Commences Drilling Beutong Copper-Gold Deposit

RNS Number : 3548G

Asiamet Resources Limited

01 March 2018

 

For Immediate Release                            London AIM

1 March 2018                                            Symbol: ARS

Asiamet Commences Drilling Beutong Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposit

Asiamet Resources Limited ("ARS" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling on its exciting Beutong Copper-Gold Project ("Beutong"), located in Nagan Raya Regency, Aceh, Indonesia. Asiamet holds a 40% interest (earning to 80%) in Beutong through its local joint venture Company PT Emas Mineral Murni's ("EMM").

Beutong is a large porphyry copper-gold system, which comprises the Beutong East Porphyry ("BEP"), Beutong West Porphyry ("BWP") and the Beutong Skarn("BSK") as shown in Figure 1. Beutong has current JORC compliant Resources containing 2.4Mt (5.3Blb) copper, 2.1Moz gold and 20.6Moz silver on a 100% basis and 1.0Mt (2.1Blb) copper, 0.8Moz gold and 8.2Moz silver on a 40% attributable basis (see announcement dated 26 November 2014).

Highlights

·    Beutong is a large high-quality copper, gold, silver, molybdenum deposit which outcrops at surface and remains open in several directions including to depth. Potential to increase the size of the deposits with further drilling is considered high.

·     Geological observations indicate excellent potential for the presence of a high-grade copper-gold core at depth similar to that seen in some of the giant Asia-Pacific porphyry systems such Wafi-Golpu (Newcrest, PNG) and Grasberg (Freeport, Indonesia). Drilling designed to test this potential is planned.

·      Initial drilling is designed to simultaneously test for extensions of the porphyry Cu-Au mineralisation to the east where previous drilling (hole BEU0900-01 794.5m EOH) intersected 374.4m @ 0.89% Cu, 0.20g/t Au from 4.8m depth (refer ARS Press Release 8 January 2018) and to obtain representative sample for metallurgical test work.

·     Metallurgical test-work will assess the potential for developing a large-scale heap leach SX-EW mining operation to produce copper cathode at Beutong.

The BEP and BWP systems show zonation in copper mineral species similar to those observed at the Company's Beruang Kanan Main ("BKM") Copper Project in Central Kalimantan, with chalcocite, covellite, and digenite (Figure 3) dominating the upper parts (to 600m depth) of both porphyry systems.  The first drill hole is designed to bisect the BEP from west to east in order to obtain sufficient material for planned metallurgical test work and to test extensions to the porphyry copper-gold mineralisation to the east.  Metallurgical test work will be carried out to determine the leachability of these secondary copper sulphide minerals, with proposed programs comprising sequential analysis, column leach, agitated leach and bottle roll tests.

The Company plans to drill up to approximately 4,000 metres of PQ, HQ and NQ-size core in 8 holes, with individual angled drill holes up to 750 metres in length depending on drilling conditions.   Drill holes have been designed to provide critical information on the vertical and lateral distribution of the secondary sulphide mineralisation, test the strike and depth potential of the Beutong system, and fulfil our commitments in respect of the IUP-OP permit.

Being located close to a sealed road, the logistics for drilling are excellent and will support timely processing and turnaround of samples and results. The drill camp and core logging facilities constructed by Tigers Realm Metals (Beutong was acquired from Tigers Realm in 2015), have recently been renovated to support the drilling and associated programme (Figure 4).

Peter Bird, Asiamet's Chief Executive Officer commented:

"Asiamet is very pleased to advise the commencement of drilling on its large-scale Beutong porphyry copper-gold project. We have been looking forward to the opportunity to daylight the intrinsic value of this asset since it was acquired in 2015 and having recently secured long-term tenure we are now well placed to re-activate drilling and development activities at a time when copper prices are rising and advanced, large scale projects with excellent nearby infrastructure are scarce. As the scale and grade of the Beutong deposit becomes more widely recognised we would expect to see a significantly enhanced level of interest in the Company and its activities. We look forward to reporting the results of the drilling and metallurgical programmes at Beutong, along with results from Feasibility studies at BKM and further exploration at BKZ and other prospects in the BK district."

Qualified Person

Data disclosed in this press release have been reviewed and verified by ARS's qualified person, Stephen Hughes, P. Geo, Vice President Exploration of the Company and a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101 and for the purposes of the AIM Rules.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peter Bird, Deputy Chairman and CEO

For further information, please contact:

 

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Peter Bird
Deputy Chairman and CEO, Asiamet Resources Limited
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Tony Manini
Executive Chairman, Asiamet Resources Limited
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

FlowComms Limited

Sasha Sethi

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]
 

Asiamet Resources Nominated Adviser
RFC Ambrian Limited

Andrew Thomson / Stephen Allen

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] / [e-mail] 

Optiva Securities Limited
Christian Dennis

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements.   Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices.  There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) no. 596/2014 ("MAR").

