5SW47
E10-60202.64204.581.945.60SW11
including203.60204.100.5012.8SW6
E10-65105.77112.466.696.50SW43
including105.77106.250.4870.6SW34
E10-66122.28125.002.7210.8SW29
including122.78123.320.5444.2SW24
E10-67117.00122.005.0054.9SW275
including118.50119.000.5064.9SW32
including119.00119.500.50444SW222
including119.50120.000.5034.6SW17
E10-6995.07100.565.4971.3SW391
including95.0796.101.0350.7SW52
including96.1097.101.00230SW230
including97.1097.640.54120SW65
including97.6498.050.417.87SW3
including98.0599.091.0418.1SW19
including99.09100.131.0421.6SW22
E11-03117.37117.870.509.12SW5
E11-05122.00125.033.0319.1SW58
including122.54123.030.4911.0SW5
including123.03123.510.4811.3SW5
including123.51124.000.4995.3SW47
E11-07165.49166.641.156.96SW8
E11-U107179.74180.410.6710.5SW7
E04-0180.50105.5525.050.88Listwanite22
E04-159.1430.0020.860.51Listwanite11
E11-2021.6323.001.372.00No.9 Vein3
DDH 84-195.5995.800.2137.7No.9 Vein8
DDH 84-288.3989.000.617.13No.9 Vein4
DDH 87-1200.25201.170.924.18No.9 Vein4
DDH 87-464.4765.010.544.94No.9 Vein3
DDH 90-1109.15110.641.492.02No.9 Vein3
E11-U10191.7894.352.571.20main3
E11-U10280.8582.421.572.27main4
E11-U9848.9550.101.158.10main9
E11-U9853.7054.200.507.17main4
E11-U107240.74241.720.984.94SW5
E02-0244.2547.553.3010.1West33
E02-0357.7558.851.102.40West3
E02-1039.7041.902.202.00West4
E11-U8090.5691.160.609.15west5
E11-U8490.3791.050.684.88west3
E11-U9335.0035.600.607.22west4

 

Appendix 2: The following tables are provided to ensure compliance with the JORC Code (2012) requirements for the reporting of Exploration Results for the Blackdome-Elizabeth Gold Project

Section 1: Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Sampling techniques

  • Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.
  • Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.
  • Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information.
  • HQ (63.5 mm) sized diamond core using standard equipment.
  • Mineralised and potentially mineralised zones, comprising veins, breccias, and alteration zones were sampled.
  • Samples were half core.
  • Typical core samples are 1m in length.
  • Core samples sent to the lab will be crushed and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. A 50g pulp will be fire assayed for gold and multi-element ICP. Samples over 10 g/t gold will be reanalysed by fire assay with gravimetric finish

Drilling techniques

  • Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc).
  • Diamond Drilling from surface (HQ size)

Drill sample recovery

  • Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.
  • Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.
  • Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.
  • Detailed calculation of recovery was recorded, with most holes achieving over 95%
  • No relationship has yet been noted between recovery and grade and no sample bias was noted to have occurred.

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Logging

  • Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.
  • Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.
  • The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.
  • Detailed geological and geotechnical logging was completed for each hole.
  • All core has been photographed.
  • Complete holes were logged.

Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation

  • If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.
  • If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.
  • For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.
  • Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.
  • Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.
  • Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.
  • Half core was sampled, using a core saw.
  • Duplicate samples of new and historical core are Quarter core or half core where not previously sampled
  • Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the grain size of the material being sampled.
  • It is expected that bulk sampling will be utilised as the project advances, to more accurately determine grade.

Quality of assay data and laboratory tests

  • The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.
  • For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.
  • Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established.
  • Core samples that have been sent to the lab for analysis include control samples (standards, blanks and prep duplicates) inserted at a minimum rate of 1:5 samples.
  • In addition to the minimum rate of inserted control samples, a standard or a blank is inserted following a zone of mineralization or visible gold
  • Further duplicate samples were analysed to assess variability

Verification of sampling and assaying

  • The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.
  • The use of twinned holes.
  • Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.
  • Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
  • Re-assaying of selected intervals of historic core have been sent for analysis.

