Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX: ELO; OTCQX: ELRRF; FSE:
P2QM) (“Eloro”, or the “Company”) is pleased to announce
the initial assay results in its definition diamond drilling
program in the potential Santa Barbara starter pit area in the Iska
Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department of
southwestern Bolivia. To date
2,561.9m of diamond
drilling have been completed in six (6) holes including two (2)
holes in progress. PQ core size has been used for all holes in this
program to obtain larger, more representative core samples.
Table 1 below lists significant results for the
first hole DSB-68. Figure 1 shows locations of all the definition
drill holes completed to date and in progress. Silver equivalent
values (g Ag eq/t) have been calculated using 3-year average metal
prices and preliminary metallurgical recoveries (see note below
Table 1 for more information). Table 2 lists the coordinates of the
definition drill holes completed and in progress.
Hole DSB-68 returned a long intersection from
near surface grading 66.90g Ag/t, 0.63% Zn, 0.42% Pb and
0.11% Sn (111.14g Ag eq/t) over 289.13m from 41.0m to
330.13m. This intersection includes higher grade intervals of:
- 126.10g
Ag/t, 0.55% Zn, 0.60% Pb and 0.09% Sn (160.72g Ag eq/t) over
122.03m from 57.52m to 179.55m,
- 47.61g
Ag/t, 0.22% Zn, 0.40% Pb and 0.45% Sn (146.06g Ag
eq/t) over 16.51m from 193.20m to 209.71m, and
- 25.52g
Ag/t, 2.19% Zn, 0.65% Pb and 0.10% Sn (129.60g Ag
eq/t) over 7.46m from 235.33m to 242.79m
The high grade mineralization is associated with
a prominent intrusion breccia body which is shown in cross section
in Figure 2 and in plan in Figure 3. This unit which is
characterized by angular fragments of principally dacite in a
matrix with sulphides, is approximately 200m wide and is becoming
much thicker at depth.
The average grade of 66.90 g Ag/t over
289.13m, including 126.10g Ag/t over
122.03m, obtained in Hole DSB-68 demonstrates potential
significant underestimation of the silver grade, similar to that of
previously reported metallurgical test results from a 6.3 tonne
bulk sample which returned a much higher silver head grade of
91 g Ag/t, compared with the 31 g
Ag/t average grade from the original twinned holes (see
Eloro press release of January 23, 2024). Further infill drilling
with larger diameter drill holes has the potential to significantly
increase the overall silver grade in the likely starter pit
area.
Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo., Eloro’s Executive Vice
President, Latin America and General Manager of Eloro’s Bolivian
subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L., who is a recognized expert on
Bolivian mineral deposits said: “The on-going definition diamond
drilling at the Santa Barbara zone confirms the occurrence of large
high-grade mineralized shoots. It corroborates that systematic,
more tightly spaced infill drilling at Iska Iska can produce very
positive results that could significantly enhance the mineral
resources.”
Dr. Arce continued: “The breccia pipes host much
of the high grade silver-tin values, as well as Zn polymetallic
bodies in the deposit. They are likely the main feeders of the
mineralization at Iska Iska. The breccia bodies intersected in the
upper zones are widening at depth over a vertical interval of over
500m. Mineralization occurs both within and outside these breccia
bodies, emphasizing their importance as feeders. Zoning is evident
in the mineralization with silver-rich zinc-lead near surface with
silver-tin mineralization deeper down, especially to the west and
northwest, while epithermal zinc-silver-lead mineralization is
peripheral to this breccia unit hosted in dacites particularly to
the southeast. This “zoning” model in the Bolivian Tin Belt is
similar to that seen in the "giant” massive silver/tin deposits at
Cerro Rico (Ag-Sn) and Oruro (Ag-Sn) as well at the major tin
intrusive porphyry at Chorolque located 40 km to the north of Iska
Iska.”
Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Eloro’s Executive Vice
President, Exploration commented: “The geophysical data adds
considerably to the overall geological picture. As shown in a plan
of chargeability in Figure 3, there is a prominent northwest
trending structural corridor 500m wide that extends from the Santa
Barbara area southeastwards for at least 2km. Within the Santa
Barbara High Grade Corridor, a strong spatial correlation is
evident between the high-grade intersections in the intrusion
breccia and higher chargeability. This link is emphasized by the
drill results from DSB-68, shown in the section in Figure 4. The
section location which is depicted in Figure 3 also shows the
outline of the intrusion breccia. The chargeability anomaly at
elevation 4000m, which is the potential southern extension of the
breccia body, has not been drilled. The chargeability anomaly at
the 3700m elevation in the southeast, which also has not yet been
drilled, shows that the mineralized corridor continues at this
level where future drill-testing will be helped by the lower
topography in the valley of the caldera. Overall the
chargeability shows that the intrusion breccia and the mineralized
corridor are products of a very deep-seated and extensive magmatic
processes during the evolution of the Iska Iska caldera
complex.”
Table 1: Definition Diamond Drill Results
as of November 26, 2024, Santa Barbara Deposit, Iska,
Iska
SANTA BARBARA DEFINITION DIAMOND DRILL
RESULTS |
Hole No. |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length (m) |
Ag |
Zn |
Pb |
Sn |
Ag eq |
g/t |
% |
% |
% |
g/t |
DSB-68 |
13.63 |
28.95 |
15.32 |
9.52 |
0.01 |
0.48 |
0.22 |
61.26 |
|
41.00 |
330.13 |
289.13 |
66.90 |
0.63 |
0.42 |
0.11 |
111.14 |
Incl. |
57.52 |
179.55 |
122.03 |
126.10 |
0.55 |
0.60 |
0.09 |
160.72 |
Incl. |
193.20 |
209.71 |
16.51 |
47.61 |
0.22 |
0.40 |
0.45 |
146.06 |
Incl. |
235.33 |
242.79 |
7.46 |
25.52 |
2.19 |
0.65 |
0.10 |
129.60 |
|
349.75 |
366.25 |
16.50 |
13.99 |
0.30 |
1.03 |
0.09 |
62.20 |
|
379.78 |
402.90 |
23.12 |
8.87 |
0.53 |
0.40 |
0.10 |
53.75 |
Note: True width is
approximately 80% of core length. Silver equivalent (Ag eq) grades
are calculated using 3-year average metal prices of Ag =
US$24.14/oz, Zn = US$1.36/lb , Pb = 0.98/lb and Sn =
US$13.74/lb, and preliminary metallurgical recoveries of
Ag = 88%, Zn = 87%, Pb= 80% and Sn = 50%. In
selecting intervals, a cutoff grade of 30 g Ag eq/t has been used.
Lower grade material may be included in intersections where
geological continuity is warranted.
Table 2: Summary of Diamond Drill Hole
Coordinates for Drill Holes Reported, Completed and in Progress at
Iska Iska as of November 26, 2024
SUMMARY DIAMOND DRILLING ISKA ISKA |
Hole No. |
Type |
Collar Easting |
Collar Northing |
Elev |
Azimuth |
Angle |
Hole Length (m) |
Santa Barbara Surface Definition Drill Holes Reported, In
Progress and Planned |
DSB-68 |
S |
205390.0 |
7656251.0 |
4220.0 |
225° |
-50° |
402.9 |
DSB-69 |
S |
205262.0 |
7656133.0 |
4291.8 |
225° |
-85° |
502.0 |
DSB-70 |
S |
205460.0 |
7656319.0 |
4191.0 |
225° |
-50° |
467.3 |
DSB-71 |
S |
205203.0 |
7656016.0 |
4282.0 |
225° |
-85° |
533.7 |
DSB-72 |
S |
205088.0 |
7656107.0 |
4341.0 |
225° |
-85° |
308.4* |
DSB-73 |
S |
205291.0 |
7656269.0 |
4273.0 |
225° |
-85° |
347.6* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
2561.9 |
*= holes in progressS = Surface; collar coordinates in metres;
azimuth and dip in degrees. Total drilling since start of the
definition drilling program on October 4, 2024 is 2,561.9m in 6
holes with 2 holes in progress. Since the start of the drilling at
Iska Iska on September 20, 2020, a total of 105,760m in 162 drill
holes (34 underground holes and 128 surface holes) have been
completed. |
Figure 1: Location Map of Definition
Diamond Drill Holes, Santa Barbara, Iska Iska.
