2012 News Releases
February 27, 2012
Goldgroup Tunnel Assays Confirm Drilling Results from the La Paila Zone at Caballo Blanco
Vancouver, British Columbia (February 27, 2012) - Goldgroup Mining Inc. ("Goldgroup" or the "Company") (TSX:GGA) is pleased to announce that the assay results from the initial 175 metres of underground tunnel development at the Company's 100%-owned Caballo Blanco gold project in Veracruz, Mexico, confirm past drilling results, thereby providing additional confidence to the Company's mineral resources announced on February 16th, 2012. The tunnel at the La Paila Zone is being driven to collect bulk-sample material for ongoing metallurgical test work. The tunnelling also provides direct access to the mineralized zone allowing the Company to enhance its understanding of the geological and geotechnical characteristics of the mineralized silica body. Assay highlights from the tunnel include 34.2 metres of 0.77 g/t Au and 30.9 metres of 0.68 g/t Au from channel sampling in the main tunnel, and 42.2 metres of 0.46 g/t Au from sampling in the cross cut off the main tunnel. The results to date show good correlation between the channel sample results and blast material sample results. Moreover, the average gold grades of the mineralized zones in the tunnel correspond well with the grades of the drill holes completed in the area surrounding the tunnel.
Keith Piggott, President and CEO of Goldgroup, stated, "In addition to the recently updated mineral resources on Caballo Blanco representing an increase of 314% on indicated resources, the results from tunnel assays which confirm nearby drill hole results as well as the geological mapping and geotechnical data collected, continue to de-risk the project. We are pleased to continue to achieve our Company targets and are currently in-line to commence production on the project by 2012 year-end."
Results from the tunnel sampling to date are outlined in the table below:
Table: Tunnel Assay Results
Main Tunnel |
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Channel Samples |
Blast Samples |
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From (m) |
To (m) | Interval (m) |
Gold Grade (g/t) | From (m) |
To (m) | Interval (m) |
Gold Grade (g/t) |
23.5 | 54.4 | 30.9 | 0.68 | 26.6 | 54.4 | 27.8 | 0.63 |
63.8 | 76.3 | 12.5 | 0.37 | 63.8 | 76.3 | 12.5 | 0.38 |
86.7 | 88.1 | 1.4 | 0.40 | 85.5 | 91.2 | 5.7 | 0.25 |
99.2 | 133.4 | 34.2 | 0.77 | 97.5 | 133.4 | 35.9 | 0.70 |
Cross Cut |
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Channel Samples |
Blast Samples |
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From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Gold Grade (g/t) | From (m) |
To (m) | Interval (m) |
Gold Grade (g/t) |
0.0 | 42.2 | 42.2 | 0.46 | 0.0 | 42.2 | 42.2 | 0.52 |
For a plan of the La Paila tunnel click here.
The attached plan shows the sample intervals and average grades for both the channel samples and the samples of blasted material together with drill-hole traces in the vicinity of the tunnel, with assays plotted 2.5 metres above and below the 485-metre level.
The tunnel was collared at an elevation of 485 metres above sea level, approximately 115 metres vertically below the highest point of the La Paila hill. The tunnel has dimensions of approximately 2.5 metres wide by 2.8 metres tall and is being driven horizontally northeast at 25 degrees, approximately in-line with the interpreted strike of the La Paila mineralized zone. In addition, one cross-cut tunnel is underway while another cross-cut tunnel is planned to intercept an inferred higher grade structure along the western margin of the mineralized zone. Tunneling is ongoing, with completion expected in the second quarter of 2012.
Initially, the tunnel encountered approximately 20 metres of non-mineralized andesite before passing into the mineralized zone. Gold mineralization is predominantly hosted by vuggy silica, massive silica, and brecciated massive silica. All tunneling completed to date beyond the andesite has been within the La Paila mineralized zone.