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Location of data points

  • Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.
  • Specification of the grid system used.
  • Quality and adequacy of topographic control.
  • All sampling points were surveyed using a hand held GPS.
  • UTM grid NAD83 Zone 10.
  • A more accurate survey pickup will be completed at the end of the program, to ensure data is appropriate for geological modelling and Resource Estimation.
  • Down hole surveys have been completed on all holes.

Data spacing and distribution

  • Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
  • Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.
  • Whether sample compositing has been applied.
  • Most drilling is targeting verification and extension of known mineralisation.
  • It is expected that the data will be utilised in a preparation of a Mineral Resource statement.
  • Additional drilling is exploration beneath geochemical anomalies, and would require further delineation drilling to be incorporated in a Mineral Resource.

Orientation of data in relation to geological structure

  • Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.
  • If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.
  • In general, the aim was to drill perpendicular to the mineralised structures, to gain an estimate of the true thickness of the mineralised structures.
  • At several locations, a series (fan) of holes was drilled to help confirm the orientation of the mineralised structures and to keep land disturbance to a minimum.

Sample security

  • The measures taken to ensure sample security.
  • Samples from Elizabeth were delivered to the laboratory by a commercial transport service.

Audits or reviews

  • The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.
  • An independent geological consultant has recently visited the site as part of preparing an updated NI43-101 Technical Report for the Project.


Section 2: Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Mineral tenement and land tenure status

  • Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.
  • The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area.
  • The Blackdome-Elizabeth Project is comprised of 73 contiguous mineral claims underlain by 14 Crown granted mineral claims and two mining leases.
  • The Property is located in the Clinton and Lillooet Mining Divisions approximately 230 km NNE of Vancouver
  • Tempus has exercised the option to acquire the Elizabeth Gold Project and has completed an addendum to the original Elizabeth Option Agreement (refer to ASX announcement 15 December 2020)
  • A net smelter royalty of 3% NSR (1% purchasable) applies to several claims on the Elizabeth Property.
  • No royalties apply to the Blackdome Property or Elizabeth Regional Properties.
  • There are currently no known impediments to developing a project in this area, and all tenure is in good standing.

Exploration done by other parties

  • Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
  • In the 1940s, placer gold was discovered in Fairless Creek west of Blackdome Summit. Prospecting by Lawrence Frenier shortly afterward led to the discovery of gold-bearing quartz veins on the southwest slope of the mountain that resulted in the staking of mining claims in 1947. Empire Valley Gold Mines Ltd and Silver Standard Resources drove two adits and completed basic surface work during the 1950s.
  • The Blackdome area was not worked again until 1977 when Barrier Reef Resources Ltd. re-staked the area and performed surface work in addition to underground development. The Blackdome Mining Corp. was formed in 1978 and performed extensive surface and underground work with various joint venture partners that resulted in a positive feasibility study. A 200 ton/day mill, camp facilities and tailings pond were constructed and mining operations officially commenced in 1986. The mine ceased operations in 1991, having produced 225,000 oz of Au and 547,000 oz of Ag from 338,000 tons of ore (Godard et al., 2010)
  • After a period of inactivity, Claimstaker Resources Ltd. took over the project, reopening the mine in late 1998. Mining operations lasted six months and ended in May of 1999. During this period, 6,547 oz of Au and 17,300 oz of Ag were produced from 21,268 tons of ore. Further exploration programs were continued by Claimstaker over the following years and a Japanese joint venture partner was brought onboard that prompted a name change to J-Pacific Gold Inc. This partnership was terminated by 2010, resulting in another name change to Sona Resources Corp.
  • Gold-bearing quartz veins were discovered near Blue Creek in 1934, and in 1940-1941 the Elizabeth No. 1-4 claims were staked.
  • Bralorne Mines Ltd. optioned the property in 1941 and during the period 1948-1949, explored the presently-named Main and West Veins by about 700 metres of cross-cutting and drifting, as well as about 110 metres of raises.
  • After acquiring the Elizabeth Gold Project in 2002, J-Pacific (now Sona) has conducted a series of exploration programs that included diamond drilling 66 holes totalling 8962.8 metres (up until 2009) Other exploration work by Sona at the Elizabeth Gold Project has included two soil grid, stream sediment sampling, geological mapping and sampling, underground rehabilitation, structural mapping and airborne photography and topographic base map generation.

