Trevali Announces Drill Results Extending the Western Orefield Deposit at Rosh Pinah at Depth and Along Strike


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trevali Mining Corporation (“Trevali” or the “Company”) (TSX: TV, BVL: TV; OTCQX: TREVF, Frankfurt: 4TI) announces results from the 2019 exploration program at Rosh Pinah with a high grade extension to WF3 identified to the South.

“We are encouraged by the results from the exploration program at Rosh Pinah and the ability to keep intersecting high grade zones at the Western Orefield and extending the deposit further North,” commented Yan Bourassa, Vice-President of Exploration and Mineral Resources at Trevali Mining. “The continued ability to increase the Mineral Resource base at Rosh Pinah and extending the deposit indicates the quality of the orebody and demonstrates the team’s ability to support Trevali’s long term strategy of growth at Rosh Pinah.”

Highlights

  • Exploration hole U3373 intersected 19.99 metres at 7.2% Zn, 1.8% Pb including 3 metres at 14.2% Zn & 57.81m at 9.2% Zn 3.3% Pb 43.4g/t Ag including 30.44 metres at 12.7% Zn, 5% Pb & 72.6g/t Ag.
  • Exploration hole U3372 intersected 38.77 metres at 9.5% Zn, 2.3% Pb, 12.8g/t Ag including 9.15 metres at 15.4% Zn, 5.2% Pb, 28.2g/t Ag (exploration).
  • Infill hole U3351 intersected 32.05 metres at 8.9% Zn, 0.7% Pb, 10.65g/t Ag including 6 metres at 15.9% Zn, 0.6% Pb, 10.8g/t Ag & 44.75 metres at 11.19% Zn, 0.46% Pb, 1% Cu, 14.7g/t Ag including 15.5m at 14.51% Zn, 0.9% Pb, 17g/t Ag & 43.85 metres at 9.95% Zn, 0.9% Pb, 8.2g/t Ag including 7.45 metres at 20.62% Zn, 0.3% Pb, 11.8g/t Ag.

2019 Exploration Strategy

During 2019, the exploration team has focused on fully exploiting the wealth of historic data accumulated over 50 years of continuous mining, including by identifying in-mine targets that were previously sporadically explored. Continued system analysis and structural reinterpretation is helping to improve the understanding of the Rosh Pinah mineralizing system and assist with targeting. The Rosh Pinah mineralisation was long thought to be hosted exclusively along a single horizon; however by challenging these perceptions, new opportunities are being identified.

In-Mine Exploration

The Western Orefield 3 (WF3), the largest single zone within the Rosh Pinah mine, was previously considered closed along strike to the South East. Following structural reinterpretation, drillholes U3372 & U3373 were drilled to the SE of existing resources, intersecting multiple zones of polymetallic mineralisation.

U3373 returned 57.81m at 9.2% Zn 3.3% Pb 43.4g/t Ag including 30.44 metres at 12.7% Zn, 5% Pb & 72.6g/t Ag. This broad zone of high grade mineralisation was hosted within barite and carbonated ore, a favorable mineralization style for the plant characterized by high recoveries. This zone is located at the contact between an arkose and a limestone horizon with significant barite and carbonate replacement. The Zn mineralisation is characterized by white-yellow colored Sphalerite generally observed at the high grade Eastern and Southern Orefields, the highest-grade mineralized zones within the Rosh Pinah mine, but rarely observed within the Western Orefield orebodies.

Exploration hole U3372 intersected 38.77 metres at 9.5% Zn, 2.3% Pb, 12.8g/t Ag including 9.15 metres at 15.4% Zn, 5.2% Pb, 28.2g/t Ag. These holes are thought to have intersected mineralisation within the hinge portion of a synform fold. Structural remobilization is an important control on the Rosh Pinah mineralization with folds noses and hinges being associated with high grade zones.

Figure 1: Showing a long section of WF3 and the location of recent intersects which have potential to extend the resources is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6887092c-ee26-4f7a-b4ea-c318daf8fff2

These holes demonstrate that there is great potential for new high grade, polymetallic tonnes at Rosh Pinah. This newly identified high grade zone remains open to the South East and North West and will be the major target for 2020 Q1.

