Karora Resources Drills 6.5% Nickel over 11.9 metres in New 4C Offset Discovery Located Only 25 Metres from Existing Mining Infrastructure at the Beta Hunt Mine
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TORONTO, September 14, 2022 – Karora Resources Inc. (TSX:KRR; OTCQX:KRRGF) ("Karora" or the “Corporation" - https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/karora-resources-inc/) is pleased to announce a new nickel discovery and positive results from its ongoing nickel drill program. In the Hunt Block above Western Flanks, infill drilling of the existing gold Mineral Resource intersected high grade nickel mineralization in two holes above the gold Mineral Resource. This mineralization, interpreted as an offset to the 4C nickel trough mined by Reliance Mining (“Reliance”) in 2004/05, is only 25 metres from existing development actively used for mining of the Western Flanks gold deposit. Positive results were also received from drilling which is focused on upgrading and extending the 30C and 25C (south of the 30C) Mineral Resources. In a target zone parallel to Western Flanks, Stage 1 of the 44C drill program intersected nickel sulphides on and proximal to the ultramafic/basalt contact indicating potential for a repeat of the 40C trough, north of the Alpha Island Fault in the Hunt Block. Highlights from the recent drill results are listed below1.
Hunt Block
- 4C offset: 6.5% Ni over 11.9 metres (BW-1704-07AG)
- 4C offset: 0% Ni over 4.6 metres (BW-1704-05AG)
Beta Block
- 30C: 0% Ni over 4.0 metres (BL1890-001AR)
- 30C: 0 % Ni over 1.8 metres (BL1890-006AR)
- 25C: 1% Ni over 3.3 metres (B25-20-006NE)
- 25C: 6% Ni over 1.3 metres (B25-20-014NE)
- Interval lengths are downhole widths. Estimated true widths cannot be determined with available information
Results support the extension of the current nickel Mineral Resource and provide for short term mining opportunities to replace some of the current remnant mining as the Company builds towards increased nickel production in 2024 based on the results of the recently released Nickel PEA (see Karora news release dated August 12, 2022).
Paul Andre Huet, Chairman & CEO, commented: “I am encouraged by the latest set of nickel drill results from both the 4C Offset nickel trough and the 44C target. The 4C Offset is located above the Western Flanks gold Mineral Resource and just 25 metres from the extensive existing Western Flanks mining infrastructure. This discovery is particularly exciting and significant because it represents a potential new high grade nickel zone that we can potentially mine in the near term. Additionally, the latest Beta Block drill results from the 30C and 25C nickel troughs reinforce the upside potential for Mineral Resource extensions and upgrades as outlined in the nickel PEA we announced last month for Beta Hunt. We expect ongoing drilling in the Hunt, Beta and Gamma Blocks to continue to demonstrate the significant potential Mineral Resource additions outside of the zones on which the PEA is based. Today’s results also highlight the potential to identify new channels of nickel mineralization amenable to mining in the short term to accelerate the shift away from our current practice of remnant mining in historic nickel stopes. Encountering nickel intercepts such as 5.1% over 3.3 metres and 4.6% over 1.3 metres certainly highlight the exciting potential that we are seeing as we execute our drill program.”
Beta Hunt Nickel Drilling Update
From February 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022, a total of 37 nickel resource definition and exploration holes were drilled at Beta Hunt for 4,121 metres. Drilling was conducted in the Beta and Hunt Blocks. Beta Block drilling was focused on upgrading and extending the 30C and 25C (south of the 30C) Mineral Resources with the aim of identifying intact nickel mineralization channels as short term mining opportunities to accelerate the planned shift to focus more on new production areas as outlined in our recently announced nickel PEA for Beta Hunt (see Karora news release dated August 12, 2022). Currently, nickel production is focused on remnant mineralization from historic nickel stopes which carries a higher cost of mining. Hunt Block drilling tested the existence of the 44C nickel trough parallel to and west of Western Flanks. The 4C offset was discovered as part of an infill drilling program of the existing Western Flanks gold Mineral Resource close to the ultramafic/basalt contact.
Figure 1: Beta Hunt plan view highlighting + 1% nickel results for the February to August 2022 period and location of 4C Offset and 44C Ni Target
Hunt Block
4C Offset: Infill drilling at the top of the Western Flanks gold Mineral Resource at the south end of the deposit intersected high grade, contact-related, nickel sulphide mineralization in two holes drilled 30 metres apart along strike. The mineralization is interpreted to be the offset extension of the 4C nickel deposit previously mined by Reliance in 2004/05. Significantly, these intersections are located only 25 metres from existing development. Significant intersections1.from these two holes are highlighted below:
- BW-1704-07AG: 6.5% Ni over 11.9 metres
- BW-1704-05AG: 3.0% Ni over 4.6 metres
- Interval lengths are downhole widths. Estimated true widths cannot be determined with available information
The intersection in drill hole BW-1704-07AG (6.5% Ni over 11.9 metres) comprises four layers of massive sulphide mineralization, up to 2.5 metres thick, interbedded with both matrix and disseminated sulphide layers. The multiple massive sulphide layers indicate this intersection to represent stacked repeats of the same massive layer, though no visual evidence of thrusting to produce the repeats was observed in the drill core. Follow-up infill and extensional drilling is in progress to better define the geometry and extent of this new discovery.
