KOLWEZI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Robert Friedland and Yufeng “Miles” Sun, Co-Chairmen of Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF), announce that the company plans to soon commence an expansive 2021 exploration program on its 100%-owned Western Foreland exploration licences, which include approximately 2,550 square kilometres in close proximity to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ivanhoe’s DRC exploration group is targeting high-grade Kamoa-Kakula-style copper mineralization through a regional exploration and drilling program on the Western Foreland exploration ground, which shares the same geological setting as Kamoa-Kakula. Ivanhoe Mines’ 100%-owned exploration licences cover the ground that Ivanhoe’s geological team considers to be the most prospective in the Western Foreland region.
The initial 2021 exploration program includes 40,000 metres of combined aircore and diamond drilling, airborne and ground-based geophysics, soil sampling and road construction. Field work will commence at the start of the 2021 dry season, which typically begins in April. The initial 2021 budget is US$16 million, which may be expanded based on program results. Much of this year’s exploration will focus on more than 1,700 square kilometres of new, 100%-owned permits that were acquired in 2019 and received environmental certification in 2020.
“Though the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed our field exploration plans in 2020, we were able to accomplish a significant amount of geophysical surveys and sampling work, which are our key early-stage prospecting techniques for identifying high-priority targets in this part of the Central African Copperbelt,” said Mr. Friedland.
“Exploration is in our DNA, and given the outstanding regional prospectivity of our landholdings in close proximity to the Kamoa-Kakula discovery, we are anxious to ramp up our exploration program as aggressively as possible.
“Our record of discovery successes at Kamoa-Kakula isunparalleled, and we have tremendous confidence in the ability and tenacity of our exploration team to leverage our proprietary exploration knowledge to deliver the DRC’s next great copper discovery on our 100%-owned ground.
“It was in the spring of 2016 that the team of geologists now leading our Western Foreland exploration efforts made the Kakula Discovery, which has transformed the Kamoa-Kakula Project into the world’s highest-grade, major copper mining operation. Given the geological similarities between Kamoa-Kakula and our adjoining exploration ground, which is more than six times larger than the Kamoa-Kakula mining licence, the Western Foreland area is unquestionably one of the most prospective copper exploration districts anywhere in the world.
“While Ivanhoe will soon join the ranks of leading copper producers, our commitment to high-quality exploration with leading-edge technology is core to our long-term business strategy. We view it as our research and development division, designed to provide us with a pipeline of new development opportunities for years to come.”
Ivanhoe’s geologists applying same exploration models on the Western Foreland licences that successfully led to the discoveries of Kakula, Kakula West, Makoko Sud and Kamoa North Bonanza Zone
Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland Exploration Project consists of 17 licences to the north, south and west of the Kamoa mining licences. The 17 licences cover a combined area of approximately 2,550 square kilometres. The primary exploration target in the Western Foreland area is Kamoa-Kakula-style sedimentary copper mineralization that occurs at the base of the lower Nguba “Grand Conglomerate”, particularly where the lower Nguba sits in direct contact with the underlying Upper Roan sandstones.
Exploration models that successfully led to the discoveries of Kakula, Kakula West, and the Kamoa North Bonanza Zone on the Kamoa-Kakula joint-venture mining licence, are being applied to Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland extensive land package by the same team of exploration geologists responsible for the previous discoveries.
The ideal structural setting for Kamoa-style mineralization usually is close to the western Nguba Basin edge. Deposits occur at the base of the Nguba Group, a widely developed package of rocks that mark the transition from a thick underlying sequence of sediments deposited under oxidizing conditions (good for transporting copper), to deposition under reducing conditions (good for precipitating copper). Ivanhoe’s 100%-owned exploration permits cover approximately 175 kilometres of prospective strike in this target setting.
Additional exploration permits increase Ivanhoe’s coverage of the most prospective ground
In 2019, Ivanhoe acquired an additional 1,711 square kilometres of 100%-owned exploration permits within the Western Foreland area, solidifying its landholdings of the most prospective ground. In Q2 2020, Ivanhoe received approval for its environmental mitigation and rehabilitation plan for the new permits, allowing exploration work to begin. The new permits, particularly those southwest of Makoko Sud, are located in an area that never before has been explored in any detail with modern exploration techniques. There is limited access to the area and Ivanhoe is planning to construct new bridges and roads to allow its exploration teams into the area. Having such an underexplored area immediately along strike from one of the largest copper deposits in the world, represents a compelling exploration opportunity.
