Corvus Gold Continues to Expand Main Sierra Blanca Bulk Tonnage Gold Deposit from Surface at North Bullfrog
Vancouver, B.C……..Corvus Gold Inc. (“Corvus” or the “Company”) – (TSX: KOR, OTCQX: CORVF) announces results from eight additional reverse circulation (RC) holes drilled on the flanks of the existing Sierra Blanca deposit (Figure 1). The potential low strip ratio of the project is emphasized as several of the reported holes encountered mineralization starting at or near surface, including Hole NB-13-234 on the northern flank of the Sierra Blanca ridge which encountered 117 metres of continuous mineralization from surface. These results connect the mineralization in the main Sierra Blanca pit area with that in the new high-grade Yellowjacket and North Sierra Blanca Zones. These results are anticipated to favourably affect the design of the potential higher grade starter pit.
Holes NB-13-233 (47.2m @ 0.36 g/t gold), NB-13-238 (41.1m @ 0.39 g/t gold), NB-13-239 (39.6m @ 0.21g/t gold), and NB-13-240 (47.2m @ 0.26 g/t gold) encountered bulk tonnage/alteration associated low-grade oxide mineralization typical in this part of the deposit. These additional zones of mineralization both strengthen the Company’s confidence in the existing estimated resource and expand the area of known mineralization. It is anticipated these new results should have a favourable effect on the new resource estimate to be calculated following the 2013 drill program. In addition, NB-13-238 encountered a mineralized structure (12.2m @ 0.8 g/t gold) on the western flank of the ridge which warrants follow-up core drilling in search of other Yellowjacket-style high-grade veins to the west.
Table 1: Significant intercepts* from North Sierra Blanca RC holes.
Hole ID
|
From (metres)
|
To
(metres) |
Interval (metres)
|
Gold (g/t)
|
Silver (g/t)
|
|
|||||
NB-13-233 |
86.9
|
134.1
|
47.2
|
0.36
|
1.34
|
Including |
93.0
|
114.3
|
21.3
|
0.46
|
1.50
|
143.3
|
166.1
|
22.9
|
0.42
|
1.43
|
|
239.3
|
313.9
|
74.7
|
0.41
|
0.67
|
|
|
|||||
NB-13-234 |
0.0
|
117.3
|
117.3
|
0.23
|
1.08
|
128.0
|
152.4
|
24.4
|
0.25
|
1.01
|
|
164.6
|
230.1
|
65.5
|
0.30
|
0.99
|
|
|
|||||
NB-13-235 |
35.0
|
42.7
|
7.6
|
0.25
|
0.88
|
108.2
|
109.7
|
1.5
|
0.09
|
50.30
|
|
123.4
|
125.0
|
1.5
|
0.13
|
100.00
|
|
|
|||||
NB-13-236 |
No significant intercepts
|
||||
|
|||||
NB-13-237 |
32.0
|
68.6
|
36.6
|
0.17
|
0.79
|
|
|||||
NB-13-238 |
1.5
|
42.7
|
41.1
|
0.39
|
0.77
|
Including |
3.0
|
15.2
|
12.2
|
0.77
|
1.13
|
50.3
|
73.2
|
22.9
|
0.15
|
0.44
|
|
77.7
|
102.1
|
24.4
|
0.19
|
0.48
|
|
126.5
|
179.8
|
53.3
|
0.19
|
0.44
|
|
|
|||||
NB-13-239 |
0.0
|
39.6
|
39.6
|
0.21
|
0.63
|
134.1
|
158.5
|
24.4
|
0.14
|
0.21
|
|
|
|||||
NB-13-240 |
10.7
|
57.9
|
47.2
|
0.26
|
0.76
|
|
*Intercepts are calculated with 0.1g/t gold cutoff and up to 3 metres of internal waste. Assuming that the mineralization is roughly stratiform in character the intercepts are approximately true thickness. All holes are vertical.
