VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/
-- Silver Bull Resources, Inc. (TSX: SVB, NYSE MKT: SVBL)
("Silver Bull") is pleased to announce it will expand its
underground Termite "twinning" drill program presently targeting
the "high grade silver zone" into the "high grade zinc zone," a
zone of mineralization which sits adjacent to and below the silver
mineralization. The planned initial program in the high grade zinc
zone will consist of 2,000 meters of diamond core drilling.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120803/LA51676LOGO)
Highlights include:
- The 2,000 meter underground "core" drill program will target
the zinc "exploration target" situated below and adjacent to the
Shallow Silver Zone, defined primarily by historical "long hole"
drilling and channel samples.
- Long holes and channel samples were either restricted to a
5m x 5m x 20m sphere of influence or disregarded in the
July 5, 2012 NI43-101 resource report
completed by SRK Consulting (Canada), Inc. ("SRK") and resulted in SRK
defining the Zinc Zone as an "exploration target".
- Of the 924 long holes with >4% Zn which currently define
the high grade zone of the zinc "exploration target," 517 holes
have average weighted intercepts >8% Zn and include; 27.78% Zn
over 11 meters, 25.43% Zn over 9 meters, 24.35% Zn over 13 meters,
and 21.89% Zn over 11 meters.
- Silver Bull intends to increase the "confidence" in the
2,700 historical long hole data set, which represents 37,873 meters
of underground drilling, by twinning and comparing the assay
results with nearby long holes, and subsequently upgrade the
"exploration target" to a NI43-101 compliant resource.
High Grade Zinc Zone: The 1.5 kilometer long "high grade
zone" of zinc mineralization has been classified as an "exploration
target" by SRK ranging between 4 million tonnes to 6 million tonnes
estimated at an average grade of between 8% to 8.4% zinc. The Zinc
Zone has largely been defined by almost 2,000 "long holes" – a 10
to 20 meter long drill hole which "grinds" through the rock to
produce "rock chip" samples which total approximately 25,000 meters
of drilling. A total of 924 holes have significant intercepts over
4% Zn, with 517 holes having significant intercepts over 8% Zn. In
addition to long holes, the high grade zinc zone is further defined
by a series of historical channel samples of which 3,872 have
grades greater than 8% zinc.
Type
|
Hole
ID
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Interval (m)
|
Ag
(g/t)
|
Zn
(%)
|
Long
hole
|
L140404241133
|
0.00
|
11.00
|
11.00
|
11.00
|
27.78
|
Long
hole
|
L140404241118
|
0.00
|
9.00
|
9.00
|
8.44
|
25.43
|
Long
hole
|
E300.28W50
|
0.00
|
13.00
|
13.00
|
32.23
|
24.35
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071150
|
0.00
|
8.00
|
8.00
|
9.00
|
22.63
|
Long
hole
|
E400.27W55
|
0.00
|
7.00
|
7.00
|
40.43
|
22.37
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021199
|
0.00
|
11.00
|
11.00
|
4.09
|
21.89
|
Long
hole
|
L140404152115
|
12.00
|
19.00
|
7.00
|
28.86
|
21.64
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021205
|
0.00
|
10.00
|
10.00
|
2.80
|
21.11
|
Long
hole
|
E100B1N1
|
0.00
|
17.00
|
17.00
|
0.00
|
21.07
|
Long
hole
|
E500.2N52
|
7.00
|
9.00
|
2.00
|
86.00
|
20.88
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021197
|
0.00
|
9.00
|
9.00
|
3.78
|
20.82
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071172
|
0.00
|
5.00
|
5.00
|
13.40
|
20.78
|
Long
hole
|
L14040508245
|
7.00
|
10.00
|
3.00
|
11.33
|
20.67
|
Long
hole
|
E60031SE42
|
0.00
|
11.00
|
11.00
|
90.45
|
20.38
|
Long
hole
|
E100.17NE50
|
0.00
|
13.00
|
13.00
|
3.85
|
20.22
|
Long
hole
|
E100B1E
|
0.00
|
15.00
|
15.00
|
0.00
|
20.21
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071152
|
0.00
|
12.00
|
12.00
|
8.42
|
20.21
|
Long
hole
|
L140405241137
|
0.00
|
18.00
|
18.00
|
18.00
|
20.18
|
Long
hole
|
E400.30NE65
|
0.00
|
5.00
|
5.00
|
16.60
|
20.16
|
Long
hole
|
L140405082143
|
0.00
|
13.00
|
13.00
|
2.15
|
20.10
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021201
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
4.70
|
19.44
|
Long
hole
|
L140405082145
|
1.00
|
7.00
|
6.00
|
17.08
|
19.14
|
Long
hole
|
E1001S
|
0.00
|
18.00
|
18.00
|
0.00
|
18.89
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071166
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
7.55
|
18.58
|
Long
hole
|
E1001N
|
0.00
|
4.00
|
4.00
|
0.00
|
18.26
|
Long
hole
|
L14040508245
|
0.00
|
3.00
|
3.00
|
5.67
|
18.22
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021202
|
0.00
|
10.00
|
10.00
|
1.90
|
18.02
|
Long
hole
|
E500.17NW20
|
0.00
|
7.00
|
7.00
|
7.86
|
17.96
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021194
|
3.00
|
17.00
|
14.00
|
17.86
|
17.95
|
Long
hole
|
E200.12SW40
|
0.00
|
7.00
|
7.00
|
21.29
|
17.94
|
Long
hole
|
E300.29NW50
|
0.00
|
8.00
|
8.00
|
101.63
|
17.70
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071170
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
12.40
|
17.59
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071165
|
0.00
|
14.00
|
14.00
|
3.86
|
17.25
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071158
|
0.00
|
13.00
|
13.00
|
6.62
|
17.22
|
Long
hole
|
E100.19SE45
|
0.00
|
12.00
|
12.00
|
2.42
|
17.16
|
Long
hole
|
E300.20NE65
|
0.00
|
9.00
|
9.00
|
115.44
|
17.01
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021200
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
3.85
|
16.88
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021198
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
3.90
|
16.85
|
Long
hole
|
L140405241136
|
0.00
|
4.00
|
4.00
|
18.25
|
16.83
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021192
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
13.30
|
16.80
|
Long
hole
|
E100.18NW46
|
0.00
|
25.00
|
25.00
|
4.68
|
16.71
|
Long
hole
|
E100B1S
|
0.00
|
25.00
|
25.00
|
0.00
|
16.63
|
Long
hole
|
L140404241126
|
0.00
|
13.00
|
13.00
|
15.92
|
16.55
|
Long
hole
|
E200.18NE45
|
0.00
|
6.00
|
6.00
|
11.33
|
16.36
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071155
|
0.00
|
6.00
|
6.00
|
9.00
|
16.36
|
Long
hole
|
L140405071174
|
0.00
|
20.00
|
20.00
|
2.60
|
16.33
|
Long
hole
|
E200.6S50
|
3.00
|
14.00
|
11.00
|
11.64
|
16.31
|
Long
hole
|
E200.10SE50
|
0.00
|
13.00
|
13.00
|
13.92
|
16.24
|
Long
hole
|
E600.17NE46
|
0.00
|
10.00
|
10.00
|
7.20
|
15.91
|
Long
hole
|
L140405082146
|
0.00
|
12.00
|
12.00
|
2.50
|
15.74
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021203
|
0.00
|
11.00
|
11.00
|
3.45
|
15.38
|
Long
hole
|
E100.16SW22
|
0.00
|
17.00
|
17.00
|
3.65
|
15.11
|
Long
hole
|
L140406021204
|
0.00
|
10.00
|
10.00
|
6.00
|
15.07
|
Long
hole
|
L140405082144
|
0.00
|
12.00
|
12.00
|
0.00
|
15.06
|
Table 1. Summary table of the long holes within the high
grade zone over 15% Zn.