Reconnaissance exploration generating targets for drilling
In addition to drilling in early 2020 at the Kiala Discovery that adjoins the northern boundary of the Kamoa-Kakula mining licence, and drilling in the second half of 2020 at the Makoko Sud Discovery – approximately 20 kilometres west of the Kakula Discovery – Ivanhoe’s exploration work in 2020 included stream-sediment sampling, soil geochemical sampling, as well as outcrop and stream mapping on the new tenements acquired in 2019. In total, 411 stream-sediment samples and 958 soil samples were collected and processed for analysis.
The sampling and mapping work has enhanced Ivanhoe’s geological understanding of the exploration permits and moves the team closer to generating targets for future exploration and drilling. Ivanhoe’s geologists first identified the prospectivity of the Kamoa-Kakula area in the mid-2000s by stream-sediment and soil-geochemical sampling.
A high-resolution magnetic and radiometric survey commenced in Q4 2020 and is ongoing. To date, more than 80% of Ivanhoe’s Western Foreland exploration licences have been covered by the survey.In Q2 2021, Ivanhoe plans an Xcalibur airborne gravity survey. The goal of the surveys is to better understand the stratigraphic and structural architecture of the new exploration areas, something that is key to generating early-stage targets for ground surveys.
Western Foreland area looking south from Makoko toward the Zambian Border.
Assay results confirm strike extension of Kamoa North high-grade copper trend for at least 800 metres on Ivanhoe’s 100%-owned exploration licences at the Kiala Discovery
Mr. Friedland and Mr. Sun also announced thatassay results from drilling completed in early 2020 confirm the extension of the Kamoa North high-grade copper structure for at least 800 metres in the Kiala Discovery area, part of Ivanhoe’s 100%-owned Western Foreland licences that adjoin the northern boundary of the Kamoa-Kakula mining licence.
The high-grade copper zone at the Kiala Discovery was originally discovered on the Kamoa-Kakula mining licence, and delineated through a series of step-out fences of holes drilled on 100-metre spacings in a northerly direction onto Ivanhoe’s 100%-owned exploration licences.
The structure controlling the zone of high-grade copper remains open to the north, and Ivanhoe now has secured 35 kilometres of highly-prospective, 100%-owned exploration ground along trend and to the north of the Kiala Discovery.
Selected drill holes at the Kiala Discovery include:
- DKIA_DD007 intersected 7.21 metres (true width) of 7.98% copper, at a 1% and 2% copper cut-off, from 345.44 metres down hole.
- DKIA_DD011 intersected 3.82 metres (true width) of 5.35% copper, at a 1% and 2% copper cut-off, from 348.00 metres down hole.
- DKIA_DD014 intersected 5.30 metres (true width) of 12.42% copper, at a 1% and 2% copper cut-off, from 366.70 metres down hole.
- DKIA_DD016 intersected 3.59 metres (true width) of 9.71% copper, at a 1% and 2% copper cut-off, from 351.40 metres down hole.
Geology of the Kiala high-grade copper trend
Copper mineralization at Kiala predominantly ocurs at positions where the Kamoa Pyritic Siltstone gradually narrows (“onlaps”) across the underlying Roan conglomerate and sandstone unit. The high-grade copper zone is between 50 metres and 150 metres wide, and trends in a north-south direction, co-incident with a series of north-south trending growth faults.
The Kiala area is considered prospective, as two key ingredients to high-grade mineralization occur in this area. First, the faulting is postulated to have provided increased fluid flow of copper-rich brines in this area. Second, the onlap of the basal Nguba Diamictite units has brought the highly-reduced silstone into contact with the Roan aquifer. This favourable combination also has been responsible for Bonanza-style grades in the Kamoa North area of the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
High copper grades have been intersected on four of the five 200-metre-spaced sections completed to date. Copper mineralization at the Kiala Discovery predominantly is chalcopyrite and bornite, with localized minor chalcocite. An upward zonation from bornite to chalcopyrite also is present (see Figure 4).
Figure 1: Plan view of the Kiala high-grade zone showing copper grades.
Figure 2: Section Line 1 across the Kiala high-grade copper zone.
Figure 3: Section Line 2 across the Kiala high-grade copper zone.
