Holes drilled by Northern Orion Explorations (NNO-T) at its Agua Rica porphyry copper-gold-silver-molybdenum deposit in northwestern Argentina have extended mineralization there.
Holes AR-49, 50 and 54, part of a 50,000-metre program, were drilled in the northern part of the Trampeadero area and continue to expand mineralization to the north. Additional stepout holes are testing further extensions of the Trampeadero mineralization. Holes AR-51 and 53 are infill holes drilled between the Mi Vida and Trampeadero areas, and continuity between them has been confirmed.
The holes drilled this year have returned grades similar to those obtained from holes drilled in 1995. According to Northern Orion, this year’s drilling is returning mineralized intersections that are more than 40% longer than those obtained during last year’s testing, indicating potential for a deposit larger than previously estimated.
Drilling this year included a 276-metre interval from AR-54 grading 1.07% copper, 0.19 gram gold and 8.4 grams silver per tonne, plus 0.126% molybdenum, for a copper-equivalent grade of 1.74%.
The Agua Rica deposit, situated in Catamarca province, is being explored jointly by Northern Orion, which has a 30% interest, and BHP Minerals International, which holds 70%. The joint venture is currently conducting a US$45-million work program and hopes to complete a final feasibility study by the end of 1997.
Northern Orion has other projects in Argentina, most of which are near the Chilean border.
In related news, Miramar Mining (MAE-T), which owns 54% of Northern Orion, reports that its Con mine in Yellowknife, N.W.T., produced 51,931 oz. gold during the first half of 1996, compared with 62,221 oz. produced in the same period last year. The drop in production resulted from the temporary shutdown of the mill. Early spring runoff and high winter precipitation temporarily filled the tailings pond to capacity.
Be the first to comment on "Orion expands Argentine deposit"