(TSX.V: OZ, OTCQB: OZBKF, FSE: S600)
Highlights
- Assays confirm broad gold-arsenic anomaly in bedrock samples over 3-kilometre strike length: Drilling across the O'Connors geophysical trend revealed broad zones of strongly anomalous arsenic and gold comparable to that observed in alteration halos proximal to other central Victorian gold-bearing quartz reefs.
- Wide-spaced top-of-bedrock drilling effective first step: Grid-based, shallow drilling across numerous blind and concealed geophysical targets proved to be a key and cost-effective first step at generating new drill targets.
- Anomalies are open along strike: Encouraging gold results at the northern and southern ends of the anomalies supports the potential for further extensions along strike.
- Planning for follow up drilling of high-potential drill targets now underway: Results suggest that drilling may have intersected low-grade gold halos proximal to high-grade gold bearing quartz reef structures. Numerous targets have now been identified and planning is underway for follow up drilling to test these targets at depth and along strike.
"We are very pleased with our exploration campaign and results at O'Connors. The wide-spaced, air-core drill program was designed to explore below young cover rocks and sample the top of fresh bedrock," commented
The focus of the grid-based, shallow reconnaissance-style drill program was to drill through barren cover rocks and map and sample the top of bedrock (see
The program was successful at defining a new broad zone of gold anomalism associated with a large-scale, open-ended arsenic anomaly. The coincident gold and arsenic anomalies are spatially associated with the north-northeast trending O'Connors fault and related splay faults (Figure 1).
The Company's systematic approach to evaluating compelling new geophysical anomalies and lineaments concealed below young cover rocks has proved very effective at defining numerous new target areas. The current exploration thesis is that drilling to date has intersected multiple low-grade gold halos within the broader arsenic anomaly possibly associated with proximal and concealed high-grade gold bearing quartz reefs. Numerous high-potential targets have now been identified. A multi-phase program consisting of infill air-core holes to constrain the spatial extent of the near-surface geochemical footprint(s) together with deeper diamond core holes to gain valuable structural information is being planned to better evaluate the high-grade gold potential of the area and test for proximal gold-bearing quartz reefs (e.g., Figure 2).
The 698 km2 Yeungroon property is transected by the north-trending, crustal-scale Avoca fault, which separates the western Stawell zone from the Eastern Bendigo zone. The western side of the Yeungroon property contains the historic Golden Jacket hard-rock reef mine associated with the regional-scale, northwest-trending Golden Jacket fault. Historical mining records indicate the Golden Jacket mine produced quartz-rich ore with grades of up to 250 grams per tonne gold (Bibby and More, 1998), however, the vertical and lateral extent of mineralization remains unknown.
The eastern side of the project is underlain by Ordovician rocks of the Castlemaine group and comprises the northern extent of the Wedderburn Goldfield, where numerous small-scale, historical alluvial and hard-rock mines are located.
Air core samples were collected in 1 metre intervals down hole from surface to end of hole for all holes drilled. A representative sample of each 1 metre interval was collected in chip trays as drilling was undertaken, as well as a larger sample (nominally 1.5kg) which was retained for additional testing where required. Basic chip logging was carried out in the field by Company geologists. This included sample lithologies, colour, quartz veining and mineral observations, and was completed concurrent with sampling. All samples were transported from the drill site to the Company's exploration office in Ballarat by Outback staff.
Preliminary analysis of the samples collected in chip trays was carried out using an Olympus Vanta portable XRF. Analysis was carried out in "
The assay process used at both the SGS laboratory and involved the complete pulverisation of approximately 1.5kg samples such that 80% of the sample passed through a 75µm mesh. A 30g charge was then fire assayed with final analysis completed via ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy)
The Gekko laboratory involved the complete pulverisation of approximately 1.5kg samples such that 80% of the sample passed through a 75µm mesh. A 50g charge was then fire assayed with final analysis completed via AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy).
For pXRF analysis and assay submissions to both
The Qualified Person has supervised all stages of the exploration program relevant to this news release. This includes regular visits to the drill site to supervise, drilling, logging and sample collection practices. The Qualified Person also supervised the analysis of samples using the pXRF.
Outback recognises the importance of open and honest community engagement in all our exploration activities. We approach all our exploration activities in a sustainable manner and ensure our activities comply with the Victorian Code of Practice for Mineral Exploration. As such, community consultation with local landowners has commenced and is ongoing.
This news release has been approved by Mr.
Bibby, L.M., and Moore, D.H., 1998, Charlton 1:100,000 map area geological report,
Arne, D.C., House, E., and Lisitsin, V., 2008, Lithogeochemical haloes surrounding central Victorian gold deposits: Part 1 – Primary alteration, Geoscience Victoria Gold Undercover Report 4, 95 p.
~signed
This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business and prospects; the Company's objectives, goals or future plans; resumption of trading in the Company's common shares; and the business, operations, management and capitalization of the Company. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and other matters discussed in this news release. Accordingly, the forward-looking statements discussed in this release, including the resumption of trading, may not occur and could differ materially as a result of these known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the companies. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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