Zonte receives technical analysis of the K6 drill samples and a grant from the Newfoundland and Labrador Government.
Halifax, NS, Canada
Zonte receives technical analysis of the K6 drill samples and a grant
from the Newfoundland and Labrador Government.
April 18, 2024 TSXV: ZON
Zonte Metals (TSXV:ZON)(XOTC:EREPF) is pleased to provide an update on additional data
from the K6 drilling program at its Cross Hills Copper Project in Newfoundland and Labrador
and provide notice it has received an exploration grant from the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
Highlights from technical analysis of the K6 drill core;
Mineralization occurred in a number of pulses.
Documented changes in the style of mineralization suggest possible extension to depth
with better grade.
Target is open at depth and to the west.
Terry Christopher, President and CEO comments; “A number of samples from the recently
completed K6 drill core were analyzed via thin section and scanning electron microscope. The
findings from this examination, coupled with characteristics derived from core logs, reveal several
significant aspects of the copper system at K6. Firstly, there were up to three distinct pulses of
mineralization, with the final one manifesting as a hypogene chalcocite event that overlaid earlier
mineralization. This observation is significant as these late overprinting chalcocite events can lead
to elevated grades. Moreover, changes in the overall character of the mineralization offer insights
into the copper system, suggesting a potential increase in grade with depth. These features are
evidenced by a progressive increase in copper grade with depth in the drill holes, along with a
notable augmentation in chalcocite content, particularly evident in the deepest drill hole, CH23-
05. This hole exhibited higher mineral contents, with recorded grades in individual samples
reaching up to 2.64%, as noted in our February 29, 2024 press release. These observations will be
used to vector in on stronger parts of the mineral system in the up coming drill program.”
Zonte Metals has been exploring the Cross Hills Copper project since 2018. The project now has
12 targets, with a number of them at or near the drill ready stage. Over the past several years the
Company has undertaken a program to enhance its understanding of the copper system with the
aim of intersecting better copper zones in drill core. Early drill programs yielded copper
intersections, with the longest continuous interval measuring 4.6m. This contrasts with the recently
drilled K6 target, that availed of much more technical data prior to drilling, where continuous
mineralization was intersected in intervals up to 34.5m (refer to the February 29, 2024 press
release).
In preparation for the follow-up drill program at the K6 target, Zonte commissioned a thin section
(TS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses of select samples from the recent drill
core. These analyses were conducted by Hamilton Geoconsulting of Hamilton, Ontario. The
objective was to provide additional insights into the mineralizing system, which in conjunction
with other findings, could aid in defining possible extensions for the intersected copper intervals.
One significant finding from the TS analysis was the discovery of up to three distinct mineralizing
events. Near the surface in CH23-06, a sample at 98.62m, which sits in the 34.5m interval that
returned 0.11% Cu, recorded at least two phases of mineralization, as evident from chalcopyrite
replacing bornite. Chalcocite was also present, but no distinctive relationship to the initial two
minerals was observed in TS. Deeper in CH23-05, a sample at 164.85m, which sits in the 11.2m
interval that returned 0.42% Cu, showed three pulses of mineralization. The early phase was a
high-temperature one carrying chalcopyrite, which was subsequently followed by a bornite phase
and then a late hypogene chalcocite phase.
Drilling through this portion of the target highlighted an increase in copper grade with depth, as
illustrated in the cross-section below, which was previously released on February 29, 2024. The
increasing copper grade with depth is interpreted to be controlled by the fluid system that emplaced
the mineralization. In near-surface intervals, such as in CH23-06, mineralization was mainly
characterized as thin films of chalcocite on hairline fractures. In contrast at depth in CH23-05, the
mineralization is also comprised well-defined chalcocite grains and veining, penetrating the rock
mass. This observation suggests the mineralization emplaced in CH23-06 may have been at the
top of the system in the lower pressure portion compared to CH23-05 which would have been
deeper and further into the copper system. Should this trend persist, it is inferred that more
favorable portions of the mineralizing system may lie at greater depths, below CH23-05.
Figure 1. Cross section through CH23-06, 02, 03 and 05 drill holes at the K6 target.
Based on the observations from the TS and SEM analysis, in concert with drill hole, geochemical
and geophysical data, the target appears to be open at depth and to the west. The next drill program,
which is being planned, will test these open directions.
Additional information on the Cross Hills Copper project can be found at the following link
https://www.zontemetals.com/projects/cross-hills-copper-property.
Zonte would also like to acknowledge and thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
for a grant totalling $69899.49. The grant was issued through the Mineral Incentive Program -
Junior Exploration Assistance, from the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology. The
grant is in recognition of 2023 exploration expenditures on the Cross Hills Copper Project.
Possible increasing strength
in mineral system.
Qualified Person
Donald Blake, P.Geo. is the qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and
approved the contents and technical disclosures in this press release.
About Zonte
Zonte Metals Inc. is a junior explorer focused on gold and copper. The Company owns 100% of
the McConnells Jest project, in the Tintina Gold Belt, located in the Yukon Territory, the Wings
Point project in the new Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the Cross Hills IOCG project
located in Newfoundland and Labrador. In Colombia; the company has a 25% carried interest in
Project X where historic drilling intersected significant gold mineralization and the Company and
partner have an application over open areas sitting on top of the open pit outline of the Gramalote
Deposit in Colombia, which is held by AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) and B2Gold (TSX:BTO,
NYSE:BTG). The title issuance is being contested by the state governing the application and the
Company has started legal action to protect its rights.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements which include statements regarding the
Corporation’s future plans, as well as statements regarding financial and business prospects and
the Corporation’s future plans, objectives or economic performance and financial outlooks. The
Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in this news release are reasonable but actual
results may be affected by a variety of variables and may be materially different from the results
or events predicted in the forward-looking statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In evaluating forward-looking statements
readers should consider the risk factors which could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are made as of the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities
laws, the Corporation does not intend, nor does it undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements. 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 of accuracy of this release.
For further information contact:
Terry Christopher
CEO and President
902-405-3520
www.zontemetals.com