During 2019, several priority in-mine exploration targets were identified which are being reassessed by relogging and structural analysis. This Southern extension to WF3 was the first of the in-mine targets to be tested.

Indicated Infill Drilling

Ongoing indicated drilling targeting the center of the WF3 has also continued to intersect good mineralisation. U3351 multiple zones of broad mineralisation; 32.05 metres at 8.9% Zn, 0.7% Pb, 10.65g/t Ag including  6 metres at 15.9% Zn, 0.6% Pb, 10.8g/t Ag & 44.75 metres at 11.19% Zn, 0.46% Pb, 1% Cu, 14.7g/t Ag including 15.5m at 14.51% Zn, 0.9% Pb, 17g/t Ag & 43.85 metres at 9.95% Zn, 0.9% Pb, 8.2g/t Ag including 7.45 metres at 20.62% Zn, 0.3% Pb, 11.8g/t Ag. The mineralisation in this hole was hosted within argillite with the presence of massive barite and carbonate replacement, locally developing into massive sulphide. Although infill drilling, these intersects were broader than the previous resource model predicted and are expected to result in increased tonnages.

Regional Exploration

Regional exploration has focused on the corridor between the Western Orefield and the Gergarub deposit which is located 10km to the North West of Rosh Pinah. The Western Orefield is open along strike to the NW and eight exploration holes have been completed from surface targeting this extension, seven of which intersected the mineralized horizon. MGD159, intersected 6.5m at 5.6% Zn+Pb & 6.1m at 5.9% Zn along the main argillite host horizon. This intersection is located 200m away from the last fully defined resources.

The same argillite hosted mineralized horizon was intersected 400m further North of MGD159, however the grade is weakening. Nevertheless, MGD164 intersected a 125m thick rhyolite dome, with strong sericite-chlorite alteration with low grade stringer style Sphalerite mineralisation throughout the dome. This rhyolite is located to the East of the main Western Orefield corridor. The identification of a new highly altered rhyolite dome cross cut by sphalerite feeder veins in an area of limited drilling, represents another strong exploration target for 2020.

Figure 2: Showing a Plan View of the regional exploration covering the prospective trend between Rosh Pinah and Gergarub is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10366927-0397-4dcc-9d6f-e6631f978a36

Along with drilling, several Fluxgate electro-magnetic (EM) surveys were conducted in 2019 and are currently ongoing covering the prospective Rosh Pinah - Gergarub corridor. There has been no historic drilling between the Rosh Pinah mine and Gergarub deposit, which share geological features, and this ground is considered highly prospective. During 2019, 50% of this corridor was covered with ground EM surveys. These surveys have identified 4 new conductors in favorable geological settings along strike from anomalous surface geochemistry. These discrete conductive targets will be drill tested in 2020 and the ground EM surveys will continue towards Gergarub.

Table 1: Summary of Length and SG weighted drill hole assay results from Rosh Pinah during 2019.

