Aztec Minerals Reports Phase 1 Exploration Program Now Underway at Tombstone Project, Arizona
PO Box 10328 T: 604-685-9770
Suite 1130 – 609 Granville Street www.aztecminerals.com
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Aztec Minerals Reports Phase 1 Exploration Program Now Underway at
Tombstone Project, Arizona
Vancouver, Canada – August 27, 2018 - Aztec Minerals Corp. (AZT: TSX-V, OTCQB: AZZTF) reports that a
CAD$139,000 Phase 1 exploration program of structural and geological mapping, soil and rock sampling,
trenching and airborne geophysical surveying on the Tombstone Project in southern Arizona is now
underway (map link here).
The focus of this exploration program is to better define the three styles of mineralization known to exist
on the properties and to identify top priority targets for drilling. The three types of mineralization at
Tombstone are as follows:
• High grade silver-gold-lead (zinc-copper) veins cutting Cretaceous Bisbee Group clastic sediments,
which hosted most of the historic mines in the Tombstone district
• Bulk tonnage silver -gold epithermal stock -works also cutting Bisbee Group, on which the
Contention open pit, heap leach mine was developed in the 1980’s (map link here)
• Potential high grade, bulk tonnage carbonate replacement deposits (“CRD”), which could lie
below the Bisbee Group in the underlying Paleozoic limestones, a geologic setting similar to the
Taylor deposit of Arizona Mining , located only 65 kilometers southwest of Tombstone, who
recently received a CAD$1.8 billion friendly take-over bid by South 32
Aztec is primarily interested in discovering new zones of epithermal and CRD mineralization because they
typically form much larger mineralized bodies. However, the small historic high grade silver mines are
very useful in showing where mineral-controlling structures are located. The geological, geochemical and
geophysical surveys will help map the most prospective portions of those critical structures for drilling.
The deepest silver mines in the district found the base of the Bisbee Group in the Tombston e district
typically no more than 200 meters below surface.
Positive indications for additional shallow, near surface epithermal mineralization at Tombstone include:
1) Extensive gossanous mineralized north-south structures remain in both walls of the Contention
north pit and the east wall of the central pit
2) A 1993 USMX report states their reverse circulation drilling in the Contention Pit outlined a near
surface historic mineral resource of 1.15 million tons of 0.063 opt gold equivalent (1.79 gpt) which
would now be considered high grade open pit material *see QP Statement
3) Historic sample map of the floor of the south pit shows strong silver-gold mineralization that was
never drilled
4) Historic geological map shows other prospective NS dikes/faults west of the Contention pit
5) Historic geological section shows the Contention fault/dikes down dropped and repeated on the
east wall of the north pit, and several times further east under cover
PO Box 10328 T: 604-685-9770
Suite 1130 – 609 Granville Street www.aztecminerals.com
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
6) Significant gossanous soil horizon along the west wall of all three Contention pits, suggesting
buried oxide mineralization to the west
Positive indications for deeper, underground CRD mineralization at Tombstone include:
1) The Bisbee sediments exhibit widespr ead fracturing, silica -pyrite-sericite-clay alteration,
oxidation and in the limey sediments, incipient hornfels and skarn development
2) The Contention open pit mine appears to be hosted in th e strong est NS structure which not
coincidentally is occupied by felsic and mafic dikes possibly related to a deeper intrusion
3) The Contention underground mine was developed to a limited extent below the Bisbee Group
chasing mineralization
4) Five 3000 ft deep vertic al Santa Fe drill holes in the west part of the district each intersected
narrow high grade CRD mantos, evidence that the Paleozoic limestones are prospective
5) The old Prompter Mine shaft and glory hole along the west side of the district show a strong NW
structure with low temperature manganese-quartz-calcite veins
6) Several manganese -silver rich mines surround the Property and are indicative of distal
mineralization to CRD deposits worldwide
7) The old Bunker Hill mine located in Paleozoic limestones south of the Bisbee basin produced more
tonnes than the old Contention mine, and was strongly polymetalli c, again evidence that the
Paleozoic limestones are prospective
In summary, historic silver production in the Tombstone district from 1878 to 1939 was estimate d at 32
million ounces from several small vein and manto CRD deposits. Aztec management views the district as
highly prospective for the discovery of both epithermal and carbonate replacement orebodies.
The district is underlain by the same Paleozoic limestone sequence that hosts the massive Taylor zinc -
silver-lead deposit of Arizona Mining Inc. located only 65 kilometers west of Tombstone. Arizona Mining
is currently the subject of a friendly $1.8-billion takeover bid by South32.
QP Statement - Joey Wilkins, B.Sc., P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for Aztec and has reviewed and
approved the technical disclosures contained herein. The mineral resource calculated by USMX Inc. in
1993 was done manually and incorporated a 45 degree pit slope and tonnage factor of 13 cubic feet/ton.
They used silver to gold ratio of 28:1, $4.39 per ounce silver and $374 per ounce gold to calculate a gold
equivalent. The mineral resource is a combination of 3 zones, the Contention, Tranquility, and Silverthread
with a minimum strip ratio of 5:1. This is a historic mineral resource and the qualified person for Aztec has
not done sufficient work to classify the historic resource as a current mineral resource. As a result the
Contention geologic mineral resource referred to is not being treated as a current mineral resource.
About Aztec Minerals – Aztec is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large mineral
deposits in the Americas. Our core asset is the prospective Cervantes porphyry gold-copper property in
Sonora, Mexico. We also hold an option on the Tombstone district with both bulk tonnage epithermal
gold-silver as well as high grade CRD silver-lead-zinc potential in southern Arizona. Aztec’s shares trade
on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF).
PO Box 10328 T: 604-685-9770
Suite 1130 – 609 Granville Street www.aztecminerals.com
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Contact Information - For more information, please contact:
Neil MacRae, Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: (604) 685-9770
Fax: (604) 685-9744
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aztecminerals.com
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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other
regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 and “forward -looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such
forward-looking statements and information he rein include but are not limited to statements regarding Aztec’ s anticipated
performance in 2018 and the future, including the exercise of the options on the Cervantes and Tombstone properties, the planned
exploration activities, receipt of assay results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing
and results of various activities. The Company does not intend to, and does not assume any obligation to update such forward -
looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aztec and its operations to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments,
legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks
due to precious and base metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining
activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and
development, risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company’s title to properties.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonabl e, including but not limite d to the
continued operation of the Company’s exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities,
and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward -looking statements or information, there may be
other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or inten ded.
There can be no assurance that any forward -looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should n ot
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.