The first phase of drilling at Joutel Resources’ (TSE) La Zona Barita project in Cuba has encountered high-grade gold mineralization.
Situated in the Sierra Maestra concession on the southwestern coast, the property has been subjected to a 9-hole program totaling 2,058 metres. Seven of these holes tested La Zona Barita, which is an area of highly altered, mafic and acid pyroclastic rocks containing barite and widespread gold mineralization. In 1994, surface trenches over portions of the zone returned encouraging gold assays, including 1.82 grams gold per ton over 40 metres and 0.9 gram over 142 metres.
High-grade gold mineralization was encountered in two holes: 525-94 averaged 24.32 grams over 10.65 metres, while 517-94 yielded 10.45 grams over 8.7 metres. Hole 571-94 is about 100 metres downdip of 525-94.
The gold mineralization normally occurs in silicified acid tuffs containing disseminated and massive pyrite. The mineralized zones also contain 1% to 5% zinc, 0.1% to 1% copper, and 1 to 77 grams silver.
Other significant results, from holes situated 100 metres east and west of the high-grade intercepts, include:
Hole Interval Thickness Grade
(metres) (metres) (g/t)
518-94 136.6-174.2 37.6 0.72
including 136.6-149.8 13.2 1.45
519-94 78.8-108.8 30.0 1.90
including 78.8-95.3 16.5 2.25
520-94 148.4-163.6 15.2 0.62
521-94 136.2-146.4 10.2 0.48
522-94 122.7-140.6 17.9 0.52
Hole 523-94, drilled 400 metres northeast of La Zona Barita, tested an intense hydrothermal alteration zone consisting predominantly of kaolin. This hole returned no significant results. A second hole, 524-94, drilled 2 km to the northeast of the zone, intersected altered and sulphide-bearing material which assayed up to 0.304 grams gold.
Airborne electromagnetic and ground induced-polarization surveys outlined a 4-km long anomaly north of the Zona Barita horizon. Joutel considers this anomaly to be significant because of its proximity to the recent area of drilling and to the Cobre mine, 1.5 km to the south.
El Cobre, which has published reserves of 6 million tons grading 2% copper, is being mined as an open pit by the Cubans.
Joutel is planning a second phase of drilling, designed to expand La Zona Barita and test the adjacent geophysical anomalies.
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