Junior pursues sizable copper resource in central Philippines

If recent drilling success continues, International Pursuit (TSE) could find itself the proud owner of a major copper resource in the Philippine Islands.

The company suggests that, by this time next year, the A-1 anomaly at the Hinoba-an project could host a resource of 90 million tonnes. This, combined with the known resource at the Don Jose zone, could amount to 180 million tonnes of economic-grade mineralization.

Since June, more than 50 holes have been drilled, totalling 13,000 metres, on the A1 and Don Jose zones.

At the former, drilling encountered ore-grade mineralization near the surface in most of the holes. The zone is mineralized over a 1,200-metre-long strike length, with a width of about 200 metres and a thickness of between 20 and 200 metres. These dimensions suggest the A1 could host a deposit of 75-100 million tons.

Meanwhile, 13 holes totalling 2,600 metres were drilled to delineate the eastern and western limits of the Don Jose. Reserves and resources here stand at 6.6 million tonnes grading 0.65% copper, combined with a minable sulphide reserve of 94.7 million tonnes averaging 0.45% copper.

In addition to drilling, Pursuit has flown a geophysical survey over Hinoba-an, which revealed the presence of two new anomalous areas.

In 1996, drilling will continue at both Don Jose and A1, while airborne surveys are carried out on the Luz and Manlupo claim blocks.

Situated north of Hinoba-an, the Luz property hosts a drill-indicated resource of 40 million tonnes averaging 0.35% copper, whereas Manlupo, to the south, hosts an anomalous area of similar size to the Don Jose.

The following results were reported from the A1 and Don Jose zones: HoleInterval(m)Assay (% Cu)

A1 ZONE:

11 22 0.37

36 0.36

14 42 0.31

48 0.38

25 0.45

48 0.37

15 15 0.31

15a 15 0.57

17 51 0.53

11 83 0.38

13 21 0.36

14 141 0.38

15*

16* 42 0.63

17* 30 0.43

18*

DON JOSE:

11 219 0.39

12 180 0.52

14 33 0.75

* assay results pending