Denarius Metals Corp. (“Denarius” or “the Company”) (TSXV: DSLV;
OTCQB: DNRSF) announced today an initial Mineral Resource estimate
(“MRE”), prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and disclosure
requirements of NI 43-101, on its 100% owned Lomero-Poyatos Project
(“Lomero”) in southern Spain. Lomero is a polymetallic deposit
located on the Spanish side of the prolific copper rich Iberian
Pyrite Belt (“IPB”), one of the largest districts of pyrite-rich
massive sulfide deposits in the world.
The initial MRE has been prepared at the
conclusion of the Phase 1 surface drilling program carried out by
the Company between October 2021 and July 2022. The initial MRE
reflects the early-stage results from this validation and infill
drilling program coupled with resource expansion drilling below the
historical drilling. This program has enabled the Company to
confirm the presence of the expected polymetallic mineralization at
Lomero and to increase its geological knowledge to a sufficient
level to declare this initial Mineral Resource for Lomero. The
Company plans further exploration drilling at Lomero as it
continues to validate certain historical drilling, which has been
excluded from the current estimates, together with further infill
and step out drilling around the Mineral Resources presented
herein.
The Company's initial MRE for Lomero has
determined that Lomero is amendable to open pit and underground
options or a combination of both. The initial MRE has been reported
based on cut-off grades of 0.4% Copper Equivalent (“CuEq”) for open
pit resources and 0.6% CuEq for underground resources, which
comprises:
- an open pit Inferred Mineral
Resource of approximately 6.2Mt of material at average grades of
2.3 g/t Au, 22 g/t Ag, 0.60% Cu, 0.44% Pb and 1.02% Zn, which when
considered as CuEq, results in 112,700 tonnes of CuEq metal
averaging 1.82% CuEq; and,
- an underground Inferred Mineral
Resource of approximately 4.5Mt of material at average grades of
1.7 g/t Au, 20 g/t Ag, 0.24% Cu, 0.37% Pb and 1.03% Zn resulting in
56,600 tonnes of CuEq metal averaging 1.27% CuEq.
Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman and CEO of
Denarius, commented, “Lomero has a historic Inferred Mineral
Resource of 20.93 Mt at 0.9% Cu, 0.85% Pb, 3.05% Zn, 62.38 g/t Ag
and 3.08 g/t Au. Our recently completed Phase 1 drilling program
has resulted in an initial MRE for Lomero, a measuring stick of our
exploration success and progress to date and gives us confidence in
the potential for expansion in the size of the deposit, as
evidenced by the historic MRE, through further validation drilling.
Ultimately, we are focused on the goal of advancing the project
towards an economic study after we complete Phase 2 of our
exploration work which will commence in October 2022. This initial
MRE confirms the significant high gold grade potential of this
project as it remains open for further expansion down-dip and along
its 1.5-kilometre-long extension to the east. We strongly believe
that additional drilling along strike and at depth will continue to
expand the initial MRE, as all the surface drilling so far has been
very successful. We are confident that our exploration campaign at
Lomero will continue to be a key value driver for Denarius as we
move forward.”
The Mineral Resource for Lomero with an
effective date of July 19, 2022 is shown in Table 1 below. The
mineral resource evaluation work was completed by Mr. Benjamin
Parsons, MAusIMM (CP#222568), Principal Consultant (Resource
Geology) with SRK Consulting (US) Inc. (“SRK”), who is an
independent QP of Denarius. In order to meet “reasonable prospects
for eventual economic extraction” requirement, Lomero has been
deemed amenable to both open pit and underground mining (for the
remaining material which has displayed continuity above the defined
cut-off grades), with cut-off grades established for each scenario
using benchmarked costs taken from similar deposits within the IPB
and results and assumed recoveries. The Mineral Resources have been
reported based on CuEq with the key assumptions included in the
table.
