First Specimen Stone Gold at Depth Discovered in A Zone Yields 30 Ounce Specimen

Multiple High-Grade Intersections Demonstrate Growth Potential of Western Flanks and A-Zone Areas

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - RNC Minerals (TSX: RNX) ("RNC") is pleased to report continued high-grade drill results at depth from underground drilling at its Beta Hunt Mine in Australia. Underground definition drilling continues to infill and target down-plunge extensions of the A Zone and Western Flanks gold system, and increase mineral resource confidence.

Mark Selby, President and CEO of RNC Minerals commented: "Our exploration results continue to successfully test our theory of increasing grade with depth beyond the current resource. These most recent results highlight the scale and grade potential of the Beta Hunt gold resource. This first discovery of high-grade gold specimen mineralization well below the gold contact in the A Zone provides further support for the resource potential of this mine. We will continue to release results as our drilling program advances. We look forward to producing an updated resource in 2018."

Since RNC's news release dated September 5, 2017, 50 holes have been completed for a total of 4,843 m. The gold systems continue to return intervals of high grades with visible gold. Continuity of gold mineralization in the A Zone has now been defined over a strike extent of 400 m and vertical extent of 250 m. Recent drilling confirms that higher-grade gold mineralization extends approximately 200 m laterally to the south and 60 m below the current mining zone. Gold mineralization has been extended at Western Flanks over a vertical extent of 60 metres and laterally over 200 metres with multiple drill hole intersections containing greater than 20 metres of mineralization.

Highlights of the 50 holes include:

  • 204 intersections greater than 5 g/t gold
  • 85 intersections greater than 10 g/t gold
  • 31 intersections greater than 20 g/t gold

Western Flanks Underground Drilling

Thirty-one holes (totaling 3,123 m), drilled from drill stations along the Western Flanks decline yielded multiple holes with wide zones of mineralization containing higher grade intervals:

  • WF18-036: 6.3 g/t Au over 33.0 m, including 39.34 g/t Au over 3.0 m
  • WF18-035: 4.1 g/t Au over 21.5 m, including 5.72 g/t Au over 12.4 m
  • WF18-064: 3.7 g/t Au over 30.2 m, including 6.95 g/t Au over 6.8 m
  • WF18-041: 3.2 g/t Au over 33.0 m, including 7.84 g/t Au over 8.2 m
  • WF18-056: 3.0 g/t Au over 25.3 m, including 6.45 g/t over 3.7 m
  • WF18-033: 3.0 g/t Au over 27.5 m, including 7.44 g/t over 6.8 m

Drilling highlights in Western Flanks are outlined below in Table 1a (See Table 2 for full assay results).

Table 1a: Highlights from Western Flanks Infill and Exploration Drilling



Downhole

Downhole

Interval1

Gold2



From (m)

To (m)

(m)

g/t

WF18-033


117.00

144.45

27.45

2.95


including

137.70

144.45

6.75

7.44

WF18-035


84.00

105.50

21.50

4.06

WF18-035

including

84.00

96.35

12.35

5.72

WF18-036


113.00

146.00

33.00

6.25

WF18-036

including

113.00

129.00

16.00

4.58


including

138.00

141.00

3.00

39.14

WF18-039


103.00

131.00

28.00

2.53


including

103.00

109.00

6.00

7.12

WF18-041


81.20

114.15

32.95

3.17


including

106.00

114.15

8.15

7.84

WF18-055


106.00

113.00

7.00

7.78


and

117.45

117.65

0.20

324.00


and

124.00

125.50

5.15

14.17

WF18-056


66.00

91.25

25.25

2.99


including

66.00

72.45

6.45

5.98


including

87.60

91.25

3.65

6.45


and

105.65

108.00

2.35

7.16

WF18-057


86.90

122.00

35.10

2.17


including

86.90

95.15

8.25

5.13


including

112.00

118.00

6.00

3.66

WF18-061


44.80

51.05

6.25

9.00


and

109.70

114.00

4.30

5.00

WF18-063


60.00

70.20

10.20

4.57


and

143.00

145.00

2.00

4.20

WF18-064


68.00

74.40

6.40

3.40


and

101.80

132.00

30.20

3.67


including

107.20

114.00

6.80

6.95


and

123.00

127.00

4.00

8.88

WF18-076


16.40

23.50

7.10

3.51

WF18-078


64.10

67.40

3.30

5.39


and

97.80

115.10

17.30

4.69


including

103.40

115.10

11.70

6.34


and

134.65

139.00

4.35

5.65

1.