Figure 4: Copper grade profiles of recent drill holes in the Kiala Discovery zone.
Recent drilling on the Western Foreland licences at the Makoko Sud discovery, due west of the Kakula Deposit, intercepted significant visual copper mineralization over an additional 7.5-kilometre strike length
After restricting exploration drilling activities in early 2020 as a safety precaution to protect employees and drilling contractors from COVID-19, drilling re-commenced in Q3 2020. The 16 holes, totalling 6,871 metres, were drilled to the west of the Makoko Sud Discovery area, which is located approximately 20 kilometres west of the Kakula Deposit.
The drilling intercepted significant, shallow copper mineralization (including up to 6.01 metres grading 3.38% copper) over a 7.5-kilometre strike length in a south-westerly direction along strike from the initial Makoko Sud Discovery area. Road clearance commenced in the second half of 2020 to extend the current exploration opportunities to the south and west from Makoko Sud.
Significant new drill intercepts from Makoko West include:
- DMKK_DD117, a 3.6-kilometre step-out hole from previous Makoko Sud drilling, intersected 6.01 metres (true width) of 3.38% copper, at a 2% copper cut-off from 259.72 metres down hole and 9.75 metres (true width) of 2.63% copper at a 1% copper cut off.
- DMKK_DD118, a 1.6-kilometre step-out hole from previous Makoko Sud drilling, intersected 4.19 metres (true width) of 3.01% copper, at a 2% copper cut-off from 209.50 metres down hole and 5.15 metres (true width) of 2.78% copper at a 1% copper cut off.
- DMKK_DD123, a 7.5-kilometre step-out hole from previous Makoko Sud drilling, intersected 3.33 metres (true width) of 1.44% copper, at a 2% copper cut-off from 570 metres down hole and 17.77 metres (true width) of 1.39% copper at a 1% copper cut off.
The recent Makoko West drilling is extremely significant for the exploration potential of the new exploration permits as it demonstrates that both the target stratigraphy extends westward and that the copper mineralizing system on the western edge of the basin is laterally extensive. Future drilling in the Makoko West area will target specific structural locations that are conducive to developing higher copper grades.
Table 1: Assay composites at 1% and 2% copper cut-off for Kiala drill holes.
Table 2: Location information for the Kiala drill holes.
Table 3: Assay composites at 1% and 2% copper cut-off for recent Makoko West drill holes.
Some of the results in Table 3 (marked by an asterisk) are reported as portable XRF (pXRF) results (niton values). Full ICP results are pending for these holes. The procedure used for pXRF results is outlined under the Qualified Person and Quality Control and Assurance section on the following page.
Table 4: Location information for the Makoko West drill holes.
Qualified Person and Quality Control and Assurance
Scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Torr, P.Geo., Ivanhoe Mines’ Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation, a Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Torr is not independent of Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Torr has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release.
Ivanhoe Mines maintains a comprehensive chain of custody and QA-QC program on assays from its Western Foreland exploration project. Half-sawn core is processed at IME’s on-site preparation laboratory and prepared samples then are shipped by secure courier to Bureau Veritas Minerals (BVM) Laboratories in Australia, an ISO17025-accredited facility. Copper assays are determined at BVM by mixed-acid digestion with ICP finish. Industry-standard certified reference materials and blanks are inserted into the sample stream prior to dispatch to BVM.
A number of the results included in this release are based on portable XRF (pXRF) readings (niton values). Samples are pulverized at the project’s onsite laboratory, pressed into a pellet and analyzed using a pXRF instrument under controlled conditions. Ivanhoe Mines routinely tests pulps prior to dispatch to BVM with a pXRF instrument and the correlation between the two techniques has demonstrated the pXRF values are reasonably accurate. Nevertheless, the values that are included in this news release are for indicative purposes and should not be relied upon with the same degree of certainty as those reported from a commercial laboratory.
About Ivanhoe Mines
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the DRC and at the Platreef palladium-platinum-nickel-copper-rhodium-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.
Kamoa-Kakula is expected to begin producing copper concentrate in July 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the DRC, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.
Information contacts
Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
Cautionary statement on forward-looking information
Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation, (i) statements regarding the planned 2021 exploration program on the Western Foreland exploration licences, including that the program includes 40,000 metres of combined aircore and diamond drilling, airborne and ground-based geophysics, soil sampling and road construction; and (ii) statements regarding field work will begin at the start of the 2021 dry season, which typically begins in April.
Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “predict” and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.
All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Ivanhoe Mines’ management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations (including retroactive application), the failure of contractual agreements with the State to be honoured in whole or in part, or in the enforcement or application of laws, rules and regulations by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices, including the price of copper; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, or delays in the development of infrastructure, the failure of exploration programs or other studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations, and the results of economic studies and evaluations. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements also include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the company’s most recently filed MD&A as well as in the most recent Annual Information Form filed by Ivanhoe Mines. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information and statements, and the risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially are set forth in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis report and Annual Information Form, available at www.sedar.com.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.
刚果民主共和国科卢韦齐— 艾芬豪矿业(TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) 联席董事长罗伯特·弗里兰德(Robert Friedland) 与孙玉峰(Miles Sun) 今天欣然宣布，2021年将在其全资拥有的西部前沿(Western Foreland) 探矿权内展开大规模勘查工作，覆盖面积约2,550平方公里。西部前沿探矿权位于刚果民主共和国 (以下简称“刚果(金)”)，毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉 (Kamoa-Kakula) 铜矿项目。
西部前沿具有与卡莫阿-卡库拉相同的地质背景，艾芬豪的刚果（金）勘探团队正通过区域勘查和钻探，在西部前沿寻找卡莫阿-卡库拉类型的高品位铜矿化体。艾芬豪的地质团队认为，公司全资拥有的探矿权是西部前沿最具勘查前景的地区。
2021年初步勘查计划包括共40,000米的空气钻和金刚石钻探、航空和大地地球物理测量、土壤采样和道路建设。野外作业将于2021年旱季，4月左右开始。2021年的初步勘探预算为1,600万美元，视勘查结果可另行追加。今年大部分的勘查工作将会集中在公司全资拥有的、1,700多平方公里的新探矿权范围内。艾芬豪2019年获得该探矿权， 2020年获得环保审批。