Table 1: SRK CIM Compliant Mineral
Resource Statement effective July 19, 2022 for the Lomero - Poyatos
Project, Spain, reported based on Copper Equivalent CuEq
(2)
Class |
Estimation Domains |
Mining Type |
Mass (Mt) |
Density |
Average Value |
Metal Content |
|
Equivalent CuEq Metal Content |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Pb (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (koz) |
Ag (koz) |
Cu (kt) |
Pb (kt) |
Zn (kt) |
|
(%) |
(kt) |
Inferred |
Massive Sulfides |
OP(3) |
3.45 |
4.33 |
2.9 |
27 |
0.87 |
0.52 |
1.22 |
317 |
2,986 |
30.1 |
17.9 |
42.0 |
|
2.37 |
81.8 |
UG(3) |
2.21 |
4.18 |
2.4 |
27 |
0.37 |
0.44 |
1.24 |
168 |
1,887 |
8.2 |
9.,6 |
27.3 |
|
1.71 |
37.8 |
Total |
5.66 |
4.27 |
2.7 |
27 |
0.68 |
0.49 |
1.22 |
485 |
4,873 |
38.3 |
27.6 |
69.3 |
|
2.11 |
119.7 |
Semi Massive Sulfides |
OP(3) |
2.05 |
3.64 |
1.6 |
19 |
0.32 |
0.31 |
0.76 |
108 |
1,259 |
6,5 |
6.3 |
15.7 |
|
1.22 |
25.0 |
UG(3) |
0.92 |
3.49 |
1.0 |
14 |
0.21 |
0.27 |
0.68 |
30 |
404 |
1.9 |
2.5 |
6.3 |
|
0.87 |
8.0 |
Total |
2.97 |
3.59 |
1.4 |
17 |
0.28 |
0.3 |
0.74 |
138 |
1,663 |
8.4 |
8.8 |
22.0 |
|
1.11 |
33.0 |
Stockwork |
OP(3) |
0.7 |
3.38 |
1.1 |
11 |
0.13 |
0.38 |
0.78 |
24 |
237 |
0.9 |
2.7 |
5.5 |
|
0.84 |
5.8 |
UG(3) |
1.33 |
3.04 |
1.1 |
14 |
0.04 |
0.35 |
0.92 |
47 |
587 |
0.5 |
4.6 |
12.3 |
|
0.81 |
10.8 |
Total |
2.03 |
3.16 |
1.1 |
13 |
0.07 |
0.36 |
0.87 |
70 |
824 |
1.4 |
7.3 |
17.7 |
|
0.82 |
16.7 |
Total |
OP(3) |
6.20 |
3.99 |
2.3 |
22 |
0.6 |
0.44 |
1.02 |
448 |
4,482 |
37.4 |
27.0 |
63.1 |
|
1.82 |
112.7 |
UG(3) |
4.46 |
3.70 |
1.7 |
20 |
0.24 |
0.37 |
1.03 |
245 |
2,878 |
10.6 |
16.7 |
45.8 |
|
1.27 |
56.6 |
Total |
10.66 |
3.87 |
2.0 |
21 |
0.45 |
0.41 |
1.02 |
693 |
7,360 |
48.0 |
43.7 |
108.9 |
|
1.59 |
169.3 |
Notes:(1) Mineral resources are not ore reserves
and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures rounded
to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Gold, silver,
copper, lead and zinc assays were capped where appropriate. It is
assumed based on regional benchmarking all the elements included in
the Copper Equivalent (CuEq) calculation have a reasonable
potential to be recovered and sold. Mineral resources have been
depleted to reflect historical mining.(2) The Copper Equivalent
calculation has been defined using the following formula: CuEq
=((Au*19.65)+(Ag*0.37)+(Cu*67.36)+(Pb*14.76)+(Zn*22.45)/96.23)/ Cu
Recovery (3) Mineral
resources are reported using an assumed CuEq cut-off grades based
on metal price assumptions*, variable metallurgical recovery
assumptions**, mining costs, processing costs, general and
administrative (G&A) costs, and variable NSR factors***.
Mining, processing, and G&A costs total US$30/t for Open Pit
Mining and US$45/t for Underground Mining which includes
assumptions for prices, recoveries and payabilities. The CuEq
cut-off grade 0.4% CuEq (OP) and 0.6% CuEq (UG) is calculated by
dividing the costs by the Cu Factor and recoveries.(*) Metal price
assumptions considered for the calculation of NSR grades are: Gold
(US$/oz 1,850.00), Silver (US$/oz 24.0), Copper (US$/lb 4.50), Lead
(US$/lb 1.15) and Zinc (US$/lb 1.50)(**) Cut-off grade calculations
assume variable metallurgical recoveries as a function of grade and
relative metal distribution. Average metallurgical recoveries are:
Gold (35%), Silver (50%), Copper (70%), Lead (60%) and Zinc (70%).
(***) Cut-off grade calculations and metal equivalencies assume
variable NSR factors as a function of smelting and transportation
costs. (3) Open pit mineral resources are constrained within NPV
optimized pits, which SRK based on assumed mining costs defined(4)
Underground Mining resources represent all material below the
proposed limiting pit shell which have been confirmed visually to
form contiguous units and constrained using a stope optimizer
limit(5) The mineral resources were estimated by Benjamin Parsons,
BSc, MSc Geology, MAusIMM (CP) #222568 of SRK, a Qualified Person
under the terms of CIM guidelines.
