EXPLORATION 1997 — High River, Focal launch exploration initiative in Central America

Partners High River Gold Mines (HRG-T) and Focal Resources (FCJ-A) have launched a US$5-million exploration program at five gold properties in Nicaragua.

Geophysics, trenching and a substantial drill program will be conducted on the concessions, which are held equally by the companies.

At the Santo Domingo, a mining lease controlled by a co-operative that has been producing gold from high-grade veins, mapping and sampling are already in progress.

At Rio Siquia, trenching, geophysical surveys, mapping and sampling are aimed at defining drill targets. That property is believed to contain an extension of the Cerro Mojon Corridor, which hosts the nearby La Libertad gold deposits of Greenstone Resources (GRE-T). According to the partners, a reconnaissance program has identified extensive anomalies along that trend.

Focal and High River are also testing the Wasuk-Wawa concession, which covers the northeastern extension of the Bonanza district, where past gold production is reported to have totalled 4.5 million oz.

That concession covers several sub-volcanic intrusives, nested caldera complexes and a structural setting believed to be favorable for gold deposits. The first four test targets cover historical workings where small-scale production has been conducted. Targets outlined in the geophysical program will be followed by drilling.

A drill program is scheduled to begin shortly at the San Ramon prospect, where several anomalous areas returned up to 5 grams gold per tonne.

Earlier-stage work is planned for the Cerro El Tigre concession.

Elsewhere in Central America, Focal is testing El Salvador’s Barrios property, a 50-50 joint venture with Intrepid Minerals (IAU-A).

The companies recently launched a 5,000-metre drill program at the property, which covers 50 sq. km and includes former gold and silver producers.

The program, to be completed in two phases, will test a 3-km arcuate zone of gold-silver mineralization within a larger, 24-sq.-km area of hydrothermal alteration and volcanic breccia.

Intrepid and Focal recently carried out trenching on the northern flank of that structure. Selected results from the main vein target include: 30.6 metres, grading 2.02 grams gold and 59.98 grams silver per tonne; 11 metres of 1.19 grams gold and 15.45 grams silver; and 20 metres of 0.99 gram gold and 21.1 grams silver.

Trenching along the South vein returned 8.1 metres of 10.99 grams gold and 122 grams silver, whereas trenching at a stockwork target yielded 19.9 metres of 0.64 gram gold and 104.5 grams silver. Trenching was also conducted at the Santiago adit, returning 32.1 metres of 2.12 grams gold and 43.35 grams silver. An additional two tunnels have been opened into the system and are being prepared for sampling. Reconnaissance exploration work at the property continues.

Intrepid and Focal are also exploring the 444-sq.-km Columbus property in Nicaragua, as well as the 210-sq.-km Erapuca property in Honduras. That property is 3 km south of the San Andreas gold mine, which is being developed by Greenstone.