Marathon reports final holes of 2007 campaign and hits thickest ever interval
of PGM-Cu mineralization - 126 m of 0.97 g/t PGM and gold and 0.35% copper
Toronto, Ontario, October 24th, 2007 - Marathon PGM Corporation (MAR -- TSX) ("Marathon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the final drill results from the 2007 exploration campaign at the Company's 100% owned Marathon PGM-Cu Project, located 10 km northwest of Marathon, Ontario.
"These final holes satisfy one of the primary goals from the outset of this campaign - to define thick intersections of mineralization outside of the current resource. The other goal was to find more high grade material. Both goals have been achieved in this campaign and they are expected to have a significant impact on the new resource calculation" said Phillip Walford, Marathon's President and CEO.
These holes were drilled to expand the thicker zones of mineralization on the western margin of the existing resource and were highly successful in finding new zones of thick mineralization and expanding the size of previously known zones. The fence of holes formed by M-07-403, 405, 406, 410 and 417 intersected intervals of mineralization up to 120 m thick to the west. The mineralized interval of 122 m thickness in hole M-07-417 is the thickest ever discovered to date on the property.
A number of Marathon's drillholes outside of the existing resource intersected substantial mineralization above the current thickness and grade cut-offs. Marathon believes that incorporation of the 180 holes from the 40,000 metre drilling campaign of 2007 into the existing resource database will increase the resource beyond what has been reported to date.
Table 1: Significant Drill Hole Results
Hole |
Zone |
From
(m) |
To
(m) |
True Thickness
(m) |
Pd
(g/t) |
Pt
(g/t) |
Au
(g/t) |
Total PGM and Au
(g/t) |
Cu (%) |
M-07-403 |
Main |
252 |
340 |
82 |
0.73 |
0.21 |
0.08 |
1.01 |
0.25 |
includes |
|
322 |
336 |
12 |
1.19 |
0.32 |
0.15 |
1.65 |
0.51 |
M-07-405 |
Main |
239 |
359 |
115 |
0.53 |
0.16 |
0.08 |
0.77 |
0.32 |
includes |
|
297 |
359 |
60 |
0.71 |
0.20 |
0.10 |
1.01 |
0.48 |
M-07-413 |
Main |
125 |
143 |
18 |
0.68 |
0.31 |
0.05 |
1.04 |
0.20 |
|
Main |
189 |
215 |
26 |
1.04 |
0.33 |
0.20 |
1.56 |
0.58 |
includes |
|
203 |
215 |
12 |
1.53 |
0.44 |
0.27 |
2.24 |
1.04 |
M-07-417 |
Main |
192 |
318 |
122 |
0.62 |
0.27 |
0.08 |
0.97 |
0.35 |
(A table containing complete intercepts from these drill holes is presented online at www.marathonpgm.com/newsmaps/2007-33-results.jpg. A drill hole location map can be viewed online at http://www.marathonpgm.com/newsmaps/2007-33.jpg).
All of the samples were sent to Accurassay, an accredited laboratory in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to be assayed using fire assay and other standard techniques.
All exploration work is being performed under the guidance and supervision of Phillip C. Walford, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a professional geologist and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Walford has approved the contents of this press release.
About Marathon PGM Corporation
The Company has a 100-per-cent interest in the Marathon PGM -- Cu project, located about 10 kilometers north of Marathon, Ont. The project is currently undergoing a definitive feasibility study and a 35,000 m drill campaign. As announced previously, the company has completed a revised preliminary economic assessment in compliance with the provisions of National Instrument 43-101, showing a measured resource of 39.2 million tonnes containing 1.6 million ounces of PGM and gold and 285 million pounds of copper, and an indicated resource of 28.9 million tonnes containing 1.1 million ounces of PGM and gold and 178 million pounds of copper. An additional low-grade resource was also identified in the report completed by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. and filed on SEDAR on April 5, 2007.
As part of its growth strategy, in April 2007, Marathon entered into an option agreement with Gossan Resources on the Bird River Sill PGM and Cu-Ni property, located in southeastern Manitoba. Prospecting and data compilation of the Bird River property is focused over several key areas, including the Coppermine, Page East, Page West and Galaxy Zones. Marathon can earn-in up to a total 70% interest by completing a bankable feasibility study and arranging project financing.
In August 2007, Marathon acquired the Steel Mountain PGM and Cu-Ni property in western Newfoundland and Labrador and has commenced the initial phase of exploration on this 227.5 km2 property. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Steel Mountain property.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2006. Circumstances or management'
s estimates or opinions could change, and management disclaims any obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements, whether for new information, future events or otherwise. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
On Behalf of Marathon PGM:
"Phillip C. Walford"
Phillip C. Walford, P.Geo.
President, Chief Executive Officer
gen@marathonpgm.com
Tel: +1.416.987.0711
For more information, please contact:
David Leng, P.Geo: dleng@marathonpgm.com
Tel: +1.416.849.3432
Fax: +1.416.861.1925
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
VANESSA NAPOLI, VNAPOLI@RENMARKFINANCIAL.COM
 TEL: +1.514.939.3989