VANCOUVER, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --
Trading Symbols
TSXV: AFR
Frankfurt: OWW
African Metals Corporation ("AFR") is pleased to report that the Company has received final assay results from the final six drill holes from a total of 22 diamond drill holes completed on its Luisha South Project in the Katanga Provence of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These results confirm the continuity and grade of mineralization identified by the June 2010 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program, and again lend further significant support to an upgrade to the resource model with potential for a higher grade copper core.
Geological consultants, Geosure Pty Ltd, have been commissioned to rerun the Luisha South Resource Model including the significant new data returned from the recent diamond drilling program. The upgraded resource report is expected to be available for reporting in May 2011.
HIGHLIGHTS
New Diamond Core Results Include:
- 15.5 metres at 2.2% copper, 0.8% cobalt from 6.05m (LUDH031)
Including 4.05 metres at 3.5% copper, 0.8% cobalt from 16.8m
- 59.5 metres at 1.7% copper, 0.5% cobalt from 2.2m (LUDH033)
Including 4.35 metres at 3.4% copper, 0.6% cobalt from 23.1m
- 59.45 metres at 1.5% copper, 0.5% cobalt from 24.05m (LURD017)
Including 1.5 metres at 3.9% copper, 2.9% cobalt from 67.8m
Luisha South Diamond Drilling
Rubaco Sprl and DrillTek Sprl, drilling contractors, combined to complete a total of 1,538.73 metres of diamond core drilling from 22 holes at the Luisha South Project in January 2011. The holes targeted the down dip and southeast extensions of mineralization highlighted by the March 2010geochemical sampling program and the June 2010 RC drilling program.
The RC drill program enabled a JORC and NI43-101F compliant resource estimation of the Luisha pit mineralization, resulting in an Inferred Resource of 5.8 million tonnes at 1.3% copper, and 0.4% cobalt for 75,400 tonnes of contained copper metal and 23,200 tonnes of contained cobalt metal (using 0.5% copper cut-off).
Some initial RC drill holes either terminated within, or short of the expected copper and cobalt mineralized horizons, producing substantial interpolation gaps in the resource block model. The diamond holes in the most recent program were designed to infill the gaps and further define the extents of the mineralization and to allow an upgrade in the reported mineral resource calculation.
The reported analytical results are from six holes; four cored as new holes in the base of the open pit, and two cored as regional holes targeting copper in soil geochemical anomalies. To see a map, please click here: http://files.newswire.ca/138/Luisha_Diamond_Drilling_Figure_1.pdf and here: http://files.newswire.ca/138/Luisha_Diamond_Drilling_Figure_2.pdf. Results from 13 holes have been reported previously, whilst 3 holes have not been sampled (LURC030 due to poor recoveries, LUDH034 as it intersected un-mineralized units of basal Red RAT and LURD018 as the hole collapsed with poor recoveries).
All four of the holes collared in the base of the pit intersected persistent intervals of copper and cobalt mineralization. The mineralization is mainly chalcopyrite and carrolite with occurrences of malachite and heterogenite (non-sulphide copper and cobalt minerals respectively) visible in the upper portions of the holes. Drill hole LURD017 was cored from surface, after the RC pre-collar LURC017 had collapsed preventing re-entry.
The mineralization is hosted within the Mines Series R2 Stratigraphy (CMN, SD, "BOMZ-SDB-RSF-RSC-DStrat", and "Grey RAT"). Stratigraphic horizons known to host significant mineralization at other mine sites within the Katanga Provence, including Tiger Resources' Kipoi mine located approximately 7.5km along strike to the southeast.
The higher grade assay results from samples collected from this stratigraphic sequence suggest a possible higher grade core of copper and cobalt mineralization. The mineralization is currently open at depth, to the south, and to the southeast, and further step out drilling is planned for the coming dry season which commences in May.
Mineralization styles observed in the core includes both syngenetic (bedding parallel and disseminated fine pyrite lenses and blebs replaced by chalcopyrite and carrolite) and epigenetic (fracture and vein hosted sulphides).
