Arizona Mining Reports Significant High-Grade Drill Results in a New Copper-Rich Zone at the Taylor Project


  • 160 feet assaying 7.3% combined zinc-lead, 6.0 opt silver, and 1.6% copper (TDS)
  • Including 64 feet assaying 13.9% combined zinc-lead, 11.9 opt silver, and 2.5% copper (TDS)
  • 30.5 feet assaying 10.8% combined zinc-lead, 6.7 opt silver, and 2.9% copper (TDS)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arizona Mining Inc. (TSX:AZ) (“Arizona Mining” or the “Company”) announces robust results for two drill holes from the current program focused on expansion of the Taylor Deeps Zone (“TDS”) located on its 100%-owned Hermosa Project in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The drill holes highlighted in this release are successful step-out exploration drill holes highlighting the continued potential for resource growth, increased zinc-lead-silver grades and significant copper grades associated with the high-grade Taylor Deeps Zone.  These results are subsequent to and distinct from drilling completed for the Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) (see Press Release dated January 16, 2018).

“Our exploration drilling continues to confirm high-grade extensions to major areas of mineralization identified in the updated PEA. Exploration drilling in the southwestern portion of the Trench property, especially to the south, continues to demonstrate potential for high-grade expansion of the Taylor Deeps Zone,” said Chief Operating Officer Don Taylor. “In addition to the continued high-grade zinc-lead-silver mineralization, the current and previous drilling has identified an area of potentially significant copper (see Figure 3) which is open to the north and south. The copper-rich zone is characterized by coarse-grained chalcopyrite disseminated within the massive sphalerite/galena mineralization.  Based on the robust copper grades in this zone and a previously identified zone to the east, we will be accelerating test work to evaluate the viability of adding a copper circuit to the flotation milling process.”

HDS-516 is a vertical step-out hole targeting Taylor Deeps Sulfide (TDS) mineralization. The drill hole intercepted several mineralized horizons within the Taylor Deeps Sulfide Zone, including one very substantial zone. The Taylor Deeps intercept extends the mineralization 300 feet southwest of previously reported HDS-436 (see Press Release dated May 18, 2017). Significant mineralized intervals in the Taylor Deeps include:

  • 160 feet assaying 7.3% combined zinc-lead, and 6.0 opt silver and 1.6% copper (TDS)
    • including 64 feet assaying 13.9% combined zinc-lead; and 11.9 opt silver and 2.5% copper (TDS)

HDS-525 is an angled step-out drill hole targeting Taylor Deeps Sulfide (TDS) mineralization. The drill hole intercepted multiple mineralized zones in the Taylor Deeps Zone and one high grade vein (TVS). The Taylor Deeps intercept extends the mineralization 300 south of HDS-501 (see Press Release dated February 20, 2018). The noteworthy mineralized intervals were:

  • 14 feet assaying 22.9% combined zinc-lead; and 3.0 opt silver and 0.8% copper (TVS)
  • 30.5 feet assaying 10.8% combined zinc-lead; and 6.7 opt silver and 2.9% copper (TDS)

For a full list of the Trench Vein, Taylor Sulfide and Taylor Deeps Sulfide mineralized intervals from these holes refer to Table I.

Table I.  Drill Hole Assay Summary

DH_IDFrom (feet)To (feet)Interval (in feet)From (meters)To (meters)Interval (meters)Ag optPb%Zn% Cu%Zone *
HDS-5166676725203.3204.81.58.1110.600.650.06TVS
HDS-51636253640151104.81109.44.66.0615.568.781.97TDS
HDS-516369338531601125.61174.348.85.964.263.011.61TDS
Including36933757641125.61145.119.511.928.525.342.45TDS
HDS-51655395556171688.21693.45.23.424.044.280.05TDS
HDS-5165698.55710.5121736.81740.53.75.359.8911.770.40TDS
HDS-51658125822101771.41774.53.05.2715.773.200.46TDS
            
HDS-52534843498141061.91066.14.32.988.2814.590.77TVS
HDS-52535843607231092.31099.47.01.615.126.941.05TDS
HDS-52546774707.530.51425.51434.89.36.675.575.262.89TDS
HDS-52548774898211486.41492.86.41.822.127.101.43TDS


Drill intersections with a combined zinc and lead grade of greater than 9% are highlighted. Sulfide drill intervals from the Taylor Sulfide Zone and Taylor Deeps Sulfide Zone are down-the-hole drill intervals.  Vertical drill holes are considered to be within +5% of true width based on the dip of the mineralized stratigraphy at 20-25 degrees. Angle drill holes are considered to be within +15% of true width based on the dip of the mineralized stratigraphy at 20-25 degrees.

*The exception to this are the intervals noted as veins.  It is not possible to determine the true width of the veins based on the drill density and no representation is made here regarding true width of the veins. Zones shown include: Taylor Sulfide Zone (TS); Taylor Deeps Sulfide Zone (TDS) and Trench Vein System (TVS).

