NEWSAurizon Discovers Gold Outside the Known Limits of Zone 113 at Casa Berardi
5/19/04
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 19, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Aurizon Mines Ltd. (AMEX:AZK) (TSX:ARZ) is pleased to report results from twenty five additional definition holes drilled in Zone 113, Casa Berardi Project, Quebec. Six of these holes were drilled along the edge of the eastern limit of Zone 113 and, of these, three intersected significant mineralization east of the known limits of Zone 113. All drilling was conducted from the newly developed 550 metre level exploration drift, and the best results are reported below:
------------------------------ ----------------------------------Within known limit of Zone 113 Outside of known limit of Zone 113------------------------------ ---------------------------------- Gold Gold grams/ Length grams/ Length tonne (metres tonne (metres (assays along (assays alongHole ID uncut) the hole) Hole ID uncut) the hole)------------------------------ ----------------------------------U194 12.6 4.3 U195 14.5 7.5U196 11.9 3.6 U334 7.8 8.2U199 12.1 9.6 U335 22.0 6.2U200 11.2 12.2U331 9.5 8.0U326 8.0 12.8U327 8.2 22.9U328 8.2 6.8 and 8.4 17.7
Results for all holes can be found on the table attached to this release
'The infill drilling of Zone 113 continues to exceed expectations.'said David P. Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer. 'Casa Berardi drilling and feasibility work continues to progress well, on time and on budget. The surface shaft pad is complete and underground access to the proposed shaft location is underway. Two surface exploration drills are currently active in the area of the East Mine.'
The Definition Drill Program
An underground definition drill program, using two rigs, was initiated in November, 2003. To date, results have been received from 82 holes, 9 of which were drilled to test ground conditions in the proposed area of the shaft and the ongoing exploration track drift. Initial hole spacing is 25 metres (lateral) by 50 metres (vertical); and final hole spacing is planned at 25 metres by 25 metres. Drilling of mineralization was carried out along nine different vertical sections and horizontal fan drilling from the 550 metre level. All holes drilled to test Zone 113 have intersected a 20 to 70 metre wide mineralized corridor adjacent to the Casa Berardi fault. Most of the holes have been drilled through the Casa Berardi Fault.
In December of 2002, Aurizon announced an underground exploration program at Casa Berardi to access Zone 113. The plan called for the extension of the main ramp from the West Mine to the 550 metre level; the development of a 450 metre exploration drift; the detailed drilling of Zone 113; and the development of the mineralized zone, to test the continuity of the mineralization and to provide a bulk sample for metallurgical purposes.
To date, Aurizon has completed the ramp extension from the 450 metre level down to the 550 metre level, developed 503 metres of the planned 505 metres of exploration drift, and completed a crosscut of 158 metres through Zone 113 and the Casa Berardi fault. Development of the exploration drift is still in progress.
Mineralized zone
Gold mineralization is found within large quartz veins and associated hanging wall stockwork. The gold mineralization is not restricted to the quartz veins. Quartz veins and gold mineralized zones are oblique to the Casa Berardi fault, which is 0.15 to 2.0 metres wide in the drilled area.
Quality Control
Drill core assays are performed on split or core sawed in half, with standard fire assay procedures and gravimetric finition. Certified reference material is inserted in the sample sequence for quality control. Assay checking on the pulp and reject samples are carried out systematically. Primary assaying is performed by SGS Geochemical Laboratories of Rouyn-Noranda and check assays are carried out by Chimitec of Val D'Or.
Drill hole planning, implementation and the quality control program is supervised by Robert Crepeau, P.Geol., Principal Mine Geologist, who is an appropriately qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Shaft progress report
Aurizon has commenced the site preparation work required prior to the construction of the shaft collar and the shaft. Scoping studies have indicated that raising the shaft rather than conventional shaft sinking should significantly reduce the shaft construction schedule. Raising will be conducted simultaneously from both the 550 metre level up to the rehabilitated 280 metre level, and from the 280 metre level to surface.
Access to the future shaft location at the 280 metre level should be completed early in June. Access to the future shaft location, at the 550 metre level, is in progress and should be completed early in the third quarter. To date, Aurizon has developed 184 metres on the 550 metre level to the future shaft access. Construction of the shaft collar is estimated to begin during the third quarter, 2004.
The tender process for both the shaft collar construction and the alimak raising is in progress.
Updated feasibility study and staff improvements
In March 2004, Aurizon announced that an Updated Feasibility Study, scheduled for October 2004, had been awarded to Met-Chem Canada Inc. To support Met-Chem during the feasibility process, Aurizon has assembled a technical team, most of whom average more than 20 years of experience with major companies such as Barrick, Cambior, Falconbridge and major mining contractors.
Metallurgical and environmental testwork, and detailed engineering of the surface and underground infrastructures are in progress. A detailed mine plan and related rock mechanics studies will be initiated in May, 2004.
