Erdene Intersects Multiple Wide, High-Grade Gold Intervals at Bayan Khundii, Including 143 Metres of 2.6 g/t Gold with 4 metres of 57 g/t Gold
ERDENE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Erdene Intersects Multiple Wide, High-Grade Gold Intervals at Bayan
Khundii, Including 143 Metres of 2.6 g/t Gold with 4 metres of 57 g/t Gold
Halifax, Nova Scotia – June 14 , 2018 - Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX:ERD)
("Erdene" or "Company"), is pleased to report results for the second series of drill holes from its Q2-
2018 drill program at its 100%-owned Bayan Khundii Gold P roject (“Bayan Khundii”) in southwest
Mongolia.
“Today’s results from the Midfie ld Zone further confirm the st rong continuity of high -grade gold
enveloped in broad intervals of lower grade material ,” said Peter Akerley, Erdene’s President and CEO.
“The consistency of the high -grade zones, the ir proximity to surface and good metallurgical
characteristics will all contribute positively to the maiden resource estimate and Preliminary Economic
Assessment expected later this year . Drilling also commenced today on a 2,500 metre program testing
multiple reconnaissance targets within the Bayan Khundii and adjacent Ulaan licenses.”
Highlights
(see attached plan maps and cross-section for reference)
Testing of the feeder zone concept at the intersection of a deep -seated northwest-trending fault
and the interpreted relay ramp structure in the Midfield Zone , returned an average of 34.4 g/t
gold over 7 metres from the widest zone of gold-bearing quartz-adularia veins intersected to date
Strong continuity established within the Midfield high -grade zone with all four holes (BKD-242
to BKD-245) returning wide intervals of between 67 and 143 metres of greater than 2.2 g/t gold
Multiple intersections containing very high gold grades were inter sected in the Midfield Zone ,
all at less than 100 metres from surface, in each of the four holes drilled, including:
o 2 metres of 56.8 g/t gold (BKD-242),
o 1.3 metres of 90.5 g/t gold (BKD-243),
o 4 metres of 57.1 g/t gold (BKD-244), and
o 3 metres of 35.6 g/t gold (BKD-245)
A single hole testing an extension to the northeast of the North Midfield Zone displayed the
highest grade result in this area to date, with:
o 37 metres of 4.4 g/t gold, including 2 metres of 50.5 g/t gold (BKD-241)
Nine holes remain pend ing from the Bayan Khundii drill program, anticipated to be released
within two to three weeks.
A 2,500 metre drill program commenced today on multiple reconnaissance drill targets within
the Bayan Khundii and Ulaan licence areas.
Summary of Bayan Khundii Drill Program
The Company’s Q2 -2018 Bayan K hundii drill program , which commenced on April 11, 2018 , is
designed to:
test high priority structural targets, principally within the North Midfield and Midfield zones;
complete closer-spaced drilling within the Striker, West Striker, Midfield, and North Midfield
zones; and,
test select areas within the larger 1.4 kilometre trend that demonstrate good potential for
establishing additional extensions to gold mineralized zones.
Today’s results are fo r the second batch of seven holes (BKD-241 to BKD-247), totaling 1,322 metres,
which were completed in the Midfield Zone ( 4 holes), North Midfield Zone (1), North Midfield
Extension (1) and one hole west of the Midfield Zone, testing the western boundary. All holes were
drilled at a 45 to 65 degree angle to intersect the interpreted dip of the high -grade quartz veins and
mineralized breccia.
Table 1 below includes drill result summaries of these seven holes, followed by a descriptio n of results.
For reference see the attached plan maps and cross-section.
