Blackthorn Resources waits on copper assays from Phase 5 infill drill results at Mumbwa

Monday, October 10, 2011 by John Phillips

Blackthorn Resources (ASX: BTR) has provided an update to the market on the company's infill and stepout drilling program at the Kitumba deposit on the Mumbwa Project, Zambia.

Two rigs are currently progressing on the program, with the first hole completed at 481 metres, with the drill rig preparing to mobilise and commence drilling regional ‘scout’ holes. A second hole is currently at 320 metres.

The first batches of samples collected have been despatched to the AH Knight laboratory in Kitwe, Zambia, with results from the first hole are expected by late October 2011.

A third drilling rig from Drillcorp Africa Pty Ltd has been arranged for mobilisation to the Mumbwa Project to supplement drilling progress ahead of the annual wet season, which is set to arrive in mid-October.

An ongoing sampling program is also continuing throughout the Phase 5 drilling program.

The drilling program

Phase 5 comprises 16 core holes for 8900 metres, aiming to improve the understanding and confidence levels of the mineral resource at the project and add further value to an already substantial deposit.

Kitumba currently hosts an Inferred JORC Resource of 87 million tonnes at 0.94% copper, using a 0.5% cut-off.

Highlighting the prospectivity of the project, the new drilling will infill in proximity to the substantial 2008 hit of; 401 metres at a weighted grade of 0.98% copper from 62 metres.

Scott Lowe, managing director commented on the program, and said “We are very pleased with the progress being made in Phase 5 despite some initial delays in the provision and recycling of water for drilling.

"Now that these issues are being overcome, the Company is looking forward to scaling up drilling rates with the addition of another rig, and receiving assays results for the drilling.

"While the focus of the Phase 5 program has been largely designed around the Kitumba mineral resource area, the company is also very eager to conduct scout drilling on regional targets identified through the recent reprocessing of the exploration data-set.

"There is good potential to learn and discover more from the Mumbwa Project, and the selected IOCG drill targets are within 6km from Kitumba and considered to be prospective.”

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