Perth, May 6, 2008 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Prairie Downs Metals Limited (ASX:PDZ) Announce initial results are now available for the second copper discovery at the Prairie Downs project, Kerrs Find. The area has been mapped in detail and a total of 152 rock chip samples have been analysed using a Niton XL3T handheld XRF machine, results are shown in the accompanying plan. Copper has returned values up to 29.4% with lead values up to 19.5%. Work continues and will include channel sampling prior to drilling.
The geological setting at Kerrs Find is the same as Costean Seven, a copper discovery first reported in an ASX release dated 17 April 2008. High grade copper mineralisation is hosted by a silicified volcanic breccia and is underlain by a basal zone of copper and lead.
The copper is overlain by a carbonatised volcaniclastic that regularly hosts zinc mineralisation. This is in turn overlain by a barite cap that is usually extensively altered with carbonate and silica. The rocks at both prospects dip shallowly to the southwest and the base of mineralisation terminates to the northeast at a rift zone which is intensely sheared and altered.
It is very significant that the copper mineralisation is found within a particular rock type (i.e. it is stratiform) and has a replacement or disseminated texture, rather than vein type as for zinc mineralisation at the Main and Zed Lodes. Photographs of replacement mineralisation have been previously released. A photograph of disseminated copper is shown below.
Kerrs Find has a strike length of 500 metres and lies 500 metres to the southeast of Costean Seven, which has a strike length of 400 metres. There is no outcrop between the two prospects and thus every chance that mineralisation continues between the two. This would equate to a total strike length of 1.4 kilometres with mineralisation passing beneath cover to the northwest and southeast.
Base metal mineralisation at Costean Seven and Kerrs Find has a number of characteristics in common with large sedimentary-style base metal systems, such as Mt Isa-type deposits in northern Australia. Similarities include:
- Replacement and disseminated textures
- Mineralisation lies beneath a barite cap
- Mineralisation is stratiform
- Alteration with a central zone of silica surrounded by extensive carbonate
- Peripheral hematite and potassic alteration zone
- Structural setting with a basal rift that appears to pre-date mineralisation
- Stacking of mineralisation with zinc at the top and copper towards the footwall
The next stage of exploration will be to determine the relationship between copper mineralisation at Kerrs Find and the Main Lode area, 1.3 kilometres to the southeast. As previously reported, copper has been intersected in a number of holes in the footwall to the Main Lode, with a best result of 3.4 metres at 2.8% copper and 12.2g/t silver. This suggests that there may be continuity between the two areas.
The final stage of exploration is to map a section of the rift 4 kilometres northwest of Costean Seven. Preliminary investigation has shown that this is an area of structural complexity and extensive alteration, both of which are favourable indicators for mineralisation.
Mapping is expected to be complete within the next few weeks and drilling is expected to commence in June, subject to rig availability. An initial 20,000 metre program of both RC and diamond drilling is planned.
Information in this report that relates to Exploration Results or Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Mr Luke Kerr and by Mr Mark Hansen, both of whom are Members of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Hansen and Mr Kerr have sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent Persons as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Kerr and Mr Hansen consent to the inclusion in this report of the statements based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.
Contact
Mark Hansen
Managing Director
Elissa Samuel
Investor Relations Manager
esamuel@prairiedownsmetals.com.au
Telephone 08 9225 5755
Fax 08 9225 4599
| ||
|
