A high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide discovery has prompted
Earlier this year, Nevsun sunk six preliminary holes to test a series of electromagetic anomalies that are related to surface gossans. The largest gossan measures 200 metres long and 150 metres wide, and smaller ones are found up to 850 metres to the south.
Holes 1-4 were collared on the same line to test a series of four linear anomalies, and the final two succeeded in striking massive sulphides. In hole 3, the unit measured 31 metres in core-width (starting at 135 metres) and averaged 1.12% copper, 0.04% lead and 2.26% zinc, plus 29.3 grams silver and 1.12 grams gold per tonne. The unit measured 48 metres in hole 4 and began closer to surface, starting at 56 metres down-hole; the final 24 metres carried 6.27% copper, 0.19% lead, 0.62% zinc, 42.1 grams silver and 1.18 grams gold.
Nevsun says the first hole was likely drilled downdip of the horizon, whereas the second stopped short of it. Hole 2 did intersect mineralized felsic tuffs from 30 to 46 metres, followed by 20 metres of mineralized breccia carrying more than 1.31% copper and 0.55% lead. Hole 3 and 4 also cut mineralized tuffs and gossanous material.
About 150 metres to the south, hole 5 cut an oxidized massive sulphide unit, sandwiched between a tuff unit and a chert layer. Starting at 41.2 metres, 7.6 metres graded 32.5 grams gold, 1,382 grams silver and more than 30% lead; the next 8.2 metres ran 4.92% copper, 0.16% lead, 0.02% zinc, 34 grams silver and 0.81 gram gold. Copper and zinc assays for the first part of the interval are pending.
The sixth hole, collared a further 250 metres to the south, failed to return any significant results. It ended in a 38-metre unit of gypsum, so Nevsun believes it may have been stopped short of its mark.
The current program will entail 6,500 metres and focus on the discovered horizons. Holes are being stepped-out along strike at 50-metre intervals and drilled to vertical depths of 200 metres.
Crews also have begun airborne and ground geophysical surveys, as well as stream-sediment sampling, trenching and mapping. Stream-sediment sampling had worked well in the vicinity of the main gossan, returning elevated copper, lead and zinc values.
Nevsun also has applied for more ground in the area.
The company has a 90% stake in Bisha, with the remainder held by the goverment.
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