The tunnel is being advanced by drilling and blasting rounds of approximately 1.5 metres in length. The blasted material is removed using a mechanical scoop and divided into mineralized and non-mineralized storage piles near the tunnel entrance. After each blast, channel samples are cut using a diamond blade equipped rock saw in both the east and west walls, in addition to the ceiling of the tunnel. Representative samples are also taken from the material generated from each blast.
The three channel samples from the sides and roof of the tunnel are assayed separately, with the results averaged together to arrive at the grade for each channel sample interval. The representative samples from the blast material for each blast are also assayed separately with the results averaged together to arrive at the grade for the blast material interval. The channel samples from the walls and ceiling are considered to be more representative of the tenor of mineralization due to the difficulty of taking representative samples from the large piles of blasted material.
About Caballo Blanco
Goldgroup owns 100% of the Caballo Blanco gold project which consists of a series of fully oxidized gold zones located in the State of Veracruz in eastern Mexico. The property consists of fourteen mineral claims covering an area of 54,732 hectares. Two large areas of epithermal gold mineralization have been discovered within the current Caballo Blanco property, referred to as the Northern Zone and Highway Zone. Both are prominent high-sulphidation, epithermal gold prospects that occur within extensive areas of clay and silica alteration. The gold is fine and occurs within a vuggy and brecciated silica alteration of an original Andesite host rock in the upper levels of the surrounding epithermal system.
The principal known gold zone at Caballo Blanco is the La Paila Zone located within the Northern Zone, a cluster of high-sulphidation epithermal alteration zones. The La Paila Zone is located on the northern portion of a large 'magnetic high' ring structure that measures approximately three kilometres in diameter. At least four other large IP resistivity high anomalies occurring here, with similar silica alteration to La Paila, are identified along the inner flanks of this magnetic feature.
To date, 142 holes have been drilled at the Caballo Blanco project by Goldgroup. Of these holes, 19 were reverse circulation holes, seven were holes drilled outside the La Paila Zone within the Northern Zone, and four were unassayed as of the date of the NI 43-101 Technical Report released February 16, 2012, resulting in a total of 112 holes incorporated into the updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate.
Goldgroup has now received assays for the remaining four drill holes from its 2011 drill program, which will be included with 2012 drilling results in an expected future updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate.
Assaying and Qualified Person
The channel samples and blast material samples were collected and bagged separately with unique identification for each sample. Samples were then collected by ALS Minerals and transported to their Guadalajara preparation facility where they were dried and crushed to -2mm. A 250 gram split of the coarse material was then pulverized to -200 mesh. The rejects were stored at the prep facility and the pulps were air couriered to ALS Minerals North Vancouver facility and analyzed for gold by 30g fire assay with an AA finish. In addition, a 35 element ICP analysis was conducted on all samples.
Internal laboratory QAQC on the tunnel samples was carried out as part of the laboratory's QAQC program. Goldgroup did not use external standards, blanks or duplicate samples for the tunnel samples in this news release. Goldgroup subsequently initiated a QAQC program for future tunnel samples, in addition to the internal laboratory QAQC. The information in this news release has been approved by Marc Simpson, P. Geo., the Company's Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 standards.
About Goldgroup
Goldgroup is a well-funded Canadian-based gold production, development, and exploration Company with significant upside in a portfolio of projects in Mexico, including its flagship 100%-owned advanced stage gold development project Caballo Blanco in the state of Veracruz, and the 50%-owned high grade gold exploration project San José de Gracia in the state of Sinaloa. The Company also operates its 100%-owned Cerro Colorado gold mine in the state of Sonora.
Goldgroup remains in a flexible financial position with a strong cash balance, no debt and no gold hedging. The Company is led by a team of highly successful and seasoned individuals with extensive expertise in mine development, corporate finance, and exploration in Mexico. Goldgroup's mission is to increase gold production, mineral resources, profitability and cash flow, building a leading gold producer in Mexico.
For further information on Goldgroup, please visit www.goldgroupmining.com
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Keith Piggott, President & CEO
Tel: 604-682-1943
Stephanie Batory, Investor Relations
Toll Free: 1-877-655-ozAu (6928)
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