Figure 1: Location map showing BEP, BWP and the BSK project areas & drill collars. To view the graphic, please open the link here http://www.asiametresources.com/i/maps/2018-03-01_NR-Fig1.jpg

Figure 2: (Left) AIDT drill rig on site at Beutong Copper Project. To view the graphic, please open the link here http://www.asiametresources.com/i/maps/2018-03-01_NR-Fig2-L.jpg

(Right) Excavator preparing drill pad and sumps on section line BEU0900. To view the graphic, please open the link here http://www.asiametresources.com/i/maps/2018-03-01_NR-Fig2-R.jpg

Figure 3: (Left) Typical BEP disseminated covellite mineralisation. To view the graphic, please open the link here http://www.asiametresources.com/i/maps/2018-03-01_NR-Fig3-L.jpg

(Right) Typical BWP mineralisation covellite in pyrite veins and as disseminated grains. To view the graphic, please open the link here http://www.asiametresources.com/i/maps/2018-03-01_NR-Fig3-R.jpg

Figure 4: Beutong exploration and drilling camp, located just off a sealed access road. To view the graphic, please open the link here http://www.asiametresources.com/i/maps/2018-03-01_NR-Fig4.jpg

Glossary of Technical Terms

"anomaly or anomalous"	something in mineral exploration that geologists interpret as deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
"assay"	The laboratory test conducted to determine the proportion of a mineral within a rock or other material. For copper, usually reported as percentage which is equivalent to percentage of the mineral (i.e. copper) per tonne of rock.
"azimuth"	the "compass direction" refers to a geographic bearing or azimuth as measured by a magnetic compass, in true or magnetic north.
"bornite"	Bornite, also known as peacock ore, is a copper sulphide mineral with the formula Cu5FeS4.
"breccia"	Breccia is a rock classification, comprises millimetre to metre-scale rock fragments cemented together in a matrix, there are many sub-classifications of breccias.
"chalcocite"	Chalcocite is a copper sulphide mineral with the formula Cu2S and is an important copper ore mineral. It is opaque and dark-gray to black with a metallic luster.
"chalcopyrite"	Chalcopyrite is a copper sulphide mineral with formula CuFeS2. It has a brassy to golden yellow colour.
"channel sample"	Samples collected across a mineralised rock exposure. The channel is typically orientated such that samples are collected perpendicular to the mineralised structure, if possible.
"chargeability"	Chargeability is a physical property related to conductivity. Chargeability is used to characterise the formation and strength of the induced polarisation within a rock, under the influence of an electric field, suggesting sulphide mineralisation at depth.
"CIM"	The reporting standard adopted for the reporting of the Mineral Resources is that defined by the terms and definitions given in the terminology, definitions and guidelines given in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (December 2005) as required by NI 43-101. The CIM Code is an internationally recognised reporting code as defined by the Combined Reserves International Reporting Standards Committee.
"covellite"	Covellite is a copper sulphide mineral with the formula CuS. This indigo blue mineral is ubiquitous in some copper ores.
"diamond drilling"	A drilling method in which penetration is achieved through abrasive cutting by rotation of a diamond encrusted drill bit. This drilling method enables collection of tubes of intact rock (core) and when successful gives the best possible quality samples for description, sampling and analysis of an ore body or mineralised structure.
"digenite"	Digenite is a copper sulfide mineral with formula Cu9S5. Digenite is a black to dark blue opaque mineral.
"dip"	A line directed down the steepest axis of a planar structure including a planar ore body or zone of mineralisation. The dip has a measurable direction and inclination from horizontal.
"galena"	Galena is the natural mineral form of lead (II) sulphide, with formula PbS. It is the most important ore of lead and an important source of silver.  It has a silver colour.
"grab sample"	are samples of rock material collected from a small area, often just a few pieces or even a single piece of rock "grabbed" from a face, dump or outcrop or roughly 2-5kg. These are common types of rock samples collected when conducting mineral exploration. The sample usually consists of material that is taken to be representative of a specific type of rock or mineralisation.
"grade"	The proportion of a mineral within a rock or other material. For copper mineralisation this is usually reported as % of copper per tonne of rock (g/t).
"g/t"	grams per tonne; equivalent to parts per million ('ppm')
"hematite"	Hematite is the mineral form of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), one of several iron oxides.  Magnetite alteration is also typically associate with porphyry copper systems, at or close to the central core.
"hypogene"	Hypogene ore processes occur deep below the earth's surface, and form deposits of primary minerals, such as chalcopyrite and bornite.
"Indicated Resource"	An "Indicated Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics, can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed.
