11 May 2011 14:13
Nyota Minerals Limited ("Nyota" or the "Company")
Tulu Kapi Drilling Update
Highlights
South Eastern extension
·; New high-grade lode structure delineated in the South Eastern Extension of Tulu Kapi
·; South Eastern Extension mineralisation occupies a position within the current pit profile previously assumed to contain only waste
·; South Eastern Extension mineralisation is expected to add to the current mineral resource estimate for the Tulu Kapi Project
·; Peak South Eastern Extension assays include 10.32g/t Au over 4.9m, 5.29g/t Au over 38.0m, 4.92g/t Au over 15.0m and 3.63g/t Au over 8.0m
Northern Extension
·; Significant drill intercepts have been made over the Northern Extension of the Tulu Kapi deposit
·; Northern Extension mineralisation is expected to add to the current mineral resource estimate at Tulu Kapi
·; Peak Northern Extension assays include 10.22g/t Au over 3m, 5.63g/t Au over 3.75m, 3.03g/t Au over 6m and 2.93g/t Au over 10m
Tulu Kapi Infill Drilling
·; Positive drill results also achieved for infill holes drilled within the current resource limits
·; High-grade intercepts achieved for infill holes are expected to improve the global average grade of the current resource
·; Peak infill drill results include 21.49g/t Au over 3m, 6.18g/t Au over 6.1m, 3.58g/t Au over 8.42m and 2.7g/t Au over 16.15m
Melissa Sturgess, Chairman comments "Discovery of additional mineralisation beyond the current pit limit is significant and underpins the Company's belief that further resources exist that will extend the Tulu Kapi mineral resource estimate beyond its current level. In addition the Tulu Kapi infill drilling will increase the grade of the current known resource. As more data is generated and the understanding of both structure and the controls to mineralisation improves, so more targets become apparent".
South Eastern Extension Drill Results
Drilling in the SE sector of the main Tulu Kapi deposit has intersected high-grade gold mineralisation located close to surface and in the vicinity of the main shear zone.
Recent drilling was undertaken on the basis that the SE. Extension area had very little historical drilling coverage and therefore was recorded as waste in the Tulu Kapi geological block model. This new discovery reaffirms Nyota's belief that on-going drilling around the periphery of the current resource is potentially highly productive and the Company will continue to drill outwards systematically with the objective of redefining the likely south eastern open pit limits of the deposit over time and in parallel increasing the global resource. The results support the view of Nyota's exploration team that there is a strong relationship between proximity to the shear zone and high-grade mineralisation. A N - S oriented fault was also detected passing through the area which may have contributed to the significant grade and widths achieved as this structure possibly provided an additional conduit for mineralising fluids emanating from the shear.
The orientation of the mineralised structures varies from the norm in this area and it is possible that historical wide-spaced drilling in this particular part of the Tulu Kapi deposit was not drilled in the direction required to make an optimal intersection of mineralisation. As a result, additional drilling will take place in this SE. Extension area with holes oriented on an azimuth considered more likely to optimise intersection of lode structures.
Table 1: Peak assay intersections for SE. Extension
Borehole* | Final Depth (m) | Intersection From (m) | Intersection To (m) | Interval (m) | Grade (g/t Au) |
TKBH-082 | 195.40 | 71.7 101.7 | 80.0 1.8.2 | 8.30 6.50 | 2.33 2.23 |
TKBH-085 | 191.05 | 42.9 | 58.3 | 15.4 | 3.09 |
TKBH-089 | 156.30 | 36.7 | 41.6 | 4.90 | 10.32 |
TKRC-134 | 154.0 | 116.0 | 137.0 | 21.0 | 0.91 |
TKRC-135 | 250.0 | 165.0 | 173.0 | 8.00 | 3.63 |
TKRC-136 | 208.0 | 39.0 | 54.0 | 15.0 | 4.92 |
TKRC-141 | 141.0 | 28.0 | 66.0 | 38.0 | 5.29 |
*All drillholes recorded are either designated TKBH denoting a diamond drillhole or TKRC denoting a reverse circulation drillhole.
Northern Extension Drill Results
Drilling has defined the broad limits of the Northern Extension which is located beyond the current Tulu Kapi open pit profile, on the NW edge of the deposit.