Additional Information
A sketch indicating the area covered by the current underground definition drilling program described herein is attached to this news release. If you are unable to view this information, please download this news release from Aurizon's website at https://www.aurizon.com or contact the Company at the numbers listed below. All other information previously released on the Casa Berardi project is also available on the Aurizon website.
Aurizon is a Canadian-based gold mining company with operations and exploration activities in the Abitibi region of north-western Quebec, one of the world's most prolific gold and base metal regions. Aurizon owns one hundred percent (100%) of the Casa Berardi property, which is accessible by road, has all necessary mining permits in place and is on the Hydro Quebec power grid. Aurizon also owns 50% of the Sleeping Giant Mine. As at the end of the first quarter 2004, Aurizon had cash and working capital in excess of $22 million. Aurizon shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol 'ARZ'and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol 'AZK'.
This News Release contains 'forward-looking statements', including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's expectations as to the market price of gold, strategic plans, future commercial production, production targets and timetables, mine operating costs, capital expenditures, work programs, exploration budgets and mineral reserve and resource estimates. Forward-looking statements express, as at the date of this report, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results. Forward-looking statements involve a number of 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, factors associated with fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks and hazards, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, requirement of additional financing, risks of delays in construction and other risks more fully described in Aurizon's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed as an alternative form of AIF with the Securities Commissions of the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and with the Toronto Stock Exchange.
------------------------------ ---------------------------------- Gold Gold grams/ Length grams/ Length tonne (metres tonne (metres (assays along (assays alongHole ID uncut) the hole) Hole ID uncut) the hole)------------------------------ ----------------------------------U168 6.2 10.5 U310 5.9 21.8U169 Drilled for ground U311 Low value condition dataU170 Drilled for ground U312 13.8 16.3 condition dataU171 Drilled for ground U313(2) 7.1 18.9 condition dataU172 2.1 12.4 U314(2) Low valueU173 13.8 39.0 U315(2) 6.1 6.1U174 Abandoned And 7.5 4.5U175 8.8 9.7 U316(2) Low valueU176(2) 8.3 9.0 U317(2) 22.2 3.0U177 14.4 7.5 U318(2) Low valueU178 5.9 32.8 U319 9.1 16.2U179 7.1 15.0 U320(1) Low valueU180 5.8 16.3 U321(1) Low valueU181 4.5 6.0 U322(2) 12.6 14.5U182 Low value U323 5.2 6.2U183 11.3 11.8 U324(1) 3.4 14.6U184 4.0 7.5 U325(1) 5.3 13.4U185 3.5 10.5 U326(1) 8.0 12.8U186 19.1 19.1 U327 8.2 22.9U187 12.0 15.8 U328 8.4 17.7U189 11.0 12.6 and 8.2 6.8U190(1) 4.0 34.9 U329(1) 5.2 6.3U191(1) 4.8 6.2 U330(1) Low valueU192(1) Low value U331(1) 9.5 8.0U193(1) Low value and 5.0 3.8U194(1) 12.6 4.3 U332(1) 6.4 3.5U195(1) 14.5 7.5 U333(1) Low valueU196(1) 11.9 3.6 U334(1) 7.8 8.2 And 3.6 7.5 and 3.3 3.6U197(1) 3.5 4.2 U335(1) 22.0 6.2U198(1) 6.0 14.5U199(1) 12.1 9.6 U400 Drilled for ground condition dataU200(1) 11.2 12.2 U401 9.5 6.5U300(2) 4.6 9.0 and 7.6 7.4U301(2) 15.4 6.0 U402 6.2 11.6U302 2.2 7.6 U403 32.6 8.5U303 3.2 23.1 U404 Drilled for ground condition dataU304 7.3 44.7 U405 4.9 7.5U305 Low value U406 4.0 4.5U306 Low value And 21.6 7.9U307 7.4 8.6 U407 5.8 11.6U308(2) Low value U408(2) 9.6 18.5U309 6.7 8.2 U409 5.0 23.5 and 8.3 14.3 U410 9.5 22.6 U411 11.1 7.4 and 6.3 7.7 U412 Drilled for ground condition data U413 Drilled for ground condition data(1) New Drill holes(2) Drilled outside of the previously known limits of Zone 113
U.S. Registration: (File #0-22672) Form 20-F
NOTE: Vertical Longitudinal Section available by clicking the following link: https://www2.cdn-news.com/database/fax/2000/AurizonMap0519.pdf
SOURCE: Aurizon Mines Ltd.
Aurizon Mines Ltd.David P. HallPresident(604) 687-6600 or Toll Free 1-888-411-GOLDFax: (604) 687-3932orAurizon Mines Ltd.Patrick SoaresManager, Investor Relations(604) 687-6600 or Toll Free 1-888-411-GOLDFax: (604) 687-3932Email: info@aurizon.comWebsite: www.aurizon.com
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