Figure 2: Southwest - Northeast Drill
Hole Cross Section showing distribution of Intrusion Breccia which
host much of the High Grade Ag-Sn mineralization in the potential
starter pit area of Santa Barbara
Figure 3: Plan Map showing Major NW-SE
Trending Mineralized Corridor, Distribution of Intrusion Breccia
and Major Chargeability Anomalies, Iska Iska
Figure 4: Southwest - Northeast Cross
Section Showing Strong Correlation between Intrusion Breccia and
High Chargeability - g Ag eq/t values are shown in a histogram on
drill hole DSB-68.
Qualified Person (“QP”)
Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Eloro’s Executive Vice
President, Exploration, and a Qualified Person (“QP”) as defined by
National Instrument (“NI”) 43-101 has reviewed and approved the
technical content of this news release. Dr. Pearson who
has more than 50 years of worldwide mining exploration, development
and production experience, including extensive work in South
America, manages the overall technical program, working closely
with Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. Executive Vice President, Latin
America for Eloro and General Manager of Eloro’s Bolivian
subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L., and a QP in the context of NI
43-101, who has supervised all field work carried out at Iska
Iska.
IP/Res surveys were carried out by MES
Geophysics using Eloro’s ELREC-Pro 10 channel IP receiver and GDD
3600 watt IP transmitter. Dr. Chris Hale, P.Geo. and Mr. John
Gilliatt, P.Geo. of Intelligent Exploration provided the survey
design, preparation of the maps and interpretation of data
processed, and quality reviewed by Mr. Rob McKeown, P. Geo. of MES
Geophysics. Messrs. Hale, Gilliatt and McKeown are QPs as defined
under NI 43-101 .
Eloro utilized both ALS and AHK for drill core
analyses, both of whom are major international accredited
laboratories. Drill samples sent to ALS were prepared in both
ALS Bolivia Ltda’s preparation facility in Oruro, Bolivia and
the preparation facility operated by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent
to the main ALS Global laboratory in Lima for analysis. Eloro
employs an industry standard QA/QC program with standards, blanks
and duplicates inserted into each batch of samples analyzed with
selected check samples sent to a separate accredited
laboratory.
Drill core samples sent to AHK Laboratories were
prepared in a preparation facility installed and managed by AHK in
Tupiza with pulps sent to the AHK laboratory in Lima, Peru. Check
samples between ALS and AHK are regularly done as a QA/QC check.
AHK is followed the same analytical protocols used as with ALS and
with the same QA/QC protocols.
About Iska Iska
The Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is
a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by the
Title Holder, Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. and is located 48 km
north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department
of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 100%
interest in Iska Iska.
Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic
porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene possibly
collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with
major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The
caldera is 1.6km by 1.8km in dimension with a vertical extent of at
least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosí
and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and
Tatasi, all located along the same overall geological trend.
Eloro began underground diamond drilling from
the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13,
2020. On November 18, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of a
significant breccia pipe with extensive silver polymetallic
mineralization just east of the Huayra Kasa underground workings
and a high-grade gold-bismuth zone in the underground workings. On
November 24, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of the Santa
Barbara Breccia Pipe (SBBP) approximately 150m southwest of the
Huayra Kasa underground workings.
Subsequently, on January 26, 2021, Eloro
announced significant results from the first drilling at the SBBP
including the discovery hole from 0.0m to 257.5m. Subsequent
drilling has confirmed the presence of significant values of Ag-Sn
polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent Central
Breccia Pipe (CBP). A substantive mineralized envelope which is
open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia
pipes. Continuous channel sampling along the walls of the of the
Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned average
grades of 164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46%Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu over 166m
including 446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn over 56.19m. The west
end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.
Since the initial discovery hole DHK-15 which
returned 29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu and
0.056%Sn over 257.5m, Eloro has released a number of significant
drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope
which, along with geophysical data, has defined an extensive target
zone. On October 17, 2023, Eloro filed the NI 43-101 Technical
Report outlining the initial inferred MRE for Iska Iska, prepared
by independent consultantsMicon International Limited. The MRE was
reported in two domains, the Polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Pb) Domain which
is primarily in the east and south of the Santa Barbara deposit and
the Tin (Sn-Ag-Pb) Domain which is primarily in the west and
north.
