• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Infill drilling program completed at Joanna - 116 grams of gold per tonne over 2.7 metres intersected

Posted on: Thursday, 11 December 2008, 08:47 CST

VANCOUVER, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX: ARZ; NYSE Alternext U.S.: AZK) is pleased to announce the completion of an important infill drill program at its Joanna project, located 20 kilometres from Rouyn-Noranda, in north-western, Quebec.

Four hundred sixty-three (463) holes totalling 134,489 metres have been completed by Aurizon at Joanna, with the objective of confirming results from previous drilling and to extend the mineralized zones. Results from three hundred nineteen (319) holes have been previously released, and results from seventy (70) holes are included in this release. Results are currently pending for seventy-four (74) holes. All results are expected to be received before year end.

Drilling intersected one to four mineralized intersections along the main zones on the East block (formerly Hosco) corresponding to a geological continuity along the strike of 1.1 kilometres with combined thickness variations between 20 and 100 metres. New results for individual mineralized intervals such as 2.4 grams of gold per tonne over 35.6 meters in hole JA-08-404, 2.0 grams of gold per tonne over 24 meters in hole JA-08-397 and 2.1 grams of gold per tonne over 26.4 metres in hole JA-08-330, indicate consistency of the mineralized system at the limit of the proposed pit outline (BBA Preliminary Assessment Report, see news release dated May 12, 2008 and report filed on under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com "BBA Preliminary Assessment").

In addition, an exceptional result of 116 grams of gold per tonne over 2.7 metres (true thickness) in hole JA-08-329 has been intercepted 50 metres above historical underground development in a vein system inside the disseminated mineralized body.

"We are pleased to conclude this major drill program which has confirmed the consistency of thickness, continuity and grade mineralization. We would like to thank our staff for completing the infill drilling program on budget and schedule," said Michel Gilbert, Vice-President of Aurizon.

The best results reported are as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mineralized Intersections Hole East From To Gold grade True width (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-329 8525 72.0 82.5 3.6 9.5 100.5 103.5 116.0 2.7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-330 9101 121.5 142.5 1.1 20.7 169.5 196.5 2.1 26.4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-404 8200 24.0 64.5 2.4 35.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Results of fifty seven (57) holes representing one or more individual mineralized intersections with grades over 1 gram of gold per tonne over more than 5 metres are indicated on detailed tables attached to this news release. An additional table indicates distinct or included 1.2 to 2.7 metres intervals of more than 10 grams of gold per tonne.

The details of thirteen (13) holes with grades below 1.0 gram of gold per tonne are not included in the table.

A sketch showing the holes location with intersections greater than 23 metres is attached to this release.

East Block (Hosco) ------------------

Infill drilling is performed on a 25 metre by 25 metre spacing within the core of the areas previously known as the Hosco Zone as defined by BBA in their Report. In this area, gold mineralization is located within different lenses located on both sides of the Cadillac break both dipping 55 degrees to the North. The South Zone, extending for more than 800 metres, corresponds to the entire length of the deposit. The North Zone is restricted to an extension of 400 metres. To date, 333 holes of 338 holes drilled on the East Block, successfully intersected mineralization above the cut off grade of 0.5 grams of gold per tonne as defined by the Preliminary Assessment report.

Preliminary Assessment Report -----------------------------

The BBA Preliminary Assessment concluded that based upon the September 2007 mineral resources estimate for the East block (Hosco) above the 200 metre level, the Joanna project is potentially feasible as a stand alone open-pit mine operation and recommended that additional work be undertaken to advance the project to the pre-feasibility stage. In addition, the report provided guidelines on the environmental risks.

Based on the preliminary pit optimization studies and mine design in the BBA report, the estimated diluted in pit resources contained in the detailed pit design are 9.08 million tonnes in the indicated mineral resource category and 9.07 million tonnes in the inferred mineral resource category at a combined average grade of 1.5 grams of gold per tonne, based on a cut-off grade of 0.5 grams of gold per tonne. The overall life of mine stripping ratio was estimated at 3.4 tonnes of waste per tonne of ore, with an inter-ramp pit slope of 55 degrees. Total metal recovered was estimated at 653,000 ounces of gold assuming a mill recovery of 77%.