True widths have not been determined at this time.

2.

All gold assays uncut.

Figure 1 – Western Flanks – Long Section View Looking Northeast (CNW Group/RNC Minerals)

A Zone Underground Drilling Program

Results of the ongoing underground resource drilling program at Beta Hunt continue to demonstrate continuity along strike of the A Zone gold system. Key intercepts are listed below in Table 1b, with further details provided in the commentary that follows (See Table 2 for full assay results).

Infill drilling of 14 holes was completed (total of 941 m) from 13 level in A Zone, extending the mineralized zone along strike and yielding multiple thick, high grade intersections.

Table 1b: Highlights from A Zone Infill Drilling



Downhole

Downhole

Interval1

Gold2



From (m)

To (m)

(m)

g/t

AZ13-049


52.00

55.20

3.20

4.35


and

71.60

75.00

3.40

6.18


and

102.75

105.10

2.35

8.38

AZ13-059


138.00

148.15

10.15

3.16

AZ13-060


58.00

60.55

2.55

9.45


and

71.00

75.00

4.00

4.06


and

92.00

96.00

4.00

3.17

AZ13-091


30.75

41.00

10.25

2.83

AZ13-102


25.50

30.00

4.50

4.26


and

39.00

49.25

10.25

3.29

AZ13-103


28.00

42.00

14.00

2.32

AZ13-104


29.70

34.50

4.80

8.07


and

31.13

32.10

0.97

18.60

1.

True widths have not been determined at this time.

2.

All gold assays uncut.

First High-Grade Gold Specimen Encountered at Depth

In the month of September, development crews working in A Zone on 14 Level encountered specimen stone (natural gold nugget specimen), located along a sediment contact.

This represents the first time RNC crews encountered specimen stone this far below the ultramafic contact. The geology team is investigating other potential areas where specimen stone could be found at depth within the A Zone. A total of 100 oz of specimen stone was sold in October, most of which came from the 14 level.

Picture 1- Specimen Stone from A Zone 14 Level: 30 oz Nugget (CNW Group/RNC Minerals)

A Zone Extension

Five holes (totaling 779 m) in the A Zone Extension area yielded several intersections in excess of 5 g/t. Continuity of gold mineralization in the A Zone Extension has now been defined over a strike extent of 200 m and vertical extent of 60 m. Recent drilling confirms that higher-grade gold mineralization extends approximately 200 m laterally to the south to 340 level. Drilling highlights at the A Zone Extension are outlined below in Table 1c (See Table 2 for full assay results):

Table 1c: Highlights from A Zone Extension Infill Drilling



Downhole

Downhole

Interval1

Gold2



From (m)

To (m)

(m)

g/t

WFE17-34


109.20

114.00

4.80

5.94


and

129.00

131.00

2.00

4.03

1.

True widths have not been determined at this time.

2.

All gold assays uncut.

Compliance Statement (JORC 2012 and NI 43-101)

The technical information in this news release relating to results at the Beta Hunt Mine is based on information reviewed by Steve Devlin, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Devlin is a full time employee of Salt Lake Mining Pty Ltd and has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralization 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".

Drill core sampling was conducted by SLM personnel. Samples are shipped to SGS Mineral Services of Kalgoorlie for preparation and assaying by 50 gram fire assay analytical method. First sample of each sample submission incorporates a barren rock sample as a flush to clean the lab crusher and pulveriser and as a check for contamination. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of insertion of additional blank material and certified standards. The lab is also required to undertake a minimum of 1 in 20 wet screens on pulverised samples to ensure a minimum 90% passing at -75µm. 

The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Kevin Small, Director, Mining Operations of RNC, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

About RNC

RNC is a multi-asset mineral resource company with a portfolio of gold and base metal production and exploration properties. RNC's principal assets are the producing Beta Hunt gold and nickel mine in Western Australia, a 50% interest in a nickel joint venture with Waterton that holds the Dumont Nickel Project in the Abitibi region of Quebec, and a 30% stake in the producing Reed Mine in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake region of Manitoba, Canada. RNC also owns a majority interest in the West Raglan and Qiqavik projects in Northern Quebec. RNC has a strong management team and Board with over 100 years of mining experience at Inco and Falconbridge. RNC's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol RNX. RNC shares also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol RNKLF.