The original target was defined based on a combination of positive gold in soil geochemistry coincident with a magnetic low anomaly. Further similar targets remain to be tested.
Systematic drilling over an area of approximately 250 metres by 125 metres has outlined a shallow-dipping wide zone of mineralisation located close to surface.
Similar to the South Eastern Extension, mineralised structures in the Northern Extension demonstrate a different orientation to the main Tulu Kapi ore body which is also thought to result from the action of faulting around the margins of the deposit tearing or dragging blocks of original mineralisation during remobilisation of faults.
At present, the additional mineralisation comprising the North Eastern Extension has not been included in any mineral resource estimate for Tulu Kapi and upon completion of the balance of infill drilling the Company will undertake an independent resource update.
Table 2: Peak assay intersections for the Northern Extension.
Borehole | Final Depth (m) | Intersection From (m) | Intersection To (m) | Interval (m) | Grade (g/t Au) |
TKBH-081 | 351.40 | 123.0 139.0 | 132.48 142.83 | 9.48 3.83 | 1.66 1.42 |
TKBH-092 | 281.36 | 74.0 | 77.75 | 3.75 | 5.63 |
|
| 111.0 | 115.9 | 4.90 | 1.42 |
TKRC-114 | 200.0 | 49.0 | 52.0 | 3.00 | 10.22 |
TKRC-115 | 200.0 | 174.0 | 180.0 | 6.00 | 2.54 |
TKRC-123 | 200.0 | 138.0 169.0 | 144.0 175.0 | 6.00 6.00 | 1.12 3.03 |
TKRC-131 | 200.0 | 172.0 | 182.0 | 10.0 | 2.93 |
Tulu Kapi Infill Drill Results
Drilling has continued within the current drill grid at Tulu Kapi aimed at converting Inferred ounces to an Indicated status. Results have been positive. Grades achieved have generally exceeded expectation, principally where low-grade intercepts had previously been projected between wide-spaced boreholes which have now been infilled with higher gold grade mineralisation.
It remains to be seen what impact these new high-grade intercepts will have on the overall resource but the presence of higher grades will in all likelihood have a positive influence on the global grade.
Importantly, evidence of the presence of mineralisation through infill drilling confirms continuity of the individual mineralised lode structures and improves confidence on the robustness of the deposit.
Table 3: Peak assay intersections for Tulu Kapi infill drilling
Borehole | Final Depth (m) | Intersection From (m) | Intersection To (m) | Interval (m) | Grade (g/t Au) |
TKBH-090 | 452.30 | 163.9 250.78 315.92 | 170.0 259.2 323.21 | 6.10 8.42 7.29 | 6.18 3.58 1.27 |
TKBH-091 | 451.30 | 226.64 | 238.50 | 11.86 | 2.41 |
TKBH-096 | 528.10 | 200.3 | 216.45 | 16.15 | 2.70 |
TKRC-113 | 200.0 | 175.0 | 178.0 | 3.00 | 21.49 |
TKRC-118 | 200.0 | 30.0 | 37.0 | 7.00 | 2.69 |
For further information please contact:
Melissa Sturgess
Nyota Minerals Limited
(+44) (0)78 2555 1397 or melissa.sturgess@nyotaminerals.com
Anthony Rowland/Jen Boorer
Ambrian Partners Limited
(+44) (0)20 7634 4700
Guy Wilkes / Justin Tooth
Ocean Equities Limited
(+44) (0) 20 7786 4370 / (+44) (0) 20 7786 4385
Rory Scott
Mirabaud Securities LLP
(+44) (0)20 7878 3360
Or visit: http://www.nyotaminerals.com
Competent Person
The technical exploration and mining information contained in this Announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr RN Chapman, an independent consultant geologist. Mr Chapman has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity to which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' and as a qualified person under the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies. Mr Chapman is an employee of Mineral Exploration Management Ltd, an independent geological company established in 2005 and is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM)
Mr Chapman consents to the inclusion in this Announcement of such information in the form and context in which it appears.
Notes on drilling and drill assay data
Diamond drill holes TKBH-083, 092 and 093 have been drilled and assays are pending. Diamond drill holes TKBH-087, 097 and 094 were reported on 3 March, 2011. Reverse circulation holes TKRC, 130, 133, 137, 137, 139 and 140 have been drilled and assays are pending.
