Group Ten Reports Wide Intercepts of Platinum and Palladium Mineralization from the Chrome Mountain Target Area at the Stillwater West Project, Montana, USA
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Group Ten Reports Wide Intercepts of Platinum and Palladium Mineralization from the Chrome
Mountain Target Area at the Stillwater West Project, Montana, USA
February 21, 2019 – Vancouver, BC - Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX.V: PGE; US OTC: PGEZF ; FSE: 5D32) (the
“Company” or “Group Ten”) announces results from the Chrome Mountain and East Boulder target areas on
the west side of the Stillwater West Project in Montana, USA. This is the second in a series of planned news
releases to report results of 2018 exploration programs, on-going historical data compilation, and modeling work
at the Company’s flagship PGE -Ni-Cu project adjacent to Sibanye -Stillwater’s high -grade PGE mines in the
Stillwater Igneous Complex. With more than 41 million ounces of past production and current M&I resources,
plus another 49 million ounces of inferred resources at over 16 g/t palladium and platinum, the Stillwater
Complex is recognized as one of the top regions in the world for PGE-Ni-Cu mineralization1,2.
Michael Rowley, President and CEO, commented, " We are pleased to report results of our work to date in the
Chrome Mountain and East Boulder target areas at the middle-west portion of the 25-km-long Stillwater West
project (see Figure 1) . Mineralization including p latinum group elements (PGE), nickel, copper and cobalt at
these target areas is associated with two major electromagnetic geophysical conductors that are approximately
2.9 and 2.6 km in length respectivel y, and correspond with broad coincident soil and rock geochemical
anomalies. The scale of these targets demonstrates the potential for discovery of a major new bulk -tonnage
“Platreef-style” PGE -Ni-Cu deposit in the Stillwater Complex , geologically similar to th ose in the Bushveld
Complex of South Africa.”
“Chrome Mountain, in particular, is one of our highest priority target areas and has advanced very rapidly with
the discovery of a new style of platinum and palladium mineralization associated with nickel and copper
sulphides at the Hybrid Zone (see December 17, 2018 new s release). This discovery has attracted significant
interest in the Stillwater West project with wide intervals of platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, and cobalt
mineralization starting at surface, including nine intervals of over 100 meters in thickness with grade-thickness
values of more than 100 gram-meter Total Platinum Equivalent (TotPtEq), including six holes which returned
composite mineralization of over 200 meters with grade-thickness values of 200 to 294 gram-meter TotPtEq
(see Table 1). Grade-thickness values of 25 gram-meter or more are considered economically significant, with
the grade-thickness values at the adjacent J-M Reef mines averaging approximately 34 gram-meter palladium
and platinum1. Values of 100 to 300 gram-meter are exceptional, highlighting the strength of the Stillwater West
system.”
“Rock sampling programs at Chrome Mountain in 2018 returned up to 16 g/t 3E (8.72 g/t Pt, 7.25 g/t Pd and
0.03 g/t Au) (see Table 2) in previously unrecognized areas, confirming the underexplored nature of the lower
Stillwater Complex, and the substantial potential for new discoveries of both high er-grade and bulk tonnage
deposits in this famously metal-rich district.”
Chrome Mountain – Overview
As shown in Figure 1, the Chrome Mountain target area is one of eight major bulk tonnage target areas identified
by Group Ten Metals across the Ultramafic and Basal Series of the Stillwater Complex. These target areas are
highlighted by strong, multi-kilometer electromagnetic conductive signatures that are characteristic of large
bodies of interconnected to strongly disseminated sulphides. These conductive geophysical targets have
overlapping highly elevated platinum, palladium, gold, nickel, copper, and chromium values in soils and rock
sampling. The limited drilling completed to date on these large geophysical and geochemical targets confirms
the presence of corresponding PGE -Ni-Cu mineralization within the 31 holes drilled across the broad Chrome
Mountain target area. In addition, the Company has obtained most of the core samples drilled on the property
since 2001 for re-logging and sampling as part of the ongoing modeling work, which has allowed the Group Ten
team to identify and confirm the potential for Platreef-style deposits in the Stillwater Complex.