弗里兰德先生说﹕“尽管COVID-19疫情使2020年的野外勘查计划受阻，但我们仍然完成了大量的物探和采样工作，通过关键的早期勘查技术，在中非铜矿带的这个区段识别高优先级靶区。”
“勘查是我们的基因。毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山的探矿权，具有出色的区域勘查前景，我们期望能够最大程度的尽快推进勘查计划。”
“我们在卡莫阿-卡库拉取得无与伦比的勘查成果。我们充满信心，勘探团队绝对有能力和毅力，依托艾芬豪特有的勘探知识，在我们全资拥有的探矿权内，取得刚果(金)下一个重大铜矿发现。”
“目前领导西部前沿勘探工作的地质团队，正是他们在2016年春天发现了卡库拉矿床，使卡莫阿-卡库拉项目成为全世界品位最高的大型铜矿山之一。考虑到西部前沿探矿权与毗连的卡莫阿-卡库拉矿山的地质相似性，并且面积相当于卡莫阿-卡库拉采矿权的六倍以上；毋庸置疑，西部前沿是全球最具勘查前景的铜矿项目。”
“虽然艾芬豪即将成为世界领先的铜生产商之一，但我们长期业务的战略核心将保持不变，继续致力通过先进技术开展高质量的勘查工作。这是我们研发方面的愿景，旨在获得更多的项目储备，为未来提供丰富的发展契机。”
艾芬豪的地质师在西部前沿探矿权内，采用相同的勘查模型；该模型成功指导了卡库拉、卡库拉西区、Makoko和卡莫阿北区富矿带的发现。
艾芬豪的西部前沿勘查项目包括卡莫阿采矿权北面、南面和西面的17个探矿证，总面积约2,550平方公里。西部前沿的主要勘探目标是卡莫阿-卡库拉类型的沉积型铜矿。这种矿化赋存在下Nguba群的“大砾岩”底部，特别是下Nguba群与下伏的上罗安群砂岩的接触带上。
之前取得重大发现的原班地质人马，在西部前沿广阔的勘查区内，采用相同的勘查模型；该模型成功指导了合资项目采矿权内卡库拉、卡库拉西区和卡莫阿北区富矿带的发现。
卡莫阿类型矿化的理想构造环境是靠近西部Nguba盆地的边缘，矿床赋存在Nguba群的底部。Nguba群在区内广泛发育，从氧化环境下的厚大沉积序列 (有利于铜的迁移) 转变为还原环境下的沉积序列 (有利于铜的沉淀富集)。艾芬豪全资拥有的探矿权涵盖勘查前景广阔的、走向长度约175公里的勘查区，恰好位于这种地质环境。
艾芬豪获得更多的探矿权，扩大其极具前景的勘查范围
艾芬豪于2019年获得西部前沿另外1,711平方公里的探矿许可证，均为全资拥有，巩固了对最具勘查前景的勘查区的控制。2020年第二季度，艾芬豪新探矿权的环境影响和修复计划通过审批，允许公司正式展开勘查工作。新的探矿权，特别是Makoko的西南，尚未开展任何先进技术的勘查活动。由于交通受限，艾芬豪计划建设新的桥梁和道路，使勘探团队能够进场作业。在全球最大铜矿床之一的邻区，拥有如此广阔的绿地项目，意味着非常好的勘查机遇。
通过普查确定钻探靶区
艾芬豪2020年初在卡莫阿-卡库拉采矿权北部边界的Kiala探矿区开展钻探，其后于2020年下半年在卡库拉矿区以西约20公里的Makoko探矿区开展钻探。此外，艾芬豪2020年的勘探工作还包括水系沉积物取样、土壤地球化学测量，以及在2019年获得的新矿权内进行露头和水系填图，共采集了411个水系沉积物样品和958个土壤样品进行分析。
艾芬豪通过采样和填图工作加深了解探矿权的地质背景，使团队能更准确地为未来的勘查和钻探工作选定靶区。艾芬豪的地质师于2000年代中期，通过水系沉积物和土壤地球化学测量，首次确定了卡莫阿-卡库拉矿区的勘查潜力。
2020年第四季度启动的高分辨率磁法测量仍在进行中，迄今为止已完成西部前沿探矿权80%以上的范围。艾芬豪计划于2021年第二季度进行Xcalibur航空重力测量。这些物探工作旨在深入了解新勘查区内的地层和构造，这对于选定地表勘查的早期靶区至关重要。
西部前沿Makoko勘查区---面向南部赞比亚边境
化验结果确认卡莫阿北区高品位铜矿化向艾芬豪全资拥有的Kiala 探矿区内至少延伸了800 米
弗里兰德先生和孙先生还宣布，2020年初完成的钻孔分析结果确认，卡莫阿北区的高品位铜矿化向Kiala 探矿区内至少延伸了 800 米。Kiala 探矿区是艾芬豪全资拥有的西部前沿探矿权的一部分，位于卡莫阿-卡库拉采矿权的北部。
Kiala 探矿区的高品位铜矿带最先在卡莫阿-卡库拉开采许可区被发现，并通过一系列间距100米的探边孔圈定，向北延伸至艾芬豪全资拥有的探矿权范围内。
