Alpha Expands Discovery Zone to 50m Wide with 5 Step-Out Holes Hitting "Off-Scale" Radioactivity
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/25/13 -- Alpha Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AMW) ("Alpha" or "the Company"), and its Joint Venture partner Fission Energy Corp. are pleased to announce results from a further 10 holes completed in the Winter 2013 exploration program at the Patterson Lake South (PLS) property.
In closely spaced delineation drilling, an additional 5 holes have been completed in area west of the November 2012 discovery on Line 0. All 5 of the holes are mineralized. As well, 5 closely spaced holes were drilled from 90 to 105m east of Line 0. Results show well developed alteration in those additional 5 holes and weak mineralization in 2 holes on Line 090E (PLS13-028 and 032).
Drilling Highlights include:
-- Expansion of the flat-lying, mineralized zone at shallow depth around
the discovery from L025W to approximately 50m width, north-south. The
zone remains open in all directions.
-- PLS13-029 (L025W): 34.0m interval of continuous mineralization;
including discrete intervals totaling 1.88m of "off-scale"
radioactivity (greater than 9999 cps)
-- PLS13-031 (L025W): 26.0m interval of continuous mineralization;
including discrete intervals totaling 1.54m of "off-scale"
radioactivity (greater than 9999 cps)
-- PLS13-035 (L010W): Two intervals of continuous mineralization of
9.5m wide each; including discrete intervals totaling 0.85m of "off-
scale" radioactivity (greater than 9999 cps)
-- PLS13-037 (L025W): 23.0m of intermittent mineralization; a deeper
zone (103.0 - 126.0m), including narrow intervals of "off-scale"
radioactivity (greater than 9999 cps)
-- Alteration and associated weak mineralization on trend step-out hole
located 100 m to the east shows potential to host high grade
mineralization within favorable lithology along strike to the east.
-- 4 Holes have been selected for pre-collaring along Line 390E where the
large high grade mineralized intersection was reported on in the
previous news release (Feb 19th 2013).
Discovery Area
This refers to the area of mineralization where the 2012 discovery holes (PLS12-022, 023, 024 and 025) were drilled, as well as the recently announced 2013 holes PLS13-026 and 027 (see news release Feb 07, 2013) and is delineated at resource scale over land near the western shore of Patterson Lake. A total of 5 additional close spaced step-out holes were drilled in the area; 4 holes on line 025W and 1 hole on line 010W (PLS13-035). All 5 holes intersected mineralization at a shallow depth in the Archean basement. Refer to Table 1 for drill hole collar and mineralization summary. Mineralization generally develops within chlorite and hematite altered basement rocks and is characterized by pitchblende in the form of flecks, blebs, clots and veins. Basement lithology is generally pelites (+/- graphite), and occasional semi-pelites, often with narrow intervals of pegmatite. The discovery area is open in all directions and additional drilling is required to continue to delineate the mineralized area.
Line 025W
With an additional 4 holes (PLS13-029, 031, 033 and 037), drilling on line 025W has successfully delineated a minimum width of approximately 50m. The zone is still open both to the north and south along this line.
As was the case with previous drill results from the fall 2012 program, and the 2 recently announced holes (PLS13-026 and 027) the main mineralized horizon appears to be generally flat lying, with the upper level top of the mineralized zone occurring at or near the top of the Archean basement rocks, either within or immediately below a thin veneer of Devonian sandstone (see cross-section L025W). Additionally, the southernmost hole, PLS13-037, has a deeper zone of intermittent strong mineralization (103.0 - 126.0m), including narrow intervals of "off-scale greater than 9999 cps" radioactivity.
Line 010W
One additional hole (PLS13-035), was collared 30m south of PLS12-024 and drilled at an angle of -70 (azimuth 337). Mineralization was encountered in 2 well developed mineralized intervals: an upper zone (62.0 - 71.5m) and a lower zone (78.0 - 87.5m). The upper zone begins in the basal part of the Devonian sandstone horizon.
