Challenger cuts sulphides at Marshall Lake

Several massive sulphide intersections have been reported by Challenger Minerals (VSE) on its Marshall Lake base metal property 150 miles northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont. In a recently completed program, eight holes totalling 3,000 ft. were drilled to test four mineralized zones to shallow depths.

At the South zone, where surface sampling had yielded results up to 12% zinc over seven feet, sulphide mineralization was encountered in two holes. The best hole was CML-92-07 which intersected three sulphide zones grading 2.17% zinc and 0.22% copper over 23.5 ft. The mineralization occurs within highly altered felsic volcanic rocks.

Three holes were drilled on the North Copper zone to test the down-plunge extent of high-grade copper mineralization at the surface. All three holes contained anomalous copper values in altered dacite-rhyolite volcanics, with the best result being 0.55% copper over four feet.

One hole drilled at the Main zone cut six feet grading 0.382% zinc, while drilling on the Adnarod zone, 800 ft. north of the Main zone, returned 0.35% copper over 16 ft. The Main zone is reported to contain preliminary reserves of 2.2 million tons grading 1.2% copper, 4.2% zinc, and 2.45 oz. silver and 0.012 oz. gold per ton.

Challenger also reports that grab samples from the West zone yielded results up to 0.28 oz. gold, 2.25 oz. silver, 3.72% copper, 9.12% zinc and 4.92% lead. The West zone has a proven strike length of 350 ft. and is coincident with an airborne electromagnetic (EM) anomaly that has an indicated strike length of 850 ft.

A second phase program consisting of geological mapping, surface and borehole EM geophysical surveys and diamond drilling is expected to begin in the first quarter of 1993. Drilling will test the downdip and strike extent of the South zone as well as five other mineralized zones on the property. Challenger can earn a 100% interest in the property from Giant Gripp Mines, a wholly owned subsidiary of NWT Copper Mines (CDN), by completing 40,000 ft. of drilling during a 4-year period. Giant Gripp retains a 5% net smelter return royalty.