高品位铜矿带的控矿构造向北开放延伸。艾芬豪全资拥有极具勘查前景的、向北走向延伸长达35公里的探矿权。
Kiala 探矿区的部分钻孔包括﹕
- DKIA_DD007 自345.44米，见矿7.21米(真实宽度)，铜品位7.98% (以 1%及2% 铜边界品位计算)。
- DKIA_DD011 自348.00米，见矿3.82米(真实宽度)，铜品位5.35% (以 1%及2% 铜边界品位计算)。
- DKIA_DD014 自366.70米，见矿5.30米(真实宽度)，铜品位12.42% (以 1%及2% 铜边界品位计算)。
- DKIA_DD016 自351.40米，见矿3.59米(真实宽度)，铜品位9.71% (以 1%及2% 铜边界品位计算)。
Kiala高品位铜矿化带的地质特征
Kiala勘查区的铜矿化主要赋存在卡莫阿黄铁矿粉砂岩向下伏罗安群砾岩和砂岩逐渐变窄 (“超覆”) 的位置。高品位铜矿化的宽度在50米与150米之间，南北走向，与一系列南北向断层走向一致。
具备形成高品位矿化的两大关键条件，因此Kiala勘查前景很乐观。首先，断裂活动被认为增加了该地区富铜卤水的热液通量。其次，基底Nguba杂砂岩的超覆导致强还原条件的粉砂岩直接接触罗安群的砂岩含水层。这些有利条件的组合，还对卡莫阿-卡库拉项目内的卡莫阿北区富矿带有重要贡献。
迄今已完成的200米间距的五条勘探线上，有四条剖面发现高品位铜矿化。 Kiala勘查区的铜矿化主要由黄铜矿及斑铜矿组成，局部见少量辉铜矿。斑铜矿至黄铜矿的垂直分带，请见图4。
图1﹕Kiala高品位铜矿带平面图，显示铜品位。
图 2 ﹕ Kiala 高品位铜矿带1号勘探线剖面。
图 3 ﹕ Kiala 高品位铜矿带2号勘探线剖面。
图 4﹕ Kiala 勘查区最近完成的钻孔铜品位柱状图。
西部前沿Makoko矿区的钻探工作，圈定出长达7.5公里、肉眼可识别的新的铜矿化带。
作为防疫措施以保护员工和承包商免受COVID-19疫情冲击，2020年初暂停了勘查钻探工作，其后于2020年第三季度重启。目前，位于卡库拉矿床以西约20公里处的Makoko探矿区已完成16个钻孔，共计 6,871 米。
钻探工作在Makoko探矿区发现重要的、赋存较浅的铜矿化 (包括6.01米，铜品位3.38%)，从Makoko最初发现的矿化区向南西方向延伸，走向上超过7.5公里。 2020年下半年开始进行道路清理，将勘查范围扩大至Makoko矿区的南部和西部。
Makoko西部最新的钻探成果包括﹕
- DMKK_DD117 ，距离Makoko之前钻探区3.6公里的探边孔，自259.72米见矿6.01米(真实宽度)，铜品位3.38% (铜边界品位2%) 。以1%铜边界品位计算，见矿9.75米(真实宽度)，铜品位2.63%。
- DMKK_DD118 ，距离Makoko之前钻探区1.6公里的探边孔，自209.50米见矿4.19米(真实宽度)，铜品位3.01% (铜边界品位2%) 。以1%铜边界品位计算，见矿5.15米(真实宽度)，铜品位2.78%。
- DMKK_DD123 ，距离Makoko之前钻探区7.5公里的探边孔，从井下钻孔570米深度开始，见矿3.33米(真实宽度)，铜品位1.44% (以2%铜边界品位计算) 。以1%铜边界品位计算，则见矿17.77米(真实宽度)，铜品位1.39%。
最近在Makoko西部开展的钻探工作，对于新探矿权的勘探潜力评价意义重大，显示目标地层向西面延伸，而且盆地西缘的铜矿化沿水平方向展布。Makoko西部勘查区未来的钻孔工作，将选择有利于形成更高铜品位的特定构造位置为优先靶区。
表 1﹕ Kiala 钻孔复合物的分析结果 (以1%及2%铜边界品位计算)。
表2﹕Kiala钻孔位置。
表 3﹕ Makoko西部最近的钻孔分析结果 (以1%及2%铜边界品位计算)。
表3的部分结果 (以星号标示) 以便携式XRF (pXRF) 的测试结果 (Niton值)报告。这些钻孔的完整ICP分析尚在测试过程中。下页的“合资格人士”和“质量控制和保证”部分概述了使用pXRF的工作程序。
表4﹕Makoko西部的钻孔位置信息。
合资格人士及质量控制和保证
本新闻稿中的科学和技术信息，已经过艾芬豪矿业项目地质和评估副总裁 Stephen Torr 审查和批准。Torr 先生是符合NI 43-101 条款下的合资格人士，并非独立于艾芬豪矿业。Torr 先生已核实本新闻稿所披露的技术数据。