Hole IDAzimuthDipFrom-To (metres)Interval (metres)True WidthZn%Pb%Cu%Ag ppmZone
u3263222.1-41.3158.96-172.3513.3913.255.250.070.222.38WF3
Incl.  164.96-170.855.895.827.680.070.142.39
u3264234.3-59.5156.30-159.3032.887.220.10.231.19WF3
169.15-173.654.54.344.860.130.131.88
u3297244.1-64.5No significant interceptWF3
u3301217.6-83.8236.15-244.708.558.435.360.140.184.25WF3
u3304228.1-42.3175.26-184.2698.126.941.890.0428.45WF3
u3306235.0-68.0No significant interceptWF3
u3307229.1-75.0No significant interceptWF3
u330855.0-63.0No significant interceptAAB
u330954.6-48.1No significant interceptAAB
u331055.0-25.0No significant interceptAAB
u332958.1-69.639.30-42.3031.856.743.580.6216.48AAB
78.70-81.302.61.574.60.80.377.38
u3333235.6-25.288.00-98.7010.7Not available7.283.770.2986.44AAB
Incl.  89.30-94.845.54Not available115.670.44123.08
u3334220.8-51.937.44-39.381.941.538.510.120.289.32AAB
u3336117.7-86.0170.40-173.503.1Not available6.610.480.1616.35AAB
u337257.2-55.680.40-86.4065.733.940.030.061.19WF3
89.40-92.4032.864.270.030.081.19
161.70-200.4738.7736.689.452.320.0812.84
Incl. 172.45-181.69.158.6615.355.180.0928.23
Incl. 194.71- 197.472.762.6122.10.060.248.28
209.21-228.1018.8917.797.871.820.0510.89
Incl. 212.21-219.166.956.5411.491.660.0513.48
u337364.0-69.51.50-6.004.53.744.770.030.081.19WF3
66.67-68.571.91.579.770.030.061.19
161.50-181.4919.9916.247.171.840.18.83
Incl. 163.00-166.0032.4414.240.130.161.19
215.84-273.6557.8146.519.173.280.2543.37
Incl. 219.56-250.0030.4424.5412.664.950.3972.62
279.08-285.0864.784.520.370.043.89
MGD159351.7-80.4416.50-422.005.54.633.911.72037.35WF3 Northern Extension
434.90-441.006.15.135.650.240.19.11
Incl. 434.90-437.002.11.7711.370.19012.96
MGD1605.3-59.4No significant intercept
MGD16126.8-54.4No significant intercept
MGD16213.2-66.5392.00-418.002619.482.420.720.0217.53
Incl. 396.00-400.00433.120.990.0225
u329156.8-76.9No significant interceptWF3
u329358.2-25.8No significant interceptWF3
u329459.8-4.9No significant interceptWF3
u330256.2-74.8309.76-310.680.920.8210.210.51.0919.24WF3
u3312169.7-84.9No significant interceptWF3
u3313226.0-51.2No significant interceptWF3
u3315238.0-73.8175.70-183.527.825.994.580.10.171.67WF3
u3316233.2-61.6178.70-181.7032.914.430.530.051.79WF3
u3317234.0-69.4No significant interceptWF3
u3318233.2-52.3162.95-167.454.54.476.220.070.34.06WF3
u3319232.6-59.9No significant interceptWF3
u3320226.6-51.9194.05-207.5513.512.745.190.070.032.56WF3
Incl. 201.55-206.054.54.27.510.10.043.26
u3322233.0-60.3No significant interceptWF3
u3323236.2-68.7No significant interceptWF3
u332453.8-26.5158.70-167.709Not available8.263.120.2533.28WF3
u3325237.0-76.5No significant interceptWF3
u3326233.6-43.5166.90-169.9032.935.120.030.184.58WF3
178.00-199.002119.983.541.30.0533.07
212.50-218.5065.713.971.340.0412.33
241.00-250.509.59.098.060.060.082.46
u3327231.7-66.1No significant interceptWF3
u332852.1-64.1136.40-140.904.52.894.80.030.061.19WF3
u3340233.3-53.251.77-54.7731.954.620.030.075.32WF3
170.30-194.0323.7315.623.891.730.0537.7
220.45-223.4531.983.970.970.0214.69
236.75-241.254.534.370.680.0911.04
251.20-257.756.554.383.880.420.038.63
u3341247.2-71.0104.13-108.634.54.394.650.060.033.17WF3
u3342243.4-86.21.50-4.5030.284.990.180.055.6WF3
34.80-39.304.50.615.120.240.026.43
203.40-209.4064.964.780.030.111.33
212.40-216.654.253.514.650.030.143.36
221.15-230.1597.434.210.040.112.34
254.65-257.6532.475.610.560.1512.77
260.65-274.1513.511.15.220.110.142.66
u334372.4-82.9119.74-122.7432.697.830.030.147.96WF3
149.70-155.706.045.423.960.030.127.04
184.00-190.0065.414.130.030.046.95
u334545.7-73.2No significant interceptWF3
u3346233.8-63.8135.25-144.2598.645.110.030.111.31WF3
196.20-246.205030.525.591.80.0425.34
236.06-241.705.643.4513.963.280.1591.76
249.20-262.8013.68.375.061.150.067.73
255.20-262.006.84.236.480.710.096.79
299.40-302.4031.884.410.050.031.19
u334757.0-72.012.20-15.503.32.8110.510.030.11.57WF3
46.60-51.6054.3215.050.060.084.12
96.15-100.654.53.944.380.080.024.43
u3348238.2-82.756.28-59.2832.984.340.290.118.2WF3
154.51-165.0110.59.185.120.070.133.15
168.01-171.0132.623.750.070.131.94
275.45-282.106.656.616.060.030.091.63
u3349236.8-64.372.10-85.6013.512.765.630.530.084.86WF3
104.35-126.1521.820.584.980.150.43.16
122.00-126.154.153.9310.290.170.624.88
147.00-153.506.54.338.340.860.069.41
157.00-170.5013.59.068.042.590.0861.98
163.85-166.602.751.8520.335.80.15127.01
u3350225.1-71.7115.70-118.7032.954.760.080.161.58WF3
139.30-143.103.83.583.620.170.8111.26
181.10-187.1065.853.440.840.0415.34
224.40-228.103.73.616.563.610.02138.21
u3351218.9-83.2107.90-139.9532.0530.568.940.730.2610.65WF3
127.85-133.8565.7215.890.60.4710.81
145.95-190.7044.7542.7511.190.461.0214.66
156.50-172.0015.514.8114.510.890.5617
201.25-245.1043.8540.439.950.910.248.17
204.25-211.707.456.8620.620.30.511.83
u335255.0-77.0282.50-288.506Not available5.511.170.0714.41WF3
u3353226.1-47.5143.24-152.249Not available5.780.030.352.75WF3
u3354230.7-59.4No significant interceptWF3
u335652.9-58.2No significant interceptWF3
u3361241.025.543.70-46.652.952.9513.730.140.474.93WF3
67.48-74.396.916.697.960.260.085.86
78.89-84.445.555.3716.438.330.2237.99
u3362242.40.767.64-70.452.812.7640.380.28.2WF3
u3363238.0-27.062.17-67.615.445.424.440.030.141.19WF3
105.68-108.6832.987.950.040.061.19 
u3366A234.725.9No significant interceptWF3
u3366234.725.966.10-68.602.5Not available11.030.10.071.19WF3
u3368233.9-47.7No significant interceptWF3
u3369238.029.369.80-80.3010.5Not available6.20.490.135.38WF3
u3370323.5-0.9No significant interceptWF3
u3371231.98.462.60-71.508.91.214.810.070.091.19WF3
           

