Early drilling of the Toro project in northern Peru has proved auspicious for Oroperu Resources (CDN).
While testing the overall geological structure and mineralization of the property with widely spaced reverse-circulation drilling, Oroperu identified zones of gold mineralization on the northern and southern slopes of El Toro hill, as well as a significant gold intercept on the eastern slope. Also, gold has been found in both the intrusives and the adjacent sedimentary rocks.
The first phase of drilling began in December 1995. To date, Oroperu has completed 26 holes totalling 3,677 metres, including nine far-flung holes drilled to spot-check for areas of mineralization that extend on to flatter areas to the north and east of the Main zone on El Toro hill. Hand samples from a large, flat-lying area 1.5 km east of the mountain have assayed 2-2.5 grams gold per tonne.
Along the northern slope of El Toro, Oroperu has identified a mineralized zone at least 300 metres long. Intercepts here include 1.07 grams gold per tonne over 43.5 metres, 6.38 grams over 12 metres, 1.03 grams over 15 metres and 0.43 gram over 34 metres. Two holes — one drilled on top of the hill (56 metres of 1.56 grams) and another on the southern slope (15 metres of 6.48 grams) — indicate that the gold zone might continue in that direction. On the eastern slope, one hole hit 90 metres of 0.64 gram gold per tonne, including 16.5 metres of 1.62 grams.
Although most of the better-grade mineralization has been found in the altered intrusive body along the eastern contact of the mineralized zone, hand mining of high-grade material in the past took place mainly in the adjacent sedimentary unit.
Oroperu will focus its stepout and infill drill programs on the northern and southern flanks of El Toro in order to define the ultimate dimensions of ore-grade zones and discover whether they form a continuous north-south body.
The company will also test for extensions of the mineralization on the eastern flank.
Oroperu is operating the Toro project, in which Barrick Gold (TSE) can acquire a 60% interest by way of a US$10.5-million earn-in deal.
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