The Polymetallic Domain is estimated to contain
560Mt at 13.8 g Ag/t, 0.73% Zn & 0.28% Pb at an NSR cutoff of
US$9.20 for potential open pit and an NSR cutoff of US$34.40 for
potential underground. The majority of the mineral resource is
contained in the constraining pit which has a stripping ratio of
1:1. The Polymetallic Domain contains a higher-grade mineral
resource at a NSR cutoff of $US25/t of 132 million tonnes at 1.11%
Zn, 0.50% Pb and 24.3 g Ag/t which has a net NSR value of
US$34.40/t which is 3.75 the estimated operating cost of US$9.20/t.
The Tin Domain which is adjacent to the Polymetallic Domain and
does not overlap, is estimated to contain a mineral resource of
110Mt at 0.12% Sn, 14.2 g Ag/t and 0.14% Pb but is very under
drilled.
Results of the definition drill program which
totalled 5,267.7m in 11 holes were reported on December 18, 2023
and January 11, 2024, respectively. Significant results included
279.22 g Ag/t, 0.47% Pb and 0.43% Sn (339.82g Ag eq/t) over 62.84m
and 33.83 g Ag/t, 1.53% Zn, 0.93% Pb and 0.14% Sn (130.88g Ag eq/t)
over 178.99m including 120.37 g Ag/t, 2.13% Zn, 1.57%
Pb and 0.19% Sn in hole DSB-61; 57.62g Ag/t, 1.26% Zn,
0.94% Pb and 0.12% Sn (139.94g Ag eq/t) over 136.11min hole DSB-66
and 118.86g Ag/t, 0.35% Zn, 0.35% Pb and 0.15% Sn (152.29g Ag eq/t)
over 81.28m in hole DSB-65. This latter intersection in hole DSB-65
included a very high-grade sample of 5,080g Ag/t, 0.12 g Au/t,
0.26% Zn, 1.34% Pb, 1.53% Cu and 1.27% Sn (4,746.46g Ag eq/t) over
1.46m.
Metallurgical tests reported on January 23, 2024
from a 6.3 tonne PQ drill core bulk sample representative of the
higher grade Polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Pb) Domain returned a
significantly higher average silver value of 91 g Ag/t compared to
the weighted average grade of the original twinned holes at 31 g
Ag/t strongly suggesting that the average silver grade is likely
significantly underreported in the original twinned holes due to
the much smaller sample size.
On January 29, 2024, the Company reported that
the new chargeability high outlined southeast of the MRE open pit
by the expanded induced polarization (IP) survey indicates that the
major mineralized structural corridor that is up to 800m wide
extends a further 600m along strike to the southeast for an overall
strike length of at least 2km. This new area has not been
drilled.
The Company reported on July 30, 2024, that
updated modelling of the potential starter pit area at Santa
Barbara zone highlights the importance of completing additional
drilling to better define the grade and extent of the mineral
resource in this area. Areas with higher-grade resource typically
have much better drilling density but holes outside the core
potential pit area are too widely spaced to give an accurate
estimate of grade.
On September 4, 2024, the Company announced the
restart of definition drilling in the potential starter pit area at
Santa Barbara. Previous drilling has shown that areas with
high-grade mineralization typically have much better drilling
density, whereas holes outside the core area are too widely spaced
to give an accurate grade estimate. This increased drilling density
is particularly important for defining the extent of the high-grade
Ag-bearing and Sn-bearing structures, and for categorizing the
mineral resources from inferred to indicated, which have a major
influence on overall grade and resources that will contribute to
the preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”).
An initial program of 5,700m of diamond drilling
in 13 holes in the Santa Barbara starter pit area is now in
progress to better define the vertical and lateral extent of
high-grade Ag mineralization; fill-in gaps that are presently
categorized as low-grade or waste in the resource model but are
very likely mineralized; expand the higher-grade Sn mineralization
to the west; and complete an additional 1,400m in two large size PQ
holes for further metallurgical testing.
About Eloro Resources Ltd.
Eloro is an exploration and mine development
company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in
Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 100%
interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be
classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a
significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in
southern Bolivia. A recent NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska,
which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on
Eloro’s website and under its filings on SEDAR. Iska Iska is a
road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82%
interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the
North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of the Lagunas
Norte Gold Mine and the La Arena Gold Mine.
For further information please contact
either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa,
Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.
Information in this news release may contain
forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking
information express, as at the date of this news release, the
Company’s plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations,
or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be
reasonable based on information currently available to the Company.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will
prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
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