Northern Sphere Mining Samples Elevated Copper-Molybdenum Levels from Ongoing Soil Geochemical Survey at Its Black Diamond Property
Targeting Porphyry Copper Style DepositsToronto, December 12, 2017 - Northern Sphere Mining Corp. (CSE: NSM) (OTCQB: NSMCF) ("Northern Sphere" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Geochemical Survey being conducted on its Black Diamond Property which borders the Porphyry Copper Mining District in Miami, Arizona.
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Figure 1: Miami-Globe, Arizona — NSM's Black Diamond Claims<
Northern Sphere has undertaken an intensive Geochemical Survey over its 3,800-acre Black Diamond Property, located 12 km (8 miles) north-east of Freeport McMoRan's Open Pit Copper Operations. The Geochemical Survey recovered systematic soil samples on a 50-metre spaced grid. Each sample was submitted to ALS Laboratories for a 51 Element Aqua-Regia digestion and ICP-MS finish.
The survey currently comprises of more than 600 samples from three prospective areas encompassing approximately 370 acres: (i) the Richmond Basin and site of historic underground silver mines, (ii) Buckeye South and (iii) Black Copper where previous outcrop sampling (outcrop samples were grab samples selectively taken within the mineralized structure and therefore are not representative of the entire mineralization) yielded copper values up to 7% (see TrueclAIM Exploration Inc. press release of September 29, 2011).
Initial results from the first 250 geochemical samples taken in the Richmond Basin area delineated areas of anomalous (as defined by the values of the sample population greater than the 90th percentile) copper with some significantly anomalous results (exceeding the 98th percentile) as 1,040 parts per million (ppm), 522 ppm, and 340 ppm. Areas defined by anomalous silver were also noted with values reported as high as 344 grams per tonne (g/t) (see the Company's prior press release of November 11, 2017).
Significantly anomalous copper, zinc and silver values approaching grades at which some deposits are mined is very encouraging. Previous exploration undertaken on the property limits the Company's ability to gauge the background values for potential economic minerals and their relative proximity to the source bedrock.
Interpreting anomalous trends will be aided by exploration techniques and services which combine Hyper-Spectral Imaging, Geophysical Survey re-inversion, Digital Geologic Modelling, Artificial Intelligence which utilizes machine learning and mineral related algorithms to optimize mineral targeting.
A second soil survey area consisting of 224 samples collected from the Buckeye South area returned exceptional results defining areas with both anomalous copper (values greater than 123 ppm) and zinc (with value highs of 7,660 ppm, 4,820 ppm, and 4,770 ppm). Figure 2 depicts some of these anomalous trends.
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Figure 2: NSM Black Diamond Soil Geochemical Survey
More recent geochemical soil sampling from the Black Copper area yielded excellent results. Forty-six percent of the 135 samples collected at this location have copper results that exceed 100 ppm (or 100 g/t). Notable copper values that were strongly anomalous (greater than 97th percentile) analyzed from this location resulted in 634 ppm, 503 ppm and 496 ppm.
Manganese levels indicated from the soil survey were anomalous with all sample results exceeding 100 ppm. Soils samples collected from the Black Copper area all had manganese levels exceeding 200 ppm (72 soil samples were in excess of 1,000 ppm or 0.1%). Manganese, which is often found in association with other notable metals such as lead, silver, zinc, copper and vanadium has been mined in the Globe-Miami, Arizona area. Although considered a "strategic mineral" in the United States, Manganese is predominantly sourced outside the United States, primarily from China and South Africa.
With ongoing Geochemical Survey activities, the Company anticipates that it will continue to identify significant metal anomalies on the property. Steve Gray, Vice President of Northern Sphere, states, "One of the more encouraging geochemical trends is the correlation between results indicating significantly elevated copper in association with elevated molybdenum levels, two metals found in association with porphyry copper environments."
In support of a potential porphyry environment, O.M. Bishop mapped andesite porphyry in the Richmond Basin, while researching for his Master's thesis, 'Geology and Ore Deposits Richmond Basin, Gila County'.
Mr. Gray adds, "The Geochemical Survey covers only 10% of the Black Diamond Property and already we have encountered various significant anomalous metals. The property is located up gradient from Freeport McMoRan's porphyry copper mines ensuring soil geochemistry results are local to Northern Sphere's mineral claims."
Quality Control
Northern Sphere's quality control and assurance program includes the use of an independent certified lab, ALS Laboratories ("ALS") of Tucson, Arizona. All ALS geochemical hub laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for specific analytical procedures. The ALS quality program includes quality control steps through sample preparation and analysis, inter-laboratory test programs, and regular internal audits. It is an integral part of day-to-day activities, involves all levels of ALS staff and is monitored at top management levels.
Qualified Persons
Steve Gray, P.Geo., Vice President of Northern Sphere, has reviewed, prepared and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release and is Northern Sphere's "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
About Northern Sphere Mining Corp.
Northern Sphere is dedicated to growth through the acquisition and development of mining assets with an emphasis on gold, silver and copper. The Company intends on generating robust mining projects through the use of cutting-edge exploration technologies to assist with more precise mineral targeting on its assets. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Northern Sphere has a strong project pipeline of properties with a focus on gold, silver and other metal production in pro-mining jurisdictions.
Cautionary Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect Northern Sphere's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Northern Sphere disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable securities laws.
For further information, please contact:
A. John Carter
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Sphere Mining Corp.
Tel: 905-302-3843