Holes NB-13-235, 236 and 237 have delineated a narrow, NE-trending structural block where the favourable Middle Sierra Blanca tuff unit has been removed by erosion and only limited mineralization is developed. However, the two high-grade silver intercepts in NB-13-235 could indicate the presence of Yellowjacket-style high-grade vein mineralization on the margin of this block (Table 1).
Jeff Pontius, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “The lateral continuity of the bulk tonnage oxide mineralization at North Bullfrog reflects the presence of a significant mineralizing system. The fact that we continue to hit new mineralized structures over and over again, many with potential for new high-grade vein discoveries, confirms that we have really only begun to scratch the surface with our first systematic high-grade focused drilling campaign. North Bullfrog is demonstrating significant expansion potential for both the large, at surface, low-grade system and high-grade Bullfrog-type systems, all with anticipated high heap leach recoveries.”
Figure 1: Location of new reverse circulation drill holes at Sierra Blanca North. Red collars indicate assays reported in Table 1. Blue collars are holes that have been drilled but have assays pending. “SB North” indicates the north ridge of Sierra Blanca.
North Sierra Blanca Target
The objective of the 2013 RC drill program at North Sierra Blanca is to map the distribution of higher grade, disseminated mineralization which could augment the potential production from the proposed Yellowjacket high-grade starter pit area of the deposit. In addition, intersections of stockwork veining in the RC drilling has provided targets for follow-up core drilling to look for additional high-grade Yellowjacket-style vein systems. This 100 metre grid spaced program will also provide important geologic information to aid the interpretation of the geophysics data for the definition of other areas with high potential for high-grade mineralization for future drill testing. The mineralization in NB-13-238 represents another area with near surface material with grades approaching 1 g/t gold and could be the precursor of another Yellowjacket-style system.
About the North Bullfrog Project, Nevada
Corvus controls 100% of its North Bullfrog Project, which covers approximately 70 km² in southern Nevada just north of the historic Bullfrog gold mine formerly operated by Barrick Gold Corporation. The property package is made up of a number of leased patented federal mining claims and 758 federal unpatented mining claims. The project has excellent infrastructure, being adjacent to a major highway and power corridor. The Company’s independent consultants completed a robust positive Preliminary Economic Assessment on the existing resource in December 2012.
The project currently includes numerous prospective gold targets, with four (Mayflower, Sierra Blanca, Jolly Jane and Connection) containing an estimated Indicated Resource of 15 Mt at an average grade of 0.37 g/t gold for 182,577 ounces of gold and an Inferred Resource of 156 Mt at 0.28 g/t gold for 1,410,096 ounces of gold (both at a 0.2 g/t cutoff), with appreciable silver credits. Mineralization occurs in two primary forms: (1) broad stratabound bulk-tonnage gold zones such as the Sierra Blanca and Jolly Jane systems; and (2) moderately thick zones of high-grade gold and silver mineralization hosted in structural feeder zones with breccias and quartz-sulphide vein stockworks such as the Mayflower and Yellowjacket targets. The Company is actively pursuing both types of mineralization.
A video of the North Bullfrog project showing location, infrastructure access and 2010 winter drilling is available on the Company’s website athttp://www.corvusgold.com/
Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance
Jeffrey A. Pontius (CPG 11044), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information (other than the resource estimate) that form the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Pontius is not independent of Corvus, as he is the CEO and holds common shares and incentive stock options.
Mr. Gary Giroux, M.Sc., P. Eng (B.C.), a consulting geological engineer employed by Giroux Consultants Ltd., has acted as the Qualified Person, as defined in NI 43-101, for the Giroux Consultants Ltd. mineral resource estimate. He has over 30 years of experience in all stages of mineral exploration, development and production. Mr. Giroux specializes in computer applications in ore reserve estimation, and has consulted both nationally and internationally in this field. He has authored many papers on geostatistics and ore reserve estimation and has practiced as a Geological Engineer since 1970 and provided geostatistical services to the industry since 1976. Both Mr. Giroux and Giroux Consultants Ltd. are independent of the Company under NI 43-101.
