Drilling Results
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
29 November 2005
Alba Mineral Resources Plc ('Alba' or the 'Company')
Drilling Results
Alba Mineral Resources plc is pleased to report initial results from its
verification drilling programme on its Arthrath Nickel-Copper-PGE (platinum
group elements) project in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Highlights include:
• extensive, near-surface, disseminated magmatic nickel-copper sulphide
mineralization intersected in hole 05-AH/02, with 109.7 metres @ 0.26% Ni,
0.29% Cu, 0.019% Co from 17.3 metres
• includes a highest grade interval of 7.8 metres @ 0.51% Ni, 0.54% Cu,
0.033% Co, 169 ppb Pd+Pt+Au and 4.1 g/t Ag from 103.2 metres in a unit with
higher sulphide content
• interpretation of Alba's drilling in conjunction with two historical drill
holes, indicates there is potential for up to 350 metres of down dip
extension from surface to this highly encouraging mineralization
• results from ongoing exploration of the extensive Arthath property are
expected to produce several drilling targets within, contiguous to and
outside the current area of focus.
Work at the Arthrath property is targeting the strike length of a 10 kilometre
long east-west trending mafic intrusion, which in places is up to 600 metres
wide. Between 1968 and 1973 previous operators drilled 36 drill holes and
encountered nickel and copper bearing sulphide mineralization over a 4.5
kilometre strike length. This known mineralized area is geographically central
to the area being explored by Alba. Previous drilling was widely spaced and did
not, in Alba's opinion, adequately test the potential for high-grade massive
sulphide bodies. Importantly, there was no systematic analysis for cobalt or
PGEs of previous operator drill core.
Diamond Drilling
Alba's programme of verification drilling has focussed on a zone where drilling
by previous operators indicated the presence of nickel and copper mineralization
approaching economic grade. The programme was designed to confirm both the grade
and style of sulphide mineralization and to test initial interpretations from
historical data that a northerly dipping mineralized body is present within a
vertical or sub-vertical intrusive body.
The first hole, 05-AH/01, drilled at 45 degrees to the south, was halted in poor
drilling conditions within a highly serpentinized shear zone at 47.5 metres. A
second, similarly oriented hole was collared 22 metres to the east, and
intersected 178 metres of variably developed, disseminated and net-texture
magmatic sulphide mineralization. Drilling conditions and recoveries in this
second hole were excellent with encouraging intersections encountered from
bedrock at 17.3 metres:
109.7m @ 0.26% Ni, 0.29% Cu, 0.019% Co and 2.3g/t Ag from 17.3m, including
7.8m @ 0.51% Ni, 0.54%Cu, 0.033% Co, 169 ppb Pd+Pt+Au and 4.1g/t Ag from 103.2m
The third hole, DDH 05-AH/03, was designed to test the northern and southern
contacts of the intrusion and undercut any encouraging mineralization
encountered in 05-AH/02, at depth. Assay results are pending.
Interpretation of Alba's drilling in conjunction with two historical drill holes
indicates there is potential for up to 350 metres of down dip extension from
surface to this highly encouraging mineralization.
In addition, assay results for 05-AH/02 have for the first time confirmed the
presence of highly anomalous levels of cobalt, palladium, platinum, gold and
silver associated with nickel and copper mineralization, with maximum values of
0.091% Co, 743 ppb Pd, 246 ppb Pt, 134 ppb Au and 11 g/t Ag.
In order to determine potential grades for any semi-massive to massive sulphide
body which may be present within the system, a 10cm section of core composed of
50% sulphide was analysed separately and returned values of 1.38% Ni, 0.30% Cu,
0.091% Co and 839 ppb Pd+Pt+Au. This clearly demonstrates the economic
potential of any such massive (100%) sulphide.
Other Activities
Concurrent with the drilling programme, extensive soil geochemical and
geophysical surveys have been carried out to define the size of the mineralized
intrusive system and define additional drilling targets. Results will be
reported early in the New Year.
Alba's Chairman, Lance O'Neill, commented, 'We are highly encouraged by the
drilling results from our Arthrath project. The results clearly demonstrate the
size of the mineralizing system and highlight the potential for higher grades
within the large, poorly explored area over which Alba has an exclusive 100%
interest. We look forward to reporting the final results of both the drilling
and ongoing property-wide exploration programmes which we expect to produce new
drilling targets.'
Enquiries:-
Lance O'Neill, Alba Mineral Resources Plc 020 7499 8334
Wilson Robb, Alba Mineral Resources Plc +353 46 905 9959
Liam Murray, City Financial Associates Limited 020 7090 7800
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