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Figure 1 – 14 Target Areas Across the 25-Kilometer Width of the Stillwater West Project
The Chrome Mountain target area covers an area of approximately 2.9 km by 2.3 km that includes bulk tonnage
“Platreef-style” PGE-Ni-Cu targets within the Hybrid Zone (the Discovery, Dunite Ridge, Bald Hills, and Tarantula
Targets), as well as potential bulk tonnage PGE -enriched Ni and Cu sulphide mineralization targets within the
basal portion of the complex. Potential also exists for higher-grade PGE “reef-type” targets. Comprehensive soil
geochemical data has been collected across Chrome Mountain with high levels of PGE, Ni, Cu and Cr in soils
shown across kilometer-scale areas coincident with high level electromagnetic conductors shown in geophysical
survey results (see Figures 2, 3 and 4).
Chrome Mountain – Hybrid Zone
The Hybrid Zone is characterized by broad intervals of highly anomalous PGE levels associated with chromite
and nickel and copper sulfides with complex pegmatoidal and magmatic breccia textures in the Ultramafic Series
lithologies. The complexly textured host rocks, together with broadly disseminated chromite and sulphide, are
geologically similar to the Platreef setting in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex.
Table 1 presents highlight intercepts from ten holes drilled in the D iscovery target where nine separate
intercepts exceeded 100 meters thickness with continuous highly elevated PGE, Ni, Cu and Co mineralization,
starting at surface, including 118 m at 1.73 g/t TotPtEq (0.36 Pt, 0.56 Pd, and 0.09 Au for 1.0 g/t 3E along with
0.12% Ni, 0.03% Cu and 0.01% Co f or 0.17% NiEq). In addition, six holes returned composite mineralization of
over 200 meters in thickness that occurs over a strike length of approximately 600 meters which remains open
in all directions and occurs within a broader one kilometer wide area of highly anomalous metals in soils. These
holes were targeted on highly elevated platinum and palladium values in soils that characterize the entire Hybrid
Zone (see Figure 3). Along with the untested additional soil targets and geophysical conductors, these drill results
demonstrate the potential for significant bulk tonnage mineralization at the Chrome Mountain target area.
Chrome Mountain – Dunite Ridge and Bald Hills Targets
Several intrusive dunite targets have been identified in the core of the Hybrid Zone (see cross section CM-6 in
Figure 7). Work at Chrome Mountain in 2018 led to the discovery of the Dunite Ridge and Bald Hill targets where
mapping of olivine chromite-rich intrusive returned chip samples of up to 16.0 g/t 3E (as 8.72 g/t Pt, 7.25 g/t
Pd, and 0.03 g/t Au) at Dunite Ridge. A second sample at Dunite Ridge returned 7.45 g/t 3E as 2.32 g/t Pt, 5.10
g/t Pd, and 0.02 g/t Au (see Table 2). These samples occur within a highly elevated PGE, Ni and Cu soil anomaly
covering at least 750 meters of strike. Intrusive dunites can have spectacular grades in the Bushveld Complex,
but have not been systematically explored for in the Stillwater Complex. The intrusive dunites identified at the
Chrome Mountain target area are one of several occurrences across the overall Stillwater West Project. Dunite
Ridge and Bald Hills are priority targets for follow-up work in 2019.
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TABLE 1 - Highlight Mineralized Drill Intercepts From the Chrome Mountain Target Area
Intercepts with grade thickness values over 25 gram -meter TotPtEq are presented above. Total Platinum Equivalent ( TotPtEq g/t) and Total Nickel
Equivalent calculations reflect total gross metal content using metals prices as follows (all USD): $6.00/lb nickel (Ni), $3.00/lb copper (Cu), $20.00/lb cobalt
(Co), $1,000/oz platinum (Pt), $1,000/oz palladium (Pd) and $1,250/oz gold (Au). Values have not been adjusted to reflect metallurgical recoveries. Total
metal equivalent values include both base and precious metals, where available. Results labelled ‘n/a’ were not assayed for that metal. Total platinum
equivalent grade thickness was determined by multiplying the thickness (in meters) by the Total Platinum Equivalent grade (in grams/tonne) to provide
gram-meter values (g-m) as shown. All holes were conducted by Group Ten’s QP and are not considered historic.
Chrome Mountain - Tarantula Target
In the eastern area of the Hybrid Zone, work in 2018 identified the Tarantula T arget, where highly anomalous
PGE mineralization occurs in the U ltramafic Series. Host rocks are pegmatoidal bronzitite ; disseminated
chromite, sulphide and magmatic breccia textures have been described over an approximate strike length of at
least 500 meters.
