Hucamp cuts surface PGEs at Alexo

Channel sampling by junior Hucamp Mines (YHU-V) has returned some encouraging nickel and platinum group element (PGE ) assay values along strike of the historic Alexo mine, near Timmins, Ont.

Mechanical stripping to the east and west of the old mine works exposed massive, net-textured and disseminated nickel, copper and PGE sulphides along 100 metres of strike length.

To the east of the old workings, a zone of heavy sulphide mineralization averaging more than 2 metres in thickness was exposed over the entire 25-metre-long stripped area. The mineralization disappears under thicker overburden toward the east. Channel sampling retuned between 1.77% and 6.4% copper and 0.72 to 3.33 grams combined platinum and palladium (Pt+Pd) per tonne over widths ranging from 0.1 to 4.3 metres. Copper values were generally less 0.3%.

On the other side of the mine, a 75-metre-long stripped area exposed net-textured and disseminated sulphides with lenses of massive sulphide associated with secondary embayments along the footwall contact. Nickel values came in between 1.1 and 5.26% and Pt+Pd between 0.49 and 1.78 grams. Widths were generally less than a metre. Copper values generally came in under 0.3%.

Hucamp plans to drill test the extent of the zones later this year. Drilling will focus on near surface targets, in particular the down trend extension of the massive sulphide lens to the east of the old workings.

Historical mining at Alexo, during the First and Second World Wars, focused on nickel and copper and mainly avoided the net-textured material in favour of the massive sulphides.

Earlier this year, a re-sampling program of three old Falconbridge (FL-T) holes on the Dundonald-Alexo property returned generally less than half a gram each of platinum and palladium. The holes tested for extensions to a nickel-copper zone outlined in the Dundonald sill.

Even lower values were obtained from several historic holes drilled by Outokumpu Mines in a separate nearby nickel zone known as Kelex.

Under option deals from Falconbridge and Outokumpu, Hucamp can earn 65% interests in the Dundonald and adjoining Alexo properties by spending $8.8 million over several years. Both had been explored mainly for copper and nickel.