Orvana makes progress at Don Mario

Vancouver-based Orvana Minerals (ORV-T) reports that progress is being made at its drill program on the Don Mario copper-gold deposit in eastern Bolivia.

Assay results from 11 holes are “better than predicted,” the drilling is well ahead of schedule, and engineering studies and regional exploration programs are reaching an advanced stage, the company reports. The drill holes are concentrated in the area between the high-grade core of the lower mineralized zone and the base of the upper mineralized zone.

Drill results from the lower mineralized zone confirm the continuous and uniform nature of the gold mineralization in that structure, Orvana reports.

Highlights are as follows:

* 24.46 grams gold per tonne over 7.1 metres (from 115.2 to 122.3 metres) in hole 116;

* 29.37 grams over 1 metre (from 77.5 to 78.5 metres), 6.45 grams over 2.8 metres (from 83.5 to 86.3 metres) and 6.57 grams over 2.8 metres (from 88.3 to 91.2 metres) in hole 118;

* 14.78 grams over 2.5 metres (from 76.5 to 79 metres) in hole 119; and * 6.27 grams over 4.6 metres (from 100.1 to 104.7 metres) plus 10.39 grams over 4.1 metres (from 107.8 to 111.9 metres) in hole 124.

The above results were calculated using a cutoff grade of 4 grams gold.

Three of the holes intersected the lower portion of the upper mineralized zone in addition to the lower structure; these near-surface intercepts are believed to indicate open-pit mining potential.

The drill results from the upper zone, calculated at a cutoff grade of 0.5 gram gold, are as follows:

* 1.37 grams gold, 29 grams silver and 4.61% copper over 6.7 metres (from 23.7 to 30.4 metres) in hole 116;

* 1.02 grams gold, 30.6 grams silver and 1.16% copper over 4.6 metres (from 2.7 to 7.3 metres), 1.06 grams gold, 54.4 grams silver and 0.78% copper over 11.4 metres (from 20.8 to 32.2 metres) and 1.04 grams gold, 18.5 grams silver and 1.01% copper over 5.6 metres (from 37.8 to 43.4 metres) in hole 117; and

* 1.81 grams gold, 107.4 grams silver and 2.15% copper over 16.9 metres (from 26 to 42.9 metres) in hole 118.

Results are pending for an additional 21 holes.