The Conversation (0)
- The initial Inferred Mineral Resource comprises 10.66 Mt at 0.45% Cu, 1.02% Zn, 0.41% Pb, 21 g/t Ag and 2.0 g/t Au (1.59% CuEq) containing an estimated 48 kt Cu, 109 kt Zn, 44 kt Pb, 7.4 Moz Ag, 0.7 Moz Au.
- Based on the results from approximately 26,000 m completed in 83 diamond drill holes in the Phase 1 surface drilling program completed in July 2022, the initial Mineral Resource estimate provides a solid foundation for further mineral resource expansion in Denarius' forthcoming Phase 2 program.
- The initial Mineral Resource estimate assumes both open pit and underground mining and extends from surface to a depth of 350 meters.
- Completing a directional drilling program to validate a high-grade dataset relative to this MRE associated with a historical drilling campaign of horizontal underground holes that is not yet included in the above initial Mineral Resource estimate.
- Drilling to date has identified mineralization over a strike of over 1 km and with a vertical extension of 400 meters.
- This initial MRE confirms the significant high gold grade potential of this project within the Iberian Pyrite Belt, as it remains open for further expansion down-dip and to the east.
- Continued potential for further resource expansion, with compelling targets already identified via recent detailed helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic ("TDEM" or "TEM") and ground-based gravimetric surveys.
Denarius Metals Corp. ("Denarius" or "the Company") (TSXV: DSLV; OTCQB: DNRSF) announced today an initial Mineral Resource estimate ("MRE"), prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and disclosure requirements of NI 43-101, on its 100% owned Lomero-Poyatos Project ("Lomero") in southern Spain. Lomero is a polymetallic deposit located on the Spanish side of the prolific copper rich Iberian Pyrite Belt ("IPB"), one of the largest districts of pyrite-rich massive sulfide deposits in the world.
The initial MRE has been prepared at the conclusion of the Phase 1 surface drilling program carried out by the Company between October 2021 and July 2022. The initial MRE reflects the early-stage results from this validation and infill drilling program coupled with resource expansion drilling below the historical drilling. This program has enabled the Company to confirm the presence of the expected polymetallic mineralization at Lomero and to increase its geological knowledge to a sufficient level to declare this initial Mineral Resource for Lomero. The Company plans further exploration drilling at Lomero as it continues to validate certain historical drilling, which has been excluded from the current estimates, together with further infill and step out drilling around the Mineral Resources presented herein.
The Company's initial MRE for Lomero has determined that Lomero is amendable to open pit and underground options or a combination of both. The initial MRE has been reported based on cut-off grades of 0.4% Copper Equivalent ("CuEq") for open pit resources and 0.6% CuEq for underground resources, which comprises:
- an open pit Inferred Mineral Resource of approximately 6.2Mt of material at average grades of 2.3 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, 0.60% Cu, 0.44% Pb and 1.02% Zn, which when considered as CuEq, results in 112,700 tonnes of CuEq metal averaging 1.82% CuEq; and,
- an underground Inferred Mineral Resource of approximately 4.5Mt of material at average grades of 1.7 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.37% Pb and 1.03% Zn resulting in 56,600 tonnes of CuEq metal averaging 1.27% CuEq.
Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman and CEO of Denarius, commented, "Lomero has a historic Inferred Mineral Resource of 20.93 Mt at 0.9% Cu, 0.85% Pb, 3.05% Zn, 62.38 g/t Ag and 3.08 g/t Au. Our recently completed Phase 1 drilling program has resulted in an initial MRE for Lomero, a measuring stick of our exploration success and progress to date and gives us confidence in the potential for expansion in the size of the deposit, as evidenced by the historic MRE, through further validation drilling. Ultimately, we are focused on the goal of advancing the project towards an economic study after we complete Phase 2 of our exploration work which will commence in October 2022. This initial MRE confirms the significant high gold grade potential of this project as it remains open for further expansion down-dip and along its 1.5-kilometre-long extension to the east. We strongly believe that additional drilling along strike and at depth will continue to expand the initial MRE, as all the surface drilling so far has been very successful. We are confident that our exploration campaign at Lomero will continue to be a key value driver for Denarius as we move forward."
The Mineral Resource for Lomero with an effective date of July 19, 2022 is shown in Table 1 below. The mineral resource evaluation work was completed by Mr. Benjamin Parsons, MAusIMM (CP#222568), Principal Consultant (Resource Geology) with SRK Consulting (US) Inc. ("SRK"), who is an independent QP of Denarius. In order to meet "reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction" requirement, Lomero has been deemed amenable to both open pit and underground mining (for the remaining material which has displayed continuity above the defined cut-off grades), with cut-off grades established for each scenario using benchmarked costs taken from similar deposits within the IPB and results and assumed recoveries. The Mineral Resources have been reported based on CuEq with the key assumptions included in the table.
