SilverCrest Continues to Expand Santa Elena Deposit, Northern Mexico
TSX-V: SVL |
For Immediate Release |
VANCOUVER, B.C. September 26, 2007 � SilverCrest Mines Inc. (the �Company�) is pleased to report that the most recent assay results from its Santa Elena Project located in northern Mexico have continued to expand the deposit along strike and to depth with apparent improvements in widths and grades of the Main Zone. The Santa Elena Project is located approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and is easily accessible with excellent local infrastructure. The Company has the right to acquire a 100% interest in the property.
The following 9 core holes (see attached drill plan for hole locations) are part of the current program to in-fill and expand the current reported NI 43-101 resources for the project. Of this series of holes, the most notable intercepts encountered are in SE07-34, which intercepted 21.35 metres (70 feet) grading 2.21 gpt gold (0.064 opt) and 171.7 gpt silver (5.0 opt) and SE07-35, which intercepted 21.2 metres (69.5 feet) grading 2.84 gpt gold (0.082 opt) and 101.1 gpt silver (2.95 opt).� The summary results for these 9 core holes at Santa Elena are as follows:
� |
Weighted Average Grades |
Drill Hole |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Interval (ft) |
Au gpt |
Ag gpt |
Au gpt equiv* |
Ag gpt equiv* |
Target
|
SE07-27 |
7.00 |
16.00 |
9.00 |
29.52 |
0.50 |
43.6 |
1.37 |
68.53 |
in-fill |
SE07-28 |
60.40 |
68.45 |
7.10 |
23.29 |
0.59 |
76.4 |
2.12 |
105.92 |
in-fill |
SE07-29 |
28.00 |
32.05 |
4.05 |
13.28 |
0.69 |
28.6 |
1.26 |
63.10 |
in-fill |
SE07-30 |
16.00 |
23.86 |
7.86 |
25.78 |
2.90 |
45.0 |
3.80 |
190.00 |
in-fill |
� includes |
19.00 |
20.67 |
1.67 |
5.48 |
7.38 |
58.9 |
8.56 |
427.90 |
in-fill |
SE07-31 |
9.00 |
19.29 |
10.29 |
33.75 |
1.11 |
19.1 |
1.49 |
74.57 |
in-fill |
SE07-32 |
26.70 |
32.70 |
6.00 |
19.68 |
1.59 |
46.8 |
2.53 |
126.27 |
Expansion |
SE07-33 |
128.55 |
139.40 |
10.85 |
35.59 |
3.29 |
139.4 |
6.08 |
303.88 |
Expansion |
� includes |
130.00 |
136.00 |
6.00 |
19.68 |
5.29 |
171.0 |
8.71 |
435.50 |
Expansion |
SE07-34 |
160.65 |
182.00 |
21.35 |
70.03 |
2.21 |
171.7 |
5.64 |
282.21 |
Expansion |
� includes |
179.00 |
182.00 |
3.00 |
9.84 |
9.86 |
320.0 |
16.26 |
813.00 |
Expansion |
SE07-35 |
97.00 |
118.20 |
21.20 |
69.54 |
2.84 |
101.1 |
4.86 |
243.07 |
Expansion |
� includes |
97.00 |
100.00 |
3.00 |
9.84 |
12.65 |
203.0 |
16.71 |
835.50 |
Expansion |
*Based on 50:1 Silver to Gold ratio and 100% metal recovery.
To date, a total of 21 holes have been drilled for which the results of 16 holes, including the above, have been reported (see news releases dated September 6 and September 19, 2007.) It is expected that an additional 20 holes will be drilled to complete the Phase II program.
Drill holes SE07-27 to SE07-32 provided near-surface, in-fill and expansion intercepts which are within the current proposed potential open pit. Widths and grades reported in these holes are consistent with the expectations predicted from the current geologic model. The purpose of the in-fill holes is to raise the confidence level of the resources within the proposed pit limits by upgrading the existing inferred resources to indicated resources.
Drill holes SE07-33 to SE07-35 are step-out holes that extend the deposit approximately 200 metres to the east of the previously reported NI43-101 resources. These holes provided intercepts which show the mineralized zone in this area to have an average true width of approximately 15 metres (49.2 feet) and a weighted average grade of 2.68 gpt Au and 137.1 gpt Ag or 271 gpt Ag equivalent (7.90 opt). The drilled strike length of the Main Zone is now approximately 800 metres.
Once drilling is complete, a new resource will be estimated and should result in significantly expanded resources to the east. All samples are being analyzed at ALS-Chemex in Hermosillo, Mexico and North Vancouver, BC, Canada.
J. Scott Drever, President stated; �We are particularly excited about the strength of the Main Zone with respect to its width and grades as we continue to explore further to the east and to depth. We have now tested the resource area that is expected to fall within the potential proposed pit at approximately 50 metre centres. This density of drilling, in addition to the detailed sampling on four underground levels, will allow us to complete our detailed resource estimates and prepare preliminary bench plans for an optimized open pit and start-up mine plan. The potential resource area for the starter pit now encompasses a length of approximately 800 metres, a width of about 15-30 metres and a minimum depth of 100 metres. Our immediate target is to develop an indicated resource of between 5.5 and 6.5 million tonnes of potential open pit material. The success of these step-out holes has led us to redesign the drill plan so as to test, at least on wide spacing, the entire 1200 metre length surface expression of the Main Zone. This should give us a reasonable understanding of the ultimate potential of the Main Zone.� In the mean time, we continue to be focused on completing our pre-feasibility study and making a production decision for an open pit heap leach operation before year end.�
Prior to the extension of the Main Zone along strike and to depth, the NI 43-101 resources were estimated at:
�Resource �Category� |
Tonnes |
Au gpt |
Ag gpt |
Tons |
Au opt |
Ag opt |
Contained Gold Ounces |
Contained Silver Ounces |
Silver Equiv. Ounces* |
Gold Equiv. Ounces* |
�Indicated |
2,458,900 |
2.16 |
55.7 |
2,710,500 |
0.063 |
1.62 |
171,000 |
4,391,000 |
14,651,000 |
244,183 |
�Inferred |
3,514,300 |
1.42 |
78.3 |
3,873,900 |
0.041 |
2.28 |
159,000 |
8,832,000 |
18,372,000 |
306,200 |
� Conforms to NI 43-101, 43-101CP, and current CIM definitions for resources. All numbers are rounded. C. Stewart Wallis, P.Geo., independent qualified person (QP) from the consulting firm of Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. and N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, QP and Chief Operating Officer of the Company completed the Santa Elena resource estimation. *Based on 60:1 Silver to Gold ratio and 100% metal recovery.
The Qualified Person for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng. and Chief Operating Officer for SilverCrest Mines Inc. |
SilverCrest Mines Inc., is a �Silver Focused� exploration and development company with a portfolio of high grade silver deposits and exploration properties located in Mexico and El Salvador. This property portfolio, which includes reported indicated and inferred silver resources and substantial exploration potential, provides an important base from which SilverCrest can develop its corporate objective of becoming a significant silver asset based company. The Company�s immediate initiative is to acquire and develop substantial silver resources and ultimately to operate high grade silver mines throughout North, Central and South America.
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company�s actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company�s control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions.
Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company�s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of SilverCrest Mines Inc.
�J. Scott Drever�
J. Scott Drever, President
For further information, please contact:
Fred Cooper 1311 Howe Street, Suite 405 Vancouver, BC V6Z 2P3
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