| Epithermal gold exploration activities in NZ's North Island |
Glass Earth Gold is looking for large epithermal gold
deposits in three regions in the North Island of New
Zealand: the Hauraki Region (~220sq km permitted
territory adjacent to the Martha Gold Mine -
advanced epithermal gold prospects), the Mamaku
Region (~225sq km permitted territory in a new
epithermal province - 1 historic epithermal gold
deposit - advanced and greenfields gold prospects),
and the Central Volcanic Region (~880sq km
permitted territory - 50+ greenfields epithermal gold
prospects - 10 advanced exploration gold prospects).
deposits in three regions in the North Island of New
Zealand: the Hauraki Region (~220sq km permitted
territory adjacent to the Martha Gold Mine -
advanced epithermal gold prospects), the Mamaku
Region (~225sq km permitted territory in a new
epithermal province - 1 historic epithermal gold
deposit - advanced and greenfields gold prospects),
and the Central Volcanic Region (~880sq km
permitted territory - 50+ greenfields epithermal gold
prospects - 10 advanced exploration gold prospects).
|
For information on the science involved in
Glass Earth's Exploration approach and the
regulatory environment, see the
Background Information page.
Glass Earth's Exploration approach and the
regulatory environment, see the
Background Information page.
| GEL's second drill hole at Tahunaatara on a beautiful spring day |
| TSX-V: GEL / NZAX:GEL |
Glass Earth's initial 'Data Intervention Process' conducted with Geoinformatics
Exploration Inc in 2004, followed by a large scale airborne geophysical programme in
2005, generated over 120 target areas with potential for large epithermal gold deposits
in the North Island, and ranked them for further evaluation.
On-ground exploration since 2006 has allowed Glass Earth to refine this ranking and
dispense with the lowest ranked targets, retaining only the top 60 targets most likely to
provide a major epithermal gold discovery.
Exploration Inc in 2004, followed by a large scale airborne geophysical programme in
2005, generated over 120 target areas with potential for large epithermal gold deposits
in the North Island, and ranked them for further evaluation.
On-ground exploration since 2006 has allowed Glass Earth to refine this ranking and
dispense with the lowest ranked targets, retaining only the top 60 targets most likely to
provide a major epithermal gold discovery.
In February 2007, a Joint Venture (JV) was entered into with Newmont over Glass
Earth's entire Hauraki Region permit area, for Newmont to fund and undertake
exploration in the area surrounding the 10 million ounce Martha Gold Mine operated by
Newmont at Waihi. This new JV complements the earlier Waihi West JV with Newmont,
over Glass Earth's permit immediately adjacent to the Martha Gold Mine.
Earth's entire Hauraki Region permit area, for Newmont to fund and undertake
exploration in the area surrounding the 10 million ounce Martha Gold Mine operated by
Newmont at Waihi. This new JV complements the earlier Waihi West JV with Newmont,
over Glass Earth's permit immediately adjacent to the Martha Gold Mine.
Hauraki Joint Venture
The potential exists for the location of Martha-size gold systems and/or additional high
grade mill feed for the existing Waihi milling operations.
Newmont already possessed significant databases of the Hauraki Region (including
extensive magnetic surveys, regional mapping, and stream sediment sampling). By
collating and interpreting this information Newmont obtained preliminary results that
defined prospect areas for detailed follow-up work and drilling. These targets
correspond well with those generated by Glass Earth’s own 2004/05 data intervention
and targeting process.
In 2007, Newmont conducted a programme of Hoist Electro-Magnetic surveying,
surface geochemistry and resistivity surveys over several of these targets. The Hoist-
EM programme (Newmont's proprietary EM/magnetic system suspended under a
helicopter) highlighted resistivity anomalies over the Wentworth / Glamorgan,
Wharekiriponga (WKP) and Owharoa areas, providing encouragement to advance on-
ground exploration on these areas as a priority.
Drilling began in mid January 2008 over the Owharoa target, with a five diamond drill
hole programme which returned no economic results. Drilling then moved on to the
Komata prospect, with the first hole (total depth 352.6m) encountering altered
andesitic and minor rhyolitic volcanics, with minor narrow quartz veins observed. After
completion of a second hole the drill rig will be moved to South Karangakahe to
continue a series of exploration forays into the Hauraki region.
Waihi West Joint Venture
This joint venture area is contiguous to the southern end of the Martha pit and contains
potential strike extensions of all the major Martha veins, south and eastward. It also
covers potential southerly strike extensions of the nearby Union Hill veins (Amaranth,
Union and Trio).