Table 1. Bayan Khundii drill highlights
Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) (1) Gold (g/t)
BKD-241 65 194 129 1.48
incl 68 105 37 4.35
incl 75 77 2 50.5
BKD-242 41 122 81 2.74
incl 60 61 1 15.4
incl 112 122 10 16.9
incl 113 115 2 17.5
incl 120 122 2 56.8
BKD-243 66 87 21 2.39
incl 81 83 2 18.0
and 110.7 178.1 67.4 2.83
incl 118 119.3 1.3 90.5
incl 132 133 1 25.9
BKD-244 27 169.8 142.8 2.64
incl 79 91 12 3.20
incl 81 82 1 10.9
incl 109 116 7 34.4
incl 112 116 4 57.1
BKD-245 63 150 87 2.23
incl 80 92 12 11.0
Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) (1) Gold (g/t)
incl 81 84 3 35.6
BKD-246 156 212 56 0.25
BKD-247 No significant mineralization
(1) Reported intervals are not true width. At this time, there is insufficient data with respect to the shape of the minerali zed
system to calculate true orientations in space. They represent drill intersection widths from holes drilled at a dip of -45 to -65
degrees and oriented to the north -northeast. The Bayan Khundii mineralization is interpreted to be moderately dipping
(approximately 40 to 50 degrees to the southwest).
Discussion of Drill Results
The seven drill holes discussed herein were designed as follow -up drilling to establish continuity and
potential extensions of the high -grade mineralization, along with the testing of additional structural
targets within the Midfield and North Midfield areas. The n amed zones within the Bayan Khundii
prospect are relatively distinct gold mineralized zones that potentially developed around individual
feeder structures, which have resulted in very high -grade veins and breccia zones in multiple locations ,
the most prominent being the Striker, Midfield and North Midfield zones.
Midfield Zone
The Midfield Zone located between Striker and North Midfield is considered the most consistently gold
mineralized zone within the main zones of Bayan Khundii , which is further confirmed through today’s
results. All four holes testing this zone (BKD-242 to BKD-245) returned intervals of between 67 and
143 metres of greater than 2.2 g/t gold, up to 143 metres of 2.6 g/t gold. Within these broader
mineralized envelopes were multiple intersections containing very high gold grades (see Table 1 above).
These four holes tested the potential feeder zones, testing approximately 200 metres along th e
interpreted controlling structure over a 25 metre width and drilled perpendicular to the orientation of the
mineralized veins and breccias at 10 to 15 metre spacing from adjacent holes . The gold mineralized
zone comes within 20 metres of surface at the southern end of Midfield a nd deepens to approximately
60 metres below surface moving to the north under post-mineral Cretaceous cover. Hole BKD-245 was
successful in demonstrating that the higher grade component of Midfield extends further to the north
with 87 metres of 2.2 g/t gold including 3 metres of 35.6 g/t gold.
A single hole (BKD-247) targeted a potential western extension of the interpreted controlling structure
at Midfield and returned no significant results. It is proposed that the structure, along which the gold-
bearing fluids migrated , allowed fluids to migrate north, south and eastward with little penetration into
the western volcanic host.
North Midfield Zone and North Midfield Extension
Drill h ole BKD-241 was completed in the northeast portion of the North Midfield zone, 80 metres
northeast of the last hole reported on May 8, 2018 ( link) and returned 37 metres of 4.35 g/t gold,
including 2 metres of 50.5 g/t gold. This result is a significant increase over earlier holes in the area ,
including BKD-240 which returned 34 metres of 1.9 g/t gold in the initial Q2 drilling phase and BKD -
182 to the northeast with 39 metres of 2.12 g/t gold and a high of 65 g/t gold over 1 metre. This is a
demonstration of where the closer -spaced drilling targeting potential feeder structures has proven
beneficial in identifying high -grade mineralization. A single hole (BKD-246) located approximately
100 metres further northeast returned anomalous results with 56 metres of 0.25 g/t gold.
Controlling Structure Interpretation
The results from a Q4 -2017 independent structural analysis of the Bayan Khundii project were
considered in the planning of the current drill program. That study suggest ed gold mineralization is
related to an extensional relay ramp structure , where a series of stacked, southwest-dipping structures
were developed between two northeast -trending boun ding extensional faults, with maximum dilation
developed where the ramp intersect ed a major northwest-trending deep-seated fault which is interpreted
as a feeder zone. This Q2 drill program was designed to test these structural targets and to extend and
develop continuity within these high-grade zones where previous drilling returned values up to 2,200 g/t
gold over 1 metre within 14 metres of 158 g/t gold in previously-reported hole BKD-231.