Although the long hole assay results have all been analyzed by
ALS Chemex Labs Ltd, a reputable independent laboratory, the
influence of the long hole data set in Silver Bull's recent NI
43-101 resource update on the "Shallow Silver Zone" filed on
July 5, 2012 and completed by SRK has
been severally restricted due to the potential for contamination
and sample loss via the washing out of "fines" from the long hole
rock chip samples by water used in the drilling process. Within
Silver Bull's latest resource the long holes and channel samples
were restricted to a 5m x 5m x 20m sphere of influence, whereas
regular core drill holes, due to their much higher degree of
confidence, had a much larger 100m x 140m x 150m sphere of
influence, and hence, a much larger influence on the size and grade
of the deposit. After discussion with SRK it has been agreed that
by twinning a number of these long holes with the more reliable
"core" drilling method and then comparing and confirming the assay
results with nearby long holes we hope to increase the confidence
of the entire long hole data set. If there is a high correlation,
this will allow SRK to give the long holes a much wider sphere of
influence in a future NI43-101 resource report.
The 2,000 meter underground drill program will initially pick 6
or 7 stations within the high grade zone and "twin" the surrounding
long holes for a direct assay comparison. In addition,
because over 70% of the long holes ended in mineralization, the
drill program will also look to push the holes further to find the
extent of the ore body within this zone. A third aspect of the
program will be to infill areas where there are "gaps" in the
historical work.
To complete the program Silver Bull will use its own Termite
underground drill rigs, which can drill up to 50 meter long BQ
sized diamond core drill holes. Historically, recovery in this area
has been poor so an emphasis will be placed on achieving good core
recovery. Because much of the drilling will happen in areas which
already have drill stations prepared, there will be very minimal
preparation needed for this underground drill program.
Management believes this is a low risk drill program which will
increase the confidence in the long hole data set that currently
defines the Zinc Zone and subsequently enable SRK to upgrade the
zinc "exploration target" classification to a NI43-101 compliant
mineral resource.
Tim Barry, President, CEO and
director of Silver Bull states, "When we consider that the drills
will be starting off underground in high grade zinc mineralization,
similar to our current underground drill program in the high grade
silver zone, and drilling in an area with a tremendous amount of
historical work which already defines this zone, we see this as a
very low risk program. By increasing confidence in the
historic long hole data set in the Zinc Zone, we expect to finally
report this significant zinc body which sits below and adjacent to
the Shallow Silver Zone as a 43-101 compliant resource. This will
also be an extremely cost effective program as we will be using our
own drills and experienced Mexican drilling crews to do this work
and there is very little preparation that needs to be done to the
underground workings."
In addition to the planned underground drilling program Silver
Bull continues to also push its extensive metallurgical program on
the silver and zinc mineralization, as well as continuing the
mapping and prospecting of a number of the Dormidos and Palomas
Negros prospects - areas which are defined by extensive underground
workings and what appears to be similar mineralization to the
Shallow Silver Zone.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120914/LA74436-a)
Figure 1. A selection of long holes from part of the "High Grade
Zinc Zone" showing the weighted average intercepts of the long
holes in the area. Many of the long holes ended in
mineralization.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120914/LA74436-b)
Figure 2. Location of the 517 long holes grading at >8% Zn
which define the "High Grade Zinc Zone" (red). Also shown is the
"High Grade Silver Zone" (blue) which is defined by approximately
700 long holes with 242 grading >100g/t Ag and is currently
being drilled out by Silver Bull. The Zinc Zone lies parallel to
and slightly below the Shallow Silver Zone.
About the Shallow Silver Zone and Zinc Zones: The
"Shallow Silver Zone" is an oxide silver deposit (+/- zinc and
lead) hosted along an east-west trending fracture-karst system set
in a cretaceous limestone-dolomite sequence. The mineralized body
averages between 30m – 120m thick, up to 200m wide and has 3.688Mt
of "measured" silver mineralization at an average grade of 57g/t at
a 15g/t cutoff, 45.175Mt of "indicated' silver mineralization with
an average grade of 45g/t at a 15g/t cutoff, and 8.162Mt of
"inferred" silver mineralization with an average grade of 40g/t at
a 15g/t cutoff and remains open in the east and west directions.
Approximately 60% of the current 3.8 kilometer strike length is at
or near surface before dipping at around 6 degrees to the east.