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Geology

  • Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation.
  • The Blackdome property is situated in a region underlain by rocks of Triassic to Tertiary age. Sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Triassic Pavilion Group occurring along the Fraser River represent the oldest rocks in the region. A large, Triassic age, ultramafic complex (Shulaps Complex) was emplaced along the Yalakom fault; a regional scale structure located some 30 kilometres south of the property. Sediments and volcanics of the Cretaceous Jackass Mountain Group and Spences Bridge/Kingsvale Formations overlie the Triassic assemblages. Some of these rocks occur several kilometres south of Blackdome.
  • Overlying the Cretaceous rocks are volcanics and minor sediments of Eocene age. These rocks underlie much of Blackdome and are correlated with the Kamloops Group seen in the Ashcroft and Nicola regions. Geochemical studies (Vivian, 1988) have shown these rocks to be derived from a "calc-alkaline" magma in a volcanic arc type tectonic setting. Eocene age granitic intrusions at Poison Mountain some 22 kilometres southwest of Blackdome are host to a gold bearing porphyry copper/molybdenum deposit. It is speculated that this or related intrusions could reflect the source magmas of the volcanic rocks seen at Blackdome. There is some documented evidence of young granitic rocks several kilometres south of the mine near Lone Cabin Creek. The youngest rocks present are Oligocene to Miocene basalts of the Chilcotin Group. These are exposed on the uppermost slopes of Blackdome Mountain and Red Mountain to the south.
  • Transecting the property in a NE-SW strike direction are a series of faults that range from vertical to moderately westerly dipping. These faults are the principal host structures for Au- Ag mineralisation. The faults anastomose, and form sygmoidal loops.
  • The area in which the Elizabeth Gold Project is situated is underlain by Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic rock assemblages that are juxtaposed across a complex system of faults mainly of Cretaceous and Tertiary age. These Paleozoic to Mesozoic-age rocks are intruded by Cretaceous and Tertiary-age stocks and dykes of mainly felsic to intermediate composition, and are locally overlain by Paleogene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The Elizabeth Gold Project is partly underlain by ultramafic rocks of the Shulaps Ultramafic Complex, which include harzburgite, serpentinite and their alteration product listwanite.
  • The gold mineralisation found on the Elizabeth Gold Project present characteristics typical of epigenetic mesothermal gold deposits. The auriferous quartz vein mineralisation is analogous to that found in the Bralorne-Pioneer deposits. Gold mineralisation is hosted by a series of northeast trending, steeply northwest dipping veins that crosscut the Blue Creek porphyry intrusion. The Main and West vein systems display mesothermal textures, including ribboned-laminated veins and comprehensive wall rock breccias. Vein formation and gold mineralisation were associated with extensional-brittle faulting believed to be contemporaneous with mid-Eocene extensional faulting along the Marshall Creek, Mission Ridge and Quartz Mountain faults.

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Drill hole Information

  • A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:
    • easting and northing of the drill hole collar
    • elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar
    • dip and azimuth of the hole
    • down hole length and interception depth
    • hole length.
  • If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case.
  • Refer to Appendix 1 for drill hole collar information

Data aggregation methods

  • In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.
  • Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.
  • The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated.
  • Intervals reported using several samples are calculated using a weighted average.
  • Calculated intervals using a weighted average did not use a top cut on high-grade samples. High-grade samples are reported as 'including'
  • Calculated weighted average intervals are continuous intervals of a mineralized zone and do not include unsampled intervals or unmineralized intervals.

Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths

  • These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.
  • If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.
  • If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known').
  • In general, drilling is designed to intersect the mineralized zone at a normal angle, but this is not always possible.
  • For the reported intervals, true widths are reported where mineralized core was intact and possible to measure the orientation. Otherwise the true width is left blank

Diagrams

  • Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views.
  • Refer to maps within announcement for drill hole locations.

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Balanced reporting

  • Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results.
  • Where broader low-grade intervals are reported the high-grade intercepts are reported as 'including' within the reported interval

Other substantive exploration data

  • Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances.
  • Not applicable.

Further work

  • The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).
  • Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive.
  • Tempus plans to update historical NI43-101 foreign resource estimates to current NI43-101 and JORC 2012 standards
  • Tempus is also seeking to expand the scale of the mineralisation at the project through further exploration.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/73876

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