Aton Announces Initial Results from the Second Phase of Selective Grab Sampling at the Rodruin Prospect, with GOLD Assays up to 13.90 G/T
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATON ANNOUNCES INITIAL RESULTS FROM THE SECOND PHASE OF SELECTIVE GRAB SAMPLING AT THE
RODRUIN PROSPECT, WITH GOLD ASSAYS UP TO 13.90 G/T
Vancouver, March 5, 2018: Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX -V) (“Aton” or the “Company") is very pleased to
provide investors with an update on exploration activities at the Co mpany’s 100% owned Abu Marawat
Concession (“Abu Marawat” or the “Concession”), and to announce gold assay results from the second phase
of grab sampling at the recently discovered Rodruin prospect.
Highlights:
• A second phase of selective surface grab sampling has been completed at Rodruin, consisting of a
total of 102 samples, including 4 QAQC samples. Samples were analyzed for gold by fire assay and a
33 element geochemical suite;
• Grab samples returned gold assay grades including 13.90 g/t Au and 10.75 g/t Au. Base metal and
trace element results are still pending;
• 29 of the 98 ‘primary’ samples ( 30% of total ) returned gold assay grades above 1 g/t Au, and 43
samples (44% of total) returned grades above 0.5 g/t Au;
• This second phase sampling program has confirmed the widespread distribution of surface gold
mineralization at Rodruin, and has extended the area over which mineralization has been identified.
Widespread gold mineralization occurs at surface on the South Ridge, with minerali zation more
restricted to discrete high grade zones on the North Ridge.
“These are very solid results over a broad s urface area and we are very pleased with them.” said Mark
Campbell, President and CEO. ”There are more assay results to look forward to , and at the same time we
have started work on building a road in to Rodruin in advance of our upcoming drilling program”.
Rodruin Prospect
The Rodruin prospect (see Figure 1) was discovered in early December 201 7 by Aton geologists (see news
release dated December 14, 2017), and is located approximately 18km east of the Company’s Hamama West
mineral deposit. The Rodruin prospect is located over an area consisting of 2 approximately E-W trending
parallel mountain ridges, in a remote and rugged location. It is currently only accessible on foot, but can be
reached via drivable desert tracks which pass within about 3km of the prospect. Work on the construction of
an access road to Rodruin from its western side has been started.
Very extensive ancient workings have been identified at Rodruin, covering a large area , and occurring
predominantly within a series of carbonate rocks. These ancient mine workings are the largest and most
significant workings identified to date in the Concession. The workings are spread over an area of at least
500m x 400m in size, and over a vertical elevation range of more than 100m, and are located predominantly
on the South R idge of the Rodruin prospect , with fewer workings on the North Ridge . The ancient miners
exploited high grade gossanous oxide gold mineralization, often associated with gold-bearing quartz veins,
with the workings typically localized along structural or shear zones.
Figure 1: Abu Marawat regional geology, showing the location of the Rodruin prospect
Of the 98 grab samples collected, 68 were collected from the South Ridge, and 30 from the North Ridge (see
Figure 2). It is apparent that outcropping mineralization is more widespread on the South Ridge, and on the
North Ridge is more areally restricted to discrete high grade structurally controlled zones . Surface
mineralization further to the west of the main area of workings on the western end of the South Ridge was
newly identified and sampled in the Phase 2 program. Additional deep ancient workings on very high grade
zones on the South Ridge were identified during the second phase of sampling, but these were not sampled
in this program. A summary of the gold assay results is provided in Table 1, and full details of all samples are
provided in Appendix A.
February 2018 Phase 2 surface sampling program
A second phase program of surface sampling was carried out in e arly February 2018, with 98 selective grab
samples collected. All samples were crushed to -4mm at the Company’s onsite sample preparation facility at
Hamama, with c. 500g splits shipped to ALS Minerals at Rosia Montana, Romania for analysis. Samples were
analyzed for gold by fire assay using analytical code AA -Au23 (repeated by AA -Au25 for samples which
returned gold grades greater than 10 g/t). Samples were also analyzed for Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn as part of a 33
element suite by ICP atomic emission spectrometr y, using analytical code ME -ICP61. Base metal and trace
element results are still pending, and are not reported herein.
Figure 2: Sample locations and gold assay results, Phase 2 grab sampling program only
Figure 3: Sample locations and gold assay results, combined Phase 1 and 2 grab sampling programs
Significant gold assays were returned from many samples, with 30% assaying greater than 1 g/t Au and 44%
of the samples assaying over 0.5 g/t Au (see Table 1 and Figure 2). The overall mean average grade of all the
samples was 1.06 g/t Au.
