RE:RE:Love these high-grade faces spelling out the report hi-lites:
K92 samples 5.2 m of 350.52 g/t AuEq at Kainantu
2021-10-27 06:42 ET - News Release
Mr. John Lewins reports
K92 MINING ANNOUNCES HIGH GRADE JUDD 1265 LEVEL DEVELOPMENT RESULTS -- TOTAL STRIKE EXTENSION OF 211 METRES AVERAGED 21.69 G/T AUEQ AT 3.9 METRE J1 VEIN WIDTH
K92 Mining Inc. has completed an additional 211 metres of development, extending to both the north and south along the Judd 1265 level J1 vein, within the plus-2.5-kilometre-strike sparsely explored Judd vein system at the Kainantu gold mine in Papua New Guinea.
This is the second sublevel developed on Judd Vein #1. Judd is located near mine infrastructure, sub-parallel and approximately ~150-200 metres west of the producing Kora deposit.
Since the Company's August 23, 2021 press release announcing initial development results over a strike length of 83 metres on the Judd 1265 Level J1 Vein, underground development towards both the north and south continued to record high grade mineralization.
The combined extension totals 211 metres at an estimated average grade of 21.69 g/t AuEq or 20.36 g/t Au, 0.76% Cu and 24 g/t Ag at an average vein thickness of 3.9 metres from channel sampling.
The development extension to the north recorded a strike length of 97 metres with an average grade of 18.29 g/t AuEq or 16.85 g/t Au, 0.85% Cu and 24 g/t Ag of undiluted J1 Vein extracted at an average vein thickness of 3.8 metres that ranged from 2.5 metres to near drive width (over 5.5 metres) based on underground channel sampling.
The development extension to the south recorded a strike length of 114 metres with an average grade of 24.44 g/t AuEq or 23.20 g/t Au, 0.69% Cu and 25 g/t Ag of undiluted J1 Vein extracted at an average vein thickness of 4.0 metres that ranged from 1.7 metres to near drive width (over 5.5 metres) based on underground channel sampling.
Importantly, the development recorded a significant frequency of high grade with 26% of faces recording J1 Vein average grades greater than 10 g/t AuEq from channel sampling. Some of the high-grade J1 Vein channel sampling results, include:
- 5.2 m thickness at 350.52 g/t AuEq or 346.62 g/t Au, 2.01% Cu and 97 g/t Ag;
- 2.9 m thickness at 152.26 g/t AuEq or 149.47 g/t Au, 0.66% Cu and 150 g/t Ag;
- 5.6 m thickness at 97.27 g/t AuEq or 95.59 g/t Au, 0.80% Cu and 48 g/t Ag;
- 5.7 m thickness at 95.57 g/t AuEq or 90.55 g/t Au, 1.54% Cu and 232 g/t Ag;
- 2.6 m thickness at 49.30 g/t AuEq or 42.89 g/t Au, 4.12% Cu and 74 g/t Ag;
- 3.8 m thickness at 40.90 g/t AuEq or 39.52 g/t Au, 0.57% Cu and 49 g/t Ag;
- 5.8 m thickness at 22.52 g/t AuEq or 19.65 g/t Au, 1.74% Cu and 44 g/t Ag.
Several of the higher grade J1 Vein channel samples, including 5.2 m thickness at 350.52 g/t AuEq or 346.62 g/t Au, 2.01% Cu and 97 g/t Ag and 5.7 m thickness at 95.57 g/t AuEq or 90.55 g/t Au, 1.54% Cu and 232 g/t Ag, were recorded along the southern development drive in an area approximately 10 metres above hole JDD0006 that recorded 7.25 metres at 256.09 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag and 0.42% Cu (258.01 g/t AuEq, 5.30m true width) on the J1 Vein (see November 9, 2020 press release {᳉ –} K92 Mining Announces Initial Phase 1 High-Grade Judd Vein System Drilling Results, Including 7.25m at 258.01 g/t AuEq). JDD0006 is one of the highest-grade intersections drilled by K92 at the Kainantu Mine.
The development drive is designed as a return airway ("RAD") with dimensions of 5.5 m x 5.5 m, which is significantly larger than an ore drive or long hole stopes would be.
Incorporating excess dilution from the development drive, the combined northern and southern extensions extracted 18,454 tonnes at 15.54 g/t gold equivalent AuEq or 14.56 g/t Au, 0.56% Cu and 18 g/t Ag.
The Southern drive extension extracted 10,024 tonnes at 17.77 g/t AuEq or 16.86 g/t Au, 0.51% Cu and 18 g/t Ag and the northern drive extension extracted 8,430 tonnes at 12.89 g/t AuEq or 11.83 g/t Au, 0.63% Cu and 17 g/t Ag.
Mineralization continues to be intrusive related, gold-copper-silver, and similar to Kora. Ground conditions are competent and are expected to be amenable to mining widths similar to the average Judd #1 Vein thickness and those currently mined at Kora, which is a minimum of 2 metres wide for long hole stoping and minimum 3 metres wide for cut and fill.
Towards the south, Judd has extensive artisanal mine workings at surface in addition to high grade shallow historic intersections such as BKDD0002 recording 3.0 m at 278.2 g/t Au and 0.21% Cu and 053BD02 recording 9.0 m at 8.32 g/t Au and 1.11% Cu (See Figure 2).
Similar to Kora, the results to date have shown higher and lower grade areas and importantly, the development results also correspond well with reported drilling and the 1235 Level that recorded 288 metres of development with an average J1 Vein thickness of 3.7 m at 11.64 g/t AuEq, including 179 m at 3.7m thickness at 15.39 g/t AuEq (see January 26, 2021 press release: K92 Mining Announces Judd Underground Development Extension Results - Average J1 Vein Grade of 18.70 g/t AuEq at 3.8 m Width).
As a result of the promising drilling, underground development and metallurgical results to date, Judd has become an entirely new mining front and major exploration focus.
On mining, long hole drilling has commenced and first production stoping is on track for the fourth quarter. This is expected to provide a significant boost to operational flexibility.
On exploration, a larger drill program is planned to start at Judd imminently with at least two thirds of underground drill rigs allocated to Judd by early November. Exploration and development results will form the basis for the upcoming maiden Judd resource estimate and geostatistics / top-cuts, targeting Q1 2022.
John Lewins, K92 Chief Executive Officer and Director, stated, "The latest development results continue to demonstrate the significant potential of the Judd Vein System. Along the 1265 Level, development to the north and south recorded both high grades and solid thickness. Development along the level has recorded a total of 294 metres of continuous J1 Vein mineralization, averaging 3.8 metres vein thickness at 20.34 g/t AuEq or 18.60 g/t Au, 1.03% Cu and 26 g/t Ag from channel sampling. These results are supported by strong 1235 Level and exploration drilling results to date.
"The results also recorded a solid frequency of high grades, with 26% of faces recording average J1 Vein grades of +10 g/t AuEq from channel sampling. Encouragingly, several high-grade channel samples are proximal to, and support previously reported high-grade drilling results, including hole JDD0006 that recorded 7.25 metres at 256.09 g/t Au, 113 g/t Ag and 0.42% Cu (258.01 g/t AuEq, 5.30m true width). JDD0006 is located approximately 10 metres below the 1265 Level southern development channel samples 5.2-metre thickness at 350.52 g/t AuEq or 346.62 g/t Au, 2.01% Cu and 97 g/t Ag and 5.7-metre thickness at 95.57 g/t AuEq or 90.55 g/t Au, 1.54% Cu and 232 g/t Ag.
"While exploration at Judd is still in its early days, it is not only open along strike to the south and north, up-dip and down-dip, but also has at least four known veins, a known strike length of +2.5km that is sparsely drilled and similar mineralization to Kora. Importantly, vectors to the south, including extensive artisanal mining on surface and shallow historical high-grade intersections are very promising.
"We are pleased to report that exploration activities at Judd will be rapidly expanding imminently. By early November, we plan to have at least two-thirds of our underground drill rigs on Judd, after infill drilling at Kora concludes for its updated resource estimate later this year. Activities at Judd South are also planned, with surface mapping and sampling underway, as part of a program also targeting Kora South. Drilling at Kora South recently commenced from surface, and we expect opportunities to target Judd South as well.
"Lastly, we are very excited to be commencing production stoping at Judd this quarter. Long-hole drilling is underway and production stoping at an entirely new mining front is expected to provide a notable boost to operational flexibility. As Judd is near Kora's mine infrastructure, we have the ability to quickly pivot from exploration success to production, which is a major advantage that we plan to continue to leverage going forward."
Face Sampling Methodology, QA/QC and Qualified Person
Face channel samples under geological control, were taken across the full face of both the exposed lode system and any waste rock, with sample intervals ranging from 0.1 to 1m in width depending on the geologist's interpretation. Two samples were taken per interval at waist and knee height and the corresponding widths recorded. Sample lengths are <1.5m, with samples approximately 3.5 kg in size. Samples were separately assayed for gold, copper and silver, and the results averaged out using length weighting and channel orientation before entry into the database. K92's procedure includes the insertion standards, blanks and duplicates for the face sampling. Gold assays are by the fire assay method. Copper and silver assays are by three-acid-digestion method (nitric, perchloric & hydrochloric mix).
K92 maintains an industry-standard analytical quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and data verification program to monitor laboratory performance and ensure high quality assays. Results from this program confirm reliability of the assay results. All sampling and analytical work for the mine exploration program is performed by Intertek Testing Services (PNG) LTD, an independent accredited laboratory that is located on site. External check assays for QA/QC purposes are performed at SGS Australia Pty Ltd in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
The analytical QA/QC program is currently overseen by Andrew Kohler, PGeo, Mine Geology Manager and Mine Exploration Manager for K92. Andrew Kohler, a qualified person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 {㺂 –} Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and is responsible for the technical content of this news release.