Heron’s Regional Exploration Drilling Returns 42m at 0.20g/t Au and 0.26% Cu from 4m to End of Hole

Sydney, Australia, June 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heron Resources Limited (ASX:HRR TSX:HER, “Heron” or the “Company”) is pleased to report the results of a reconnaissance rotary airblast (RAB) drilling program at the Crosby prospect within its wholly-owned Kangiara Project (EL8400), located 200km south-west of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Results for first pass RAB drilling at the Crosby Prospect have returned:

• 42m @ 0.20 g/t Au and 0.26% Cu from 4m to end of hole (CRRB027)
• 3m 0.77 g/t Au from 33m depth to end of hole (CRRB008)
• Several supporting anomalous results indicative of a broad mineralised system, strong sericite and pyrite alteration logged
• Hosted within Silurian dacitic rocks - intrusive-related copper/gold mineralising model.

Kangiara (EL8400) RAB Program

The Kangiara Project is located 90km NW of Woodlawn and 26km NNW of the town of Yass, and is a historical copper mine where previous explorers (to 2014) have delineated a small, low-grade, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc deposit (non JORC).  The geology comprises felsic volcanic and related sedimentary rocks of the Silurian Douro Group (Figure1). 

At the Crosby Prospect (named after the nearby survey point) 5km to the NE of the Kangiara mine, previous explorers outlined a strong gold anomaly (up to 2.3g/t Au in rock chips and 0.17g/t Au in soils) within a 2.5km NW-trending zone of anomalous geochemistry (Au, As, Zn, Pb, Cu; Bi, Mo, Sb).  Heron conducted check sampling which confirmed the soil geochemistry, with levels above 150ppb Au being returned and rock-chips up to 4g/t from an area northwest of the soil anomaly.  The geological setting is similar to the McPhillamys gold deposit (approximately 2.2Moz Au as reported by Regis Resources Ltd http://www.regisresources.com.au/ ) located 130km to the NNE.

A program of 33 rotary air-blast (RAB) holes for 743m was completed in May 2017 providing a first pass test of the soil geochemical anomalies (Figure 2).  The majority of the drilling was focused on the Crosby Main target plus 2 lines to the north providing coverage of the northern geochemical anomalies, and was conducted with the RAB hammer which provided dry and relatively contamination free penetration into the weathered and altered rocks.

The drill holes encountered a thin residual regolith cover before penetrating the Silurian sequence of dacitic intrusive rocks with lesser intercalated breccias and shales.  Pervasive sericite alteration and fine grained disseminated pyrite (phyllic alteration) was observed in many of the holes, with lesser biotite and some fine-grained base metal sulphides.  Where alteration was strong, the rig was able to penetrate deeper; the deepest intercept was in strong alteration from surface to a depth of 64m (CRRB024) which was close to the capacity of the rig (Figure 3).

Samples were collected on 4m, 2m or 1m intervals depending on the degree of alteration, and assayed using an aqua-regia digest and ICP finish for gold and other elements.  Some check fire assays are being conducted to check the gold results as it may be reporting slightly low if the mineralisation is of a refractory nature.  The drill logs and assays confirmed a broad zone of phyllic alteration within the Silurian sequence at both the Crosby Main and Central areas. 

Better results include:

10m @ 0.11g/t Au, from 30m to end of hole (CRRB007)

3m @ 0.77 g/t Au, from 33m depth to end of hole (CRRB008)

4m @ 0.96% Zn, 0.36% Pb and 0.07g/t Au, from 54m (CRRB024)

42m @ 0.20 g/t Au and 0.26% Cu from 4m to end of hole (CRRB027)

4m @ 0.25% Cu from 24m to end of hole (CRRB029)

The results from the Crosby Main area (CRRB007, -008 and -024) are associated with strong sericite and fine grained disseminated pyrite alteration and elevated zinc and lead similar to the McPhillamys style of mineralisation. 

