Freegold Extends Southern Almaden Gold/Moly Mineralization
30 January 2008 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
VANCOUVER, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Freegold Ventures
Limited (TSX: ITF, OTCBB: FGOVF, Frankfurt: FR4) is pleased to
provide an update on its Almaden project in south western Idaho, as
well as report additional assays from the Company's Phase 2 drill
program. Thick intervals of gold mineralization assaying higher
than the average resource grade of the deposit were intersected in
three holes at the southern end of the Main Zone, along with
molybdenum mineralization over thicknesses up to 125 feet from
surface. While the molybdenum mineralization in the North zone and
in the northern part of the Main zone is seen as continuous from
surface to depths exceeding 200 feet, drilling in the south is
continuing to identify smaller zones of structurally controlled
molybdenum mineralization in quantities expected to be significant
to the overall evaluation of the project. A total of 54,719 feet
has now been drilled in 131 core and RC holes since the Company
commenced its resource expansion drill program in the summer of
2006. Phase 1 drilling consisted of 104 holes (41 core holes
(17,774 feet) and 63 RC holes (23,040 feet)), aimed at further
delineating and expanding the known gold mineralization prior to
the updating of the resource and the previous 1997 feasibility
study. A synopsis of the numerous depth and lateral extensions
identified in this program can be found in the recently posted
President's Message on our web-site. The Phase 2 drilling program
commenced in September 2007 with one RC rig drilling though
mid-November. Phase 2 consisted of 27 holes (13,905 feet) aimed at
identifying both the strike extensions of the gold mineralization,
as well as further delineating the consistent molybdenum
mineralization identified in the North Zone and the northern
portions on the Main Zone during the Phase 1 drilling. The results
of the three new Phase 2 holes indicate the potential for the
expansion of the gold and molybdenum mineralization in the southern
portion of the deposit. Holes 718 to 720 were all drilled to the
east at angles of -50 degrees (718) and -60 degrees (holes 719 and
720), with all three holes encountering good gold mineralization in
the hanging wall of the main feeder structure. Holes 718 and 719
were drilled at the extreme southern end of the deposit, while 720
was drilled within the southern zone in order to intersect the main
feeder zone at depth. Mineralization continues to remains open to
the south. Significant gold assay results from these holes include:
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Gold Gold Hole From To Thickness Grade Grade Number (foot) (foot)
(feet) (oz/ton) (g/tonne)
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718 10 150 145 0.024 0.83
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Including 130 155 25 0.066 2.28
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719 10 235 225 0.032 1.09
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Including 20 145 125 0.047 1.62
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720 55 410 355 0.021 0.70
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Including 45 295 250 0.025 0.86
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Including 105 220 115 0.035 1.19
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In addition to the gold mineralization, these holes also confirm
the presence of molybdenum over the known one-mile strike length of
the deposit, from the continuous areas of molybdenum mineralization
in the north to the more discontinuous, structurally controlled
mineralization in the south. Significant molybdenum assay results
from these holes include:
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Hole From To Thickness MoS(2) Number (foot) (foot) (feet) (%)
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718 10 135 125 0.026
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including 10 80 70 0.042
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719 210 235 25 0.041
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720 240 285 45 0.017
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720 465 500 35 0.021
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While delays in the receipt of assays and in the compilation of the
final database have resulted in a delay in the updated resource
calculation by Mine Development Associates of Reno, these delays
are fortunately allowing us to incorporate these latest Phase 2
expansion holes (including the North zone in-fill holes reported on
December 18, 2007) into the data base that will serve as the basis
for our next resource calculation. Analysis of the drilling,
mapping and sampling data collected by the Company over the past 2
years also continues to reinforce the concept that a deeper,
higher-grade bonanza feeder vein system may lie beneath the lower
grade, bulk mineable surface mineralization. Now that Freegold has
identified what it believes to be the principal feeder zones in the
upper parts of the deposit through systematic drilling, the Company
is enagaging consultants with experience in the discovery of
bonanza-grade deposits to refine its on-going exploration plans on
these deeper targets. The first consultant to visit the Almaden
property was Eric Braun, PhD., an expert in epithermal gold
deposits that has worked for numerous mining companies throughout
the world, including Barrick Gold in Peru, and who is credited with
the discovery of the high-grade Golden Promise Vein at the Knob
Hill Mine in Washington. Mr. Braun's report states that "the
geological environment at Almaden is appropriate for a deep bonanza
feeder" and that "one can infer a structural control oriented N-NW,
which may reflect a structural feeder." Mr. Braun provided Freegold
with two prioritized drill locations in which to drill a fan of
holes to test the deep feeder concept. Mr. Braun's assessment also
included a review of the bulk tonnage mineralization, stating "My
favourite zone to add significant new resource is to extend the
deposit along trend to the south of the South zone. This area has
received only minor drill testing, yet the few holes in the zone
are encouraging. This area should be mapped, sampled and drilled
along the E-W sections like the area further north. The target has
about 1,500 feet of strike length and is open further south."
Freegold's second epithermal consultant, Stuart Simmons, PhD., from
the University of Auckland, will be arriving on the property in
late March. RC samples reported in this release are generally
analysed on five-foot intervals. All samples are shipped to ALS
Chemex at its Winnemucca, NV laboratory for preparation. Pulps are
shipped to ALS Chemex Laboratories in Vancouver, B.C. for analysis.
Gold values are determined using fire assay techniques with AA
finish and multi element analysis using ICP-AES with aqua regia
digestion. The Qualified Person for this release is Michael P.
Gross, M.S., P. Geo., VP Exploration, Freegold Ventures Limited.
About Freegold Ventures Limited Freegold Ventures Limited is a
North American exploration and development company with a new
management team experienced in mine development and production that
is actively exploring advanced-stage gold projects in Idaho and
Alaska. Freegold holds a 100% lease interest in the Almaden gold
project in Idaho. This large tonnage epithermal gold deposit was
the subject of a feasibility study in 1997 calling for the
development of a 95,000 oz/year open pit, heap leach mine. Freegold
has finalized a 54,700-foot drilling program aimed at further
expanding the size of the resource and is in the process of
generating a new 43-101 resource prior to undertaking new economic
evaluations in 2008. Drilling at depth and to the north and south
of the known mineralization is continuing to identify new
extensions to the deposit. Freegold has also discovered many new
high-grade veins and bulk tonnage shear zones in its 40,100-foot
drill program at its Golden Summit project outside Fairbanks,
Alaska. Gold production from the processing of bulk sampled
material has commenced, and in addition to on-going bulk sampling
of additional areas found to contain high grade surface
mineralization, the Company continues to define additional areas of
larger, lower grade mineralization through on-going drilling and
stripping. Exploration has also commenced on the Vinasale property
in Alaska, where geophysical and surface sampling programs have
recently been completed, and on the Rob property in Alaska, where
recent drilling has intersected high-grade gold (29.0 g/t over 13
feet and 20.1 g/t over 13.5 feet) in Pogo-style, near surface
quartz veins. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Steve Manz"
Steve Manz, President and C.E.O. The TSX has neither approved nor
disapproved the contents of this news release. CUSIP: 45953B107
DISCLAIMER This news release contains certain "Forward-Looking
Statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other
than statements of historical fact, included herein are
forward-looking statements that involve various risks and
uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the
Company's documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock
Exchange, British Columbia Securities Commission and the United
States Securities & Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Kristina
Walcott, VP Corporate Development, (604) 662-7307, DATASOURCE:
Freegold Ventures Limited CONTACT: Kristina Walcott, VP Corporate
Development, (604) 662-7307,
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