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Table 2 presents select rock sample results from reconnaissance prospecting and geological mapping programs
at the Chrome Mountain and East Boulder target areas in 2018 which confirm the presence of significant
platinum, palladium, nickel, copper and cobalt mineralization with grades up to 3.56 g/t Pd, 0.618% Ni, and
0.049% Co outside of the Dunite Ridge Target discussed above (see Table 2). High chromium levels were also
noted with 14 samples returning grades of 10 to 26.8% Cr. In addition, test work indicates a consistent ratio of
rhodium content relative to platinum values. Neither chromium nor rhodium values have been included in the
calculation of metal equivalents in the tables above and below.
TABLE 2 - Highlight 2018 rock sample results from the Chrome Mountain Target Area
Results over 2 g/t TotPtEq are presented above. Total Platinum Equivalent (TotPtEq g/t) and Total Nickel Equivalent were determined as per Table 1.
Figures 6 and 7 present cross sections representing the Company’s current understanding of the Hybrid Zone
and surrounding stratigraphy. The Hybrid Zone is open in all directions, and is a priority target for follow -up in
2019.
Chrome Mountain – Basal Zone Targets
The Company is also targeting potential bulk-tonnage sulphide mineralization in the Basal Series of the complex
at Chrome Mountain where mineralization may be associated with interaction between the layered basal
magmatic system and the basement country rocks. Interaction and assimilation of basement country rocks is an
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important component of the Platreef deposits in the Bushveld Complex, where the country rocks may be in place
as the footwall or occur as large rafts within the layered magmatic stratigraphy. Kilometer-scale geophysical,
geochemical and geological signatures present compelling bulk -tonnage targets in this type of setting for PGE-
enriched Ni/Cu sulfides in the lower Stillwater Complex stratigraphy.
The potential for deposits of this type in the Chrome Mountain area has been confirmed by reconnaissance rock
chip samples and geological mapping work b y Group Ten in 2018, as well as in limited historic drilling, which
targeted nickel and copper sulphides in the Basal and lowest Ultramafic Series. These drill holes were relatively
shallow, and were only selectively assayed where base metal sulphide levels were high. A few of these high -
sulphide intercepts were assayed for PGEs confirming that the nickel and copper sulphides in these areas are
highly enriched in PGEs. Notably , this historic drill sampling did not assay areas enriched in chromite, which
typically exhibit higher-grade PGE mineralization. Data from the 355 series drill holes by AMAX in the 1960s and
1970s, shown on cross sections in Figures 6 and 7, confirm the presence of net -textured to massive sulphide
hosted mineralization proximal to the strongest electromagnetic conductive signatures.
2018 r ock sample results from the historic Lindgren Target in the b asal series at Chrome Mountain are
particularly compelling as they confirm the presence of significant PGE, Ni and Cu mineralization with results of
0.315% Ni, 0.976% Cu, and 0.030% Co (0.94% Ni Eq) in sample 337365 and 0.342% Ni, 0.054% Cu and 0.034%
Co (0.56% Ni Eq) in sample 337368 (see Table 2). Basal zone sulphide targets will be a priority for follow-up work
in 2019 at Chrome Mountain.
East Boulder Target Area
As shown in Figure 2, the East Boulder target area centers on a highly conductive geophysical anomaly with
coincident highly elevated levels of PGE, Ni, Cu and Cr metals in soils (Figure s 3 and 4 ) covering an area
approximately 2.6 km x 1.9 km. The East Boulder target area has less outcrop exposure than the adjacent Chrome
Mountain target area (Figure 5) and , as a result, remains much less explored despite historic placer min ing in
the area . T wo drill holes from 2008 confirm the presence of Pt, Pd and Au mineralization adjacent to the
electromagnetic conductive high anomaly but were not tested for base metals.
Work in 2018 included surface mapping and limited sampling with results up to 3.4 g/t 3E, 0.21% Ni, and 0.15%
Cu (4.84 g/t TotPtEq) (see Table 2) providing support that similar mineralized stratigraphic horizons continue
into the East Boulder target area.
Future work at the East Boulder target area will include detailed mapping and rock sampling to develop and
refine drill targets in the area of the electromagnetic conductors and coincident soil anomalies.
Amendment to the Catalyst Property Agreement
Group Ten announces that it has amended the terms of the agreement for the Catalyst Project within the
Company’s Kluane PGE -Ni-Cu Project in Canada’s Yukon Territory, as announced on August 16, 2017. The
amendment allows the Company to meet the $10,000 cas h payment requirement by the issuance of 200,000
common shares, and is subject to regulatory approval.
