CALGARY, ALBERTA--(April 6, 2009) - Torch River Resources Ltd.. ("Torch" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE:TCR) (PINK SHEETS:TORVF) (FRANKFURT:WNF) is pleased to announce results of rock chip sampling within the Nahmint Property, located 25 kilometers southwest of Port Alberni, BC. Fieldwork carried out by Torch River Resources in 2009 has focused on the Three Jays and Monitor Cu-Ag-Au bearing mineral occurrences.
Three Jays mine had 3 levels and 1.1 kilometers of underground workings which were excavated in 1898-1902. The mine produced 1,981 tonnes direct shipping ore that averaged 7.5% Cu, 38 g/t Ag, and 0.97 g/t Au (source: Minister of Mines Annual Reports). The Monitor mine (1898-1901, and 1916-1918) produced 1,288 tonnes which contained an average of 9.1% Cu, 28.8 g/t Ag, and 0.05 g/t Au (source: Minister of Mines Annual Reports). These mineral occurrences are classified as skarn (intrusion related sulphide replacement zones in carbonate or volcanic host rocks). Three Jays and Monitor mineral occurrences are hosted in Upper Triassic Quatsino limestone and Karmutsen Fm andesite/basalt tuffs/flows. Skarn mineralization occurs as a result of emplacement of Mid-Jurassic Island Plutonic Suite (diorite to quartz-feldspar porphyry) which have generated hydrothermal fluids emanating from end phases of large-scale intrusive activity. The hydrothermal fluids replace limestone and volcanic rock with garnet, actinolite, epidote, calcite, quartz, chlorite, hematite alteration and lenses of massive chalcopyrite, magnetite, pyrite, and rare bornite. Massive mineralization occurs as ore shoots and individual shoots can be 2-8.5 m in width and 20-45 m length. All of the mineralization is closely related to fault/shear structures along or adjacent to (within 200 meters of) intrusive contacts.
THREE JAYS:
Rock chip samples prefixed PAC are from the Pacific Crown Grant (90-110 meters elevation) located 1.2 kilometers east-southeast of the Three Jays Cu-Ag-Au deposit. Rock chip samples prefixed VIK are from the Viking Crown Grant (650-750 meters elevation) located 0.6 kilometers south-southeast of the Three Jays Cu-Ag-Au mineralization.
To determine lateral extent of mineral zones, a program of magnetometer geophysical surveying, and soil geochemical sampling was carried out on a 500 X 500 meter and a 300 X 400 meter area on the Pacific and Viking mineral zones respectively.
Geochemical analysis of a soil sample, taken 60 meters southwest of rock chip sample PAC09AR5, returned 1,664 ppm Cu, 1.2 ppm Ag and 22 ppb Au. The old workings consist of three cuts and a 4 meter long tunnel located on the Pacific Crown Grant at 90-100 meters elevation above sea level. Cuts and tunnel targeted two parallel shear zones that contain variable massive magnetite, pyrite and chalcopyrite trending NE and dipping moderately northwest. The area of the old workings was surveyed with a magnetometer (GEM GSM-19T). Magnetometer readings taken at 12.5 meter spacing were obtained along N-S oriented grid lines resulting in a 250-350 nT negative anomaly over the south portion of the Pacific Crown Grant old workings (grid L 363400 E, stn 5413087.5 N to 5413100 N). There are two 600-900 nT positive anomalies located 25 and 62.5 meters to the south of the old workings. There are also two 600-1200 nT positive anomalies located 25-75 meters north of Three Jays Creek on (NAD 83 UTM) easting L 363500 E and L 363600 E, at 65 and 25 meters elevation above sea level. In October 2008, magnetometer surveys were carried out on Three Jays where a total field magnetic low coincided with the old workings and 50-200 meters NE and NW of the main mineral zone a broad 500-1500 nT positive mag anomaly occurs. Further work is planned to extend the Three Jays grid W, N, and E to investigate this moderate strength total field magnetic high.
MONITOR:
The following table lists rock chip samples from the Monitor mineral occurrences, which are located 50-300 meters from tidewater, at 30-200 meters elevation, and about 100-750 meters ESE of the mouth of Handy Creek.
A magnetometer survey of the Monitor mineral zones shows a 300-500 nT positive anomaly on (NAD 83 UTM) L 357800 E, station 5427850-5427900 N, located 50 meters north of the Cu, Zn, Ag in soil anomaly on L 357800 E stn 542700 N to 542800 N. The Cu, Zn, Ag soil anomaly on L 357900 E (stn 5427700 N to 5427800 N) has a coincident 350-450 nT negative anomaly. Preliminary interpretation of magnetometer and soil geochemical data suggests that Cu, Ag, Au soil anomalies correlate with total field magnetic lows due to alteration and absence of magnetic minerals (e.g. magnetite) despite most of the rock chip samples containing 1-20% magnetite. There is also a pattern of total field magnetic highs and increased amount of magnetite present in bedrock adjacent to Cu, Ag, Au bearing mineral occurrences and/or soil anomalies.
Further evaluation of mineral zones on the Nahmint Property will be directed at Cu-Ag-Au mineral zones with economic potential. Rock chip, soil sampling and magnetometer surveys were carried out by Andris Kikauka, P.Geo., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.
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Forward Looking Information
This press release may contain forward-looking statements which may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact, including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, statements made regarding the Nahmint Property. Although Torch believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Results of Torch including its ability to mobilize and drill on schedule may be affected by a variety of variables and risks associated with the mining industry such as availability of human and capital resources, competition, exploration and development plans and results, anticipated capital expenditures and financing thereof, timing of applications and approvals. As such the future plans and objectives of Torch are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in such statements. Torch's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Torch does not intend nor does it undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent information , events, results or circumstances or otherwise.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Torch River Resources Ltd. William E. Pfaffenberger President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 444-6888
Website: www.torchriver..ca
or
ProActive Communications Co. Local Vancouver: (604) 541-1995 or Toll Free 1-800-540-1995
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