TSX.V: AZR
Menu

New Copper and Silver Mineralization Discovered at Unkur Project

January 19, 2021 Download PDF

AZARGA METALS CORP. ("Azarga Metals" or the “Company”) (TSX-V:AZR) is pleased to announce that results from its reconnaissance geochemical exploration program have shown previously unknown areas of copper and silver mineralization on both the eastern and western limbs of the Unkur syncline on its 100% owned Unkur Copper-Silver Project (the “Project”) located in Eastern Russia.

Dr. Alexander Yakubchuk, VP Exploration said: “These results confirm that mineralization at Unkur is more widespread than previously thought. In particular, copper and silver have now been identified on both the eastern and western limbs of the Unkur syncline. This is not surprising given the similar geological setting and scale of the nearby giant Udokan copper deposit where mineralization occurs on both sides of a synclinal structure. These new results will focus future exploration efforts to enlarge the Unkur deposit.”

The reconnaissance geochemical exploration field operations took place during October and early November 2020. The object of the program was to identify new areas of copper and silver mineralization outside of the known area of recent drilling by taking lithochemical samples just below the surface over widespread areas of the property and analyzing the -1mm fraction. Due to frost and snow on site, the original design of the program was reduced but despite this, 180 rock-chip samples and 28 channel samples were taken at 6 locations.

The results of the channel sampling showed significant zones of copper mineralization at surface on the east side of the Kemen River (known as the Kemen area) as well as areas on the southwestern side of the property (Unkur SW) – see the table and map below.

In the Kemen area, several lithochemical samples showed more than 0.05% copper in three anomalies extending over strike lengths of 2 km, 1.1 km, and 0.9 km (using the >25ppm Cu value), possibly at different stratigraphic levels. Copper mineralization in outcrops was also found at several locations on which channel samples were taken (see Table 1 below). This is an important finding and confirms, for the first time, that mineralization is present on the eastern limb of the Unkur syncline.

In addition, new mineralization was discovered over an area of 250x160 m at Unkur SW in four closely spaced outcrops on which channel samples were taken (see Table 1). This mineralization appears to be stratigraphically below the main Unkur mineralization and implies a second perhaps parallel zone of mineralization to the known body hosting the current resources at Unkur.

Table 1 shows results of channel sampling from the discovered outcrops at Kemen and Unkur SW with >0.1% Cu values. From experience the Company believes that the copper values in the channel samples are more indicative of underlying grade due to the greater mobility of silver over copper at surface.

Table 1. Results of 2020 channel sampling at Kemen and Unkur SW. All samples represent 1 m intervals.

Sampling
site
WGS 84
coordinates
Pulkovo 42
coordinates
Sample
ID
Cu
ppm
Ag
ppm
Intercept
АМ200168
Kemen
56.841405 6303492.73 201681 461 0.2 2m @ 0.49% Cu 7.1 g/t Ag
118.645723 20600384.87 201682 8045 11.0
201683 1760 3.1
АМ200064
Kemen
56.837931 6303112.086 200641 247 <0.2 1m @ 0.13% Cu 2.0 g/t Ag
118.649904 20600649.32 200642 1280 2.0
200643 236 0.7
АМ200153
Unkur SW
56.815975 6300568.023 201531 2230 3.3 2m @ 0.19% Cu 2.8 g/t Ag
118.580829 20596490.4 201532 1480 2.2
АМ200160
Unkur SW
56.81771 6300759.436 201601 526 <0.2 1m @ 0.64% Cu 3.2 g/t Ag
118.57958 20596409.67 201602 6420 3.2

Figure 1. Satellite image of the Unkur license area showing extent of best identified lithochemical anomalies and channel sampling results at the Kemen and Unkur SW areas. Stippled areas show extent of the glacial moraine.

Unkur Mineral Resource Update

Azarga Metals’ independent consultants continue to work on an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Project. The updated estimate will include data from the 15 drill-holes (5,572 meters) drilled in the 2019-2020 drilling program, which significantly extended the known mineralized strike on the western side of the Project. The results of the updated Mineral Resource estimate will be published when finalized.

Important Notes to News Release

  1. A Quality Assurance/Quality Control program was part of the geochemical reconnaissance program on the Unkur Project. This program includes chain of custody protocols as well as systematic submittals of standards, duplicates and blank samples into the flow of samples produced by the field work.
  1. Samples were prepared and analyzed at ALS Chita laboratories, Chita, Russia.
  1. The results of the Unkur Project drilling program have been reviewed by Michael J. Hopley the Qualified Person for Azarga Metals Corp. Mr. Hopley is President and Chief Executive Officer of Azarga Metals Corp. and is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, verifies the data disclosed and has reviewed and approved the disclosure contained in this Press Release.

About Azarga Metals Corp.

Azarga Metals is a mineral exploration and development company that owns 100% of the Unkur Copper-Silver Project in the Zabaikalsky administrative region in eastern Russia. On completion of a first phase physical exploration program in 2016-2018, the Company estimated an Inferred Resource of 62 million tonnes at 0.53% copper and 38.6g/t silver for the project in the report entitled “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Unkur Copper-Silver Project, Kodar-Udokan, Russian Federation” dated effective August 30, 2018 authored by Tetra Tech Mining & Minerals. The Resource remains open in both directions along strike and down-dip.

AZARGA METALS CORP.

"Michael Hopley"

Michael Hopley,
President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information please contact Doris Meyer, at +1 604 536-2711 ext. 6, visit www.azargametals.com or follow us on Twitter @AzargaMetals. The address of the head office of Azarga Metals is Unit 1 - 15782 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC V4B 1E6, British Columbia, Canada.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement:
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Corporation's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current planned exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be refined; possible variations in mineralization grade or recovery rates; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and fluctuations in metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.