Upcoming Events
Group Ten will be exhibiting in the Investor’s Exchange at booth #3018 at the PDAC convention in March in
Toronto, among other upcoming shows . The Company looks forward to releasing further results from the
adjacent target areas in the coming weeks.
About Stillwater West
The Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu project positions Group Ten as the second largest landholder in the Stillwater
Complex, adjoining and adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s world-leading Stillwater, East Boulder, and Blitz
platinum group elements (PGE) mines in south central Montana, USA. With more than 41 million ounces of past
production and current M&I resources, plus another 49 million ounces of Inferred resources1,2, the Stillwater
Complex is recognized as one of the top regions in the world for PGE-Ni-Cu mineralization, alongside the
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Bushveld Complex and Great Dyke in southern Africa, which are similar layered intrusions. The J-M Reef, and
other PGE-enriched sulphide horizons in the Stillwater Complex, share many similarities with the highly prolific
Merensky and UG2 Reefs in the Bushveld Complex, while the lower part of the Stillwater Complex also shows
the potential for much larger scale disseminated and high-sulphide PGE-nickel-copper type deposits, possibly
similar to Platreef in the Bushveld Complex3. Group Ten’s Stillwater West property covers the lower part of the
Stillwater Complex along with the Picket Pin PGE Reef-type deposit in the upper portion, and includes extensive
historic data, including soil and rock geochemistry, geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, and historic drilling.
Note 1: Report on Montana Platinum Group Metal Mineral Assets of Sibanye-Stillwater, November 2017, Measured and Indicated
Resources of 57.2 million tonnes grading 17.0 g/t Pt+Pd containing 31.3 million ounces and 92.5 million tonnes grading 16.6 g/t
containing 49.4 million ounces. Grade thickness was determined by applying the reported minimum mining width of 2.0 meters
to the M&I grade of 17 g/t Pt+Pd for an average grade thickness of approximately 34 gram-meter (g-m).
Note 2: Public production records from Stillwater Mining Company from 1992 to present.
Note 3: Magmatic Ore Deposits in Layered Intrusions—Descriptive Model for Reef-Type PGE and Contact-Type Cu-Ni-PGE Deposits,
Michael Zientek, USGS Open-File Report 2012–1010.
About Group Ten Metals Inc.
Group Ten Metals Inc. is a TSX-V-listed Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the development of
high-quality platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt and gold exploration assets in top North American
mining jurisdictions. The Company’s core asset is the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu project adjacent to Sibanye-
Stillwater’s high-grade PGE mines in Montana, USA. Group Ten also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton
Gold project in the Rainy River district of northwest Ontario and the highly prospective Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu project
on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum’s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration companies, with a portfolio
of large, brownfields assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest -grade
producers of platinum & palladium, silver and copper. Member companies include Group Ten Metals (TSX -V:
PGE) in the Stillwater PGM-Ni-Cu district of Montana, Metallic Minerals (TSX -V: MMG) in the Yukon’s Keno Hill
silver district, and Granite Creek Copper (TSX-V: GCX) in the Yukon’s Carmacks copper district. The founders and
team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful exp lorationists formerly with some of the
industry’s leading explorer/developers and major producers and are undertaking a systematic approach to
exploration using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven historic mining districts.
The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada and its member companies are listed on the
Toronto Venture, US OTC, and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director
Email: [email protected] Phone: (604) 357 4790
Web: http://grouptenmetals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
2018 rock chip samples were analyzed by Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories in Vancouver, B.C. Samples were crushed
and split, and a 250 g split pulverized with 85% passing 200 mesh. Gold, platinum, and palladium were analyzed by fire
assay (FA350) with ICP finish. Selected major and trace elements were analyzed by peroxide fusion with ICP-EB finish to
insure complete dissolution of resistate minerals. Following industry QA/QC standards, blanks, duplicate samples, and
certified standards were also assayed.
2007 drilling was conducted by Group Ten’s QP while working for Beartooth Platinum. Pre-2001 drill results are considered
historic and have not been independently verified by Group Ten. Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the
purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news
release.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this
release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production,
estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the
timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency
exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and
objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Group Ten believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and
actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number
of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure
to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource
estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated
with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns,
uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other
exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned
that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an
inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more
information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at
www.sedar.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.