Table 2: Beta Hunt Infill and Exploration results since September 5, 2017 news release (Kambalda Nickel Operations Mine Grid)1,2

Drill 
Hole

Easting

Northing

Elevation

Dip 
(deg)

Azimuth 
(deg)

Depth 
(m)

From 
(m)

To
(m)

Length 
(m)

Gold
(g/t)

 A ZONE INFILL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

AZ13-049

374468

544543

-151

28

347

101

52.00

55.20

3.20

4.35







and

71.60

75.00

3.40

6.18







and

102.75

105.10

2.35

8.38

AZ13-059

374473

544535

-151

37

105

156

130.00

132.00

2.00

2.08







and

138.00

148.15

10.15

3.16

AZ13-060

374473

544535

-150

10

101

131

58.00

60.55

2.55

9.45







and

71.00

75.00

4.00

4.06







and

92.00

96.00

4.00

3.17







and

101.95

105.00

3.05

2.87







and

110.00

112.45

2.45

2.65

AZ13-086

374671

544395

-149

-31

71

42

25.45

30.00

4.55

2.54

AZ13-090

374671

544395

-148

-48

90

62

34.00

37.35

3.35

2.76







and

43.80

46.20

2.40

5.78

AZ13-091

374671

544395

-150

-24

92

53

30.75

41.00

10.25

2.83

AZ13-095

374692

544372

-151

-45

24

61

25.00

31.30

6.30

3.75

AZ13-096

374692

544372

-152

43

33

42

5.89

8.00

2.11

2.09

AZ13-098

374700

544365

-150

-49

66

45

29.85

33.00

3.15

3.16

AZ13-099

374697

544366

-150

-20

66

35

22.10

28.50

6.40

2.55

AZ13-100

374692

544372

-152

31

66

38

26.50

28.65

2.15

2.17

AZ13-102

374698

544365

-148

-48

99

62

25.50

30.00

4.50

4.26







and

39.00

49.25

10.25

3.29







and

55.00

57.00

2.00

5.32

AZ13-103

374697

544365

-148

-20

96

59

28.00

42.00

14.00

2.32

AZ13-104

374698

544363

-152

21

98

54

29.70

34.50

4.80

8.07







and

31.13

32.10

0.97

18.60

 WESTERN FLANKS ZONE INFILL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

WF18-034

375006

543864

-305

19

197

111

83.00

85.20

2.20

3.64

WF18-033

375006

543864

-306

40

190

158

117.00

144.45

27.45

2.95







including

117.00

123.95

6.95

2.70







including

128.10

130.30

2.20

2.56







including

137.70

144.45

6.75

7.44

WF18-035

375005

543865

-305

34

198

120

59.00

61.45

2.45

4.59







and

84.00

105.50

21.50

4.06







including

84.00

96.35

12.35

5.72







including

102.20

105.50

3.30

4.04

WF18-036

375006

543864

-306

45

199

150

53.00

55.00

2.00

3.12







and

113.00

146.00

33.00

6.25







including

113.00

129.00

16.00

4.58







including

138.00

146.00

8.00

15.68







including

138.00

141.00

3.00

39.34







including

139.00

141.00

2.00

54.90

WF18-038

375005

543865

-305

19

209

102

64.00

66.05

2.05

2.87







and

76.00

78.00

2.00

2.19







and

82.25

85.00

2.75

2.35

WF18-039

375006

543865

-306

48

215

144

103.00

131.00

28.00

2.53







including

103.00

109.00

6.00

7.12







including

113.00

115.00

2.00

4.06







including

119.00

121.00

2.00

4.72

WF18-040

375005

543865

-305

14

234

146

No Significant Intersections

WF18-041

375005

543865

-305

41

230

132

59.00

61.55

2.55

3.39







and

81.20

114.15

32.95

3.17







including

86.50

91.50

5.00

2.40







including

95.15

100.00

4.85

3.91







including

106.00

114.15

8.15

7.84

WF18-042

375006

543865

-306

55

233

171

52.85

55.00

2.15

2.25








111.00

121.00

10.00

5.73








128.00

130.00

2.00

3.30








138.00

140.00

2.00

3.20

WF18-043

375005

543866

-306

50

248

203

95.85

101.35

5.50

5.19







and

129.00

131.00

2.00

5.16







and

136.05

138.05

2.00

3.72







and

141.00

144.00

3.00

2.48

WF18-055

374949

543932

-318

12

243

153

63.90

67.00

3.10

2.24







and

84.00

86.00

2.00

9.26







and

106.00

113.00

7.00

7.78







and

117.45

117.65

0.20

324.00







and

124.00

125.50

1.50

7.76

WF18-056

374950

543930

-318

27

244

165

66.00

91.25

25.25

2.99







including

66.00

72.45

6.45

5.98







including

76.00