Soon after inception of the joint venture in April 2006, Newmont completed collecting
gravity, magnetic and CSAMT resistivity data to assist in the targeting of drill locations
and orientation. Since the first half of 2007, Newmont has followed-up on several
anomalous geophysical features identified through on-ground surveying, and drilled
nine holes, reporting the following intercepts:
UW254: UW272:
1m @ 0.69 ppm Au (180m) 5m @ 0.13 ppm Au (347-352m
1m @ 0.44 ppm Au (445m) 1.6m @ 0.26 ppm Au (437-438.6m)
6.4m @ 0.28 ppm Au (~565m)
UW 278:
3m @ 0.11 ppm Au (253m)
6m @ 0.18 ppm Au (286 -292m)
The potential exists for the location of Martha-size gold systems and/or additional high
grade mill feed for the existing Waihi milling operations.
Newmont already possessed significant databases of the Hauraki Region (including
extensive magnetic surveys, regional mapping, and stream sediment sampling). By
collating and interpreting this information Newmont obtained preliminary results that
defined prospect areas for detailed follow-up work and drilling. These targets
correspond well with those generated by Glass Earth’s own 2004/05 data intervention
and targeting process.
In 2007, Newmont conducted a programme of Hoist Electro-Magnetic surveying,
surface geochemistry and resistivity surveys over several of these targets. The Hoist-
EM programme (Newmont's proprietary EM/magnetic system suspended under a
helicopter) highlighted resistivity anomalies over the Wentworth / Glamorgan,
Wharekiriponga (WKP) and Owharoa areas, providing encouragement to advance on-
ground exploration on these areas as a priority.
Drilling began in mid January 2008 over the Owharoa target, with a five diamond drill
hole programme which returned no economic results. Drilling then moved on to the
Komata prospect, with the first hole (total depth 352.6m) encountering altered
andesitic and minor rhyolitic volcanics, with minor narrow quartz veins observed. After
completion of a second hole the drill rig will be moved to South Karangakahe to
continue a series of exploration forays into the Hauraki region.
Waihi West Joint Venture
This joint venture area is contiguous to the southern end of the Martha pit and contains
potential strike extensions of all the major Martha veins, south and eastward. It also
covers potential southerly strike extensions of the nearby Union Hill veins (Amaranth,
Union and Trio).
Soon after inception of the joint venture in April 2006, Newmont completed collecting
gravity, magnetic and CSAMT resistivity data to assist in the targeting of drill locations
and orientation. Since the first half of 2007, Newmont has followed-up on several
anomalous geophysical features identified through on-ground surveying, and drilled
nine holes, reporting the following intercepts:
UW254: UW272:
1m @ 0.69 ppm Au (180m) 5m @ 0.13 ppm Au (347-352m
1m @ 0.44 ppm Au (445m) 1.6m @ 0.26 ppm Au (437-438.6m)
6.4m @ 0.28 ppm Au (~565m)
UW 278:
3m @ 0.11 ppm Au (253m)
6m @ 0.18 ppm Au (286 -292m)
In the Mamaku Region, Glass Earth has identified through its geophysical surveys the
extension of the Coromandel Volcanic Arc, host to the 10MOz Martha Gold mine
operated by Newmont at Waihi.
Gibraltar-Muirs-Otawa Prospects:
Surrounding the historic Muirs Reef gold deposit (production 43,642 Oz gold circa.
1930's), Glass Earth's Gibraltar and Otawa prospects have demonstrated that this
exciting epithermal gold prospect represents one large continuous alteration and quartz
veined system over 5,000m in length. Historical drilling and channel sampling in the
1990's on the Muirs section returned interesting individual gold intercepts (including
channel sampling of 22m @ 1.76 g/t Au; Hole RC33 from 61m to 62m: 1m @ 358 g/t
Au; channel sampling of 20m @ 4.9 g/t Au).
In September / October 2007, Glass Earth completed E-SCAN® 3D resistivity surveys*
over the Gibraltar and Otawa targets, respectively south and north of the historic Muirs
Reef gold deposit which, combined to surface mapping, has traced the vein / breccia
system for over 5,000m. Rock chip sampling of outcrop by Glass Earth personnel has
returned individual rock chips in the 0.5-2g/t Au range.
Drilling commenced in August 2008 over the Muirs Reef prospect.
Drilling and assaying of the first diamond drill hole on the Massey section of Muirs Reef
provides strong encouragement, showing initial indications of a broad section of
mineralized quartz veins (30m @ 1.2 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag, true width ~20m). Drilling
beneath the 20m @4.9 g/t gold included a wide mineralized zone steeply dipping
beneath the Massey channel and two other peripheral mineralized quartz veins,
providing indications of a broader epithermal system than previously described.
