| TSX-V: GEL / NZAX:GEL |
| Tahunaatara - Epithermal Gold Target (CVR) |
| . |
The Tahunaatara target was initially defined as a result of the interpretation of Glass
Earth's ultra-detailed airborne magnetics and gravity surveys in the Coromandel /
Central Volcanic Region. A distinguishing feature of this target was a coincidence of a
magnetic low, gravity high, resistivity highs and traces of gold in soils.
Follow-up ground resistivity and soil gold geochemistry surveys completed by Glass
Earth early in 2006 over Tahunaatara outlined a coincident geophysical and
geochemical anomaly with approximate dimensions of 2.2 kms x 0.7 km.
Earth's ultra-detailed airborne magnetics and gravity surveys in the Coromandel /
Central Volcanic Region. A distinguishing feature of this target was a coincidence of a
magnetic low, gravity high, resistivity highs and traces of gold in soils.
Follow-up ground resistivity and soil gold geochemistry surveys completed by Glass
Earth early in 2006 over Tahunaatara outlined a coincident geophysical and
geochemical anomaly with approximate dimensions of 2.2 kms x 0.7 km.
Glass Earth commenced a drilling programme over Tahunaatara in May 2006, with the
objective of determining the cause of the observed geophysical and geochemical
anomalies in advance of more detailed ground geophysics and reconnaissance drilling.
The first drill hole testing the Tahunaatara anomaly intersected a broad zone of
significant hydrothermal alteration indicative of a large epithermal gold system. The
drill hole intersected over 70m true width, a zone of intense hydrothermal alteration
consisting of adularia-illite-smectite-quartz-chalcedony that hosts pyrite, arsenopyrite
and minor gold-silver mineralisation. The hole ended in intense adularia-illite-smectite
clay alteration at 357.2m.
The geology intersected by the drill hole at Tahunaatara provided confirmation of the
geophysical model used by Glass Earth in its search for buried gold deposits in the
Coromandel / Central Volcanic Region. Whilst no economic gold was intersected in this
drill hole, the discovery of a broad zone of anomalous gold in a major new epithermal
system encouraged Glass Earth to embark on broad detailed resistivity (CSAMT) over
the prospect, to detect ground silicification / veining that may be the focus of economic
gold concentration.
Since June 2006, 3 additional drill holes have been completed, targeting resistive
anomalies detected using detailed CSAMT resistivity techniques within the extensive
hydrothermal alteration and silicification mapped.
These holes have confirmed individual 1m assays of indicative economic grade (1m
intervals of 1g, 2g, 3g Au) and broad low grade mineralisation associated with clay -
pyrite - adularia - silica alteration in ignimbrite rocks adjacent to major hydrothermal
breccia pipes.
objective of determining the cause of the observed geophysical and geochemical
anomalies in advance of more detailed ground geophysics and reconnaissance drilling.
The first drill hole testing the Tahunaatara anomaly intersected a broad zone of
significant hydrothermal alteration indicative of a large epithermal gold system. The
drill hole intersected over 70m true width, a zone of intense hydrothermal alteration
consisting of adularia-illite-smectite-quartz-chalcedony that hosts pyrite, arsenopyrite
and minor gold-silver mineralisation. The hole ended in intense adularia-illite-smectite
clay alteration at 357.2m.
The geology intersected by the drill hole at Tahunaatara provided confirmation of the
geophysical model used by Glass Earth in its search for buried gold deposits in the
Coromandel / Central Volcanic Region. Whilst no economic gold was intersected in this
drill hole, the discovery of a broad zone of anomalous gold in a major new epithermal
system encouraged Glass Earth to embark on broad detailed resistivity (CSAMT) over
the prospect, to detect ground silicification / veining that may be the focus of economic
gold concentration.
Since June 2006, 3 additional drill holes have been completed, targeting resistive
anomalies detected using detailed CSAMT resistivity techniques within the extensive
hydrothermal alteration and silicification mapped.
These holes have confirmed individual 1m assays of indicative economic grade (1m
intervals of 1g, 2g, 3g Au) and broad low grade mineralisation associated with clay -
pyrite - adularia - silica alteration in ignimbrite rocks adjacent to major hydrothermal
breccia pipes.
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Petrology, including clay thermometry and fluid inclusion studies, reinforce Glass
Earth's belief that the mineralised system intercepted is in the epithermal gold
deposition range and mineral assemblages have all the ingredients of a high grade ore
zone.
Exploration targeting for the next drilling campaign is focussing on the higher density
more competent host rocks punctured by hydrothermal breccias. This refocussed Glass
Earth's targeting and expanded ground resistivity, with the implementation of the new
generation 3D E-SCAN® resistivity technique (see our Background Information page for
technical details).
This technique allows the generation of a 3D model of the resistivity of the subsurface,
and to direct exploratory drilling to the more resistive bodies, potential gold-bearing
quartz veins. An example of this model is displayed below.
Earth's belief that the mineralised system intercepted is in the epithermal gold
deposition range and mineral assemblages have all the ingredients of a high grade ore
zone.
Exploration targeting for the next drilling campaign is focussing on the higher density
more competent host rocks punctured by hydrothermal breccias. This refocussed Glass
Earth's targeting and expanded ground resistivity, with the implementation of the new
generation 3D E-SCAN® resistivity technique (see our Background Information page for
technical details).
This technique allows the generation of a 3D model of the resistivity of the subsurface,
and to direct exploratory drilling to the more resistive bodies, potential gold-bearing
quartz veins. An example of this model is displayed below.
Resistivity section over Tahunaatara target, showing the large shallow resistor targeted by
Glass Earth's first drill hole
Glass Earth's first drill hole
Glass Earth's 4th drill hole at Tahunaatara intersected
low grade gold mineralisation on 147m, with
individual intercepts reporting economic gold grades
low grade gold mineralisation on 147m, with
individual intercepts reporting economic gold grades
Drilling TNT05
An example of 3D
E-SCAN® resistivity
model: the red
shows the relatively
more resistive
zones (potential
gold bearing quartz
veins) which will be
targeted for drilling
E-SCAN® resistivity
model: the red
shows the relatively
more resistive
zones (potential
gold bearing quartz
veins) which will be
targeted for drilling
