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Claims
The Nopalera property comprises three
claims totaling 1,308.65 hectares; Nopalera, Nopalera II and La Flor
Del Trigo.
Exploration Program
Following an Induced Polarization
geophysical survey and surface mapping and geochemical sampling, the
first ever drilling on the Nopalera property took place in May and
June of 2006. This preliminary work consisted of a series of short
reverse circulation holes along a trend hosting old workings in the
southeast portion of the property.
Geology
The Nopalera property is underlain by
volcanic rocks of the Lower Volcanic sequence that are cut by
several small intrusive bodies and dikes. Satellite images show that
this area, which measures 4 km east west by 3.5 km north south,
contains the largest and strongest alteration zone in the Uruachic
camp, which can easily be distinguished on satellite photos. The
claim hosts several old mines including at least 5 that are located
along a 900 metre stretch of a northeast trending series of
intrusive structures. These rhyolite to granodiorite dykes range
from 8 to 30 metres in width at surface and outcrop along a main
strike length of at least 1200 metres. The intrusive dykes also
outcrop along a second, roughly parallel, trend to the north of the
main trend, for additional 1000 or more metres of strike length.
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Location & Map
Nopalera is located in the eastern central part of the
Uruachic camp.
Drilling Results
The drilling showed that the rocks are
intensely silicified, with small quartz and quartz-calcite veinlets.
Quartz of several generations and colours is common as is
disseminated to massive pyrite, traces of other sulphides and iron
oxides. The rocks are highly anomalous in gold and locally in
silver as well. The Company was encouraged by the significant,
widespread, gold values received from the drilling, as well as the
very favourable geology and alteration, across the Nopalera claim.
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The fact that precious metal mineralization is found within both
volcanic extrusive rocks and very altered dioritic intrusives is
considered significant with respect to metallogenesis and the
potential size of the system. The gold/silver metal ratios, as well
as the geology, show that this is a completely different mineralized
system than exists five kilometres to the west near the old Las
Bolas mine, which is predominantly silver rich. The combination of a
large, gold-rich system at Nopalera, adjacent to a large, past
producing, silver system at Las Bolas, presents a very attractive,
precious metal target for the Company. Plans for follow up work,
including more drilling, are now underway.
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