44C: This nickel target is the interpreted northern offset extension to the 40C trough (Beta Block) and is located 140 metres west of the Western Flanks gold deposit. Stage 1 drilling of the 44C was recently completed with nickel sulphides intersected in seven of eleven holes, on and proximal to the ultramafic/basalt contact. Assay results are pending.
The drill core observation of contact-related nickel mineralization supports the potential of a repeat of the 40C nickel trough, west of Western Flanks in the Hunt Block.
Figure 2: Beta Hunt cross-section (+/-15m clipping) looking northwest highlighting nickel results from the 4C Offset drilling and location of the 44C nickel target (See Figure 1 for location of section)
Beta Block
The Beta block drill program was successful in both upgrading and extending the existing resources as highlighted by the significant results listed below:
30C
- BL1890-1AR: 0% Ni over 4.0m metres
- BL1890-6AR: 0% Ni over 1.8 metres
25C
- B25-20-006NE: 1% Ni over 3.3 metres
- B25-20-007NE: 0% Ni over 0.7 metres
- B25-20-011NEA: 8% Ni over 2.2 metres
- B25-20-014NE: 6% Ni over 1.3 metres
- Interval lengths are downhole widths. Estimated true widths cannot be determined with available information
Figure 3: 25C Cross section looking north highlighting significant drill intersections from recently completed nickel drilling program (refer to Figure 1 for section location)
The drill results will be incorporated into an updated nickel Mineral Resource to provide improved mining options as nickel production builds towards increased production in 2024 based on the results of the recently released Nickel PEA.
Nickel Exploration Going Forward
Karora continues to drill test for new nickel troughs encouraged by recent successes. Exploration drilling planned for the remainder of 2022 will include follow-up drilling to infill and extend mineralization intersected in the new 4C offset and 44C targets plus testing the 90C target (see Karora news release, Aug 12, 2022). The 90C is the interpreted offset extension to the Beta West mine area. This target is supported by a coincident trough/sulphide reflector on the ultramafic/basalt contact interpreted from the 3-Dimensional seismic study completed by previous owner, Consolidated Minerals in 2008. The 90C drilling is a co-funded program with the Western Australian State Government under their Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS).
Drilling for extensions along strike of the 50C is planned for 2023 once the BRI development drive is extended by a further 300 metres, due to be completed by Q1 2023. The extended BRI will provide drill access to undertake both resource definition and extensional/exploration drilling.
Compliance Statement (JORC 2012 and NI 43-101)
The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Devlin, FAusIMM, Group Geologist, Karora Resources Inc., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.
At Beta Hunt all drill core sampling is conducted by Karora personnel. Samples for gold analysis are shipped to SGS Mineral Services of Kalgoorlie for preparation and assaying by 50 gram fire assay analytical method. All gold diamond drilling samples submitted for assay include at least one blank and one Certified Reference Material ("CRM") per batch, plus one CRM or blank every 20 samples. In samples with observed visible gold mineralization, a coarse blank is inserted after the visible gold mineralization to serve as both a coarse flush to prevent contamination of subsequent samples and a test for gold smearing from one sample to the next which may have resulted from inadequate cleaning of the crusher and pulveriser. The lab is also required to undertake a minimum of 1 in 20 wet screens on pulverised samples to ensure a minimum 90% passing at -75µm. Samples for nickel analysis are shipped to SGS Australia Mineral Services of Kalgoorlie for preparation. Pulps are then shipped to Perth for assaying. The analytical technique is ICP41Q, a four acid digest ICP-AES package. Assays recorded above the upper detection limit (25,000ppm Ni) are re-analyzed using the same technique with a greater dilution (ICP43B). All samples submitted for nickel assay include at least one Certified Reference Material (CRM) per batch, with a minimum of one CRM per 20 samples. Where problems have been identified in QAQC checks, Karora personnel and the SGS laboratory staff have actively pursued and corrected the issues as standard procedure.
About Karora Resources
Karora is focused on increasing gold production to a targeted range of 185,000-205,000 ounces by 2024 at its integrated Beta Hunt Gold Mine and Higginsville Gold Operations ("HGO") in Western Australia. The Higginsville treatment facility is a low-cost 1.6 Mtpa processing plant, which is fed at capacity from Karora's underground Beta Hunt mine and Higginsville mines. Karora recently acquired the 1.0 Mtpa Lakewood Mill in Western Australia. At Beta Hunt, a robust gold Mineral Resource and Reserve are hosted in multiple gold shears, with gold intersections along a 4 km strike length remaining open in multiple directions. HGO has a substantial Mineral gold Resource and Reserve and prospective land package totaling approximately 1,900 square kilometers. The Corporation also owns the high grade Spargos Reward project, which came into production in 2021. Karora has a strong Board and management team focused on delivering shareholder value and responsible mining, as demonstrated by Karora's commitment to reducing emissions across its operations. Karora's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol KRR and also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol KRRGF.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to production guidance, full year consolidated 2022 production guidance, and the potential of the Beta Hunt Mine, Higginsville Gold Operation, the Aquarius Project and the Spargos Gold Project.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Karora to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Karora 's filings with Canadian securities regulators, including the most recent Annual Information Form, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Although Karora has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Karora disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
For more information, please contact:
Rob Buchanan
Director, Investor Relations
T: (416) 363-0649
In Europe:
Swiss Resource Capital AG
Jochen Staiger
Table 1: Beta Hunt Nickel - Significant Results - Feb 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022
Target | Hole ID | Sub interval | From (m) | To (m) | Downhole Interval (m)2. | Ni %1. |
25C | B25-20-002NE | 33.8 | 34.5 | 0.7 | 2.1 | |
B25-20-004NE | 24.8 | 25.5 | 0.7 | 3.8 | ||
B25-20-006NE | 25.7 | 29.0 | 3.3 | 5.1 | ||
B25-20-007NE | 27.2 | 27.9 | 0.7 | 5.0 | ||
B25-20-008NE | 30.6 | 31.0 | 0.4 | 2.1 | ||
B25-20-011NEA | 32.8 | 35.0 | 2.2 | 2.8 | ||
B25-20-012NE | 33.2 | 33.6 | 0.4 | 1.7 | ||
B25-20-014NE | 26.5 | 27.8 | 1.3 | 4.6 | ||
B25-20-027NE | 25.3 | 25.4 | 0.1 | 3.3 | ||
30C | B30-1890-20NR | 82.3 | 83.6 | 1.3 | 0.9 | |
BL1890-01AR | 77.5 | 81.4 | 4.0 | 2.0 | ||
BL1890-04AR | 71.5 | 73.0 | 1.6 | 0.8 | ||
78.6 | 79.1 | 0.5 | 1.6 | |||
BL1890-06AR | 2.0 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 3.0 | ||
BL1890-07AR | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 6.7 | ||
4C offset | BW-1704-05AG | 116.1 | 120.7 | 4.6 | 3.0 | |
BW-1704-07AG | 118.6 | 130.5 | 11.9 | 6.5 |
- Downhole widths. Estimated true widths cannot be determined with available information.
- Reported nickel grades >0.7%.
Table 2: Drillhole Collars – Beta Hunt for Significant Nickel Results Reported Feb 1, 2022 to July 31, 2022
Target/ | Hole ID | MGA_N | MGA_E | mRL | DIP | AZI | Total Length (m) |
Prospect | |||||||
25C | B25-20-002NE | 6542478.6 | 375812.8 | -334.5 | 61.1 | 253.9 | 91.6 |
25C | B25-20-004NE | 6542478.8 | 375816.4 | -334.0 | 75.6 | 74.8 | 51.0 |
25C | B25-20-006NE | 6542457.6 | 375813.7 | -336.6 | 72.1 | 239.8 | 51.2 |
25C | B25-20-007NE | 6542457.7 | 375815.5 | -335.9 | 86.4 | 232.6 | 44.7 |
25C | B25-20-008NE | 6542458.5 | 375816.7 | -336.0 | 74.4 | 52.5 | 51.0 |
25C | B25-20-011NEA | 6542478.4 | 375815.3 | -333.8 | 73.1 | 247.5 | 48.0 |
25C | B25-20-012NE | 6542478.2 | 375815.2 | -333.8 | 59.4 | 198.6 | 54.1 |
25C | B25-20-014NE | 6542456.5 | 375816.4 | -336.1 | 57.1 | 180.0 | 54.0 |
25C | B25-20-027NE | 6542406.6 | 375851.7 | -346.0 | 81.3 | 38.5 | 78.0 |
30C | B30-1890-20NR | 6542768.7 | 375345.0 | -385.6 | 25.3 | 25.8 | 155.9 |
30C | BL1890-01AR | 6542768.9 | 375345.2 | -386.4 | 17 | 24.7 | 173.8 |
30C | BL1890-04AR | 6542768.6 | 375345.1 | -385.4 | 22 | 41.7 | 170.9 |
30C | BL1890-06AR | 6542768.8 | 375346.2 | -387.9 | -23.7 | 44.6 | 167.7 |
30C | BL1890-07AR | 6542768.7 | 375346.2 | -388.1 | -42.6 | 46.4 | 188.8 |
30C | BL1890-08AR | 6542754.4 | 375363.6 | -386.0 | 15.3 | 46.4 | 170.7 |
4C Offset | BW-1704-05AG | 6543632.9 | 375352.3 | -291.0 | -21.2 | 228.0 | 152.8 |
BW-1704-07AG | 6543632.9 | 375352.3 | -291.0 | -21.1 | 227.4 | 176.8 |