In addition to the silver mineralization, a significant zinc
oxide body of 997 million pounds of zinc in the "measured and
indicated" category, and 108 million pounds of zinc in the
"inferred" category lies immediately adjacent to, and directly
underneath the silver mineralization. Further to this, an
"exploration target" estimated at between 4-6 million tonnes
grading between 8.0-8.4 percent lies as an extension to this zinc
body at the eastern end of the mineralization. There has been
insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is
uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being
delineated as a mineral resource. The exploration target has been
defined by historical data containing 3,872 channels and 1,045 long
holes and comprises of approximately 70% of the data within the
Zinc Zone, but has too few core drill holes to delineate a mineral
resource.
Sample Analysis
All samples have been analyzed at ALS Chemex in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Samples are first tested with the
"ME-ICP41m" procedure which analyzes for 35 elements using a near
total aqua regia digestion. Samples with silver values above 100ppm
are re-analyzed using the Ag-GRA21 procedure which is a fire assay
with a gravametric finish. Samples with zinc, lead, and copper
values above 10,000ppm (1%) are re-analyzed using the AA46
procedure which is a near total aqua regia digestion with an atomic
absorption finish.
About Silver Bull: Silver Bull is a US registered
mineral exploration company listed on both the NYSE MKT and TSX
stock exchanges and based out of Vancouver, Canada. The flag ship "Sierra Mojada" project is located 150
kilometers north of the city of Torreon in Coahuila,
Mexico, and is highly prospective for silver and zinc.
Silver Bull also has 2 mineral licenses in Gabon, Central
Africa, which are prospective for gold, manganese, and iron
ore.
The technical information of this news release has been reviewed
and approved by Tim Barry, MAusIMM,
a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument
43-101.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Tim Barry"
Tim Barry, MAusIMM
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of
Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources: This
press release uses the terms "measured resources", "indicated
resources" and "inferred resources" which are defined in, and
required to be disclosed by, NI 43-101. We advise U.S. investors
that these terms are not recognized by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The estimation of measured and
indicated resources involves greater uncertainty as to their
existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven
and probable reserves. U.S. investors are cautioned not to
assume that measured and indicated mineral resources will be
converted into reserves. The estimation of inferred resources
involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic
viability than the estimation of other categories of
resources. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that
estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically
minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral
resources. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of
inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or
other economic studies.
Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted
disclosure under Canadian regulations, however the SEC
normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does
not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and
grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, the
information contained in this press release may not be comparable
to similar information made public by U.S. companies that are not
subject NI 43-101.
Cautionary note regarding forward looking
statements:This news release contains forward-looking
statements regarding future events and Silver Bull's future results
that are subject to the safe harbors created under the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements
include, among others, statements regarding measured, indicated and
inferred resource estimates, the anticipated scope and targets of
future drilling in the Shallow Silver Zone, the ability to increase
the confidence of the long hole data set, and the ability to
increase the resource and overall grade at the Sierra Mojada project, the ability to
delineate a zinc resource in the zinc exploration target, the
ability to find a suitable metallurgical process to extract both
the silver and zinc on a large scale basis and the potential for
mineralization in the Dormidos and Palomas Negros prospects. These
statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts,
and projections about Silver Bull's exploration projects, the
industry in which Silver Bull operates and the beliefs and
assumptions of Silver Bull's management. Words such as "expects,"
"anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "seeks," "estimates," "continues," "may," variations of
such words, and similar expressions and references to future
periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions,
risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control,
including such factors as the results of exploration activities and
whether the results continue to support continued exploration
activities, unexpected variations in ore grade, types and
metallurgy, volatility and level of commodity prices, the
availability of sufficient future financing, and other matters
discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2011 and our other periodic and current reports filed
with the SEC and available on www.sec.gov and with the Canadian
securities commissions available on www.sedar.com. Readers are
cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and that actual results or developments may
differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by
us in this release is based only on information currently available
to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to
time, whether as a result of new information, future developments
or otherwise.
SOURCE Silver Bull Resources, Inc.