Prior to the current drill program the widest gold-bearing, quartz-adularia veins encountered in the first
240 drillholes (BKD -01 to BKD -240) were intersected in holes BKD -98 and BKD -99 (2.0 and 1.7
metres wide respectively) , located within the Midfield Zone . Both of these holes were drilled at the
intersection of a deep-seated northwest-trending fault and the interpreted relay ramp structure. Drillhole
BKD-244, drilled approximately 10 m etres east of BKD -98, intersected a 7.13 metre interval ,
commencing at 108.3 metre depth, which contained five wide quart z veins and quartz -adularia veins
ranging from 0.40 to 1.6 metres wide. A seven metre wide interval from 109 to 116 metres depth, which
contained these veins, returned an average of 34.4 g/t gold. This concentration of quartz veins supports
the structural interpretation where maximum dilation occurred at the intersection of the relay ramp and
major northwest structure. The results of this program will both expand and provide higher confidence
in the Midfield Zone in regards to the mineral resource reporting that is scheduled for Q3-2018, as well
as provide guidance for future targeting within and distal to the Bayan Khundii gold system.
Bayan Khundii Q2-2018 Drill Program
The Bayan Khundii Q2-2018 drill program , totaling 4,545 metres in 22 holes (21 new and one ho le
extension), is now complete. Final results are expected within three weeks for the remaining nine holes
(eight new, one extension) following which the data will be provided to an independent resource
engineering firm to complete the maiden resource estimate for Bayan Khundii, anticipated in Q3-2018.
Regional District Deposits and Exploration
Over the past several years Erdene has discovered a new gold district (“The Khundii Gold Distri ct”) in
southwest Mongolia that includes seven targets, two of w hich are considered significant prospects for
development, and which are being advanced toward a global mineral resource estimate in 2018; Bayan
Khundii and Altan Nar.
Altan Nar, located 16 kilometres north of Bayan Khundii is an intermediate sulfidation gold -
polymetallic deposit which in a (May 10 , 2018 release) was reported to contain an indicated gold
equivalent (“AuEq”) resource of 452,900 ounces (“oz”) AuEq averaging 2.8 g/t AuEq and an Inferred
AuEq Resource of 277,100 oz averaging 2.5 g/t AuEq, within a total resource of 5.0 million tonnes
(“Mt”) Indicated and 3.4 Mt Inferred. The i ndicated Resource includes 317,700 oz gold (at 2.0 g/t
gold), 31,600 tonnes (“t”) zinc, 29,000 t lead, and 2.35 million oz silver, while the Inferred Resource
contains 185,700 oz gold (at 1.7 g/t gold), 23,700 t zinc, 22,300 t lead, and 865,900 oz silver.
A regionally focused drilling program commenced today with plans for additional drilling at the
Company’s early-stage Altan Arrow gold -silver project, 3.5 kilometres north of Bayan Khundii, to
follow-up on high -grade results intersected f rom reconnaissance drilling in Q4 -2017. Th at drilling
included hole AAD-12 which intersected 70 g/t gold over 2 metres, and drilling of a new target area 300
metres west which returned 39 g/t gold over 1 metre, near-surface (hole AAD-11).
The Company will also carry out scout drilling at its Khundii North gold prospect, 2.5 kilometres east of
Altan Arrow, where gold -in-soil anomalism has now been traced over 1 kilometre, containing areas of
quartz stockwork and chalcedonic quartz with hematite breccia clasts that returned up to 22 g/t gold
from initial rock chip sampling. Several areas of strong illite alteration, associated with a magnetic low
and resembling the alteration at the Bayan Khundii project , located 3.5 kilometres to the southwest,
were noted along a major northeast -trending structure to the northwest of the main quartz breccia zone
and will be drill tested.
In addition to the Company’s 100% -owned gold projects, it has recently acquired a 51% intere st, with
the option to acquire up to 100%, in the Ulaan license, a 1,780 hectare exploration property, located
immediately west of its Bayan Khundii license. The license has no history of trenching or drilling, and
is host to a very large, 3 -kilometre diameter, intense alteration zone with characteristics thought to be
related to a porphyry complex at depth. The Company intends to initiate a maiden drill program at
Ulaan as part of the 2,500 metres of exploration drilling announced today.
