HIGHLIGHT - Primero drills 5.8 m of 27.9 g/t Au at Black Fox
2016-09-19 12:20 AT - News Release
Mr. Ernest Mast reports
PRIMERO PROVIDES EXPLORATION UPDATE; BLACK FOX DEEP CENTRAL ZONE EXPANDED TO THE WEST; VEIN EXTENSIONS AT SAN DIMAS AND PROMISING LECHUGUILLA CONCESSION RESULTS
Primero Mining Corp. today released the results of successful exploration at the company's Black Fox mine located near Timmins, Ont., Canada, and the San Dimas mine located in Durango, Mexico.
Black Fox highlights:
- Deep central zone's positive production results: Initial mining of the Black Fox deep central zone has delivered positive production results with long-hole stoping producing 3,885 tonnes grading 8.3 grams per tonne gold to-date. Development in ore has produced an additional 4,350 tonnes grading 10.9 grams per tonne gold. Delineation drilling continues to confirm the high-grade tenure of the deep central zone with drill hole 520-EX346-06 intercepting 27.9 grams per tonne gold over 5.8 metres at 800 metres depth.
- Mineralization identified west of the deep central zone: Recent exploration drilling west of the Black Fox deep central zone returned positive results with significant gold grades including 28.1 grams per tonne gold over 2.7 metres (520-EX286-05), 4.6 grams per tonne gold over 5.4 metres (520-EX286-01) and 9.1 grams per tonne gold over 1.2 metres (520-EX286-02).
San Dimas highlights:
- High-grade Victoria vein extended: Exploration drilling at San Dimas continues to target the northeastern extension of the Victoria vein, returning positive results including 208.7 grams per tonne gold and 3,037 grams per tonne silver over 1.3 metres true width (VIC16_379), 11.5 grams per tonne gold and 590 grams per tonne silver over 3.5 metres true width (VIC16_374), and 12.6 grams per tonne gold and 817 grams per tonne silver over 2.3 metres true width (VIC16_378).
- Discovery of high grades at surface on the Lechuguilla concession: Exploration of the Causitas vein, located on the 30,192-hectare Lechuguilla concession near the main road between Durango and Tayoltita, has been traced at surface over 200 metres of strike length with true widths of up to six metres. Highlights of channel sampling include 7.1 grams per tonne gold equivalent over 4.5 metres true width, including 10.9 grams per tonne gold equivalent over two metres true width (L-05) and five grams per tonne gold equivalent over three metres true width, including 9.8 grams per tonne gold equivalent over 1.2 metres true width (L-02).
- Other veins identified in the Causitas window: Following the initial success at the Causitas vein, Primero has been investigating nearby outcroppings within the Causitas geological window, this being the area where erosion has exposed the lower volcanic sequence containing mineralized veins. The Causitas window is much-more extensive in area than originally indicated, and, to date, Primero has identified two other veins located within close proximity and near the main road.
"I am exceptionally pleased with the results achieved by our Black Fox and San Dimas exploration teams," stated Ernest Mast, president and chief executive officer. "At Black Fox, the deep central zone is now delivering production ore, and we have successfully identified additional high-grade mineralization to the west. At San Dimas, it is reassuring to see that our high-grade veins can continue to be extended with similar or greater widths than currently being mined. And as we look regionally at San Dimas onto our concession not covered by the silver purchase agreement, I am optimistic about the initial results from the Causitas vein, which has the potential to augment current mill feed given its proximity to an existing main road. The Causitas area, located in the Lechuguilla concession, is highly prospective, and I look forward to announcing additional exploration results from a drilling program from this area before year-end."
Black Fox -- Canada
Deep central zone delivers positive production results
The discovery, delineation and now-commencing production from the Black Fox deep central zone are important milestones for the mine. When Primero acquired the Black Fox mine, only two exploration holes had been drilled into the area, and, over the past few years, Primero has successfully expanded, delineated and mined a ramp to access the deep central zone. Current reserves, as at Dec. 31, 2015, total 600,000 tonnes of probable reserves grading 6.2 grams per tonne gold and containing 116,000 ounces.
Following ramp construction completed in early 2016, Primero has developed mining levels on the 640-metre, 660-metre and 680-metre levels ahead of initial long-hole production. Primero has now achieved initial production mining of the deep central zone, which has returned positive results with grades and tonnes reconciling well with the production block model. First long-hole production blasting occurred in early September, and, to date, 3,885 production tonnes have been recovered from stoping between the 640-metre and 660-metre levels with an average grade of 8.3 grams per tonne gold. Long-hole production will continue to ramp up from this area, with underground production expected to average 800 tonnes per day in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Development in ore is under way on the 680 level ahead of long-hole stoping production between the 660 and 680 levels. Currently, 91 metres of lateral development have been completed, containing 4,350 tonnes of ore with an average grade of 10.9 grams per tonne gold in muck samples (cut at 30 grams per tonne). <Stanley's comment -- nugget effect??>
Further at depth, recent exploration drilling has reconfirmed the high-grade tenure of the deep central zone with drill hole 520-EX346-06 intercepting 27.9 grams per tonne gold over 5.8 metres at approximately 800 metres depth. Deep drilling efforts remain continuing, and results from 800 metres to 1,000 metres depth are expected before year-end.
Details from hole 520-EX346-06 are shown on the table contained on the full details available on the Primero Website.
DYODD - GLAP
Cheers
Stanley