Phase 2 sampling on the South Ridge confirmed the widespread distribution of mineralization at surface, and
extended the known mineralization further to the west (see Figure 3) . 57% of the South Ridge samples
assayed above 0.5 g/t Au, and the mean average all samples from the South Ridge was 1.29 g/t Au. The
median average of the South Ridge samples was 0.75 g/t Au.
Sampling on the North Ridge confirmed that mineralization is more restricted to discrete narrow high grade
zones, and is less areally widespread (see Figure 3). Only limited examination of the North Ridge has been
undertaken to date, due to the fairly extreme topography in this area.
ALL SAMPLES SOUTH RIDGE NORTH RIDGE
No. % No. % No. %
> 5 g/t Au : 3 3% 2 3% 1 3%
> 1 g/t Au : 29 30% 26 38% 3 10%
> 0.5 g/t Au : 43 44% 39 57% 4 13%
AVERAGE (MEAN) : 1.06 1.29 0.55
AVERAGE (MEDIAN) : 0.33 0.75 0.04
No. of samples 98 68 30
Table 1: Summary of Phase 2 surface sample gold assays
Discussion
The Rodruin prospect represents a major ancient mining site from which gold was exploited from high grade
gossanous structures and quartz veins, localized in or adjacent to the margins of a distinctive gossanous
carbonate unit. The mineralization at Rodruin appears to be of a broadly similar carbonate-hosted hybrid
VMS-epithermal style to that seen and interpreted at other prospects in the licen se such as Hamama,
Waayrah, and Miranda SE, but it has been extensively tectonized with the development of significant high
grade structurally controlled and shear- hosted zones. Rodruin is characterized by the very widespread
distribution of mineralization at surface (see Figure 3), and the presence of the high grade zones, which were
preferentially exploited by the ancient miners (see new release dated February 6, 2017). The Phase 2
sampling continues to confirm the potential of the Rodruin prospect to host a large body of Au( -Ag-Zn)
mineralization, with a significant component of structurally controlled high grade gold zones, occurring in
a distinctive, probably replacive, mineralized carbonate unit.
Rodruin is now the primary focus of the Company’s exploration efforts. Further surface sampling is ongoing,
and work has started on the construction of a road into the prospect, with the aim of allowing drilling to
commence by April 2018.
About Aton Resources Inc.
Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession (“Abu Marawat”),
located in Egypt’s Arabian-Nubian Shield, approximately 200 km north of Centamin’s Sukari gold mine. Aton
has identified a 40 km long gold mineralized trend at Abu Marawat, anchored by the Hamama deposit in the
west and the Abu Marawat deposit in the east, containing numerous gold exploration targets, including three
historic British mines. Aton has identified several distinct geological trends within Abu Marawat, which
display potential for the development of RIRG and orogenic gold mineralization, VMS precious and base
metal mineralization, and epithermal- IOCG precious and base metal mineralization. Abu Marawat is over
738km2 in size and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure; a four-lane highway, a 220kV power line,
and a water pipeline are in close proximity.
Qualified Person
The technical information contained in this News Release was prepared by Roderick Cavaney BSc, MSc (hons),
MSc (Mining & Exploration Geology), FAusIMM, GSA, SME, Vice President, Exploration, of Aton Resources
Inc. Mr. Cavaney is a qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43 -101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects.
For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc., please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact:
Mark Campbell
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +202-27356548
Email: [email protected]
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this release are forward -looking statements. Since forward -looking
statements address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and
uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in s uch
statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Appendix A – Gold Assay Results
Sample ID Easting Northing Location Au (g/t) Description
13613 552990 2913121 North Ridge 0.01 Fe-stained shear zone in carbonate altered tuffs
13614 552966 2913112 North Ridge 0.02 Fe-stained sheared, silicified and carbonate altered tuffs
13615 552965 2913106 North Ridge 0.05 Purple/black/yellow gossan in sheared, altered tuffs
13616 552925 2913037 North Ridge 0.02 Fe-stained sheared contact between carbonate and tuffs
13617 552951 2913029 North Ridge 0.03 Black/brown gossan on sheared and carbonate altered tuffs
13618 552958 2913016 North Ridge 0.10 Carbonate with brown gossan (and some hemimorphite?)