All core samples have been logged according to internationally accepted standards with core loss and other factors likely to impact on resource estimation and quality of assay data duly recorded. All drill core is logged, measured and sampled by suitably qualified geologists with the relevant experience. Qualified geologists are permanently assigned to individual diamond drill rigs and ensure that appropriate protocols are followed.
RC sample weights were regularly measured for selective and representative 1m sample intervals and independent QA/QC assessment of both drilling practices and sample collection procedures has previously taken place. Drilling is constantly monitored by qualified geologists and both drilling and sampling procedures at the drill site follow a strict set of protocols to ensure every sample collected is representative.
As a result, sampling procedures and sample recoveries are considered accurate by Nyota. RC and diamond drilling samples were analysed for gold by fire assay methods with AAS finish at ALS Chemex Laboratory in Johannesburg. Approved protocols, approved by independent consultant Venmyn Rand, were applied with regard to insertion of standards, blanks and duplicate assays for every suite of samples submitted per drill hole. Independent consultants have verified that sufficient QA/QC and data validation has been undertaken to verify the integrity of the assay data. All on site coarse and pulp rejects have been logged and stored for future reference. RC and diamond drill‐hole collars have been variably surveyed by a total station global positioning system. Detailed surveys of drill collars, undertaken by independent government licensed surveyors, has commenced.
TO VIEW THE TULU KAPI DRILLING MAP, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING WEB LINK:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/4050G_-2011-5-11.pdf
Table 4: Borehole intersections for South Eastern Extension Drilling
Borehole | Final Depth (m) | Intersection From (m) | Intersection To (m) | Interval (m) | Grade (g/t Au) |
SE. Extension |
|
|
|
|
|
TKBH-082 | 195.40 | 7.00 71.70 95.35 101.70 163.0 181.0 | 9.80 80.00 96.65 108.20 165.75 186.15 | 2.80 8.30 1.30 6.50 2.75 5.15 | 1.97 2.33 1.27 2.23 2.01 0.90 |
TKBH-085 | 191.05 | 42.90 | 58.30 | 15.40 | 3.09 |
TKBH-089 | 156.30 | 1.00 6.70 36.70 | 2.00 14.00 41.60 | 1.00 7.30 4.90 | 0.72 0.59 10.32 |
TKRC-134 | 154.0 | 100.00 116.00 | 102.00 137.00 | 2.00 21.00 | 1.27 0.91 |
TKRC-135 | 250.0 | 165.00 | 173.00 | 8.00 | 3.63 |
TKRC-136 | 208.0 | 0.00 39.00 | 3.00 54.00 | 3.00 15.00 | 1.45 4.92 |
TKRC-141 | 200.0 | 28.00 80.00 | 66.00 82.00 | 38.00 2.00 | 5.29 1.49 |
Table 5: Borehole intersections for Northern Extension Drilling
Borehole | Final Depth (m) | Intersection From (m) | Intersection To (m) | Interval (m) | Grade (g/t Au) |
N. Extension | |||||
TKBH-081 | 351.40 | 123.00 139.00 | 132.48 142.83 | 9.48 3.83 | 1.66 1.42 |
TKBH-084 | 350.30 | 16.00 | 19.00 | 3.00 | 0.50 |
