Aurizon fills in Zone 113 (April 12, 2004)

Underground definition drilling of zone 113 at the Casa Berardi gold project in Quebec continues to exceed the expectations of Aurizon Mines (ARZ-T).

The latest batch of 28 holes, sunk from the newly developed, 550-metre-level exploration drift, includes seven holes averaging more than 11 grams gold per tonne over core lengths exceeding 7 metres. Of those, five holes yielded intervals exceeding 11 metres.

Results are as follows:

— hole 183 — 11.8 metres grading an uncut 11.3 grams gold per tonne;

— hole 186 — 19.1 metres running 19.1 grams gold;

— hole 187 — 15.8 metres of 12 grams gold;

— hole 189 — 12.6 metres of 11 grams gold;

— hole 322 — 14.5 metres averaging 12.6 grams gold;

— hole 406 — 7.9 metres containing 21.6 grams gold; and

— hole 411 — 7.4 metres grading 11.1 grams gold.

Hole 322 was designed to test mineralization west of the previously known western limit of Zone 113. Three of six other holes managed to intersect significant mineralization: hole 315 cut 6.1 metres grading 6.1 grams gold, including a 4.5-metre section of 7.5 grams gold; hole 317 returned 3 metres of 22.2 grams gold; and hole 408 intersected 18.5 metres of 9.6 grams gold.

Aurizon says that any nugget effect in the zone appears to be immaterial since hole 411 returned grades similar to those encountered in hole 401 (6.5 metres of 9.5 grams gold).

“Underground drill results continue to exceed expectations and reinforce our decision to commence work on the shaft,” says Aurizon CEO David Hall. “The drill information we have received to date continues to increase our confidence level in, and improve our understanding of, zone 113.”

The latest holes are part of an underground drilling program begun late last year. The drilling is part of a larger campaign that has seen Aurizon extend the past-producing West mine’s ramp to the 550-metre level. The company has also developed 320 metres of a planned 505-metre exploration drift, and completed a 145-metre crosscut through Zone 113 and the Casa Berardi fault. The company has also begun work aimed at providing trackless access to the future shaft site.