"Inferred Resource"	An "Inferred Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
"Induced Polarisation Geophysics"	Induced polarisation (IP) is a geophysical survey used to identify the electrical chargeability of subsurface materials, such as sulphides. The survey involves an electric current that is transmitted into the subsurface through two electrodes, and voltage is monitored through two other electrodes.
"intercept"	Refers to a sample or sequence of samples taken across the entire width or an ore body or mineralised zone. The intercept is described by the entire thickness and the average grade of mineralisation.
"lbs"	Pounds (measure of weight)
"Mlbs"	Million pounds (measure of weight)
"magnetite"	Magnetite is main iron ore mineral, with chemical formula Fe3O4. Magnetite is ferromagnetic, and it is attracted to a magnet and can be magnetized to become a permanent magnet itself.
"massive"	In a geological sense, refers to a zone of mineralisation that is dominated by sulphide minerals.  The sulphide-mineral-rich material can occur in centimetre-scale, metre-scale or in tens of metres wide veins, lenses or sheet-like bodies containing sphalerite, galena, and / or chalcopyrite etc.
"Measured Resource"	A "Measured Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity.
"Mineral Resource"	A "Mineral Resource" is a concentration or occurrence of diamonds, natural solid inorganic material, or natural solid fossilised organic material including base and precious metals, coal, and industrial minerals in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge.
"mineralisation"	In geology, mineralisation is the deposition of economically important metals (copper, gold, lead, zin etc) that in some cases can be in sufficient quantity to form mineral ore bodies.
"open pit mining"	A method of extracting minerals from the earth by excavating downwards from the surface such that the ore is extracted in the open air (as opposed to underground mining).
"outcrop"	A section of a rock formation or mineral vein that appears at the surface of the earth.  Geologists take direct observations and samples from outcrops, used in geologic analysis and creating geologic maps. In situ (in place) measurements are critical for proper analysis of the geology and mineralisation of the area under investigation.
"polymetallic"	three or more metals that may occur in magmatic, volcanogenic, or hydrothermal environments; common base and precious metals include copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold.
"polymict"	A geology term, often applied to breccias or conglomerates, which identifies the composition as consisting of fragments of several different rock types.
"porphyry"	Porphyry copper deposits are copper +- gold +- molybdenum orebodies that are formed from hydrothermal fluids that originate from a voluminous magma chamber below the deposit itself.
"Preliminary Economic Assessment"	NI 43-101 defines a PEA as "a study, other than a pre-feasibility study or feasibility study, which includes an economic analysis of the potential viability of mineral Resources".
"propylitic alteration"	Propylitic alteration is the chemical alteration of minerals within a rock, caused by hydrothermal fluids. This style of alteration typically results in epidote-chlorite+-albite alteration and veining or fracture filling, commonly altering biotite or amphibole minerals within the rock groundmass. It typically occurs along with pyrite.
"sediments"	Sedimentary rocks formed by the accumulation of sediments. There are three types, Clastic, Chemical and Organic sedimentary rocks.
"sequential assays"	Sequential copper analysis is a technique to semi-quantitatively define the zonations associated with some copper deposits. The method is based on the partial dissolution behaviour displayed by the prevalent copper minerals to solutions containing sulphuric acid and sodium cyanide. Results from sequential analyses can theoretically determine the amounts of leachable oxide minerals, leachable secondary sulphide minerals, and primary copper minerals, respectively.
"sphalerite"	Sphalerite is a zinc sulphide in crystalline form but almost always contains variable iron, with formula (Zn,Fe)S. It can have a yellowish to honey brown or black colour.
"supergene"	Supergene ore processes occur near surface, and form deposits of secondary minerals, such as malachite, azurite, chalcocite, covellite, digenite, etc.
"surface rock chip samples"	Rock chip samples approximately 2kg in size that are typically collected from surface outcrops exposed along rivers and mountain ridgelines.
"veins"	A vein is a sheet-like or anastomosing fracture that has been infilled with mineral ore (chalcopyrite, covellite etc) or mineral gangue (quartz, calcite etc) material, within a rock. Veins form when minerals carried by an aqueous solution within the rock mass are deposited through precipitation and infill or coat the fracture faces.
"volcanics"	Volcanic rock such as andesite or basalt that is formed from magma erupted from a volcano, or hot clastic material that erupts from a volcano and is deposited as volcaniclastic or pyroclastics.

 

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