Through its alliance with Teck Resources Limited (“Alliance”), Erdene also intends to continue to
assess regional opportunities for porphyry and porphyry -related mineralization within the larger Edren
Terrane and intends to pursue acquisitions as opportunities arise in the Alliance’s area of interest in
southwest Mongolia. Erdene’s Bayan Khundii, Altan Nar, Altan Arrow, Ulaan, Khuvyn Khar and Zuun
Mod properties are excluded from the Teck Alliance areas of interest.
Qualified Person and Sample Protocol
Michael MacDona ld, P.Geo. (Nova Scotia), Vice President Exploration for Erdene, is the Qualified
Person as that term is defined in National Instrument 43 -101 and has reviewed and approved the
technical information contained in this news release. All samples have been ass ayed at SGS Laboratory
in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In addition to internal checks by SGS Laboratory, the Company incorporates
a QA/QC sample protocol utilizing prepared standards and blanks. All samples undergo standard fire
assay analysis for gold and ICP -OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy)
analysis for 33 additional elements. For samples that initially return a grade greater than 5 g/t gold,
additional screen -metallic gold analysis is carried out which provides a weighted averag e gold grade
from fire assay analysis of the entire +75 micron fraction and three 30 -gram samples of the -75 micron
fraction for a 500 gram sample.
Erdene’s drill core sampling protocol consisted of collection of samples over 1 or 2 m intervals
(depending on the lithology and style of mineralization) over the entire length of the drill hole,
excluding minor post-mineral lithologies and un-mineralized granitoids. Sample intervals were based on
meterage, not geological controls or mineralization. All drill core was cut in half with a diamond saw,
with half of the core placed in sample bags and the remaining half securely retained in core boxes at
Erdene’s Bayan Khundii exploration camp. All samples were organized into batches of 30 including a
commercially prepared standard, blank and either a field duplicate, consisting of two quarter -core
intervals, or a laboratory duplicate . Sample batches were periodically shipped directly to SGS in
Ulaanbaatar via Erdene’s logistical contractor, Monrud Co. Ltd.
About Erdene
Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada -based resource company focused on the acquisition,
exploration, and development of base and precious metals in underexplored and highly prospective
Mongolia. The Company has int erests in four exploration licenses and a mining license in southwest
Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the discovery and definition of several prospects and
deposits including: Bayan Khundii – the Company’s flagship and newly discovered, high -grade, near-
surface gold project; Altan Nar – an extensive, high - grade, near -surface, gold -polymetallic project
located 16 kilometres northwest of Bayan Khundii; Altan Arrow – an early-stage, high-grade gold-silver
project 3.5 kilometres north of Bayan K hundii; Ulaan – a recently acquired copper -gold porphyry
prospect adjacent to Bayan Khundii; Khuvyn Khar – an early -stage, copper -silver porphyry project;
Nomin Tal – a narrow, high-grade copper-gold discovery; and Zuun Mod – a large molybdenum-copper
porphyry deposit. In addition to the above projects, Erdene has an Alliance with Teck Resources
Limited on regional copper -gold exploration in the prospective Trans Altai region of southwest
Mongolia. The Bayan Khundii and Altan Nar licenses have a 2% net smel ter returns royalty (“NSR
Royalty”) in favour of Sandstorm Gold Ltd. with a buy -back option to reduce the NSR Royalty to 1%.
For further information on the Company, please visit www.erdene.com. Erdene has 157,682,041 issued
and outstanding common shares and a fully diluted position of 179,141,320 common shares.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein may constitute forward -looking statements
within the meaning of applicable s ecurities laws. Forward -looking statements may include estimates,
plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements
of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected in such forward -looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene
cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its
control, and that future event s and results may vary substantially from what Erdene currently foresees.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward -looking statements
include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availabil ity of capital and
financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward -looking statements are
expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is
stated as of the current date and i s subject to change after that date. The Company does not assume the
obligation to revise or update these forward -looking statements, except as may be required under
applicable securities laws.
NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTE NTS OF THIS RELEASE
Erdene Contact Information
Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO
or
Ken W. MacDonald, Vice President and CFO
Phone: (902) 423-6419
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.erdene.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErdeneRes