Semafo finds third zone

Junior Semafo (SMF-T) has outlined a third zone of mineralization at the Mana gold property in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Dubbed Maoula, the zone outcrops about 3 km south of the original Nyafe prospect, which hosts a drill-indicated resource of 1 million tonnes grading 8.5 grams gold per tonne.

Maoula was first identified by a 1997 stream sediment sampling program. It was later confirmed by a systematic soil-sampling program.

Over the past two years, detailed geological and structural mapping have outlined two main mineralized structures that strike northeast for about 300 metres. Mineralization is associated with felsic volcano-sedimentary rocks cut by numerous large quartz or quartzitic veins. The zone remains open at both ends and at depth. Early indications are that the oxidation ranges from 50 to 60 metres. Highlights from trenching include:

• Trench 104 — 19 metres grading 3.62 grams gold per tone; and
• Trench 122 — 31 metres grading 4.6 grams gold and 23 metres grading 5.76 grams gold.

Limited reverse-circulation drilling returned 2 metres (from 10 metres below surface) grading 9.73 grams gold and a lower 9-metre interval (from 20 metres) of 12.69 grams. Another hole cut 7 metres grading 2.87 grams (from 31 metres).

The higher-grade mineralization is associated with a fine, intense stockwork of quartz veins and veinlets.

Another two trenches are being cut. Results from early metallurgical recovery and mineralogical tests are pending. More reverse-circulation drilling is planned for before the wet season in mid-July.

Maoula’s discovery comes on the heels of the discovery of the Wona structure, about 10 km to the north. Wona strikes for more than 1 km and extends to a depth of 100 metres in places. Drill results include 9 metres averaging 6.3 grams, 9 metres averaging 5.4 grams and 29 metres averaging 3.14 grams. Mineralization appears to be hosted by three structures of highly deformed acidic tuffs. Silification and quartz veining occur locally.

An induced-polarization survey has detected anomalies which extend from Wona, as well as a separate anomaly to the east. These are yet to be tested.

The Mana concession is 75%-owned by Semafo. It is located some 200 km west of the capital, Ouagadougou.