SEMAFO TSX-SMF
MONTREAL, Sept. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - SEMAFO (TSX: SMF) today announced its
most recent drilling results which demonstrate a significant high-grade lode
just below the bottom of the Wona North pit at the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso.
The Company's 2009 exploration program at Mana began in April. As at
August 31, a total of 18,342 meters of drilling have been completed; drill
holes WDC 80 up to WDC 129, which remains in progress. Meanwhile, assays
results have been received up to hole WDC 116.
The current drilling program confirms the NE at-depth high-grade
extension of the Wona zone. Initial reference to this potential mineralization
was made in SEMAFO's press release dated March 24, 2008, while further updates
were released on June 17, June 30, and August 8, 2008 as well as those
published February 25, March 2, June 30 and August 10, 2009.
Recent drilling results not only support the presence of significant
mineralized zones at-depth, but some holes significantly extend the lateral
and depth of the mineralized zones. Hole WDC 106 extends the main recognized
lode at-depth, while holes WDC 102 and WDC 104 confirm the continuity of the
strong mineralization from the Wona main pit on-surface towards its known
25-degree plunge. Mining studies are currently planned in order to determine
the optimal mining approach to this portion of the deposit. Holes WDC 105 and
WDC 108 suggest the presence of a second parallel lode below and to the south.
Also of importance is hole WDC 115 which supports the interpreted re-swelling
of the main ore-shoot along the plunge, past an apparent pinch in the
mineralization. The presence of higher grade internal intervals within the
section offers optimism to add significant mineralization at-depth. Hole WDC
115 is the deepest hole drilled to date along the plunge direction. Follow up
drilling is scheduled over the most promising areas for expansion.
Detailed geological descriptions of the diamond drill core have
highlighted a strongly sericitized and carbonatized host rock associated with
the mineralization. Moreover, a spatial relationship was recognized between
the silicified mineralized zones and intrusive dykes of various compositions.
The anisotropy caused by these intrusives is believed to have channeled the
mineralizing fluids. Significant intensity of fracturing could have been
generated by the difference in competency between the intrusive dykes and the
host rocks.
The following table presents the drill results including the main
mineralized intersections and high-grade values.
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DDH Intersections At-Depth Wona NE Extension
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Hole No. Section From To Au / Length(x)
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WDC100 16900 445.3 446.3 1.6 g/t / 1 m
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WDC102 16700 271.4 292.7 3.3 g/t / 21.3 m
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Including 271.4 276.4 4.5 g/t / 5 m
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WDC103 16950 326.3 365 3.7 g/t / 38.7 m
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WDC104 16650 124.7 142.7 2.7 g/t / 18 m
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Including 124.7 133.7 3.8 g/t / 9 m
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WDC105 16600 335.1 339.4 2.9 g/t / 4.3 m
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WDC106 16950 380.9 393 3.3 g/t / 12.1 m
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WDC107 17100 629.6 633.6 4.3 g/t /4 m
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WDC108 16500 338.3 353.7 3.1 g/t / 15.4 m
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Including 338.3 343.8 3.7 g/t / 5.5 m
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WDC109 17050 217.8 231 2 g/t / 13.2 m
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DDH Intersections At-Depth Wona NE Extension
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WDC112 17250 273.3 275.5 2.8 g/t / 2.2 m
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WDC113 17700 350.5 352.5 2.6 g/t / 2 m
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WDC114 17250 315 321.2 3.1 g/t / 6.2 m
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WDC114 17250 324.2 333 2.8 g/t / 8.8 m
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WDC115 17400 541.7 570.1 1.7 g/t / 28.4 m
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WDC116 17000 483.8 486.6 2.6 g/t / 2.8 m
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(x) All lengths are measured along the hole axis; additional information
is required to determine true widths.
Notes WDC 101 Hole not completed; to be redone
WDC 110 Hole interrupted due to strong deviation; to be redone
as WDC130
WDC 111 Drilling rod broke in hole; to be redone as WDC127
The drill holes described above are presented on the attached
longitudinal section (http://files.newswire.ca/357/section.doc) displaying
contoured grade-thickness product. The longitudinal schematic shows the
mineralization trend along with previously reported drill holes and upcoming
targets to be tested.
The drilling programs were designed and managed locally by Dofinta Bonde,
Mana Mineral's Exploration Chief Geologist, supported by Donald Trudel,
experienced mine and exploration professional geologist, and guided and
supervised under the direction of Michel Crevier, P.Geo MScA, Geology Manager
and SEMAFO's Qualified Person who has reviewed this press release for accuracy
and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.
All individual samples represent approximately one-meter in length of
core which was sawn in half. Half of the core is kept on site for reference
and its counterpart is sent for preparation and gold assaying at the ALS
Chemex laboratories in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Each sample is fire-assayed
for gold content on a 50-gram sub-sample at the same ALS Chemex laboratories.
In addition to ALS Chemex's own QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control)
program, an internal quality control and quality assurance program is in place
throughout the sampling program, using blind duplicates, blanks and recognized
industry standards.
Mana has a total of 908,600 ounces of gold mineral reserves, 1,021,400
ounces of measured and indicated resources and 508,200 ounces of inferred
resources as at December 31, 2008.
About SEMAFO
SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and
exploration activities in West Africa. The Company currently operates three
gold mines in Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in
a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of
interest, while maintaining principles and strengthening relationships to
increase shareholder value.
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ
materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking
statements include words such as "support", "planned", "suggest", "optimism",
"believed", "could", "trend", "upcoming", "targets", "evolve", "become",
"maintaining", "strengthening", "increase" and other similar expressions.
Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from
current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements
include our ability to continue or complete our (i) 2009 exploration program,
(ii) mining studies to determine the optimal mining approach to the stated
portion of the deposit, (iii) scheduled follow up drilling over the most
promising areas for expansion, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to
calculation of mineral reserves and resources and other risks described in the
Company's documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Although the Company is of the opinion that these forward-looking statements
are based on reasonable assumptions, such assumptions may prove to be
incorrect. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Readers can find further information with respect
to risks in the Company's Annual Information Form and other filings with
Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com. The
Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking
statements, except as required by applicable law.