Lines 090E and 105E
Owing to environmental constraints, drilling is restricted within a buffer zone extending to any water less than 2 metres in depth. Drilling was started from the ice on the lake on Line 090E, 90 meters from Line 0 in the 2012 discovery area.
A total of 5 holes (PLS13-28, 030, 032, 034 and 036) were drilled along grid lines 090E - 105E east along trend of the conductor that extends from the discovery area. While no high grade mineralization was observed in drill core, prospective basement lithology and alteration was encountered in all 5 holes and two of the holes (PLS13-028 and 032) were weakly mineralized over narrow intervals. In addition, downhole triple gamma probe results from PLS13-028 indicate that a 0.5m wide high-grade interval (48.26m - 48.76m) was intersected downhole and was not recovered in drill-core.
On Line 090E three vertical holes were drilled at 10m collar spacing (PLS13-028, 030 and 032). Weak mineralization was encountered in holes PLS13-028 and 032, in narrow intervals immediately below the Devonian sandstone horizon (4.0m and 2.5m wide respectively). Basement lithology is comprised dominantly of pelitic sequences (+/- graphite), with localized chlorite and hematite alteration. Intermittent occurrences of sulphides were observed throughout the pelitic lithology.
On Line 105E, two vertical holes were drilled at 10m collar spacing (PLS13-034 and 036), located 15m east of holes on L090E. Although no mineralization was encountered in either hole, weak to moderate hematite and chlorite alteration was present throughout the basement rocks. Basement rocks are comprised dominantly by pelitic gneiss. In the case of PLS13-036, intermittent intervals of graphite are present, as well as abundant sulphides from 107.0-117.5m and 121.1-135.2m.
To view the figure associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/855533fig.pdf.
Natural gamma radiation in drill core that is reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a hand held Exploranium GR-110G total count gamma-ray scintillometer. Borehole radioactivity is measured downhole using a Mount Sopris 2GHF-1000 Triple Gamma probe. Strip logs of the probe data with lithologies are presented on the Alpha website. The reader is cautioned that scintillometer readings are not directly or uniformly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured, and should be used only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive materials. The degree of radioactivity within the mineralized intervals is highly variable and associated with visible pitchblende mineralization. All intersections are down-hole, core interval measurements and true thickness are yet to be determined.
All holes are planned to be radiometrically surveyed using a Mount Sopris 2GHF-1000 Triple Gamma probe, which allows for accurate measurements in high grade mineralized zones. The Triple Gamma probe is preferred in zones of high grade mineralization.
Split core samples from the mineralized section of core will be taken continuously through the mineralized intervals and submitted to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) of Saskatoon for analysis, which includes U3O8 (wt %) and fire assay for gold. All samples sent for analysis will include a 63 element ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and boron. Assay results will be released when received.
Patterson Lake South Property
The 31,039 hectare PLS project is a 50%/50% Joint Venture held by Alpha Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AMW) and Fission Energy Corp. Fission is the Operator. PLS is accessible by road with primary access from all-weather Highway 955, which runs north to the former Cluff Lake mine, (greater than 60M lbs of U3O8 produced), and passes through the nearby UEX-Areva Shea Creek discoveries located 50km to the north, currently under active exploration and development. An updated map highlighting the core and dual rotary drilling programs planned for PLS can be found on the Company's website at www.alphaminerals.ca.
The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Garrett Ainsworth, P.Geo. Vice-President of Exploration for Alpha Minerals Inc., a qualified person.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Alpha Minerals Inc.
Ben Ainsworth, President, CEO and Director
Please refer to the Alpha Minerals Inc. website (www.alphaminerals.ca) for further and updated information.
This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on Alpha's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to Alpha's development plans. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Alpha's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labour relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Alpha disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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.
Contacts:
For corporate communications please contact:
Alpha Minerals Inc. - Vancouver, BC
Robert (Bob) Meister
(604) 629-0293 or Toll Free: 1-866-629-0293
info@alphaminerals.ca
www.alphaminerals.ca