13619 552990 2912981 North Ridge 0.33 Soft black-brown gossan
13620 552981 2913016 North Ridge 0.01 Highly sheared and altered carbonate, with black/brown
gossan
13621 552996 2912983 North Ridge 1.44 Highly sheared red-brown gossan
13622 553007 2912980 North Ridge 0.23 Mineralized (?) carbonate with red-brown gossan
13623 553013 2912974 North Ridge 0.15 2m wide shear zone with black/red gossan in carbonate
13624 553022 2912990 North Ridge 0.32 Soft black gossan in sheared, altered carbonate
13625 553031 2913014 North Ridge 10.75 Gossanous shear vein in ancient workings
13626 553097 2913099 North Ridge 0.05 Shear zone with black Mn? alteration
13627 553136 2913083 North Ridge 0.02 Mineralized (?) carbonate with iron oxides and minor
brown-red gossan
17581 552322 2913023 South Ridge 0.69 Red-brown/yellowish gossanous material, from old working
17582 552280 2913043 South Ridge 1.90 Ancient working, silicified and mineralized carbonate with
gossan, on contact with sheared tuffs
17583 552285 2913041 South Ridge 1.40 Ancient working, silicified and mineralized carbonate with
gossan, on contact with sheared tuffs
17584 552289 2913044 South Ridge 0.88 Ancient working, silicified and mineralized carbonate with
hemimorphite-rich gossan, on contact with sheared tuffs
17585 552287 2913020 South Ridge 1.64 Ancient working, silicified and mineralized carbonate with
hemimorphite-rich gossan, on contact with sheared tuffs
17586 552283 2913000 South Ridge 0.77 Ancient working, silicified and mineralized carbonate with
hemimorphite-rich gossan, on contact with sheared tuffs
17587 552281 2913004 South Ridge 1.95 Ancient working, soft brown gossan
17588 552422 2913060 South Ridge 1.44 Ancient working, carbonate with some gossan and
malachite staining
17589 552445 2913058 South Ridge 4.26 Mixed sheared tuffs and carbonate, with highly gossanous
material close to contact
17590 5.13 Duplicate of 17589
17591 552451 2913030 South Ridge 5.02 Carbonate with highly gossanous material and some iron
oxides
17592 552485 2913038 South Ridge 0.06 Silica-carbonate outcrop with veinlets of dark material and
some iron oxides
17593 552520 2913041 South Ridge 0.02 Silica-carbonate outcrop, mixed with sheared tuffs
17594 552549 2913013 South Ridge 0.07 2-3m wide Fe-rich sheared zone, highly altered
17595 552444 2912947 South Ridge 0.32 Ancient working, mineralized carbonate with gossan
17596 552440 2912944 South Ridge 0.89 Ancient working, soft brown gossan
17597 552443 2912931 South Ridge 0.18 Mineralized carbonate with hemimorphite-rich gossan, 1m
inside old working
17598 552471 2912903 South Ridge 0.11 Outcrop of highly silicified and mineralised, gossanous
carbonate
17599 552502 2912895 South Ridge 0.85 Very friable soft gossan material in fractured carbonate
17600 552538 2912891 South Ridge 0.22 Gossanous, sheared contact of carbonate
18615 552597 2912876 South Ridge 1.41 Outcrop of patchy gossan on sheared carbonate contact
18616 552610 2912886 South Ridge 2.14 Ancient working, carbonate with abundant brown gossan
18617 552612 2912885 South Ridge 1.31 Ancient working, carbonate with strong black-brown
gossan from underground
Sample ID Easting Northing Location Au (g/t) Description
18618 552616 2912843 South Ridge 4.28 Ancient working, on sheared contact between tuffs and
carbonate
18619 552655 2912861 South Ridge 0.74 Black to red gossan, pyritic boxwork texture
18620 552627 2912886 South Ridge 0.83 Patchy gossan in carbonate
18621 552671 2912879 South Ridge 1.58 Black to red patchy gossan in carbonate
18622 552621 2912895 South Ridge 4.45 Gossan with carbonate, old working
18623 552574 2912902 South Ridge 3.19 Dark red gossan, limonite and hematite-rich, from ancient
underground working
18624 552441 2912989 South Ridge 0.33 Small ancient working, red-brown gossan, with some
baryte
18625 0.005 Blank sample
18626 552491 2912980 South Ridge 0.06 Outcrop of highly silica-carbonate with weak mineralization
18627 552500 2912976 South Ridge 0.07 Outcrop of highly silica-carbonate, with some
mineralization, iron oxide rich
18628 552540 2912956 South Ridge 0.01 Outcrop of highly silica-carbonate, with some
mineralization, limited iron oxides
18629 552569 2912937 South Ridge 0.88 Gossanous shear zone, highly altered with iron oxides,
hematite and black material (Mn?)
