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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 4, 2012) - Aurizon Mines
Ltd. (TSX:ARZ)(NYSE Amex:AZK) is pleased to announce results from the 2011 exploration program on the Rex South property in Nunavik, Northern Quebec. The program was
successful in expanding
the polymetallic discoveries
of the Augossan trend.
The Rex South property provides evidence of an
extensive intrusion-related porphyry/greisen-type polymetallic mineralized system (Au-Ag-Cu-W-Sn-Bi) as well as Iron Oxide Copper Gold mineralization.
The property is part of a 330 kilometre long emerging polymetallic region largely controlled by Azimut Exploration Inc.
("Azimut").
2011 Drill Program
A total of $4.5 million was
invested in a four-month
program funded and operated
by Aurizon under the terms of an option agreement with
Azimut announced on May 26, 2010,
and comprised the following:
-- 2,530 rock grab samples; -- 145.35 m of channel sampling: 16 channels and 149 samples; -- 53 drill holes totalling 4,934 metres and 3,171 drill samples: 4,467 metres of standard rotary percussion drilling ("rotary") and 466 metres of reverse circulation drilling ("RC");-- Ground geophysics, including 53.9 line-kilometres of induced polarization and 149.5 kilometres of a magnetic survey covering the Augossan and Anorthosite zones; and -- 257 lake-bottom sediment infill samples to further define targets on the property.
Augossan Zone (7 kilometre
Trend)
The best results obtained
on the Augossan trend come from
two holes (RS-22-23 and
28), which are 400 metres
spaced. They both returned mineralized intervals in the
range of 1 gram per tonne gold over 5 to 9 metres.
The mineralization style found
from drilling and surface
exploration and their location suggests
the presence of a gold enrichment
trend offsetting the main Augossan
polymetallic target. New prospecting results have confirmed the continuity of this new gold bearing structure
over a kilometric strike length.
Following the identification of a large target for Gold-Copper-Silver-Tungsten-Tin mineralization in 2010 along the Augossan trend, a
rotary and RC (reverse-circulation) drilling
program was completed in 2011. A total of 4,333 metres
in 46 shallow holes (141.7 metres maximum) was drilled on 400 metre-spaced sections covering
a 5.3 kilometre strike length of induced polarisation
anomalies on the Augossan zone.
All of the holes were
positioned to intercept a
strong IP anomaly with a width of 50 to 300 metres and an interpreted strike-length of 5 kilometres which had been previously identified by prospecting (see Aurizon press releases dated November 8, 2010
and February 15, 2011).
The Augossan Zone appears as a very large polymetallic envelope at the contact between a granitic intrusion (the Qalluviartuuq
Intrusive Complex; "QIC") and volcano-sedimentary host rocks. Gold is
associated with other commodities such as copper (Cu), tungsten (W) and tin (Sn), bismuth (Bi), tantalum (Ta), beryllium (Be), rubidium
(Rb), molybdenum (Mo), rhenium
(Re), tellurium (Te) and
lithium (Li). The Augossan Zone remains
open in all directions. Significant drilling will be required to establish continuity in terms of grades and geometry
for the most prospective areas within
this envelope.
The table below includes
the best drill intersections:
True widths are estimated to be approximately 75% - 100% of core
length.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From To Length Au Cu W Bi Hole no Section (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (%) (%) (ppm) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-17 5400E 27.43 38.10 10.67 0.13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-20 5000E 19.81 27.43 7.62 0.70 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-23 4600E 33.53 42.67 9.14 1.10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-28 4200E 22.86 28.96 6.10 1.10 0.12 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-29 4200E 42.67 51.81 9.14 0.1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-33 3800E 80.16 84.73 4.57 0.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-11-40 3000E 6.10 21.34 15.24 0.21 Including 13.72 21.34 7.62 0.35 0.13 893 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The table below includes
the best channel sample
intersections:
Channels are cut at 90 degrees from apparent mineralization
orientation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Length Au Cu W Ta Channel no Section (m) (g/t) (%) (%) (ppm) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CH-11-04 6800E 1.0 3.11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CH-11-05 6800E 1.0 3.15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CH-11-04, CH-11-05 6800E 10.0 225 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CH-11-16B, CH-11-16C 200E 3.4 5.76 0.14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Exploration Targets
The exploration program's main highlight is the identification
of new mineralized occurrences extending
along the 20 kilometre
long Qualluviartuq corridor (see
sketch attached), a major regional
crustal structure oriented
NW-SE. A total of 37 new gold-only or gold-copper occurrences were discovered, ranging from 1.0 to 20.6 grams per
tonne gold in 2,530 grab samples. Copper anomalies were identified in 54 occurrences with grades ranging between 0.5% and 9.2% Cu. Polymetallic
occurrences include silver
values of up to 121 g/t Ag, and strategic elements such as 1.9% tungsten, and up to 0.34% tin. The average
spacing between each sample varies between 50 and 200 metres. Only gold and copper results are presented.