Diamond core - anomalous intercepts based on a 0.5% Cu cut off are summarised in Table 1.
Hole East North NQ Total Azim Dip From Width Cu Co
Number (Tail) Depth (deg- (deg- (metres)(metres) % %
(m) (m) rees) rees)
LUDH028 501808 8764222 102.8 102.8 360 -90 9.1 41.5 1.1 0.4
LUDH029 502038 8763735 184.2 184.2 36 -60 ** ** ** **
LUDH031 501816 8764241 35 35 36 -60 6.05 15.5 2.2 0.8
LUDH031 inc. 16.8 4.05 3.5 0.8
LUDH033 501884 8764165 97.25 97.5 360 -90 2.2 59.5 1.7 0.5
LUDH033 inc. 23.1 4.35 3.4 0.6
LURD017 501891 8764159 108 108 126 -60 5.65 14.85 1.6 0.5
LURD017 24.05 59.45 1.5 0.5
LURD017 inc. 67.8 1.5 3.9 2.9
LURD017 inc. 80.9 2.6 3.5 0.5
LURD023 502407 8763817 (150.8) 200.8 360 -90 ** ** ** **
Table 1: Anomalous length weighted drill intercepts, Luisha
South Project.
Notes: Grid coordinates are WGS84, Zone 35 South; Azimuth is magnetic; intersections are down hole widths, not true widths; reported assays are length weighted average intercepts; intercepts are based on 0.5% total copper cut off, with no top cut; reported intercepts include a maximum of two "internal waste" sample intervals of 0.5% copper; inc. = including; ** = no significant intervals >=0.5% copper.
Drill hole LURD023 was cored as a diamond tail beneath LURC023, a shallow RC percussion hole that drill tested a copper-in-soil geochemical anomaly and intersected transported malachite fragments in the top 2 metres. The diamond core intersected un-mineralized units of possible Red RAT Formation.
Drill hole LUDH029 was cored as a scout hole testing stratigraphic continuity between the lower Roan Mines Series R2 units in the open pit, and the stratigraphically higher Mwashya (R4) units on the ridge near the southern Licence boundary. The hole intersected thin intervals of altered units of dolomite, dolomitic siltstone and algal material in the upper part of the hole, before drilling through a large faulted zone and terminating in un-mineralized units of possible Red RAT Formation. The dolomitic and algal units in the top of the hole, interpreted as being Dipeta (R3) Formation, were weakly mineralized returning 12 metres at 0.1% copper, 0.1% cobalt from 19.5 metres. The hole was collared near the northern edge of the large copper-in-soil geochemical anomaly. To see a map, please click here: http://files.newswire.ca/138/Luisha_Diamond_Drilling_Figure_2.pdf.
Nigel Ferguson, President and CEO of the Company stated,
"We are very pleased to be able to report further significant mineralised intervals within the Luisha South Project, such as 59.5 metres at 1.7% Cu and 0.8% Co within LUDH033. The higher grade material running around 3% Cu is giving further encouragement for a program of potentially deeper drilling aimed at testing mineralised zones and increasing the resources below the -120m RL level. It is expected that overall, these new mineralized intervals will significantly impact on our current resources. Our independent geologist has already been engaged and will be completing a re-run of the resource model including all new data. This should be reported to the market within May."
"AFR has achieved great success in the field and with a potentially larger resource defined we are hopeful that this will support commercial operations to upgrade the copper and cobalt mineralisation through a DMS concentration plant. The Company will be completing metallurgical test work on representative samples from the project to allow further processing studies to be undertaken with the aim of moving into concentrate production by Q3 2011."
With the recent results from the Luisha South Project, the company has given notice to KMH Sprl that it has withdrawn from the Kalande Project to enable Company resources to concentrate on further advancing the Luisha South Project into production.
