Argent Minerals Limited: Kempfield Drilling Update - Positive Drill Core Visuals

Sydney, Australia - Argent Minerals Ltd. (ASX:ARD) is pleased to provide this update on observed mineralisation in holes AKDD182 and AKDD183, the first two holes for which logging has been completed of the 12 hole, 3,330 metre Kempfield diamond drilling campaign. Core sampling is underway and assays are expected in the coming weeks.


Highlights:

- Zone of strong hydrothermal alteration intersected by hole AKDD182 on trend consistent with the recent spectacular 1m @ 1,065 g/t gold intersection - assays pending for gold and copper

- Sulphide mineralisation intersected by AKDD183 consistent with depth extension of Zone 2 north

- Observed sulphide mineralisation in drillhole AKDD183 consists of sphalerite (zinc), galena (silver, lead) and pyrite, assays pending

- Drilling of 5 holes completed with encouraging mineralisation observations

- Mineral resource estimate review planned to follow completion of drilling campaign, assays and analysis

With historical drilling at Kempfield generally limited to a relatively shallow depth of only 120 metres, this drilling campaign has been designed to test the potential for an increase in tonnes and grade at depth and along strike in order to progress the Kempfield project toward economic viability and mining operations.


AKDD182 - Follow Up to AKDD181 Spectacular Gold Intersection

AKDD182 was designed to test for a down-dip extension of the spectacular gold mineralisation zone intersected by hole AKDD181 - 1 m @ 1,065 g/t Au from 97 m.

AKDD182 intersected areas of strong chlorite alteration and silicification associated with a series of concordant quartz veins in a position considered to be continuous from AKDD181.

AKDD182 also intersected a zone of stringer chalcopyrite (copper) at 71 m with cross-cutting pyrrhotite veins.

Pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite stringers and blebs (small, localised 'blister' like features) were observed at various intervals throughout the lower portion of the drillhole. These observations are consistent with the type of mineralisation that can be expected in the higher temperature and pressure formation conditions associated with the footwall position of a volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposit.


AKDD183 - Sphalerite (Zinc) and Galena (Silver, Lead) Observed

The second hole in the program, AKDD183, was designed to test for depth and strike extensions of known Zone 2 mineralisation, and importantly, continuity of mineralisation.

AKDD183 intersected a series of variably mineralised zones throughout the extent of the drillhole. Cleavage and fracture controlled red-brown sphalerite (zinc) and galena (silver, lead) occurs between 46 to 50 metres, which indicates a degree of remobilisation and structural enrichment during a later orogenic phase at Kempfield.

The prevalence of honey-brown, low-iron sphalerite in mineralised intersections at depth, along with a strong association with barite and silver sulphosalts, indicates that the bulk of the sulphide mineralisation remains unaffected by later orogenic events seen in the area (Figure 2, see link below).

Drilling has now shown that sulphide mineralisation is continuous and predictable, which will provide further efficiencies in coming resource delineation work.

Whilst these are visual observations only and subject to assays pending, the preliminary results are encouraging, indicating that mineralisation extends along strike and at depth from that intersected by historical drilling in Zone 2.


Drilling Campaign Progress - Additional Mineralisation Observed

Five holes have been completed for a total of 1,300.8 metres (versus 1,140 metres planned for these holes).

Further encouraging mineralisation has also been observed in holes subsequent to AKDD182 and AKDD183, and will be reported to the ASX following core logging, photographing, and as the results of visual-based analysis become available.


Mineral Resource Review

Argent is planning to review the Kempfield mineral Resource estimate on completion of the drilling campaign and analysis of the assay results. The drilling campaign has been designed to test the potential for an increase in tonnes and grade in order to progress the Kempfield project toward economic viability and mining operations.

Summary drill hole information is provided in Appendix A, and JORC Table 1 in Appendix B, in the link below.

To view tables and figures, please visit:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/LK7H3K6F


About Argent Minerals Limited:

Argent Minerals Ltd. (ASX:ARD) is an Australian publicly listed company with a 100% interest in a silver/gold project at Kempfield NSW. Work is underway on the preparation of an EIS and a feasibility study for the first stage of the project which will involve heap leaching some 8.8 million tonnes of mainly oxide and transitional material to produce over 9.5 million ounces of silver and 15,000 ounces of gold over a 5 year mine life. Argent is also earning up to a 70% interest in two other NSW projects - gold at West Wyalong and base metals at Sunny Corner.



Contact:

David Busch Managing Director
Argent Minerals Ltd.
M: +61-415-613-800
E: david.busch@argentminerals.com.au