The table below is
an overview by sector of
the prospecting results from grab samples:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of occurrences Known Mineralization Area discovered Grade range extension style ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aura 6 1.1 to 11.8 g/t Au 2 kilometres Quartz-tourmaline vein system with pyrite. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Augossan(new 10 1.0 to 5.5 g/t Au 650 metres Garnet-biotite gold target) 0.10 to 0.74% Cu schist with disseminated arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Le Breuil 7 1.1 to 20.6 g/t Au Unknown Tourmaline- altered and pyritized intrusions and host rocks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anorthosite 6 1.3 to 3.7 g/t Au 4 kilometres Disseminated 0.54 to 1.75% Cu sulphides in intrusions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copperton 6 1.0 to 7.9 g/t Au 3 kilometres Sulphides 0.55 to 9.28% Cu stringers in deformation zone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jemima 11 1.06 to 2.86% Cu 2 kilometres Silicification with magnetite- filled stockwerks and breccias. Disseminated sulphides. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anorthosite - Copperton Trend (11 kilometre known extension)
The Anorthosite Zone is located on the western side of
the Qualluviartuq intrusive complex.
A few reconnaissance holes and prospecting
data have outlined, in a preliminary
manner, a 4-kilometre-long by 200-metre-wide mineralized envelope with Au, Ag, Cu, W and Te mineralization
including 1.42 grams per
tonne gold over 1.52 metres and 0.17% Cu over 3.05 metres. The best grab sample assays returned values up to 3.7 gold grams per tonne and 1.75% copper. (See sketch attached).
The Copperton Zone, located about 5 kilometres southeast of the Anorthosite Zone along
the same structure, is hosted by sheared intrusive rocks with disseminated
chalcopyrite, native copper and pyrite mineralization. Grab sample assays include:
-- 7.87 g/t Au, 82.7 g/t Ag, 9.28% Cu, 38.4 g/t Te -- 3.0 g/t Au, 12.0 g/t Ag, 2.72% Cu, 3.2 g/t Te -- 2.32 g/t Au, 5.7 g/t Ag, 1.17% Cu, 1.48 g/t Te -- 2.47 g/t Au, 5.2 g/t Ag, 0.67% Cu, 2.16 g/t Te -- 1.0 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu -- 2.19% Cu, 1.35 g/t Te
Aura-Pegor Trend (2 kilometre known extension)
The Aura-Pegor trend is characterized by disseminated pyrite and strong alteration, including
tourmaline in veinlets or stockworks
accompanied by silica and
albite. Grab sample assays include 15 samples with grades ranging from 0.5 g/t Au to
11.75 g/t Au. In addition, this trend presents anomalous values in copper (up to 0.37% Cu), tungsten
(0.06% W), bismuth (up to 0.14% Bi) and tellurium
(up to 34 g/t Te).
Le Breuil Trend(2 kilometre known extension)
On the Le Breuil trend, located approximately 10 kilometres SE
of Augossan, seven mineralized occurrences returned
grab samples above 1 gram per tonne, including
the best result of 20.6 grams
per tonne gold. Similar to the Aura-Pegor trend, mineralization is closely related
to a network of quartz veins and veinlets developed in conjunction with tourmalinization of a felsic intrusive host rock. Tellurium
(up to 78.2 ppm) and bismuth (up to 732 ppm) are systematically
associated with gold bearing samples.
Jemima Trend(2
kilometre known
extension)
The Jemima trend forms
a 30 to 100 metre wide mineralized corridor characterized
by disseminated to semi-massive chalcopyrite and
bornite associated with hematite-magnetite in veins, veinlets or as breccia cement, accompanied by strong pervasive potassic alterations, silica, chlorite and epidote. Mineralization and associated alterations are related to a brittle structure. Fifteen grab samples had grades ranging from 0.5% to 2.86% copper, up to 0.17% molybdenum
and up to 0.422 g/t rhenium.
Outlook
The success of both
the 2010 and 2011 exploration programs on Rex South confirms
the excellent discovery potential
of the property. The exploration programs have indicated that the gold and polymetallic mineralized system
is located around the 15 kilometre x 5 kilometre ovoid-shaped Qalluviartuuq Intrusive Complex.
The mineralized areas (Augossan,
Anorthosite-Copperton, Aura-Pegor
and LeBreuil trends) are part of a considerable hydrothermal system and additional
exploration potential existing
along the 30 kilometre
long contact between the intrusion and the volcano-sedimentary host rocks.
