A combination of underground and cliff rock chip-sampling by
The latest round of chip samples from within the Central gold zone returned 8.33 grams gold per tonne over 28 metres vertically, 5.71 grams gold over 20 metres vertically, 7.76 grams gold over 19 metres vertically and 4.25 grams gold over 19 metres vertically. Underground samples from two historical tunnels returned 16.66 grams gold over 34 metres and 14.79 grams gold over 13 metres.
Most of the sampling to date has targeted a 250-metre-wide, north-to-northeasterly trending mineralized structural corridor that extends over a strike length of 1,850 metres. Three primary zones of gold mineralization have been outlined by 4,412 samples with an average grade of 2.32 grams gold.
The corridor is related to a complex series of converging north- and northeast-striking right-lateral slip faults. The faults have produced a large fractured and brecciated zone.
At the Northeast zone, 1,234 chip samples taken over a 700-by-400-metre area returned an average of 1.33 grams gold. Of these, 70% exceeded 0.31 gram gold, with an average grade of 1.84 grams gold.
A total of 2,537 rock chip samples collected over the 550-by-250-metre Central zone returned an average of 3.07 grams gold. Of these, 68% exceeded the 0.31-gram gold mark, with an average grade of 4.43 grams gold.
The South zone has been outlined over 650 by 250 metres. A total of 641 samples returned an average grade of 1.29 grams gold. Of these, 66% exceeded 0.31 gram gold, returning an average grade of 3.43 grams gold.
Pacific Rim has collected 7,077 continuous chip samples from surface outcrops and historical underground workings over the entire property. The average grade was 1.59 grams gold.
The 10-sq.-km property, situated 540 km southeast of Lima, represents a low-sulphidation epithermal prospect. Hosted in sandstone, the mineralization occurs as stockwork quartz veining below an impermeable shale unit.
A 20,000-metre program of reverse-circulation drilling is scheduled to begin by the end of June. Pacific Rim has signed an option agreement to purchase the surface rights to the lands necessary for the infrastructure of a heap-leach operation. The junior can purchase the lands on or before April 3, 2001, for US$1.24 million.
Pacific Rim agreed to acquire the mineral rights to the property in October of last year. Under the agreement, the company must make cash payments of US$24.2 million after the third year. At production, a maximum 3% royalty will be payable to the vendor, a private Peruvian company.
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