Centurion Completes Successful Test-pitting and Trenching Program
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 19, 2016) - Centurion Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:CTN) ("Centurion", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a successful field program at the Ana Sofia agricultural gypsum project in Santiago Del Estero, Argentina. The primary objective of the program was to confirm the extent of near surface gypsum layers at the Ana Sofia 2 mining concession and was extended onto the Company's adjacent exploration permit area.
The program consisted of systematic grid-based test pitting and mechanical trenching on a total of 20 sites over an approximate area of 50 hectares (ha). The test sites comprised 15 new test pit (trenches) along with the excavation and sampling of 5 locations within historical quarries. All but 2 of the test sites identified at least 1 high quality gypsum layer ranging in thickness from 0.4 meters (m) to 2.1m. (The phrase "high quality gypsum" refers to discreet gypsum layers where visible impurities, primarily clays, comprise less than 10%.)
The 20 test sites represented a total of 154 vertical meters of excavation individually ranging in depth from 3.5m to 15.0m and averaging approximately 7.7m. For the 18 test sites where high purity gypsum was encountered, the average depth from surface to the top of the gypsum layer was approximately 3.7m. The stratigraphy in the area is essentially flat lying and thus the measured vertical widths of the gypsum layers summarised above are considered to be true thickness measurements.
The target stratigraphy exposed at each test site, comprising discreet gypsum layers hosted primarily in green clays, was sampled by collecting vertical chip/channel samples respecting lithologic boundaries. The samples are being shipped to ALS Laboratories (an independent and ISO accredited company) for analysis. Previous independent sampling of gypsum layers exposed in historical quarries within the test site area has yielded analytical results of between 93.79 wt% (weight percent) and 96.13 wt% gypsum. (as reported in the Company's NI 43-101 Technical Report-Turner, 2016 and filed on www.sedar.com)
The layout of the test pit trenches and historical quarry sections sampled approximates a 200m x 300m grid pattern with some infill testing. The spacing of the test pits is deemed to be appropriate given the consistency and continuity of the gypsum that can be observed along the western side of the resource area where an almost uninterrupted exposure of gypsum can be followed for approximately 800m along a north northeast trend.
The data generated by this program will be utilized to complete a geological model and resource estimation work, the results of which will be released in due course. Pictures of the test-pit and trenching program can be viewed on the company's website www.centurionminerals.com.
The Ana Sofia project comprises two mining concessions totaling 50 hectares (ha) in size within a larger (approximately 500 ha) exploration permit area. Trenching and test pit sampling work completed by joint venture partner Demetra Minerals Inc. in 2014 and 2015, identified multiple, high grade, near surface gypsum layers. Small scale producers located in the vicinity are currently extracting agricultural gypsum and selling to fertilizer distributors and farmers. Agricultural gypsum is a valuable plant nutrient and plays a vital role in maintaining soil structure and nutrient balance in South American soils, allowing greater crop yields.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew J. Turner, B.Sc., P.Geol., who is the Company's Geological Consultant and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
ABOUT CENTURION
Centurion Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based company with an international focus on the exploration and development of gold and agri-mineral projects.
On Behalf of the Board,
David G. Tafel, President and CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain forward looking statements concerning future operations of Centurion Minerals Ltd. (the "Company"). All forward looking statements concerning the Company's future plans and operations, including management's assessment of the Company's project expectations or beliefs may be subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual performance and exploration and financial results may differ materially from any estimates or projections.
Contact
Centurion Minerals Ltd.
David Tafel
President and CEO
604-484-2161
info@centurionminerals.com
www.centurionminerals.com