18630 552579 2912948 South Ridge 1.06 Friable soft gossan, in shear zone
18631 552578 2912952 South Ridge 0.09 Carbonate altered tuffs, with brown/yellow gossan
18632 552646 2912987 South Ridge 1.58 Black/yellowish gossan, in shear zone
18633 552640 2912996 South Ridge 0.40 Slatey tuffs replaced by limonite and hematite, with some
patches of gossan, in shear zone
18634 552524 2913030 South Ridge 0.04 Gossanous silica-carbonate
18635 552473 2913042 South Ridge 0.07 Silica-carbonate, weakly gossanous
18636 552749 2912711 South Ridge 0.02 Mixed carbonate and altered tuffs, black and brown Mn
and Fe (?) alteration
18637 552712 2912748 South Ridge 0.04 Outcrop of mineralized silica-carbonate, weakly gossanous
18638 552712 2912738 South Ridge 0.30 Shear zone in altered carbonate, with Fe oxides
18639 552700 2912766 South Ridge 0.05 Outcrop of silica-carbonate with some black/brown gossan
18640 552708 2912783 South Ridge 13.90 Dark black gossan, with quartz veins in fractures
18641 552739 2912759 South Ridge 0.43 Gossanous material between carbonate and altered tuffs
18642 552766 2912746 South Ridge 1.92 Ancient working, dark brown/black gossan
18643 552783 2912752 South Ridge 1.20 Ancient working, mineralized carbonate, with dark red
gossan
18644 552783 2912728 South Ridge 0.43 Ancient working, shear zone with dark brown/black gossan
18645 552808 2912700 South Ridge 0.17 Fe oxide-rich shear zone on boundary of carbonate with
altered tuffs
18646 552840 2912714 South Ridge 0.00 Outcrop of altered silica-carbonate, weakly mineralised
18647 552832 2912804 South Ridge 0.30 Outcrop of altered silica-carbonate, with some brown
gossan
18648 552799 2912765 South Ridge 4.04 Deep red-brown gossan, on a quartz vein contact
18649 552856 2912801 South Ridge 0.00 Sheared tuffs, with iron oxides
18650 552796 2912771 South Ridge 0.61 Remobilized dark brown to black gossan
18651 552708 2912855 South Ridge 0.93 Silica-carbonate, with limonite, iron oxide and black (Mn?)
staining
18652 552702 2912882 South Ridge 1.21 Silica-carbonate, with gossan
18653 552704 2912907 South Ridge 0.62 Silica-carbonate, with gossan
18654 552720 2912934 South Ridge 4.59 Ancient working, with deep brown/dark yellowish gossan
18655 <0.005 Blank sample
18656 552807 2913093 North Ridge 0.17 Silica-carbonate, with sheared brown/black gossan
18657 553008 2912954 North Ridge 0.31 Silica-carbonate, with brown/black gossan
18658 553011 2912965 North Ridge 1.23 Silica-carbonate with red-brown/black/yellowish gossan
between argillites (tuffs?) and carbonate
Sample ID Easting Northing Location Au (g/t) Description
18659 552950 2912980 North Ridge 0.01 Sheared tuffs with some gossan, within carbonate
18660 552938 2913018 North Ridge 0.05 Strongly gossanous silica-carbonate, and highly carbonate
altered tuffs
18661 553100 2913159 North Ridge 0.01 Fe oxide-stained shear zone, in tuffs?
18662 553053 2913173 North Ridge 0.04 Silica-carbonate band with dark brown gossan in shear
zone (25cm wide)
18663 553015 2913140 North Ridge 0.87 Sheared zone, with dark black/red gossan
18664 553026 2913142 North Ridge 0.02 10cm wide quartz vein, with dark material in sheared rock
18665 553024 2913106 North Ridge 0.01 Folded quartz veinlets in sheared tuffs, with black/brown
Mn?, limonite, carbonate and greenish alteration
18666 553002 2913080 North Ridge 0.03 Sheared tuffs, with limonite and hematite, and abundant
dark Mn?
18667 552970 2913075 North Ridge 0.01 2m wide zone of gossanous material in carbonate
18668 552980 2913039 North Ridge 0.03 3m wide zone of dark gossanous material in carbonate
18669 553065 2913028 North Ridge 0.03 50cm wide zone of sheared dark gossanous material in
carbonate
18670 553103 2912996 North Ridge 0.07 Black soft material in strongly weathered zone
18671 <0.005 Blank sample
18841 552282 2913084 South Ridge 0.39 Silicified gossan, on sheared contact
18842 552278 2912996 South Ridge 1.26 Silicified gossan, at old working
18843 552280 2912996 South Ridge 0.96 Dark red/yellowish gossan from old underground working
18844 552413 2913032 South Ridge 1.52 Outcrop of gossanous mineralized (?) carbonate
18845 552434 2913019 South Ridge 0.07 Outcrop of gossanous, mineralized carbonate, with 20cm
wide quartz vein
18846 552458 2913005 South Ridge 0.38 Outcrop of gossanous, mineralized silica-carbonate
18847 552579 2912941 South Ridge 0.01 Outcrop of gossanous carbonate
18848 552633 2913000 South Ridge 1.35 Highly altered and sheared material
18849 552308 2913027 South Ridge 3.45 Ancient working, red-brownish soft gossan
18850 552317 2913024 South Ridge 0.68 Red-brown/yellowish gossan, sampled 10m inside old
working