The breadth of the mineralized quartz veins, and the intersection of several peripheral
veins (up to 4.5 g/t Au over individual one metre intervals) indicates the potential for a
large epithermal system. The Massey and Muirs veins lie some 350m apart, with the
known Muirs veins mapped over 1500 metres (demonstrated from historical RAB/RC
drilling). Recently completed EM (gradient array) ground surveying between the two
reefs has detected new resistors indicating additional veining lies between the two vein
systems. Quartz, chalcedonic colloform banded quartz, silicic altered bladed calcite and
adularia assemblages all indicate an epithermal system at a very high-level, with
unconstrained potential at depth.
Exploratory drilling is anticipated to be near-continuous throughout NZ spring 2008 on
this area concentrating on the delineation of resources in the vicinity of the Massey /
Muirs vein systems.
Regional Prospects:
A concerted regional mapping and geochemical sampling programme was undertaken,
with 121 BLEG stream samples and 19 rock chip samples collected. Anomalous gold
values and/or significant hydrothermal alteration are confirmed at several targets,
including Ohauiti and Kaimai.
Follow-up of the Ohauiti and Kaimai targets where early stream sediment anomalies
were detected, has led to the identification of mineralised vein float (0.57ppm Au) at
Ohauiti and outcropping silicification (0.37 ppm Au) at Kaimai.
(*) for information on the E-SCAN® surveying technique, please refer to our
Background Information page
extension of the Coromandel Volcanic Arc, host to the 10MOz Martha Gold mine
operated by Newmont at Waihi.
Gibraltar-Muirs-Otawa Prospects:
Surrounding the historic Muirs Reef gold deposit (production 43,642 Oz gold circa.
1930's), Glass Earth's Gibraltar and Otawa prospects have demonstrated that this
exciting epithermal gold prospect represents one large continuous alteration and quartz
veined system over 5,000m in length. Historical drilling and channel sampling in the
1990's on the Muirs section returned interesting individual gold intercepts (including
channel sampling of 22m @ 1.76 g/t Au; Hole RC33 from 61m to 62m: 1m @ 358 g/t
Au; channel sampling of 20m @ 4.9 g/t Au).
In September / October 2007, Glass Earth completed E-SCAN® 3D resistivity surveys*
over the Gibraltar and Otawa targets, respectively south and north of the historic Muirs
Reef gold deposit which, combined to surface mapping, has traced the vein / breccia
system for over 5,000m. Rock chip sampling of outcrop by Glass Earth personnel has
returned individual rock chips in the 0.5-2g/t Au range.
Drilling commenced in August 2008 over the Muirs Reef prospect.
Drilling and assaying of the first diamond drill hole on the Massey section of Muirs Reef
provides strong encouragement, showing initial indications of a broad section of
mineralized quartz veins (30m @ 1.2 g/t Au and 6 g/t Ag, true width ~20m). Drilling
beneath the 20m @4.9 g/t gold included a wide mineralized zone steeply dipping
beneath the Massey channel and two other peripheral mineralized quartz veins,
providing indications of a broader epithermal system than previously described.
The breadth of the mineralized quartz veins, and the intersection of several peripheral
veins (up to 4.5 g/t Au over individual one metre intervals) indicates the potential for a
large epithermal system. The Massey and Muirs veins lie some 350m apart, with the
known Muirs veins mapped over 1500 metres (demonstrated from historical RAB/RC
drilling). Recently completed EM (gradient array) ground surveying between the two
reefs has detected new resistors indicating additional veining lies between the two vein
systems. Quartz, chalcedonic colloform banded quartz, silicic altered bladed calcite and
adularia assemblages all indicate an epithermal system at a very high-level, with
unconstrained potential at depth.
Exploratory drilling is anticipated to be near-continuous throughout NZ spring 2008 on
this area concentrating on the delineation of resources in the vicinity of the Massey /
Muirs vein systems.
Regional Prospects:
A concerted regional mapping and geochemical sampling programme was undertaken,
with 121 BLEG stream samples and 19 rock chip samples collected. Anomalous gold
values and/or significant hydrothermal alteration are confirmed at several targets,
including Ohauiti and Kaimai.
Follow-up of the Ohauiti and Kaimai targets where early stream sediment anomalies
were detected, has led to the identification of mineralised vein float (0.57ppm Au) at
Ohauiti and outcropping silicification (0.37 ppm Au) at Kaimai.
