TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Eastmain Resources Inc. (Other OTC:EANRF) (TSX:ER) is pleased to announce that visible gold has been identified in 55 intersections from holes completed during its latest drill campaign. A total of 180 quartz-tourmaline vein and schist drill intercepts ranging from 0.5 to more than 4.0 metres in thickness were intersected within the Eau Claire gold deposit. Visible gold observed in drill core ranges from 1 to over 100 grains per intercept and varies in size from less than 1 mm to more than 4 mm (Table 1). Drilling across the 450 West Zone at Eau Claire confirms excellent continuity of multiple gold-bearing veins, defining a high-grade corridor containing visible gold in the central part of the deposit. Based on previous drill results, an increase in the number of visible gold grains may indicate a significant increase in the grade of the deposit.
A total of 53 drill holes were completed at Eastmain's 100%-owned Clearwater Project. 51 HQ (96 mm diameter) drill holes (ER07-60 to ER07-110) were completed at the Eau Claire deposit (450 West Zone) over a strike-length of 300 metres and to a vertical depth of up to 100 metres. From these holes, 1,980 half-metre HQ core samples have been submitted to SGS Minerals Lakefield Research Laboratories for assay and metallurgical testing. An additional 95 half-metre samples from two exploration holes (ER07-111, ER07-112) drilled into the 850 West Zone have been submitted to ALS Chemex in Sudbury.
Assay results are expected to be received in the first quarter of 2008 (Q1). Upon receipt of these assays, an updated resource calculation will be completed for Q2 and metallurgical test work should be completed by the fourth quarter (Q3-Q4) of 2008. Metallurgical work will include the design of an optimum processing flow sheet for the ore at Eau Claire, which will determine if ore from Eau Claire can be processed at Goldcorp's future local mill-site.
The 450 West Zone, which represents only a portion of the deposit, has now been drilled at 12.5-metre centers. This will provide sufficient geological confidence to calculate a measured resource. To date, the gold deposit contains in excess of 1,000 ounces of gold per vertical metre (NI-43-101- Dec 30, 2005; 2006 AR). There is excellent potential to increase the resource by expanding the geometry of the deposit and increasing the gold grade.
This press release was prepared by geologist Dr. Donald J. Robinson, P. Geo, qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Eastmain is a Canadian gold exploration company with 100% ownership of the Eau Claire and Eastmain gold deposits. Eastmain also discovered a new sedimentary-gold zone at Eleonore South, a project located adjacent to Goldcorp's Roberto deposit, located in James Bay, Quebec. The Company has an annual budget of $3 million for gold exploration in Quebec.
The statements made in this Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections.