"Huge Scale" Developing At Bramaderos - More strong assay results received from Brama for holes BMDD0019, and 027-032:
- 50.0m at 1.01g/t gold equivalent (AuEq1) (0.83g/t gold, 0.10% copper), from 102m in BMDD019
- 66.0m at 0.62 AuEq (0.45g/t gold and 0.09% copper), from 254m in BMDD027
- 72.0m at 0.55g/t AuEq (0.3g/t gold and0.14% copper), from 452m in BMDD028
- 72.7m at 0.68g/t AuEq (0.55g/t gold and 0.07% copper) from surface in BMDD029
- Results provide further indications that the Brama-Alba discovery is large by global measure and contains grades in line with many well-known porphyry projects
- Mineralization now outlined over 1.2km by 500m to >400m deep and remains open in all directions
- Highly positive initial metallurgical results: With a combined flotation and leach circuit, the results indicate that recoveries in excess of 86% for copper and 88% for gold can be achieved when targeting a saleable concentrate grade of above 20% copper
- Higher-grade zones close to surface, as shown by contouring of gold-equivalent domains
- The adjacent Melonal and Playas targets are emerging as highly promising prospects with strong potential to grow the size of Bramaderos; These two targets will be drilled this year
- Ongoing drilling with three rigs underpinning strong news flow over the remainder of 2022, culminating in a maiden resource estimate at Brama-Alba in the December quarter
Sunstone Managing Director, Malcolm Norris, said:
“We continue to increase the size of the Brama-Alba discovery with wide intersections with very good gold-copper grades from surface.
“We are also very pleased with the early metallurgical test work results. These results further strengthen the outlook for the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate this year. They also allow us to present results as gold-equivalent to better inform investors of the huge scale that we are developing at Brama-Alba and more broadly within the Bramaderos Project. The gold-equivalent data also allows for comparisons to more readily be made with other global porphyry systems where results are often reported as gold-equivalent and copper equivalent.
“Drilling is continuing with two rigs at Brama-Alba and one at Limon. The Brama-Alba drilling is filling in any gaps leading to the Resource and extending the scale of the system to the south-east and laterally. At the Alba end of the system, we are drilling holes that are discovering new areas of mineralization and we will continue to expand this zone to the west of hole BMDD007.
“At the eastern end of Brama, the deposit is plunging towards a significant magnetic body, which has not yet been drilled. This gives us reason to be optimistic in this area of further mineralization.
“It is also important to appreciate the outstanding location of Bramaderos, which is a key component to its value. The project is located immediately adjacent to the Pan American highway, and within reasonable distance of available hydroelectric power, supporting the economics of potential development opportunities. The project is also supported by nearby commercial airports and significant cities (Loja) and the project has strong community support. Ecuador sources 88% of its power from hydroelectricity and is ideally placed to participate in the global demand for clean energy sourced metals”.