Aurizon drills expand zone on Connell Corner property

While it has yet to ignite much investor interest, the first phase of diamond drilling was completed recently on Aurizon Mines (TSE) Connell Corner base metal property near Val d’Or, Que.

The Connell Corner project is adjacent to the massive sulphide discovery of the Aur Resources (TSE) and Societe Miniere Louvem (TSE) where potential reserves stand at 36 million tons grading 3.11% copper and 1.34% zinc.

On the Connell Corner claims, Ezekiel Explorations (VSE) is funding an exploration program designed to test the western extension of a base metal horizon which hosts the Aur-Louvem sulphides at Louvicourt Twp. Ezekiel can earn a 49% stake in the Aurizon project.

After completing 17,066 ft. of drilling, Aurizon says reserves in the E zone — one of two known copper bearing zones on the property — have increased by 165,000 tons and now stand at 740,000 tons grading 2.36% copper and 0.02 oz. gold. (That total includes two easterly plunging oreshoots grading over 3% copper and 0.03 oz. gold.)

While drilling on the E zone, Aurizon intersected 18.4 ft. of grade 0.61% copper at a depth of 1,550 ft. in hole CC-89-11. A follow-up pulse EM survey of hole CC-89-11 has identified an off-hole conductor with significant planar extent 120 ft. above the intersection.

Among other things, Aurizon has been able to confirm that the pyroclastic rocks hosting the Louvem No. 4, 1 and 6 zones are present on its own claims.

“The Louvem 4 horizon, hosting a zinc-rich sulphide deposit (880,000 tons of grade 8.47% zinc) 200 metres east of the property boundary, is held within the pyroclastic belt and has been tested by three drill holes as part of phase- one drilling,” said Aurizon President David Hall.

Results from the three holes included 3 ft. of 1.44% copper, 3 ft. of 0.05 oz. gold and 3 ft. of 0.8% zinc.

In addition to the copper mineralization from the E zone, Aurizon has intersected broad widths of anomalous precious metal values. These intervals of gold and silver are associated with the E and F zones and have returned grades of 0.02 oz. gold and 0.05 oz. silver over 48.5 ft. and 0.03 oz. gold and 0.10 oz. silver over 39 ft.

Aurizon says it is looking at ways to finance the next phase of exploration at Connell Corner and it is involved in discussions with a number of major mining companies in the Val d’Or area.