Lundin Mining Finds High-grade Nickel-Copper-PGM Mineralization Near Eagle Mine

Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN) reported that exploration drilling near its Eagle mine has turned up a new zone of high-grade semi-massive nickel-copper sulphide mineralization. Drill holes intersected mineralization roughly two kilometers east of the Eagle deposit.

Highlights of results included:

• 30.85 metres at 5.23% nickel and 8.74% copper (DDH 14EA331I; 1,139.85m to 1,170.70m)
• 23.85 metres at 5.34% nickel and 4.41% copper (DDH 14EA331H; 1,142.18m to 1,166.03m)
• 6.49 metres at 8.04% nickel and 4.35% copper (DDH 14EA331G; 1,161.43m to 1,167.92m)
• 20.53 metres (assays pending) of semi-massive and massive sulphide, including 10.81 metres of nickel and copper-rich massive sulphide (DDH 14EA331J; 1140.20m to 1160.73m)
• All massive sulphides are enriched with platinum-palladium-gold-silver (see table below)

As quoted in the press release:

Lundin Mining’s exploration program at Eagle remains focused on targeting new high-grade zones that could potentially extend the life of the Eagle Mine. The drilling is tracing the feeder dyke “root” to Eagle East, an ultramafic intrusion which outcrops one kilometer east of the Eagle Mine deposit; see Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drill plan and section. Eagle East was previously thought to host primarily low-grade disseminated nickel-copper sulphides at shallower depths.

Since first reported in July 2014, the Company has traced a continuous zone of semi-massive nickel-copper sulphides for a total strike length of 350 metres to the east. These semi-massive sulphides are transitioning into high-grade nickel-copper massive sulphides enriched in platinum-palladium-gold-silver as the host feeder dyke deepens to the east. High-grade massive sulphides were first encountered in drill hole 14EA331B; see the accompanying drill section in Figure 3. Thicker massive sulphides have been subsequently intercepted in four step-out drill holes (14EA331G,-H,-I,-J) located up to 85 metres to the east. The high-grade massive sulphide zone is open in all directions and the dimensions are currently unknown. True widths of the intersections have not yet been determined.

In all the Company has completed 20 holes, totaling 7,817 metres of drilling in attempts to trace the Eagle East feeder dyke. Thirteen of the holes have intercepted the semi-massive and massive sulphide nickel-copper mineralization described in this announcement. The company is advancing a more extensive drilling campaign for the remainder of the year. A second surface drill rig is being mobilized and will collar 200 metres east of the recent massive sulphide intercepts to further test the extent of this high-grade discovery zone at depth.

To date, no Mineral Resource has been defined from any sulphide mineralization hosted by the Eagle East intrusive. Until additional step-out and in-fill drilling has been completed, it is not known what, if any, Mineral Resource can be defined as a result of this discovery.

Lundin Mining CEO, Paul Conibear, said:

The significant assays reported today demonstrate that our exploration strategy near the Eagle Mine is delivering exceptionally high-grade results. We are excited to have discovered new zones of high-grade mineralization so close to the existing mine, and we look forward to ramping up our exploration campaign for the remainder of the year.

Click here to read the Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN) press release