Nigel Ferguson, AusIMM, President and CEO of the Company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has verified data disclosed in this release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AFRICAN METALS CORPORATION
"Nigel Ferguson"
Nigel Ferguson
President & CEO
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 NEW RELEASE.
This News Release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements which relate to future events. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our industry, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
Drill Hole Sampling and Assaying Procedure The Company undertakes drilling and sampling to strict guidelines. The core was collected from the drill rig at the end of each shift, processed for RQD geotechnical logging, and digitally photographed. The drill core was predominantly NQ in size, with a small percentage of HQ core in the upper 20m of holes cored from surface in clay soils. Core was 'fitted' back together whenever possible, and geologically logged on site by the supervising project geologist. The project geologist ensured a representative cutting line was marked along the length of the core and samples highlighted at appropriate intervals. Once the sample intervals and cut lines had been clearly marked out, the start and end of each sample interval was cut orthogonal to the long axis of the core to clearly define the end of each sample interval. The core was then cut in half lengthways along the representative cut line. A stand mounted, diamond impregnated electric saw blade purchased from Johannesburg, South Africa, was used for all core cutting purposes. The left half of the core was returned to the metal core trays and retained for future reference; the right half was placed into appropriately marked and labeled plastic sample bags. Quality Control protocols enforced by the company require the collection and insertion of Certified Reference Materials (CRM's) at the rate of one CRM "blank", one field blank (sand), one CRM "copper standard" and one field duplicate sample within each sample stream of 20 samples.
Samples were delivered under security by company vehicle to SGS Minerals Laboratory in Kalulushi, Zambia for sample preparation and analysis. The laboratory maintains quality assurance protocols in line with ISO 17025, and maintains quality accreditation for commercial laboratories in line with ISO 9002. The laboratory also participates in international round robin programs organized by LQSI of the USA.
The sample preparation scheme was PRP90; drying for 4 hours at 105 degrees Celsius; crushing to 2mm with 90% passing 2mm; and pulverizing of a 1000 gram sub-split of the 2mm chips to 85% passing 75 microns. Digest was scheme DIG42S; 0.4 grams of pulverized material digested in a 4 acid mixture on a hot plate at 200 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes, with subsequent dilution back to 100ml before AAS analysis by method 'AAS42S'. Results for copper and cobalt were reported in percentages. Lower detection limits were 0.01% for both elements.
About African Metals Corporation.
African Metals Corporation [TSXV "AFR"] is a Canadian listed company focused on the discovery and development of Copper and Cobalt deposits in the highly mineralized Katanga Copper Belt of the world renowned Africa Copper Belt in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC").
AFR purchased all the assets of Chevalier Resources Inc. in March 2010including a 57% interest in the Luisha South Project contained within licence PEPM 4881, Katanga Provence, Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC") through subsidiaries incorporated in the DRC. In July AFR negotiated a further 18% interest in the project with the option to increase the equity interest to 90% based on results. The project is located 75 kilometres northwest of Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga Province and consists of approximately 16.2kmsquared.
The Luisha South Project includes a small historical open pit mine and associated stockpile and is underlain by Roan Group sediments which host major Cu-Co deposits in the DRC. The Luishia South ore body was explored between 1923 and 1928 and an oxide deposit with an estimated pre-production tonnage of approximately 350,000 tonnes at 8.6% Cu was delineated. The Luisha Project also covers some three kilometres of the Roan Group strike length which is favorable for Cu-Co mineralization. AFR is currently conducting metallurgical tests on stockpile Reverse Circulation drill samples to determine characteristics and heavy media separation qualities, with the aim of commencing production of an oxide concentrate by the end of Q3 2011.
Additionally, African Metals has an option to earn an 80% interest in 8 properties held by local company, KMH, covering some 682 square kilometres within the Katanga Provence Central African Copper Belt in the southeastern part of the DRC. AFR has delineated several sizeable soil anomalies within the licenses and is progressing exploration to test depth continuations of this mineralization.
For further information:
Jag Sandhu,
Corporate Development
+1-604-306-1950