(*) for information on the E-SCAN® surveying technique, please refer to our
Background Information page
Since January 2006, Glass Earth has been engaged in a two-pronged approach to
making a significant gold discovery in the CVR.
Advanced Targets:
(prioritisation of the top 21 targets in the 106 target bank)
Detailed geological mapping, soil geochemical surveying and gridded resistivity
(CSAMT and E-SCAN®) surveying have been campaigned over the top 21 targets since
early 2006.
Scout drilling (diamond drilling - Alton Drilling) commenced in May 2006. Progressively,
Tahunaatara (4 drillholes), Humphrey's Road (2 drillholes), Thompson's (1 drillhole),
Pukemoremore (1 drillhole), Ohakuri (2 drillholes) etc are being drill-tested in a
programme which aims to test the top 20 targets by end of 2009.
In order to further define drill targets, Glass Earth's is implementing E-SCAN®, a new
generation multi-directional DC resistivity method that highlights resistive/conductive
contrasts (quartz versus altered rock) in 3D down to approximately 650m depth. Glass
Earth conducted 2 E-SCAN® surveys in the CVR in 2007, over Tahunaatara and
Ohakuri; and 2 further surveys in 2008 over Pukemoremore (February 08) and
Horohoro (April 08). These surveys which have been carried out over the whole target
zones are providing invaluable 3D information of the subsurface systems that could
host gold mineralisation.
The top 6 targets in this region will soon have completed E-SCAN®. It is planned to drill
these targets.
The progress of this campaign is highlighted by a review of Tahunaatara, Glass Earth's
highest ranked target at this stage in the CVR.
Click here for the Tahunaatara Review
Regional Reconnaissance Targets:
Over 50 other targets lie in Glass Earth's permit areas in the CVR. While exploration
activities, including drilling, have continued apace on the higher ranked targets,
Rotorua-based field teams have completed the technical evaluation through further
mapping and detailed stream geochemical surveying of the remainder of Glass Earth's
target table in the CVR.
As a result, Glass Earth has been able to refine the ranking of targets and has
dispensed with the lowest ranked targets, choosing to retain only the top 40 targets.
These are considered more likely to provide a major gold discovery.
making a significant gold discovery in the CVR.
Advanced Targets:
(prioritisation of the top 21 targets in the 106 target bank)
Detailed geological mapping, soil geochemical surveying and gridded resistivity
(CSAMT and E-SCAN®) surveying have been campaigned over the top 21 targets since
early 2006.
Scout drilling (diamond drilling - Alton Drilling) commenced in May 2006. Progressively,
Tahunaatara (4 drillholes), Humphrey's Road (2 drillholes), Thompson's (1 drillhole),
Pukemoremore (1 drillhole), Ohakuri (2 drillholes) etc are being drill-tested in a
programme which aims to test the top 20 targets by end of 2009.
In order to further define drill targets, Glass Earth's is implementing E-SCAN®, a new
generation multi-directional DC resistivity method that highlights resistive/conductive
contrasts (quartz versus altered rock) in 3D down to approximately 650m depth. Glass
Earth conducted 2 E-SCAN® surveys in the CVR in 2007, over Tahunaatara and
Ohakuri; and 2 further surveys in 2008 over Pukemoremore (February 08) and
Horohoro (April 08). These surveys which have been carried out over the whole target
zones are providing invaluable 3D information of the subsurface systems that could
host gold mineralisation.
The top 6 targets in this region will soon have completed E-SCAN®. It is planned to drill
these targets.
The progress of this campaign is highlighted by a review of Tahunaatara, Glass Earth's
highest ranked target at this stage in the CVR.
Click here for the Tahunaatara Review
Regional Reconnaissance Targets:
Over 50 other targets lie in Glass Earth's permit areas in the CVR. While exploration
activities, including drilling, have continued apace on the higher ranked targets,
Rotorua-based field teams have completed the technical evaluation through further
mapping and detailed stream geochemical surveying of the remainder of Glass Earth's
target table in the CVR.
As a result, Glass Earth has been able to refine the ranking of targets and has
dispensed with the lowest ranked targets, choosing to retain only the top 40 targets.
These are considered more likely to provide a major gold discovery.
| Glass Earth's CCVR airborne magnetics survey 2005 |
| Glass Earth's Waihi West permit contains potential strike extensions of all the major Martha veins - Newmont 2006 drilling and CSAMT resistivity |
| Rocks from Muirs Reef (left) bear a definite resem- blance to those from the Martha Gold Mine (right) |
| Drilling Glass Earth's first hole on Massey Reef |