Table 1: SRK CIM Compliant Mineral Resource Statement effective July 19, 2022 for the Lomero - Poyatos Project, Spain, reported based on Copper Equivalent CuEq (2)
| Class | Estimation Domains | Mining Type | Mass (Mt) | Density | Average Value | Metal Content | Equivalent CuEq Metal Content | ||||||||||
| Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (%) | Pb (%) | Zn (%) | Au (koz) | Ag (koz) | Cu (kt) | Pb (kt) | Zn (kt) | (%) | (kt) | ||||||
| Inferred | Massive Sulfides | OP ( 3) | 3.45 | 4.33 | 2.9 | 27 | 0.87 | 0.52 | 1.22 | 317 | 2,986 | 30.1 | 17.9 | 42.0 | 2.37 | 81.8 | |
| UG ( 3) | 2.21 | 4.18 | 2.4 | 27 | 0.37 | 0.44 | 1.24 | 168 | 1,887 | 8.2 | 9.,6 | 27.3 | 1.71 | 37.8 | |||
| Total | 5.66 | 4.27 | 2.7 | 27 | 0.68 | 0.49 | 1.22 | 485 | 4,873 | 38.3 | 27.6 | 69.3 | 2.11 | 119.7 | |||
| Semi Massive Sulfides | OP ( 3) | 2.05 | 3.64 | 1.6 | 19 | 0.32 | 0.31 | 0.76 | 108 | 1,259 | 6,5 | 6.3 | 15.7 | 1.22 | 25.0 | ||
| UG ( 3) | 0.92 | 3.49 | 1.0 | 14 | 0.21 | 0.27 | 0.68 | 30 | 404 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 6.3 | 0.87 | 8.0 | |||
| Total | 2.97 | 3.59 | 1.4 | 17 | 0.28 | 0.3 | 0.74 | 138 | 1,663 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 22.0 | 1.11 | 33.0 | |||
| Stockwork | OP ( 3) | 0.7 | 3.38 | 1.1 | 11 | 0.13 | 0.38 | 0.78 | 24 | 237 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 5.5 | 0.84 | 5.8 | ||
| UG ( 3) | 1.33 | 3.04 | 1.1 | 14 | 0.04 | 0.35 | 0.92 | 47 | 587 | 0.5 | 4.6 | 12.3 | 0.81 | 10.8 | |||
| Total | 2.03 | 3.16 | 1.1 | 13 | 0.07 | 0.36 | 0.87 | 70 | 824 | 1.4 | 7.3 | 17.7 | 0.82 | 16.7 | |||
| Total | OP ( 3) | 6.20 | 3.99 | 2.3 | 22 | 0.6 | 0.44 | 1.02 | 448 | 4,482 | 37.4 | 27.0 | 63.1 | 1.82 | 112.7 | ||
| UG ( 3) | 4.46 | 3.70 | 1.7 | 20 | 0.24 | 0.37 | 1.03 | 245 | 2,878 | 10.6 | 16.7 | 45.8 | 1.27 | 56.6 | |||
| Total | 10.66 | 3.87 | 2.0 | 21 | 0.45 | 0.41 | 1.02 | 693 | 7,360 | 48.0 | 43.7 | 108.9 | 1.59 | 169.3 | |||
Notes:
(1) Mineral resources are not ore reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc assays were capped where appropriate. It is assumed based on regional benchmarking all the elements included in the Copper Equivalent (CuEq) calculation have a reasonable potential to be recovered and sold. Mineral resources have been depleted to reflect historical mining.
(2) The Copper Equivalent calculation has been defined using the following formula:
CuEq =((Au*19.65)+(Ag*0.37)+(Cu*67.36)+(Pb*14.76)+(Zn*22.45)/96.23)/ Cu Recovery
(3) Mineral resources are reported using an assumed CuEq cut-off grades based on metal price assumptions*, variable metallurgical recovery assumptions**, mining costs, processing costs, general and administrative (G&A) costs, and variable NSR factors***. Mining, processing, and G&A costs total US$30/t for Open Pit Mining and US$45/t for Underground Mining which includes assumptions for prices, recoveries and payabilities. The CuEq cut-off grade 0.4% CuEq (OP) and 0.6% CuEq (UG) is calculated by dividing the costs by the Cu Factor and recoveries.