Figure 1. Drill Hole Location Map: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d88d7a4b-ef6a-4fa5-909d-427ff4cec2d4 


Figure 2. Plan View of Taylor Deeps with ZnEq Grade Contour: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a6f362c5-c65d-4e64-9c49-b42bb4b10f43

Figure 3. Plan View of Taylor Deeps with High Grade Copper Zones: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3169eee4-ceb2-4537-8607-cb6d006131ac

Figure 4. Long Section of Hermosa Geology and Ore Deposits: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5541768-1729-411c-81f9-0c9a642b900a

Figure 5. Land Status Map: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9aa8526-ea00-4460-be60-b880271e5a3c


Qualified Person

The results of the Arizona Mining Inc. drilling have been reviewed, verified and compiled by Donald R. Taylor, MSc., PG, Chief Operating Officer for Arizona Mining Inc., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Mr. Taylor has 30 years of mineral exploration and mining experience, and is a Registered Professional Geologist through the SME (registered member #4029597).

Assays and Quality Assurance/Quality Control

To ensure reliable sample results, the Company has a rigorous QA/QC program in place that monitors the chain-of-custody of samples and includes the insertion of blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards at statistically derived intervals within each batch of samples. Core is photographed and split in half with one-half retained in a secured facility for verification purposes.

Sample preparation (crushing and pulverizing) has been performed at ALS Minerals Laboratories, an ISO/IEC accredited lab located in Tucson, Arizona. ALS Minerals Laboratories prepares a pulp of all samples and sends the pulps to their analytical laboratory in Vancouver, B.C. Canada for analysis. ALS analyzes the pulp sample by ICP following a 4-acid digestion (ME-ICP61 for 33 elements) including Cu (copper), Pb (lead), and Zn (zinc). All samples in which Cu (copper), Pb (lead), or Zn (zinc) are greater than 10,000 ppm are re-run using four acid digestion with an ICP – AES finish (Cu-OG62; Pb-OG62; and Zn-OG62) with the elements reported in percentage (%). Silver values are determined by ICP (ME-ICP61) with all samples with silver values greater than 100 ppm repeated using four acid digestion with an ICP-AES finish (Ag-OG62) calibrated for higher levels of silver contained.  Any values over 1,500 ppm Ag trigger a fire assay with gravimetric finish analysis.   Gold values are determined by a 30 gm fire assay with an ICP-AES finish (Au-ICP21).

About Arizona Mining

Arizona Mining Inc. (an augustagroup company) is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the exploration and development of its 100%-owned Hermosa Project located in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The Taylor Deposit, a zinc-lead-silver carbonate replacement deposit, has a resource of 15.2 million tons in the Measured Mineral Resource category grading 4.0% zinc, 4.0% lead and 1.6 opt silver, or 9.6% ZnEq, plus 85.8 million tons in the Indicated Mineral Resource category grading 4.2% zinc, 4.3% lead and 2.2 opt silver, or 10.5% ZnEq, and 43.6 million tons of Inferred Mineral Resources grading 3.9% zinc, 4.8% lead and 3.4 opt silver or 11.9% ZnEq, all reported in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines utilizing a 4% ZnEq cutoff grade.  The Taylor Deposit remains open to the north, west and south over land controlled by the Company and will be aggressively drilled to test the limits of the resource. The Company’s other project on the Hermosa property is the Central Deposit, a silver-manganese manto oxide project.

For additional information please contact:

Jerrold Annett
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
Telephone: 416-366-5678 ext. 207
Email: jannett@arizonamining.com

Susan Muir
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Telephone: 416-366-5678 ext. 202
Email: smuir@arizonamining.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward looking statements including statements with respect to the Company’s intentions for its Hermosa Project in Arizona, including, without limitation, construction of the twin exploration decline, performing additional drilling, a resource update, permitting and a feasibility study on the Taylor Deposit.  Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as may, will, seek, anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, budget, schedule, forecast, project, expect, intend, or similar expressions.

The forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which, while considered reasonable by Arizona Mining, are subject to risks and uncertainties.  In addition to the assumptions herein, these assumptions include the assumptions described in Arizona Mining's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2017 ("MD&A").  Arizona Mining cautions readers that forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements and forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results, performance or achievement. These risks, uncertainties and factors include general business, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; changes in project parameters; changes in costs, including labour, infrastructure, operating and production costs; future prices of zinc, lead, silver and other minerals; variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, development or mining activities, including the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; delays in completion of exploration, development or construction activities; changes in government legislation and regulation; the ability to maintain and renew existing licenses and permits or obtain required licenses and permits in a timely manner; the ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms in a timely manner; contests over title to properties; employee relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration, development and mining business; and the factors discussed in the section entitled "Risks and Uncertainties" in the MD&A.

Although Arizona Mining has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual performance, achievements, actions, events, results or conditions to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking information, there may be other risks, uncertainties and other factors that cause performance, achievements, actions, events, results or conditions to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.  Unless otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements contained herein are as of the date hereof and Arizona Mining disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Figure 1. Drill Hole Location Map Figure 2. Plan View of Taylor Deeps with ZnEq Grade Contour Figure 3. Plan View of Taylor Deeps with High Grade Copper Zones Figure 4. Long Section of Hermosa Geology and Ore Deposits Figure 5. Land Status Map