The BBA Preliminary Assessment is preliminary in nature, includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the preliminary assessment will be realized.

Outlook

With the infill program now completed, Aurizon expects to receive an updated resource estimate early in 2009, and has appointed BBA to prepare the pre-feasibility study upon completion of the updated resource estimate. Contracts have been awarded to the following companies: Roche Ltd., to complete the required environmental studies, Golder Associates, the rock mechanic evaluation of the pit design, and SGS Lakefield Research Limited, the metallurgy processes. The pre-feasibility study will include the results of the expanded drill program, resource modelling and the metallurgical testwork that is presently in progress.

Following the infill drill program, Aurizon intends to resume its exploration drilling activities, testing high grade potential along the dip extension below 700 metres, and geophysical and geochemical targets outside of the main orebody, including the recently optioned Alexandria property located along the eastern extension of the Joanna deposit.

Quality Control

Core assays are performed on core sawed in half, with standard fire assay procedures and atomic absorption finition. Certified reference material, duplicate and blanks are inserted in the sample sequence for quality control. Assay checking on pulp and coarse reject are carried out on approximately 10% of samples. For additional information on Quality Assurance and Quality control ("QA/QC"), refer to the previously mentioned BBA Preliminary Assessment Report. Exploration primary assaying was performed at ALS Chemex of Val d'Or and check assays were carried out by Laboratoire d'Analyse Bourlamaque of Val d'Or. ALS Chemex is a fully accredited laboratory under ISO 9001-2000 standards, and Laboratoire d'Analyse Bourlamaque is in the process of obtaining ISO-9001-2000 certification.

Drill hole planning, implementation and the quality control program is supervised by Martin Demers P.Geo., Exploration manager, an appropriately qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Demers is also responsible for the scientific and technical information in this news release.

Additional Information

One sketch is attached showing the Joanna area. Detailed results from the additional holes drilled are reported in separate tables. All other information previously released on the Joanna Project is also available on the Aurizon website.

Click here to view the sketch: http://files.newswire.ca/734/Sketch_121108_Joanna.pdf

About Aurizon

Aurizon is a gold producer with a growth strategy focused on developing its existing projects in the Abitibi region of north-western Quebec, one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions and prolific gold and base metal regions, and by increasing its asset base through accretive transactions. Aurizon shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ARZ" and on the NYSE Alternext (formerly the American Stock Exchange) under the symbol "AZK". Additional information on Aurizon and its properties is available on Aurizon's website at http://www.aurizon.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This News Release contains "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimated mineral resources, anticipated effect of the completed drill results on the Joanna project, a preliminary assessment, timing of an updated mineral resource estimate and a pre-feasibility study, and timing and expectations or future work programs. Forward-looking statements express, as at the date of this News Release, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, including, with respect to mineral resource estimates, the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based, as set out in the technical report for the property, and involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and other risks more fully described in Aurizon's Annual Information Form filed with the Securities Commissions of the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, and in Aurizon's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available on Sedar at www.sedar.com and on Edgar at www.sec.gov.

CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US READERS

As a British Columbia corporation, the Company is subject to certain rules and regulations issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BC Securities Commission"). The Company is required to provide detailed information regarding its properties including mineralization, drilling, sampling and analysis, security of samples and mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates. Further, the Company describes mineral resources associated with its properties utilizing terminology such as "indicated" or "inferred" which terms are recognized by Canadian regulations but are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Mineral Resources

The SEC allows mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits they can economically and legally extract or produce. The Company may use certain terms in this document, such as "mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred resources" that are recognized and mandated by Canadian securities regulators but are not recognized by the SEC.

This News Release may use the term "indicated" resources. U.S. readers are cautioned that while that term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in this category will ever be converted into mineral reserves.

This News Release may also use the term "inferred" resources. U.S. readers are cautioned that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

------------------------------------------------------------------------- High grade Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-312 8426 156.0 157.5 10.0 1.5 1.4 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-313 8426 147.0 148.5 19.9 1.5 1.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-324 8475 60.0 61.5 23.9 1.5 1.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-326 8475 66.0 67.5 13.9 1.5 1.2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-329 8525 75.0 76.5 14.3 1.5 1.4 S 100.5 103.5 116.0 3.0 2.7 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-330 9101 181.5 183.0 14.2 1.5 1.5 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-358 8450 163.5 165.0 20.7 1.5 1.5 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-368 8425 144.0 145.5 10.3 1.5 1.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-378 8400 181.5 183.0 113.0 1.5 1.4 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-397 8350 214.5 216.0 15.2 1.5 1.4 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-404 8200 33.0 34.5 12.0 1.5 1.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infill North Zone Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-312 8426 33.6 39.0 1.3 5.4 5.0 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-330 9101 82.5 87.6 1.4 5.1 5.0 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-351 8651 43.5 57.0 1.3 13.5 13.2 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-352 8575 52.5 67.5 1.3 15.0 13.3 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-358 8450 42.0 49.5 1.1 7.5 7.1 N 63.0 79.5 1.2 16.5 15.6 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-359 8450 45.0 50.6 1.4 5.6 5.0 N 66.0 91.3 1.1 25.3 22.6 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-366 8425 78.0 94.5 1.3 16.5 16.1 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-367 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-368 8425 84.0 109.5 1.1 25.5 22.4 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-371 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-375 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-376 8725 208.5 213.9 1.5 5.4 5.0 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-378 8400 63.0 82.5 1.0 19.5 17.6 N 90.0 99.0 1.2 9.0 8.2 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-379 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-381 8700 172.5 178.5 1.2 6.0 5.9 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-385 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-386 8375 73.5 85.5 1.1 12.0 11.2 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-387 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infill North Zone Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-388 8375 75.0 93.0 1.0 18.0 14.4 N 100.5 108.0 1.1 7.5 6.1 N 115.5 123.0 1.1 7.5 6.1 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-391 8700 106.5 117.0 1.0 10.5 10.2 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-392 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-393 8675 159.0 171.0 1.1 12.0 11.8 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-394 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-395 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-396 8575 121.5 157.5 1.2 36.0 30.1 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-397 8350 97.5 103.5 2.1 6.0 5.6 N ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-399 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-400 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-401 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infill South Zone Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-304 9275 91.5 106.5 1.1 15.0 12.9 S 150.0 157.5 1.0 7.5 6.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-310 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-312 8426 81.0 102.0 1.4 21.0 19.5 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-313 8426 76.5 82.3 1.1 5.8 5.0 S 90.0 106.5 1.0 16.5 14.2 S 115.7 121.5 1.4 5.8 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-324 8475 43.5 49.5 3.0 6.0 5.3 S 69.0 90.0 1.4 21.0 18.7 S 96.0 112.5 1.0 16.5 14.7 S 131.6 137.2 1.1 5.6 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-325 8475 31.5 36.6 1.0 5.1 5.0 S 43.5 48.6 1.4 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-326 8475 8.4 16.5 1.0 8.1 6.5 S 33.0 52.5 1.3 19.5 15.7 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-327 9099 130.5 139.5 1.2 9.0 8.8 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-328 8525 61.5 99.0 1.6 37.5 36.9 S 105.0 111.0 2.1 6.0 5.9 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infill South Zone Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-329 8525 72.0 82.5 3.6 10.5 9.5 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-330 9101 82.5 87.6 1.4 5.1 5.0 S 121.5 142.5 1.1 21.0 20.7 S 169.5 196.5 2.1 27.0 26.4 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-331 8500 40.5 45.6 1.4 5.1 5.0 S 52.5 57.6 1.3 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-332 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-333 9175 40.5 52.5 1.3 12.0 10.7 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-334 8550 72.0 85.5 1.6 13.5 13.