The Mineral Resource presented represents
validation of the exploration work completed during Phase 1 and the
increase in the geological knowledge gained through the first year
of exploration. Historically, a total of 98 surface holes and 61
underground holes have been completed on the Project by the
previous owners for a subtotal of 23,471.8 m. Denarius began
drilling at Lomero in October 2021 with approximately 26,000 m
completed in 83 diamond drill holes by the end of July 2022 and
assays received until July 19, 2022. This is considered the Phase 1
program.
All drilling has been completed using diamond
hole drilling methods which are drilled from north to south at
varying dips, which were designed to intersect the shear zone at
favorable intersection angles. The drilling focused on three main
tasks:
- verification of historical
drillholes, focusing on CMR holes, and to confirm the geological
model;
- infill drilling on the lower
portion of the eastern edge of Lomero following interpreted
high-grade intersections; and,
- extensional drilling below the base
of the historical drilling to test for possible down-dip
extensions.
An approximately 1,000 m long by 400 m deep
mineralized deposit was tested by drilling with the results
confirming the presence of the polymetallic mineralization, which
remains open laterally toward the east and down-dip. Drilling has
only been completed from surface to a drill spacing of
approximately 50 by 50 m and targeted outside the areas of the
previous mining.
The initial MRE prepared by SRK has excluded
portions of the historical database completed by the previous
explorers Indumetal/Billiton (“PDH”), and Petaquilla Minerals
(“PTQ”), during the data validation phase. These holes represented
high-grade samples (all metals) within the upper portion of the
deposit around the historical mining which have not been twinned as
part of the Phase 1 surface drilling program. Validation of the PDH
holes and twinning of selected PTQ holes, which were not previously
assayed, is planned to be completed by the end of 2022. If the
validation drilling is successful, introducing these datasets could
result in an increase in both tonnage and grade in the next MRE
update.
The Company is confident that this estimate
highlights Lomero’s potential and is therefore planning to advance
the project further with a number of future studies which will
include a multi-pronged approach to further develop Lomero which
includes:
- verification of high-grade
underground drillholes;
- further infill and step out
drilling;
- exploration drilling to test the
highly prospective geophysical anomalies identified by the recent
completed geophysical surveys; and,
- commencement of field programs
required for metallurgical, geotechnical and hydrogeological inputs
for a future preliminary economic assessment and engineering
studies.
Mineral Resource Estimate
This initial MRE incorporates a total of 83
diamond drill holes totaling approximately 26,000 m, which have
been integrated into the current geological model. A subset of
these holes has been used in the initial MRE based on the
availability of assay information from the laboratory, which
resulted in 71 holes for 21,505 meters of drilling. Additional
information has been integrated into the model from geological
mapping, and data capture of historical level maps and mining
depletion.
SRK is the author of this initial MRE for
Lomero. During the work program, SRK and the QP have used the
available drilling information to complete the following key
tasks:
- imported and validated the drilling
database from the Company’s drilling programs, which have been
integrated with the databases from historical explorers, for
analysis. SRK considers that only the Alto and CMR datasets display
similar sample populations, which indicate these datasets can be
combined;
- SRK has undertaken a number of site
visits to establish an initial structural framework for Lomero
using information from geological mapping and boreholes;
- generation of a Brittle Fault
Model, using Seequent Leapfrog Geo by SRK with interpretation and
observations from the Company’s geological team;
- SRK developed a refined geological
model using a simplified lithological model which reflects the new
fault model;
- undertaken an estimation domain
analysis (“Exploration Data Analysis”), which identified key
changes in data by sampling, or geological criteria. Based on this
review, SRK has taken the decision to exclude selected holes from
the historical drilling datasets from the estimation process, due
to a lack of supporting information, but has used the logging
information where possible to guide the geological and
mineralization models;
- definition of a mineralization
model covering the following sub-domains: Massive Sulphides Semi
Massive Sulphides Stockwork
- the original samples have been
coded assuming hard contacts between the three mineralization
styles, which have been capped and composited appropriately
following statistical analysis;
- the spatial continuity of the gold
grades was examined with a variographic study;
- created grade estimates for Au, Ag,
Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe and S values using Seequent Leapfrog Edge, using
both Inverse Distance and Ordinary Kriged, with a nearest neighbor
assessment completed for validation purposes;
- a two-pass estimation approach was
used with the first pass having a search ellipsoid oriented to the
variable shape of the center line of the estimation domain;
- a density review, which included
the definition of three density values in the block model (average
assigned values, regressed values, and estimated values) to test
the sensitivity to the overall model with the final model being
values being assigned via the regression method; and,
- the mineral resource has been
classified as Inferred and has been reported as a combined open pit
and underground project using assumed costs and recoveries.
Grade estimation has been based on block
dimensions of 10 m by 10 m by 5 m, for the 2022 model. The block
size reflects potential size variations for any underground or
open-pit smallest mining units (SMU). SRK has utilized sub-blocking
to accurately reflect the defined mineralization and lithological
models, with a sub-block size of 2.5 m x 2.5 m x 1.25 m used to
reflect the wireframes.
