Persian Gold PLC
14 September 2007
Persian Gold plc.
14th September 2007
Interim Results for the Six Month Period to 30 June 2007
Persian Gold is making solid progress in Iran. The highlights of recent
activities are:
- Two new projects acquired; Dalli, an advanced gold/porphyry project, and
Dustbiglu, an early stage gold in clay silica alunite project,
- Drilling commencing in Dalli in September,
- Second phase drilling at our Chah-e-Zard discovery to follow Dalli drilling.
Remember our background. Persian Gold was formed in 2003 to prospect for gold in
Iran, a large country significantly under explored in the last 30 years. The
focus was on the large volcanic belt stretching from Turkey in the Northwest to
Pakistan in the Southeast - almost 2000kms. Significant gold discoveries have
been made in this belt in Turkey and in Pakistan, including a world class gold
deposit at Riko Diq on the border between Iran and Pakistan.
We went into Iran using a new gold exploration model - gold in clay silica
alunite alteration environments. We have two projects concentrating on this
model, Takestan and now, Dustbiglu. However, our presence in Iran and our
growing local experience, resulted in other projects, mainly gold, being
presented to Persian Gold, including the most recent and very exciting Dalli
prospect. Dalli is a significant copper gold porphyry deposit which has never
been drilled - until now.
The world class geological opportunities in Iran are off-set to some extent by
the political situation. Political uncertainty has impacted many Western
companies operating there. Though this has not adversely affected our
operations, Persian Gold's share price has suffered from the negative media
coverage. We have experienced no significant or unusual challenges operating in
any part of the country. We continue to be made welcome by the Iranian
authorities and people. Accordingly, Persian Gold has Early Mover Advantage
giving us access to projects not normally available to junior explorers.
Dalli
Located 200kms southwest of Tehran. Sampling has discovered strong gold and
copper mineralisation in two centres 1.7km apart. An initial exploration
programme of 5 drill holes will start in September. Work in the area can
continue year round. We have an option to acquire 70%.
Dustbiglu
Our second new project, the wholly owned Dustbiglu, lies 450km Northwest of
Tehran. It is a gold in silica-clay-alunite resource. The area has similar
characteristics to the silica-alunite gold mines in Peru and Chile. Previous
prospecting work for copper discovered gold traces. Persian Gold has applied for
exploration concessions over the area. It is hoped to sample the ground before
the snows set in in December.
Chah-e-Zard
The first phase drilling programme in this volcanic hosted gold deposit,
discovered gold in 13 of 16 drill holes including two very good results;
122m @ 1.95g/t gold in Hole 3,
40m @ 1.24g/t gold in Hole 1.
The results have led to a second phase exploration programme consisting of
further trenches and 20 drill holes concentrated in the Southern zone. The
target is to define a near surface gold oxide heap leachable resource. The
trenching programme is underway and the rig drilling Dalli will move to
Chah-e-Zard.
Takestan
As easier to explore later stage projects have become available, the Takestan
project has moved down the list of priorities. We still await permits to pit and
trench the Twin Hills area located near the city of Qazvin. The opportunities on
this block of 4 licences are good, but they must wait for environmental
clearance.
Future
There are many large gold opportunities in Iran. Persian Gold must not
over-extend. The four projects underway, particularly the drilling at Dalli and
Chah-e-Zard, will provide the core of activities in the coming months. First
drill results can be expected at the end of October.
John J Teeling
Chairman
14th September 2007
Persian Gold Plc
John Teeling +353 1 833 2833
College Hill
Paddy Blewer +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
Nick Elwes +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
Blue Oar Securities Plc
John Wakefield +44 (0) 117 933 0020
www.persiangoldplc.com
Persian Gold plc Interim Results 2007
Financial Information (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
30 June 07 30 June 06
£'000 £'000
Group Profit and Loss
Operating Loss (162) (67)
Investment Income 6 13
Loss before Taxation (156) (54)
Taxation 0 0
Loss for the period (156) (54)
Loss per share (.28p) (.10p)
Group Balance Sheet 30 June 07 30 June 06
£'000 £'000
Fixed Assets 921 413
Current Assets 120 732
Current Liabilities (265) (37)
Current Assets less Current Liabilities (145) 695
776 1,108
Share Capital and Reserves 776 1,108
Six Months Ended
30 June 07 30 June 06
£'000 £'000
Group Cash Flow
Net Cash Outflow from Operating Activities (99) (56)
Returns on Investments and Servicing of Finance 6 13
Capital Expenditure (101) (154)
Decrease in Cash (194) (197)
Notes:
1 The figure for the six months to 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2006 are unaudited.
The financial information set out above does not constitute full statutory
accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985.
2 Copies of this announcement will be sent to shareholders and will be available
for inspection at the Company's registered office at 20-22 Bedford Row, London,
WC1R 4JS
Notes to Editors:
Persian Gold was formed in 2003 and listed on the AIM in June 2005. It has 600
shareholders, and is capitalised at £10m. The company was formed by John
Teeling, an Irish mining entrepreneur, together with a group of European and
Iranian investors.
It was established to explore for gold in a silica clay alunite alteration zone
in the Takestan area of northwest Iran. Estimated reserves of alunite in this
area are 1 billion tonnes. In recent years many of the largest gold discoveries
in the world have been made in silica alunite rocks in the Andes. The Persian
Gold strategy in Iran is to prospect for large South American style gold
deposits in the Takestan silica alunite.
The late stage Chah-e-Zard gold deposit, near Yazd, to the south of Tehran was
optioned in 2005. Strong sampling results led to a drilling programme which
discovered gold in 13 of 16 holes including the southern zone containing holes
with commercial gold grades over significant lengths.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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