More work planned for Ileninga Lake

With positive 1995 results in hand, Inco (TSE) is pressing on with exploration of the Ileninga Lake massive sulphide property in the Northwest Territories.

Last year, the nickel giant acquired an option to earn a 60% interest in the property from Breakwater Resources (TSE). It must pay Breakwater $150,000 and spend $1.5 million on exploration.

Exploration work prior to Inco’s involvement consisted of geophysical surveys, geological mapping, geochemical sampling and the drilling of 56 holes totalling 9,334 metres. The work identified two mineralized areas, with the Main zone containing several massive sulphide lenses with a total resource of 1.762 million tonnes grading 1.19% copper, 7.7% zinc, 0.34 gram gold and 79.5 grams silver per tonne.

In 1995, Inco drilled eight holes totalling 3,953 metres along strike and at depth, all of which were designed to test the Main zone. The zone, Inco found, consists of two formations. The mineralization occurs near the top of the dacitic lower formation and at the base of the andesitic upper formation. There are three mineralized horizons (the South, North and True North), which are characterized by massive to stringer sulphides.

The South horizon is associated with a small felsic dome near the top of the lower formation. It consists of a massive sulphide lens on the flank of the dome. One intersection through this mineralization assayed 2.91% copper, 6.62% zinc and 110 grams silver across 10.53 metres.

The North horizon consists of massive sulphide lenses associated with the contact between the upper and lower formations. The most significant massive sulphide lens is at least several hundred metres across and up to 100 metres thick. One intersection through it graded 0.39% copper, 15.72% zinc and 195.95 grams silver over 9.37 metres. Gold-silver intercepts included 0.5 metre of 672 grams silver and 15.09 grams gold, and 1.3 metres of 342 grams silver and 13.8 grams gold.

The True North horizon is a relatively thin massive sulphide blanket that drapes over the large felsic dome. One of the more significant intersections through this horizon graded 0.24% copper, 7.81% zinc and 62.51 grams silver.

Inco’s 1996 exploration program will include additional diamond drilling to test the down-plunge and downdip extensions of known mineralization at the Main zone and in the AB11 zone.