78.00

2.00

7.57







including

87.60

91.25

3.65

6.45







and

105.65

108.00

2.35

7.16

WF18-057

374950

543930

-318

40

241

177

86.90

122.00

35.10

2.17







including

86.90

95.15

8.25

5.13







including

112.00

118.00

6.00

3.66







and

160.00

162.00

2.00

2.49

WF18-061

374950

543930

-318

42

260

162

44.80

51.05

6.25

9.00








71.00

73.10

2.10

5.27








78.30

81.00

2.70

2.19








99.00

101.10

2.10

2.77








109.70

114.00

4.30

5.00








121.42

123.63

2.21

3.00








129.00

137.00

8.00

2.61








141.00

143.20

2.20

2.39

WF18-063

374950

543930

-318

-1

270

185

60.00

70.20

10.20

4.57







and

143.00

145.00

2.00

4.20

WF18-064

374950

543930

-318

14

270

183

68.00

74.40

6.40

3.40







and

84.00

86.00

2.00

3.17







and

94.00

96.00

2.00

16.32







and

101.80

132.00

30.20

3.67







including

107.20

114.00

6.80

6.95







including

117.00

120.80

3.80

2.46







including

123.00

127.00

4.00

8.88







including

130.00

132.00

2.00

2.12







and

140.00

143.00

3.00

3.39

WF18-066

374904

543901

-296

0

221

12

No Significant Intersections

WF18-067

374899

543898

-296

0

223

15

0.00

2.30

2.30

9.05

WF18-068

374899

543898

-294

-35

223

22

8.70

11.00

2.30

2.01

WF18-069

374904

543902

-296

-4

43

7

1.00

3.00

2.00

3.48

WF18-070

374889

543911

-296

0

222

21

No Significant Intersections

WF18-071

374889

543911

-294

-26

222

24

No Significant Intersections

WF18-072

374878

543920

-294

-30

218

18

0.00

2.50

2.50

3.34







and

8.80

10.90

2.10

8.91

WF18-076

374846

543953

-292

-40

263

24

1.00

3.00

2.00

3.84







and

10.90

13.04

2.14

5.64







and

16.40

23.50

7.10

3.51

WF18-077

374845

543954

-295

-3

263

27

0.00

2.37

2.37

4.75







and

19.80

22.00

2.20

2.28

WF18-078

375006

543866

-306

41

250

200

64.10

67.40

3.30

5.39







and

97.80

115.10

17.30

4.69







including

103.40

115.10

11.70

6.34







and

129.00

131.05

2.05

2.42







and

134.65

139.00

4.35

5.65







and

171.00

173.00

2.00

2.24

WF302-001A

374973

543801

-298

1

204

60

0.00

2.00

2.00

2.97







and

8.55

12.00

3.45

2.77







and

33.80

37.00

3.20

8.63

WF302-002

374973

543801

-299

3

240

36

0.00

2.00

2.00

3.58







and

33.00

35.72

2.72

3.14

WF302-003

374969

543805

-298

-4

241

63

0.00

2.50

2.50

2.50







and

35.00

37.28

2.28

9.24







and

45.60

47.60

2.00

2.52

WF302-004

374969

543805

-298

0

263

72

1.85

4.00

2.15

3.66







and

52.00

54.00

2.00

5.95

WF302-005

374972

543802

-299

17

275

62

0.25

8.00

7.75

4.16








44.85

47.00

2.15

5.46








57.05

59.20

2.15

4.95








61.85

65.85

4.00

4.32












A ZONE EXTENSION INFILL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

WFE17-23

375224

543666

-296

33

77

119

No Significant Intersections

WFE17-32

375042

543886

-302

-26

10

169

No Significant Intersections

WFE17-34

375225

543665

-296

27

94

170

109.20

114.00

4.80

5.94







and

129.00

131.00

2.00

4.03

WFE17-35

375224

543665

-296

38

96

168

No Significant Intersections

WFE17-36

375224

543665

-296

48

96

174

83.00

85.40

2.40

3.65

WFE17-37

375225

543664

-296

29

105

153

92.60

95.30

2.70

3.15

1.

True widths have not been determined at this time.

2.

All gold assays uncut.

 

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of RNC, production guidance and the potential of the Beta Hunt Mine.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of RNC to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to RNC's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although RNC has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and RNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE RNC Minerals

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