The results from the very limited drilling in the Crosby Central area (CRRB027 and 029) is consistent with an intrusive-related or porphyry style of mineralisation, and the thick intercept in CRRB0027 suggests the potential for the presence of a significant mineralising system.  Of note in the drill assays for the central area is depletion in both Cu and Au in the top 4 metres indicating the broad and relatively weak soil geochemical anomaly in this area may be more significant than first thought. Strongly anomalous silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), arsenic (As) levels associated with these copper/gold results (see Appendix 1) is encouraging and supports an intrusive-related model for the mineralisation. 

Forward Program

This first-pass reconnaissance drilling program has successfully identified the potential for a significant, intrusive-related copper/gold mineralised system.  The fine disseminated nature of the sulphides in the dacitic rocks can most likely be mapped with IP geophysical methods to help target future drilling programs.

About Heron Resources Limited:

Heron’s primary focus is the development of its 100% owned, high grade Woodlawn Zinc-Copper Project located 250km southwest of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.  In addition, the Company holds a significant high quality, gold and base metal tenement holding in central and eastern New South Wales.

Figure 1: Location of the Kangiara Project and Crosby Prospect in relation to Woodlawn and other major deposits. Refer to link below:

http://www.heronresources.com/tsximages/20170620/20170620_Fig1.jpg  

Figure 2:  Crosby Prospect showing distribution of drilling and anomalous holes with key results highlighted. Refer to link below:

http://www.heronresources.com/tsximages/20170620/20170620_Fig2.jpg

Figure 3:  Kangiara Project, Crosby Prospect RAB drilling rig at hole CRRB024 drilled to 64m (deepest hole of program) showing broad zone of sericite/pyrite alteration. Refer to link below:

http://www.heronresources.com/tsximages/20170620/20170620_Fig3.jpg  

Compliance Statement (JORC 2012 and NI43-101)

The technical information in this report relating to the exploration results is based on information compiled by Mr. David von Perger, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Chartered Professional – Geology). Mr. von Perger is a full time employee of Heron Resources Limited and has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results and “qualified person” as this term is defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”). Mr. von Perger has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this report. This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, without limitation, estimates, forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations with respect to, among other things, the timing and amount of funding required to execute the Company’s exploration, development and business plans, capital and exploration expenditures, the effect on the Company of any changes to existing legislation or policy, government regulation of mining operations, the length of time required to obtain permits, certifications and approvals, the success of exploration, development and mining activities, the geology of the Company’s properties, environmental risks, the availability of labour, the focus of the Company in the future, demand and market outlook for precious metals and the prices thereof, progress in development of mineral properties, the Company’s ability to raise funding privately or on a public market in the future, the Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “may” and similar expressions have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is given, and on information available to management at such time. Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking information. These factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in currency markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, the ability of the Company to access sufficient capital on favourable terms or at all, changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations, political or economic developments in Canada, Australia or other countries in which the Company does business or may carry on business in the future, operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or development activities, employee relations, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities and grades of mineral reserves, contests over title to properties, especially title to undeveloped properties, the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drill results and other geological data, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding, limitations of insurance coverage and the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, and should be considered carefully. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect the Company’s actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Prospective investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Although the forward-looking information contained in this report is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure prospective purchasers that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.  No stock exchange, regulation services provider, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this report.

Appendix 1

Table 1: Drill hole details for RAB holes completed

Table 2: Selected assay results for the RAB program – holes not included contained no significant assay results

JORC 2012 Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data 

(Criteria in this section applies to all succeeding sections)

Section 2                             Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

For further information, please visit www.heronresources.com.au or contact: Australia: Mr Wayne Taylor Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tel: +61 2 9119 8111 or +61 8 6500 9200 Email: heron@heronresources.com.au Jon Snowball FTI Consulting +61 2 8298 6100 jon.snowball@fticonsulting.com Canada: Tel: +1 647 862 1157 (Toronto)