As the initial metallurgical testwork on Lomero
is ongoing, for the purpose of this exercise, SRK has used
benchmark recoveries typical of the Pyrite Belt deposits. SRK
cautions changes in the metallurgical recovery will have a
significant impact on the value of the project and notes that
changes from historical work noted may result in changes to the
MRE. Based on this uncertainty, SRK has limited the classification
to Inferred for Denarius’ initial MRE for Lomero.
Next Steps
The evaluation and analysis of the geological
and drill data collected to date has identified several other areas
with potential for additional zones of mineralization at depth
and/or along the extension of the main massive and semi-massive
sulphide domains towards the east, coincident with geophysical
anomalies that resulted from detailed helicopter-borne time-domain
electromagnetic (“TDEM” or “TEM”) and ground-based gravimetric
surveys conducted in 2022.
A second phase of drilling totaling 22,000
meters, which comprises in-fill and exploration drilling, is
planned to commence in October 2022. This phase will include a
series of in-fill drill holes designed to increase the confidence
level in areas previously tested by the Phase 1 drilling, as well
as an initial drill test of the geophysical anomalies. One of the
main geophysical anomalies proved that the main conductor that is
associated with the known massive sulphide body continues to depths
well below the current drilling and is open down-dip.
During the review of the historical datasets,
SRK noted in 2021 that an underground drilling program was
completed in the 1980’s by Indumetal/Billiton (“PDH”) using a
series of short < 60 m horizontal holes from underground
stations. This drilling is reported to have occurred post mining
and targeted the existing pillars to test for remaining mineral
resources. Limited detail on the holes exists and further
verification work will be required to confirm the high grades
reported within that drilling. The impact on the potential
reporting of Mineral Resources for Lomero related to the use of
these 61 underground drillholes in the estimation process could
represent a significant upside if the high grades and width of the
mineralization can be confirmed from these holes. Based on this
sensitivity, the Company is planning seven initial directional
drilling holes targeting this mineralization. SRK notes that the
current model shows a strong correlation to the higher-grade
portions of the PDH holes, which if confirmed could potentially
increase the grades in the current model. The PDH holes also
display a long “tail” of economic grades which is not represented
in this initial MRE. If these grades can be confirmed, there is
potential to increase the grades in the upper portion of the
deposit.
Qualified Persons Review
Ben Parsons, Principal Consultant (Resource
Geology) with SRK prepared the initial MRE for Lomero according to
CIM Definition Standards and will be supported by a NI 43-101
independent report which will be published and filed on the
Company’s website and SEDAR profile within 45 days. Mr. Parsons is
a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The NI 43-101
independent report will include detailed information on the key
assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral
resources.
Quality Assurance and Quality
Control
The Lomero samples were prepared and assayed by
AGQ Labs (ISO/IEC 17025) at their laboratory in Burguillos,
Seville, Spain. Gold was assayed by 30 g fire assay with ICP-OES
finish, while silver and base metals were analyzed in a
multi-element package by aqua regia digestion and ICP-OES finish.
Blank, standard and duplicate samples were routinely inserted and
monitored for quality assurance and quality control.
About Denarius
Denarius is a Canadian junior company engaged in
the acquisition, exploration, development and eventual operation of
mining projects in high-grade districts, with its principal focus
on the Lomero-Poyatos Project in Spain. The Company also owns the
Zancudo and Guia Antigua Projects in Colombia.
Additional information on Denarius can be found
on its website at www.denariusmetals.com and by reviewing its
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Information
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains "forward-looking
information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements
with respect to anticipated business plans or strategies, including
exploration programs, expected exploration results and Mineral
Resource estimates. Often, but not always, forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans",
"expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations
(including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state
that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would",
"might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of Denarius to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Filing Statement dated as of February 18,
2021 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date
of this press release and Denarius disclaims, other than as
required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, results, future
events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions
should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
For Further Information,
Contact:
Christopher HaldaneVice President, Investor
Relations(416) 360-4653investors@denariusmetals.com
Attachment 1 –Cross Section looking
north showing Lomero Poyatos Mineral Resource above a cut-off of
0.6% CuEq
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8973940c-459c-4746-8979-eaeb0162697e
Attachment 2 – Isometric view showing
Current Lomero Resource in relation to the geophysical
(electromagnetic) anomaly
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/260ecdc1-6075-4cd2-af60-9d42c24ea72e
Attachment 3 – Location of PDH drilling
compared to latest model, indicating drilling targets for Phase
2.
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38d7954d-8dad-416d-a260-e348305eb6e2
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