Qualified Person and Quality Control/Quality Assurance

Yan Bourassa, P.Geo, Trevali’s Vice-President Exploration and Mineral Resources, is a qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Bourassa supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the contents of this news release. Mr. Bourassa is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance programs.

Regional exploration surface drillholes are drilled using HQ-sized core (63.5-millimetre diameter core) for overburden and weathered zones and NQ-sized core (47.6-millimetre diameter core) in bedrocks. Surface exploration and any inferred classification underground exploration drilling is performed by contractors. The indicated and measured classification underground exploration drilling is carried out by Rosh Pinah owner drill rigs. Underground exploration drill holes are drilled at NQ-sized core with core recovery above 95%.

Logging, sampling and analysis procedures comply with current QA/QC procedures and NI 43-101 requirements. Logging and sampling methodologies and procedures are documented, routinely updated, and maintained by the exploration department.

Drill core is logged on site by a geologist for lithological, structural, and geotechnical (core recovery, rock quality designation (RQD), and rock mass rating) information. A geo-data geologist supervises the database, which has set validation specifications for populated data. Drill core is cut and sampled onsite at Rosh Pinah. Half-core samples are prepared using a specialized core saw utilizing fresh water. One half of the core is stored with the rest of the core and the other half is sent to the laboratory for analysis. Tertiary/production drill core is wholly sampled.

Samples are packaged at the core shed and registered into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) by assistants in the Mineral Resource Management Department, then dispatched daily to the Rosh Pinah Mine Laboratory (“RPML”) located on the mine site. On arrival, samples are checked, sorted, bar coded, and activated in the LIMS.

Although the internal RPML is not internationally certified, QA/QC procedures have been performed systematically at Rosh Pinah Mine since 2009 and 5% of samples are sent to an independent accredited facility. Standard procedures developed and followed include the submission of blanks, duplicate samples, and certified reference material, typically at every 18th sample interval, to measure precision, accuracy, and bias in the sampling and analytical process. Duplicates are taken every 14 samples with the duplicate retrieved by the assaying laboratory personnel after the sample has been crushed, basically representing a separate split. Duplicates are taken to quantify precision and any bias introduced after the parent sample was duplicated (i.e., during milling, digestion and analysis). Sample duplication is also conducted to ensure and demonstrate analytical repeatability. Check assays of pulverized pulps are performed by a second lab and generally represent 5 to 10% of the entire sample database. Comparisons and reconciliation between original and check assays are done routinely during drilling, and systematically before any resource estimation exercise.

Sample custody is ensured on-site by continuous inventorying and monitoring of drill core. Once samples are prepared, using the methodologies described above, they are inventoried, individually bagged, tagged, and sealed in larger bags for transport to the assay lab. Audits of the assaying labs are performed occasionally.

About Trevali Mining Corporation

Trevali is a global base-metals mining company, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The bulk of Trevali’s revenue is generated from base-metals mining at its four operational assets: the 90%-owned Perkoa Mine in Burkina Faso, the 90%-owned Rosh Pinah Mine in Namibia, the wholly-owned Caribou Mine in northern New Brunswick, Canada and the wholly-owned Santander Mine in Peru. In addition, Trevali owns the Halfmile and Stratmat Properties and the Restigouche Deposit in New Brunswick, Canada, and the past-producing Ruttan Mine in northern Manitoba, Canada. Trevali also owns an effective 44%- interest in the Gergarub Project in Namibia, as well as an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Heath Steele deposit located in New Brunswick, Canada. The shares of Trevali are listed on the TSX (symbol TV), the OTCQX (symbol TREVF), the Lima Stock Exchange (symbol TV), and the Frankfurt Exchange (symbol 4TI). For further details on Trevali, readers are referred to the Company’s website (www.trevali.com) and to Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Investor Relations Contact:
Brendan Creaney – Vice President, Investor Relations
Email: bcreaney@trevali.com
Phone: +1 (604) 638-5623

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management of the Company as of the date the statement are published, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s expectations or beliefs regarding future events including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the Company’s growth strategies, the continued success of mineral exploration, the content, cost, timing and results of future exploration programs and life of mine expectancies, Trevali’s ability to fund future exploration activities, estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production and capital expenditures, success of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses and title disputes or claims. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “outlook”, “guidance”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to actual results of current exploration activities, including the inherent uncertainty of mineral exploration and estimations of exploration targets; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of zinc, lead, silver and other minerals and the anticipated sensitivity of our financial performance to such prices; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recoveries; dependence on key personnel; potential conflicts of interest involving our directors and officers; labour pool constraints; labour disputes; availability of infrastructure required for the development of mining projects; delays or inability to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals for mining operations or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; counterparty risks; increased operating and capital costs; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; operating in foreign jurisdictions with risk of changes to governmental regulation; compliance with governmental regulations; compliance with environmental laws and regulations; land reclamation and mine closure obligations; challenges to title or ownership interest of our mineral properties; maintaining ongoing social license to operate; impact of climatic conditions on the Company’s mining operations; corruption and bribery; limitations inherent in our insurance coverage; compliance with debt covenants; competition in the mining industry; our ability to integrate new acquisitions into our operations; cybersecurity threats; litigation; and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described in the Company’s annual information form, interim and annual audited consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of those statements, all of which are filed and available for review under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Trevali provides no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events may differ from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Figure 1 Figure 2