The work program at North Bullfrog was designed and supervised by Russell Myers (CPG 11433), President of Corvus, and Mark Reischman, Corvus Nevada Exploration Manager, who are responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. On-site personnel at the project log and track all samples prior to sealing and shipping. Quality control is monitored by the insertion of blind certified standard reference materials and blanks into each sample shipment. All resource sample shipments are sealed and shipped to ALS Chemex in Reno, Nevada, for preparation and then on to ALS Chemex in Reno, Nevada, or Vancouver, B.C., for assaying. ALS Chemex’s quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:1999. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the analysis of reagent blanks, reference material and replicate samples. Finally, representative blind duplicate samples are forwarded to ALS Chemex and an ISO compliant third party laboratory for additional quality control.
About Corvus Gold Inc.
Corvus Gold Inc. is a resource exploration company, focused in Nevada and Alaska, which controls a number of exploration projects representing a spectrum of early-stage to advanced gold projects. Corvus is focused on advancing its 100% controlled Nevada, North Bullfrog project towards a potential development decision and continuing to explore for new major gold discoveries. Corvus is committed to building shareholder value through new discoveries and leveraging noncore assets via partner funded exploration work into carried and or royalty interests that provide shareholders with exposure to gold production.
On behalf of
Corvus Gold Inc.
(signed) Jeffrey A. Pontius
Jeffrey A. Pontius,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Contact Information: Ryan Ko
Investor Relations
Email: info@corvusgold.com
Phone: 1-888-770-7488 (toll free) or (604) 638-3246 / Fax: (604) 408-7499
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the potential for any additional high-grade mineralization to be discovered to the west and to the north and south, thereby potentially significantly enhancing and expanding the possible “starter pit” area of the deposit; the possible impact of additional high grade mineralization in a starter pit to affect the economics of the project; the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves and any expansion thereof beyond the current estimate, the potential for there to be additional high-grade mineralization within and below the current oxide deposit; the potential for any mining or production at North Bullfrog, the potential for the existence or location of additional high-grade veins and/or mineralization, whether at Yellowjacket or elsewhere, the potential for the Company to secure or receive any royalties in the future, business and financing plans and business trends, are forward-looking statements. Information concerning mineral resource estimates and the preliminary economic analysis thereof also may be deemed to be forward-looking statements in that it reflects a prediction of the mineralization that would be encountered, and the results of mining it, if a mineral deposit were developed and mined. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially and adversely from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the Company’s inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company’s inability to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s 2013 Annual Information Form filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company’s Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company’s mineral properties.
Cautionary Note Regarding References to Resources and Reserves
National Instrument 43 101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in or incorporated by reference in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) Standards on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on November 14, 2004 (the “CIM Standards”) as they may be amended from time to time by the CIM.
United States shareholders are cautioned that the requirements and terminology of NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards differ significantly from the requirements and terminology of the SEC set forth in the SEC’s Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”). Accordingly, the Company’s disclosures regarding mineralization may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by companies subject to SEC Industry Guide 7. Without limiting the foregoing, while the terms “mineral resources”, “inferred mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “measured mineral resources” are recognized and required by NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards, they are not recognized by the SEC and are not permitted to be used in documents filed with the SEC by companies subject to SEC Industry Guide 7. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, and US investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a mineral resource will ever be converted into reserves. Further, inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher resource category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of a feasibility study or prefeasibility study, except in rare cases. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves” as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit amounts. The term “contained ounces” is not permitted under the rules of SEC Industry Guide 7. In addition, the NI 43-101 and CIM Standards definition of a “reserve” differs from the definition in SEC Industry Guide 7. In SEC Industry Guide 7, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made, and a “final” or “bankable” feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis of designated reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
Caution Regarding Adjacent or Similar Mineral Properties
This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. The Company advises US investors that the mining guidelines of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) set forth in the SEC’s Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties, and any production therefore or economics with respect thereto, are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties or the potential production from, or cost or economics of, any future mining of any of the Company’s mineral properties.
This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States.