TKBH-088 | 267.20 | 0.00 | 2.60 | 2.60 | 0.59 |
TKBH-092 | 281.36 | 45.00 74.00 111.00 239.70 | 46.10 77.75 115.90 240.60 | 1.10 3.75 4.90 0.90 | 1.23 5.63 1.42 10.00 |
TKRC-114 | 200.0 | 32.00 49.00 142.00 | 33.00 52.00 148.00 | 1.00 3.00 6.00 | 1.23 10.22 0.90 |
TKRC-115 | 200.0 | 35.00 45.00 77.00 152.00 174.00 | 36.00 46.00 78.00 153.00 180.00 | 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 6.00 | 1.47 1.11 1.39 1.91 2.54 |
TKRC-123 | 200.0 | 0.00 5.00 101.00 131.00 138.00 169.00 | 1.00 16.00 111.00 132.00 144.00 175.00 | 1.00 11.00 10.00 1.00 6.00 6.00 | 2.89 1.10 0.48 3.33 1.12 3.03 |
TKRC-131 | 200.0 | 172.00 | 182.00 | 10.00 | 2.93 |
Table 6: Tulu Kapi Infill Drilling Results
Borehole | Final Depth (m) | Intersection From (m) | Intersection To (m) | Interval (m) | Grade (g/t Au) |
Tulu Kapi Infill | |||||
TKBH-068 | 298.20 | 8.00 25.00 153.22 | 13.30 33.50 154.00 | 5.30 8.50 0.78 | 0.44 1.57 3.22 |
TKBH-072 | 374.15 | 22.60 45.70 67.93 77.70 130.00 269.00 | 31.32 49.90 74.20 79.00 134.45 272.70 | 8.72 4.2 6.27 1.30 4.45 3.70 | 1.55 1.70 1.26 1.41 1.11 2.05 |
TKBH-090 | 452.30 | 22.60 123.10 138.60 155.00 163.90 233.45 250.78 315.92 | 26.60 127.42 144.00 156.00 170.00 234.62 259.20 323.21 | 4.00 4.32 5.40 1.00 6.10 1.17 8.42 7.29 | 2.14 2.31 1.34 8.64 6.18 4.73 3.58 1.27 |
TKBH-091 | 451.30 | 49.46 94.40 226.64 | 50.20 101.00 238.50 | 0.74 6.60 11.86 | 2.51 0.65 2.41 |
TKBH-093 | 461.60 | No | Significant | Intersections | |
TKBH-095 | 501.20 | 206.80 266.70 291.20 304.30 316.72 | 216.73 268.40 295.82 309.00 329.15 | 9.93 1.70 4.62 4.70 12.43 | 1.25 8.52 1.61 1.11 0.69 |
TKBH-096 | 528.10 | 200.30 279.00 | 216.45 281.00 | 16.15 2.00 | 2.70 3.11 |
TKBH-097 | 662.50 | No | intersections | of note | |
TKBH-104 | 555.30 | 408.00 | 427.23 | 19.23 | 2.28 |
TKRC-112 | 200.0 | 0.00 11.00 27.00 37.00 | 5.00 15.00 28.00 51.00 | 5.00 4.00 1.00 14.00 | 1.13 2.30 14.30 0.62 |
TKRC-113 | 200.0 | 1.00 22.00 48.00 175.00 | 2.00 27.00 50.00 178.00 | 1.00 5.00 2.00 3.00 | 2.46 1.01 3.48 21.49 |
TKRC-117 | 200.0 | 0.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.89 |
TKRC-118 | 200.0 | 18.00 30.00 43.00 99.0 | 22.00 37.00 46.00 103.0 | 4.00 7.00 3.00 4.00 | 0.53 2.69 2.92 2.07 |
TKRC-119 | 200.00 | No | Significant | Results | |
TKRC-120 | 200.00 | No | Significant | Results | |
TKRC-121 | 200.00 | 0.00 8.00 14.00 | 3.00 10.00 15.00 | 3.00 2.00 1.00 | 0.99 0.62 5.75 |
TKRC-122 | 200.0 | 1.00 15.00 64.00 | 4.00 22.00 67.00 | 3.00 7.00 3.00 | 0.33 0.83 1.64 |
TKRC-124 | 202.00 | 114.0 | 115.0 | 1.00 | 2.79 |
TKRC-125 | 201.0 | 78.00 | 79.00 | 1.00 | 0.85 |
TKRC-126 | 200.00 | 0.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.55 |
TKRC-127 | 202.00 | 19.00 102.0 | 39.00 110.0 | 20.00 8.00 | 0.47 0.63 |
TKRC-128 | 200.00 | 58.00 | 60.00 | 2.00 | 1.10 |
TKRC-129 | 200.00 | 14.00 | 15.00 | 1.00 | 2.93 |
TKRC-132 | 208.0 | 1.00 16.00 38.00 93.00 | 2.00 19.00 40.00 98.00 | 1.00 3.00 2.00 5.00 | 0.50 0.62 1.31 1.40 |