Black Swan Drilling Tas Property

As long as winter holds off, Black Swan Gold Mines (VSE) intends to continue drilling the Tas property near Fort St. James, B.C. in order to test continuity of gold mineralization in three fracture and shear systems containing sulphide mineralization. The company says the limited drilling to date has “demonstrated the high grade nature” of the mineralized zones over a total strike length of 500 ft and over a vertical interval of 500 ft.

Recent results from the Mid zone are 11.5 ft of 0.23 oz gold per ton, and 7.9 ft of 1.76 oz and 2.84% copper. The company notes that two holes tested the zone to a depth of 200 ft, with the drilling indicating that the mineralized zone increases in grade and thickness with depth.

Three holes were drilled in the 19 zone to confirm an earlier intercept of 1.1 oz gold over 5 ft, and the company reports that the holes demonstrated the existence of the structure over a strike length of 100 ft and to a depth of 150 ft. Assay results include: 1.3 ft of 0.49 oz; 2.0 ft of 0.13 oz; and 12.5 ft of 0.05 oz gold per ton.

On the East zone, Black Swan says drilling demonstrated continuity and grade of two mineralized structures over a strike length of 300 ft and to a depth of 150 ft, with both structures open to depth and along strike. Recent gold assays include: 10.5 ft of 0.12 oz; 1.3 ft of 0.51 oz; 3.2 ft of 0.75 oz and 1.3 ft of 0.17 oz.

According to Arthur Fisher, president, the proposed program for early 1989 is being designed to define sufficient ore to support a 200-ton-per-day mill with a forecast production of about 35,000 oz per year. Black Swan is at present earning a 55% interest in the project, while Goldcap Inc. (ASE) owns a 5% interest and through further exploration may acquire up to 45%. Gold Production Increased at Gabanintha

VANCOUVER — Improved grades from the Kavanagh pit and improvements in metallurgical recovery helped boost gold production at the Gabanintha mine to record levels, says Black Swan Gold Mines (VSE), which owns 25% of the Australian gold project.

Production for the 12-week period ending Sept 30, was 9,708 oz (annual equivalent 42,000 oz) from 106,235 tons milled at a head grade of 0.1 oz gold per ton. Black Swan reports that metallurgical recovery reached a new high of 95% and operating costs averaged $230 (US). The average selling price realized by the company was $440(US) per oz of gold in accordance with a contract negotiated earlier with an Australian bank.

The Meekatharra joint venture (Black Swan 50% and Dominion 50%) continued exploration at the Quinns Commonwealth Reef prospect 6 miles south of their Gabanintha mine project. A 40-hole reverse circulation drill program is testing mineralization along 2,000 ft of old workings. Narrow high grade intercepts were encountered in several holes and results include: 3 ft of 1.12 oz gold; 7 ft of 0.16 oz; 7 ft of 0.35 oz; and 3 ft of 0.25 oz.

A total of 16 reverse circulation holes were drilled at the Garden Gully prospect located 40 miles from Gabanintha. According to Arthur Fisher, president of Black Swan, results to date have delineated a 70-ft-wide quartz stockwork zone containing a number of mineralized lenses of an average grade of about 0.1 oz gold per ton over widths of up to 10 ft. Further drilling is planned to define the open pit potential of the mineralized zones.

Drilling is also being planned for the Bunarra Bore property located 20 miles east of Meekatharra. Work to date has concentrated on three quartz stockwork zones which the company says contain narrow quartz veins ranging in value from low grades to 0.5 oz gold per ton over widths of 3 ft with other intercepts of up to 16 ft at 0.2 oz.