Partners expand zone at Cukurdere

The latest results from reverse-circulation (RC) drilling by partners Anatolia Minerals Development (YMC.U-V) and Rio Tinto (RTP-N) have confirmed those of previous holes on the Cukurdere project in central Turkey.

Hole CRC-6, collared halfway between previous core holes CDD-1 and CCD-2, cut 53 metres averaging 2.7 grams gold and 17.3 grams silver per tonne.

Hole CRC-7, a stepout hole collared 140 metres to the north-northeast of CDD-4, cut two zones totalling 9 metres of 2.3 grams gold, beginning at 22 and 53 metres down-hole.

Stepout hole CRC-8A was drilled about 155 metres northwest of core hole CDD-2 and 145 metres northeast of CRC-7. It cut 32 metres of 1.4 grams gold per tonne, starting at 2 metres below surface. The partners believe that holes 7 and 8 may respectively represent the northwest and north edge of the main gold-mineralized zone.

Hole CRC-9 was drilled 170 metres northwest of CDD-4 and 240 metres north-northeast of CRC-3. It averaged 0.1 gram gold per tonne. This hole and the previously sunk CRC-2 and CRC-3 appear to define the western edge of gold mineralization and possibly a deeper part of the system.

Finally, stepout hole CRC-10, 190 metres east of CDD-1, cut 11 metres (from surface) grading 1.1 grams gold per tonne, 28 metres (from 33 metres below surface) of 2.2 grams gold and 20 metres (from 61 metres) of 0.6 gram. The hole also encountered 30 metres of 1.8% of secondary enriched copper from 34 metres, including 12 metres running 4.1%.

The latest holes have expanded the original discovery block to 600 metres by 800 metres. Assay results are pending from additional stepout holes in this area and nine other reverse-circulation holes.

Rio Tinto is earning a 70% interest in the property by spending US$10.5 million on exploration and making payments of US$1.5 million. As part of a four-year agreement with Anatolia, Rio Tinto is also interested in the Uckapili and Karagoz gold prospects.

Also part of the deal was the Kabatas copper prospect, which Rio recently dropped. Instead, Rio will raise the Karagoz gold prospect to project earn-in status and immediately advance $300,000 for initial work.