艾芬豪矿业对于西部前沿勘探项目的分析保持着全面的监管以及质量保证和质量控制 (QA/QC) 程序。锯成一半的岩芯在IME的现场实验室加工，制备的样品经由安全的快递方式送往位于澳大利亚的 ISO17025 认证设施 Bureau Veritas Minerals (以下简称“BVM”) 实验室。铜分析由 BVM 采用混合酸消解方法后，再运用初始循环压力完成。行业标准认证的参考物质和空白分析信息已于送往 BVM 前加入样品流。
本新闻稿所载的许多结果均以便携式XRF (pXRF) 读数 (niton值)为基础。样品在项目现场实验室粉碎后压成颗粒，在受制环境下使用pXRF仪器进行分析。矿浆在送往BVM之前，艾芬豪矿业经常使用pXRF仪器进行测试。两种技术之间的相关性表明，pXRF值是相当准确的。然而，本新闻稿所载的数值仅作参考用途，不应当作商业实验室报告的相同程度确定性。
关于艾芬豪矿业
艾芬豪矿业是一家加拿大的矿业公司，目前正推进旗下位于南部非洲的三大合资企业项目﹕位于刚果(金)的卡莫阿-卡库拉铜矿和位于南非的普拉特瑞夫 (Platreef) 钯-铂-镍-铜-铑-金矿的大型机械化地下矿山开发工程，以及同样位于刚果(金)、久负盛名的基普什 (Kipushi) 锌-铜-锗-银矿的大型重建和改善工程。
卡莫阿-卡库拉预计将于2021年7月实现铜精矿生产，并分阶段进行扩建，预计将会成为全球最大规模的铜生产商之一。卡莫阿-卡库拉和基普什将使用清洁、可再生的水电，并将成为全球每单位金属温室气体排放量最低的矿山之一。同时，艾芬豪正在刚果(金)境内其全资拥有、毗邻卡莫阿-卡库拉项目的西部前沿探矿权内寻找新的铜矿资源。
联系方式
投资者﹕Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / 媒体﹕Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034
前瞻性信息的警戒性声明
本新闻稿载有的某些陈述可能构成适用证券法所订议的“前瞻性陈述”或“前瞻性信息”，包括但不限于﹕(i) 关于西部前沿勘探许可区的2021年勘探计划，包括计划涵盖合共40,000米的空心钻探和金刚石钻探工程，航空和地表地球物理勘测，土壤采样和道路建设的陈述；以及(ii) 关于实地作业将于2021年旱季开始时展开，通常在4月开始的陈述。
这些陈述及信息涉及已知和未知的风险、不明朗因素和其他因素，可能导致本公司的实际业绩、表现或成就、行业的业绩，与前瞻性陈述或信息所表达或暗示的任何未来业绩、表现或成就产生重大差异。这些陈述可通过文中使用“可能”、“将会”、“会”、“将要”、“打算”、“预期”、“相信”、“计划”、“预计”、“估计”、“安排”、“预测”、“预言”及其他类似用语，或者声明“可能”、“会”、“将会”、“可能会”或“将要”采取、发生或实现某些行动、事件或结果进行识别。这些陈述仅反映本公司于本新闻稿发布当日对于未来事件、表现和业绩的当前预期。
所有该等前瞻性信息和陈述乃基于艾芬豪矿业管理层就他们的经验和对于过往趋势、目前条件和预期未来发展的看法，以及管理层在此情况下认为恰当的其他因素而作出的某些假设和分析。然而，这些陈述涉及不同风险和不明朗因素以及其他因素，可能导致实际事件或业绩与前瞻性信息或陈述所预测的有重大差异，包括但不限于有关部门实施的法例、法规或规章或其无法预计的修订(包括具有追溯效力)、与国家签订合同的协议未能全部或部分得到履行、或有关部门执行或实施的法例、法规或规章、合约各方未能根据协议履行合约、社会或劳资纠纷、商品价格的变动(包括铜价格)、基础设施出现无法预计的故障或设施不足或延迟开发基础设施；勘探计划或其他研究未能达到预期结果或用作证明和支持继续研究、开发或运营的结果；以及经济研究和评估的结果。可能导致实际业绩与前瞻性陈述有差异的其他重要因素包括本公司最近提交的管理层讨论与分析报告内以及艾芬豪矿业最近提交的周年信息报告内“风险因素”部分所指的因素。读者请注意不应过度依赖前瞻性信息或陈述。用作编撰前瞻性信息和陈述的某些因素和假设，以及可能导致实际业绩产生重大差异的某些风险均载于本公司最新的管理层讨论与分析报告和周年信息报告所列明的“风险因素”部分以及其他部分。上述报告载于www.sedar.com。
虽然本新闻稿载有的前瞻性陈述是基于本公司管理层认为合理的假设而作出，但本公司不能向投资者保证实际业绩会与前瞻性陈述的预期一致。这些前瞻性陈述仅是截至本新闻稿发布当日作出，而且受本警戒性声明明确限制。根据相应的证券法，本公司并无义务更新或修改任何前瞻性陈述以反映本新闻稿发布当日后所发生的事件或情况。