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-335 8551 81.0 114.0 1.8 33.0 30.1 S 120.0 129.0 1.2 9.0 8.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-337 8525 18.0 24.1 1.9 6.1 5.0 S 36.0 54.0 1.3 18.0 14.9 S 64.5 70.5 1.3 6.0 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-338 9200 19.5 24.6 1.2 5.1 5.0 S 34.5 61.5 1.0 27.0 26.5 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-339 9200 25.5 34.5 2.4 9.0 7.6 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-340 8550 12.0 52.5 1.2 40.5 39.7 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-341 8575 45.0 50.1 1.8 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-342 8650 57.0 63.0 2.1 6.0 5.9 S 67.5 90.0 1.3 22.5 22.2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-343 8650 61.5 70.5 2.8 9.0 7.8 S 76.5 82.5 3.5 6.0 5.2 S 88.5 96.0 1.3 7.5 6.5 S 102.0 108.0 3.0 6.0 5.2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-344 8600 21.0 27.0 1.4 6.0 5.9 S 48.0 53.1 3.5 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-346 8650 15.0 36.0 1.1 21.0 20.6 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-347 9226 57.0 62.1 1.3 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-348 9226 12.9 19.5 1.0 6.6 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-349 8675 12.9 18.0 2.2 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-350 8675 18.0 31.5 2.4 13.5 11.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-353 8524 64.5 81.0 1.1 16.5 16.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-355 8700 8.2 15.0 1.0 6.8 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-356 9250 21.0 37.5 2.0 16.5 14.2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-357 8475 46.5 57.0 1.5 10.5 10.3 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-358 8450 120.0 147.0 1.3 27.0 25.8 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-359 8450 132.0 160.5 1.0 28.5 25.8 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-360 9276 50.4 55.5 1.6 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-361 9275 27.0 36.0 1.1 9.0 7.5 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infill South Zone Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-362 8726 36.0 41.1 1.9 5.1 5.0 S 54.0 70.5 1.8 16.5 16.2 S 76.5 85.5 1.1 9.0 8.8 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-363 8875 90.0 99.0 1.4 9.0 8.6 S 111.0 145.5 1.6 34.5 33.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-364 9300 13.0 18.1 1.6 5.1 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-365 9300 48.0 53.6 1.1 5.6 5.0 S 61.5 75.0 1.1 13.5 12.1 S 130.9 136.5 1.7 5.6 5.0 S 142.5 148.1 1.5 5.6 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-367 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-368 8425 165.0 187.5 1.6 22.5 20.0 S 195.0 216.0 1.3 21.0 18.8 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-370 8775 158.5 163.5 1.2 5.0 5.0 S 186.0 208.5 1.3 22.5 22.4 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-371 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-372 8775 168.0 175.5 1.2 7.5 7.1 S 187.5 193.5 1.8 6.0 5.7 S 199.5 232.5 1.0 33.0 31.5 S 240.0 246.0 1.6 6.0 5.7 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-373 8775 177.0 195.0 1.0 18.0 16.1 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-378 8400 127.5 141.0 1.4 13.5 12.4 S 147.0 163.5 1.4 16.5 15.2 S 172.5 190.5 10.1 18.0 16.7 S 202.5 216.0 2.1 13.5 12.5 S 234.0 240.0 1.6 6.0 5.6 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-379 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-385 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-386 8375 139.5 165.0 1.9 25.5 24.0 S 185.2 190.5 1.6 5.3 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-387 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-388 8375 210.0 216.0 1.0 6.0 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-389 8725 162.0 171.0 1.1 9.0 8.6 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-391 8700 168.0 180.0 1.0 12.0 11.6 S 208.5 228.0 1.1 19.5 19.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Infill South Zone Mineralized Intersections Length along True Hole East From To Gold grade the hole width Zone (metres) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne) (metres) (metres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-392 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-394 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-395 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-396 8575 229.5 241.5 1.2 12.0 10.3 S 259.5 265.5 2.1 6.0 5.2 S 271.5 277.3 2.7 5.8 5.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-397 8350 210.0 235.5 2.0 25.5 24.2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-403 Assay pending ------------------------------------------------------------------------- JA-08-404 8200 24.0 64.5 2.4 40.5 35.6 S 136.5 142.1 1.2 5.6 5.0 S -------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCE Aurizon Mines Ltd.

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category