(*) Metal price assumptions considered for the calculation of NSR grades are: Gold (US$/oz 1,850.00), Silver (US$/oz 24.0), Copper (US$/lb 4.50), Lead (US$/lb 1.15) and Zinc (US$/lb 1.50)
(**) Cut-off grade calculations assume variable metallurgical recoveries as a function of grade and relative metal distribution. Average metallurgical recoveries are: Gold (35%), Silver (50%), Copper (70%), Lead (60%) and Zinc (70%).
(***) Cut-off grade calculations and metal equivalencies assume variable NSR factors as a function of smelting and transportation costs.
(3) Open pit mineral resources are constrained within NPV optimized pits, which SRK based on assumed mining costs defined
(4) Underground Mining resources represent all material below the proposed limiting pit shell which have been confirmed visually to form contiguous units and constrained using a stope optimizer limit
(5) The mineral resources were estimated by Benjamin Parsons, BSc, MSc Geology, MAusIMM (CP) #222568 of SRK, a Qualified Person under the terms of CIM guidelines.
The Mineral Resource presented represents validation of the exploration work completed during Phase 1 and the increase in the geological knowledge gained through the first year of exploration. Historically, a total of 98 surface holes and 61 underground holes have been completed on the Project by the previous owners for a subtotal of 23,471.8 m. Denarius began drilling at Lomero in October 2021 with approximately 26,000 m completed in 83 diamond drill holes by the end of July 2022 and assays received until July 19, 2022. This is considered the Phase 1 program.
All drilling has been completed using diamond hole drilling methods which are drilled from north to south at varying dips, which were designed to intersect the shear zone at favorable intersection angles. The drilling focused on three main tasks:
- verification of historical drillholes, focusing on CMR holes, and to confirm the geological model;
- infill drilling on the lower portion of the eastern edge of Lomero following interpreted high-grade intersections; and,
- extensional drilling below the base of the historical drilling to test for possible down-dip extensions.
An approximately 1,000 m long by 400 m deep mineralized deposit was tested by drilling with the results confirming the presence of the polymetallic mineralization, which remains open laterally toward the east and down-dip. Drilling has only been completed from surface to a drill spacing of approximately 50 by 50 m and targeted outside the areas of the previous mining.
The initial MRE prepared by SRK has excluded portions of the historical database completed by the previous explorers Indumetal/Billiton ("PDH"), and Petaquilla Minerals ("PTQ"), during the data validation phase. These holes represented high-grade samples (all metals) within the upper portion of the deposit around the historical mining which have not been twinned as part of the Phase 1 surface drilling program. Validation of the PDH holes and twinning of selected PTQ holes, which were not previously assayed, is planned to be completed by the end of 2022. If the validation drilling is successful, introducing these datasets could result in an increase in both tonnage and grade in the next MRE update.
The Company is confident that this estimate highlights Lomero's potential and is therefore planning to advance the project further with a number of future studies which will include a multi-pronged approach to further develop Lomero which includes:
- verification of high-grade underground drillholes;
- further infill and step out drilling;
- exploration drilling to test the highly prospective geophysical anomalies identified by the recent completed geophysical surveys; and,
- commencement of field programs required for metallurgical, geotechnical and hydrogeological inputs for a future preliminary economic assessment and engineering studies.
Mineral Resource Estimate
This initial MRE incorporates a total of 83 diamond drill holes totaling approximately 26,000 m, which have been integrated into the current geological model. A subset of these holes has been used in the initial MRE based on the availability of assay information from the laboratory, which resulted in 71 holes for 21,505 meters of drilling. Additional information has been integrated into the model from geological mapping, and data capture of historical level maps and mining depletion.
