VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 13, 2022 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to provide an update at the Belen copper-gold porphyry project at the 100%-owned Valiente in central Peru (Figures 1 and 2).
The Valiente Project, located 19 km east from the township of Tingo Maria in central Peru, defines a previously unknown Miocene-age porphyry-epithermal copper-gold mineralized belt within a 140 km by 50 km area in Peru where Hannan's exploration team has identified at least seven intrusion related porphyry/epithermal/skarn targets, of which Belen is the most advanced and described here in more detail.
Highlights:
- Detailed field work at the Belen prospect, which represents a small proportion (4%) of Hannan's total landholding at the Valiente project, has consisted of infill soil sampling over a 1,600 m by 800 m area and coincident identification of an outcropping leached copper-gold porphyry with well-developed quartz veining with evidence for an enriched chalcocite blanket at the Southern Porphyry Copper-Gold Target (Figures 2-7).
- A gold-bearing epithermal target area identified by large gold mineralized boulders of quartz-pyrite and iron oxides as well as strongly gold anomalous soil samples has been discovered 2.5 km NW of the Southern Porphyry Target, where a systematic 100 m x 100 m soil sampling program has identified two strong gold anomalous trends that extend for 1800 m and 970 m respectively.
Michael Hudson, CEO, states "Hannan's has located a new Miocene-age copper-gold mineral camp within a 140 km by 50 km area at Valiente. At Belen we see extensive and systematic soil sample anomalies over multiple kilometres. What is most encouraging is the presence of an outcropping leached copper-gold porphyry with well-developed porphyry alteration and quartz veining at upper topographic levels with evidence of an enriched chalcocite blanket within lower lying creeks. This is the first bone fide bedrock find at the Valiente project. We look forward to more detailed field work including channel sampling at Belen and working up adjacent porphyry targets. The Company is also initiating work to commence drill permitting."
A linked porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold mineral system has been identified at Belen within a 9 km by 2 km trend (Figure 2-7). Detailed field work at the Belen prospect, which represents a small proportion (4%) of Hannan's total landholding at the Valiente project, has infilled soil sampling trends and identified a leached copper-gold porphyry with well-developed quartz veining at upper topographic levels with evidence for an enriched chalcocite blanket sampled over 1 km within lower lying creeks at the Southern Copper-Gold Porphyry Target. A gold-bearing epithermal target area identified by large gold mineralized boulders of quartz-pyrite and iron oxides as well as strongly gold anomalous soil samples has been discovered 2.5 km NW of the Southern Porphyry Target. Work over the last month described in further detail below:
Southern Copper-Gold Porphyry Target
This target concists of a highly anomalous Cu-Au-Mo soil anomaly, initially reported here, over a 1,600 m by 800 m area above a mapped and radiometrically dated Miocene-age porphyry intrusion. Systematic soil sampling has been completed. A total of 494 samples have been taken across the porphyry target covering an area of approximately 3.3 km x 1.7 km at sample spacing of 100 m x 100 m. The results show strong correlation with several elements including Cu-Au-Mo-K-V. The core of the anomaly extends over 1600m and 800m width and have consistent values > 500 ppm Cu with Cu values up to 1461 ppm Cu and Mo up to 32 ppm. (Figures 2-4). Gold is locally anomalous within but also occur peripheral to the main copper anomaly. The main "offset" gold target is marked by a 1000 m long up to 300 m wide gold anomaly. Gold assays have been received for 331 samples and values range from <0.001 ppm to 0.185 ppm, average 0.0162 g/t and 9 samples have values > 0.1 ppm (100ppb) in soil (Figures 2-4).
The host rock is a grey to greenish porphyritic intrusion with hornblende and feldspar phenocrysts that is overprinted by strong weathering. Observations of hydrothermal alteration are emerging from systematic mapping and Terraspec analysis and so far, areas of propylitic, phyllic, intermediate argillic alteration, silicification and secondary biotite have been observed. Geological and alteration vectors such as pyrite and chalcopyrite ratios from surface rock observations suggest that the mineralization represents the upper part of a porphyry intrusion. Both more intense hypogene copper mineralization can be expected at depth and zones of supergene enrichment. Sampling below the soils has uncovered:
- A strongly leached copper-gold porphyry, with an extensive zone of enrichment has been discovered beneath anomalous soil sampling that cover an area of 1,600m by 800m area.