Future exploration will concentrate on mapping and channel-sampling the best mineralized
areas across the corridor in order
to evaluate their size, continuity and grade potential
and to define their geological controls. This
program will focus on the Augossan,
Anorthosite, Copperton, Aura, Le Breuil and Jemima areas and will represent the stepping-stone to
prioritize targets for
future drilling programs.
Technical information and Quality Control
The operational protocol
for drilling and sampling
was as follows:
-- Bedrock was sampled using a heliportable standard rotary percussion drilling rig, working in conventional (rotary) and RC modes. -- For both drilling modes, the hole diameter was 88.9 mm (3.5 in) and rock chip samples were continuously collected every 1.52 m (5 ft), following a sampling protocol specifically designed for this drilling campaign, including a QA/QC program. -- In order to minimize the risk of contamination, the operators followed closely-monitored rock-chip sampling instructions, including the installation of a steel casing in the bedrock to prevent physical contact between overburden and rock-chips, hole cleaning using compressed air between each 1.52-m drill-run (5-ft rods), and the interruption of drilling in the case of hole flooding. -- Certified reference material, blanks and field duplicates were inserted in all drill sample shipments to the laboratory as part of a strict QA/QC program. Samples at the exploration site were weighed and split in accordance with standard practices for RC and rotary drilling. -- All rock and drill samples were assayed by ALS Minerals in Val-d'Or, Quebec, using fire assay for gold and an ICP method for multi-elemental geochemistry.
This press release was prepared under the supervision ofMartin
Demers, P.Geo., General Manager of
Exploration, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, who has also verified the data disclosed including sampling, analytical and test data.
Additional information
The Rex South property is located approximately
145 kilometres southeast
of the Hudson Bay shoreline and
the community of Puvirnituq.
The property is 58 kilometres long by 20 kilometres
wide in a NW-SE direction. It comprises 2,162
claims covering a surface area of 943 kilometres squared. Aurizon can acquire
an initial 50% interest in the project
by incurring $5.0 million in
exploration work over a five (5)-year period, including a minimum of 5,000 metres
drilling, along with further cash payments totalling $300,000
within the next three years. An additional 15% interest may also be
earned upon delivery of a bankable feasibility study (see press release dated May 26, 2010).
Please visit the following links for further
information on the Rex South Property:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/arz404a.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/arz404b.pdf
About Aurizon
Aurizon is a gold producer with a growth strategy focused on developing its existing projects in the Abitibi region
of north-western Quebec,
one of the world's most favourable mining jurisdictions and prolific gold
and base metal regions,
and by increasing its asset base through accretive transactions. Aurizon
shares trade on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol
"ARZ" and on the NYSE Amex under the symbol "AZK". Additional
information on Aurizon and its
properties is available on Aurizon's website at www.aurizon.com.
U.S. Registration (File 001-31893)
Forward-Looking Statements
and Information
This news release contains "forward-looking statements"
and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities regulations
in Canada and the
United States (collectively, "forward-looking information"). The forward-looking information contained
in this news release is
made as of the date of this news release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation,
to update this forward-looking
information. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to and the effects
thereof, the timing and amount
of estimated exploration expenditures,
plans and budgets for and expected timing and results of future exploration work
on the Rex South property. Forward-looking
information contained in this
news release is based on
certain assumptions that
the Company believes are reasonable. However, forward-looking information involves
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed
or implied by the forward-looking
information.
Such factors include, among others, the risk that actual results
of exploration activities will
be different than anticipated, that required supplies, equipment or personnel will not
be available or will not be available
on a timely basis or that
the cost of labour, equipment
or supplies will increase
more than expected, that the future price of metals will decline,
that the Canadian dollar will
strengthen against the
U.S. dollar, that actual costs or actual results of reclamation activities are greater than expected; that changes in project parameters as plans continue to be
refined may result in increased costs, of accidents, labour disputes and other risks generally
associated with
exploration, unanticipated delays
in obtaining governmental
approvals or financing or
in the completion of exploration activities, as well as those factors and other risks more fully described in Aurizon's Annual Information Form filed with
the securities commission of all of the provinces
and territories of Canada
and in Aurizon's Annual
Report on Form 40-F filed
with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, which are available
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com
and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described
in forward-looking information, there
may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will
prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Aurizon Mines Ltd. George Paspalas President & CEO 604-687-6600 Aurizon Mines Ltd. Martin Bergeron Vice President Operations 819-874-4511 Aurizon Mines Ltd. Investor Relations jennifer.north@aurizon.com Aurizon Mines Ltd. 604-687-6600 or Toll Free: 1-800-411-GOLD (4653) Fax: 604-687-3932(FAX) info@aurizon.com www.aurizon.com Source: Aurizon Mines Ltd. |