SRK is the author of this initial MRE for Lomero. During the work program, SRK and the QP have used the available drilling information to complete the following key tasks:
- imported and validated the drilling database from the Company's drilling programs, which have been integrated with the databases from historical explorers, for analysis. SRK considers that only the Alto and CMR datasets display similar sample populations, which indicate these datasets can be combined;
- SRK has undertaken a number of site visits to establish an initial structural framework for Lomero using information from geological mapping and boreholes;
- generation of a Brittle Fault Model, using Seequent Leapfrog Geo by SRK with interpretation and observations from the Company's geological team;
- SRK developed a refined geological model using a simplified lithological model which reflects the new fault model;
- undertaken an estimation domain analysis ("Exploration Data Analysis"), which identified key changes in data by sampling, or geological criteria. Based on this review, SRK has taken the decision to exclude selected holes from the historical drilling datasets from the estimation process, due to a lack of supporting information, but has used the logging information where possible to guide the geological and mineralization models;
- definition of a mineralization model covering the following sub-domains: Massive Sulphides Semi Massive Sulphides Stockwork
- the original samples have been coded assuming hard contacts between the three mineralization styles, which have been capped and composited appropriately following statistical analysis;
- the spatial continuity of the gold grades was examined with a variographic study;
- created grade estimates for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and S values using Seequent Leapfrog Edge, using both Inverse Distance and Ordinary Kriged, with a nearest neighbor assessment completed for validation purposes;
- a two-pass estimation approach was used with the first pass having a search ellipsoid oriented to the variable shape of the center line of the estimation domain;
- a density review, which included the definition of three density values in the block model (average assigned values, regressed values, and estimated values) to test the sensitivity to the overall model with the final model being values being assigned via the regression method; and,
- the mineral resource has been classified as Inferred and has been reported as a combined open pit and underground project using assumed costs and recoveries.
Grade estimation has been based on block dimensions of 10 m by 10 m by 5 m, for the 2022 model. The block size reflects potential size variations for any underground or open-pit smallest mining units (SMU). SRK has utilized sub-blocking to accurately reflect the defined mineralization and lithological models, with a sub-block size of 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 1.25 m used to reflect the wireframes.
As the initial metallurgical testwork on Lomero is ongoing, for the purpose of this exercise, SRK has used benchmark recoveries typical of the Pyrite Belt deposits. SRK cautions changes in the metallurgical recovery will have a significant impact on the value of the project and notes that changes from historical work noted may result in changes to the MRE. Based on this uncertainty, SRK has limited the classification to Inferred for Denarius' initial MRE for Lomero.
Next Steps
The evaluation and analysis of the geological and drill data collected to date has identified several other areas with potential for additional zones of mineralization at depth and/or along the extension of the main massive and semi-massive sulphide domains towards the east, coincident with geophysical anomalies that resulted from detailed helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic ("TDEM" or "TEM") and ground-based gravimetric surveys conducted in 2022.
A second phase of drilling totaling 22,000 meters, which comprises in-fill and exploration drilling, is planned to commence in October 2022. This phase will include a series of in-fill drill holes designed to increase the confidence level in areas previously tested by the Phase 1 drilling, as well as an initial drill test of the geophysical anomalies. One of the main geophysical anomalies proved that the main conductor that is associated with the known massive sulphide body continues to depths well below the current drilling and is open down-dip.
During the review of the historical datasets, SRK noted in 2021 that an underground drilling program was completed in the 1980's by Indumetal/Billiton ("PDH") using a series of short
Qualified Persons Review
Ben Parsons, Principal Consultant (Resource Geology) with SRK prepared the initial MRE for Lomero according to CIM Definition Standards and will be supported by a NI 43-101 independent report which will be published and filed on the Company's website and SEDAR profile within 45 days. Mr. Parsons is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The NI 43-101 independent report will include detailed information on the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resources.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Lomero samples were prepared and assayed by AGQ Labs (ISO/IEC 17025) at their laboratory in Burguillos, Seville, Spain. Gold was assayed by 30 g fire assay with ICP-OES finish, while silver and base metals were analyzed in a multi-element package by aqua regia digestion and ICP-OES finish. Blank, standard and duplicate samples were routinely inserted and monitored for quality assurance and quality control.
About Denarius
Denarius is a Canadian junior company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and eventual operation of mining projects in high-grade districts, with its principal focus on the Lomero-Poyatos Project in Spain. The Company also owns the Zancudo and Guia Antigua Projects in Colombia.
Additional information on Denarius can be found on its website at www.denariusmetals.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains "forward-looking information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated business plans or strategies, including exploration programs, expected exploration results and Mineral Resource estimates. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Denarius to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Filing Statement dated as of February 18, 2021 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Denarius disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
For Further Information, Contact:
Christopher Haldane
Vice President, Investor Relations
(416) 360-4653
investors@denariusmetals.com
Attachment 1 –Cross Section looking north showing Lomero Poyatos Mineral Resource above a cut-off of 0.6% CuEq
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8973940c-459c-4746-8979-eaeb0162697e
Attachment 2 – Isometric view showing Current Lomero Resource in relation to the geophysical (electromagnetic) anomaly
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/260ecdc1-6075-4cd2-af60-9d42c24ea72e
Attachment 3 – Location of PDH drilling compared to latest model, indicating drilling targets for Phase 2.
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38d7954d-8dad-416d-a260-e348305eb6e2