- In the leached zone secondary copper is evident within manganese oxides (neotocite) and red iron oxides (hematite) in outcrops and boulders with values exceeding 0.1 % Cu (Figure 5).
- Assay results from 19 panel samples have been received to date with an average of 333 ppm Cu and 0.024 g/t Au over an average surface area of 1.9m2. The size of the panels ranges from 0.24-4m2 and with Cu ranging between 104-1070 ppm and gold from <0.01 to 0.313 g/t. The copper anomaly and rock samples are shown in Figure 2-4 and selected rock photos in figure 5-7.
- Both M (magnetite-bearing), B (quartz/biotite) and A-veins (saccharoidal quartz/K-feldspar) have been observed in outcrop and quartz veins have been mapped with encouraging densities of approximately 6 veins per metre (assays pending) with associated stockworking.
- Supergene enrichment has been observed in the lowest topographic levels in creeks where chalcocite is seen to replace chalcopyrite within samples separated by 1 km. Assays from these zones are pending. (Figure 6).
- Central Epithermal gold target
This consists of a gold-bearing epithermal target identified by large gold mineralized boulders of quartz-pyrite and iron oxides as well as strongly gold anomalous soil samples has been discovered 2.5 km NW of the Southern Porphyry Target (initially reported here). Work over the last month has included:
- Systematic 100 m x 100 m soil sampling program. Two strong gold anomalous trends that extend for 1800 m and 970 m respectively have been identified. Assays have been received to date from 376 samples covering an area of 2 km x 1.7 km. Values range from <0.001 ppm to 0.094 ppm, average 0.0056 g/t in soil. The gold anomaly correlates very well with several elements including arsenic. (Figures 2 and 4).
- Spatially the gold anomalies correlate with a mapped Andean-age thrust fault and remains open in both to the north and south (Figures 2 and 4)
- Soil anomalies are coincident with gold found in quartz-iron oxide boulders (reported here). To date 19 boulders >0.1 ppm Au has been sampled over a trend of 1.6 km that is parallel to the main gold anomaly. A total 43 rock samples from boulders average of 0.48 g/t Au, 6 g/t Te and range from below detection limit to 2.69 g/t Au and
- Two gold mineralized outcrops have also been located 270m apart. The mineralization is hosted by 5-30cm wide quartz vein in an intrusive host rock with magnetite and iron oxides. The mineralization is correlated with high values of copper and molybdenum. The outcrops assayed:
- Grab sample: 1.17 g/t Au, 0.67 % Cu and 33.4 ppm Mo.
- Channel sample: 30 cm @ 3.21 g/t Ag, 0.57 % Cu and 22 ppm Mo (reported here)
At Belen, Hannan plans to continue systematic soil sampling to cover the entire 10-km intrusive trend and detailed trench sampling. Hannan also plans to survey an extensive airborne magnetic survey over the Valiente project area. Field and social teams are actively engaged in the area, with Hannan's policy to undertake exploration activities only within areas where full support from local stakeholders exists.
The Valiente project is located further east than most of the conventional Andean porphyry settings and shows regional similarities to deposits such as the large Bajo de Alumbrera copper-gold porphyry in Argentina. It is interpreted that Valiente was formed in a tectonically favourable area associated with an arc-oblique wrench fault system, that may have aided the ascent of oceanic arc-related magmas into the transfer zone so far inboard from the magmatic arc.
Technical Background
All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using traceable parcels. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. The crushers and pulverizes were cleaned with barren material after every sample. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.
All soil samples were collected by Hannan geologists using an in-house protocol for soil sampling in jungle areas. The samples were subsequently analyzed with a portable XRF ("pXRF") deploying a protocol developed by Hannan for the San Martin project. The method is designed to minimize risk of contamination and ground disturbance. In most cases the sample media is the "B-horizon" of the soil profile. Only 100g of sample material is collected from each site. From the soil sample a pellet is produced which is dried and analyzed by a pXRF. Certified reference material, blanks and field duplicates are routinely added to monitor the quality of the pXRF data and 10% of all samples are submitted to a ALS in Lima to validate the pXRF data. Gold was analyzed by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 50g fire assay sample charge.
About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN) (OTCPK: HANNF)
Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru.
Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
On behalf of the Board, "Michael Hudson" Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO | Further Information |
Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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 news.
SOURCE: Hannan Metals Limited