Avrupa Minerals Reports Drill Results for 113.8-meter mineralized sulfide intercept in SES21-044 at Sesmarias North, Alvalade Project
Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (AVU:TSXV) (OTC:AVPMF) (FSE:8AM) is pleased to report that drilling continues to expand and upgrade polymetallic, massive sulfide mineralization at the Sesmarias Copper-Zinc Prospect within the Alvalade Project (Alentejo, Portugal). The program is a joint venture between Avrupa Minerals and Minas de Aguas Teñidas, S.A. (MATSA) and is operated by Avrupa through the JV entity PorMining Lda. To date, the Company has completed 16 diamond drill holes on six different fences at Sesmarias, totaling 8,150 meters, and is now drilling a 17th hole testing potential massive sulfide mineralization in the gap between Section 120S and Section 350S. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, commented, "With the long, mineralized sulfide intercept in SES21-044, we have now confirmed the structural position of a robust mineral system over 350 meters in length in the SES North sector alone, within the known total Sesmarias massive sulfide mineralization of 1.7 kilometers. Continuation of copper- and zinc-bearing mineralization is open both to the north and south, and to some depth below present drilling. The SES21-044 intercept is now the longest, to date, in the joint venture, and shows good, continuous copper, lead, zinc, silver, and gold grades over the majority of the intercept. The overall intercept includes intervals of higher-grade mineralization, and further evidence of metals' zonation in the deposit. We are looking forward to further enlargement of the Sesmarias mineralization and continued improvement of the metals' grades."
SES North Results and Sections
To date, in the MATSA JV, the Company completed 16 drill holes (including three holes lost due to difficult downhole drilling conditions) in the SES North sector, and one scout hole in the SES Central sector (SES21-041), totaling 8,150 meters. The Company drilled one scout hole, totaling 614 meters, in the Caveira District (CAV21-001), located 16 kilometers north of Sesmarias.
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Figure 1. Drill locations at Sesmarias North, along with plan view of massive sulfide lenses projected to the surface. SES21-044 is located along Section 350 S, and SES21-046 is located in Section 250 S.
Following is a summary of the results from SES21-044:
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Table 1. Summary of results for SES21-044.
The geological section shows that mineralization can be divided into massive sulfides on the east limb of the main syncline and stockwork to semi-massive sulfides on the west limb of the main syncline. From detailed review of all core at Sesmarias North, it is apparent that the east limb mineralization in SES21-044 is the continuation of mineralization previously intersected in SES21-039, while the west limb mineralization is the continuation of mineralization seen in SES21-040 (see AVU news release of September 21, 2021). The Company expects that "two-limb" mineralization continues to the north, and that further drilling will demonstrate the position of such base metal mineralization. The Company also expects that massive sulfide mineralization is open to the south towards the previously-discovered mineralization in the Sesmarias Central and South sectors (the "10" Lens). Further work is planned in the Central sector to follow up "2" Lens mineralization, which appears to be separate from the "10" Lens.
Section 350 S demonstrates the position of massive sulfide mineralization in a district-scale fold system at Sesmarias North. The massive sulfide body is heavily folded, itself, making it difficult to accurately estimate original true thickness of the beds, though best thinking puts it at 30-40 meters.
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Figures 2a and 2b. 350S cross section, including SES21-044, and enlargement of the massive sulfide zone
Combining the results and the cross section, note that the longest, most continuous intercept lies in the upper part of the massive sulfide mineralization. However, good grades may also be found in the geologically underlying stockwork zone, found at both the top and bottom of the full intercept. Strong folding of the mineral zone allows for intersection of the bottom of the sulfide deposit in both the upper and lower portions of the drill intercept. So far, as shown in this section, drilling cuts off the top of the mineralization (SES21-042), intersects the west limb of the main fold (SES21-040), and in SES21-044 intersects both the east and west limbs of the main fold, as well as the perceived top and bottom of the folded mineralization. Further drilling below SES21-044 is necessary to extend massive sulfide mineralization at depth in and around the apex of the syncline.
Drilling at SES21-046 is now underway on the 250 S section to test for copper- and zinc-bearing massive sulfide mineralization between SES21-039 and SES21-044.
The continuing work program is fully funded by Minas de Aguas Teñidas, S.A. ("MATSA"). MATSA can initially earn a 51% interest in the Alvalade Experimental Exploitation License property by completing funding requirements set out in the joint venture agreement between the companies. MATSA may then increase their interest in the Project to 85% by preparing a bankable feasibility study. Avrupa previously described the details of the agreement in news releases dated October 1, 2019 and November 20, 2019.
Minas de Aguas Teñidas, S.A. (MATSA) is a private Spanish mining company, which owns and operates three mines in the province of Huelva (Andalusia, Spain): Aguas Teñidas, Magdalena, and Sotiel. MATSA also holds 1,312 km2 of exploration permits in the south of Spain and 1,106 km2 in Portugal. Focused on innovation and the most advanced technology to develop modern and sustainable mines, MATSA is currently a 50:50 joint venture company of Mubadala Investment Company, a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio aimed at generating sustainable returns for its shareholder, the Government of Abu Dhabi, and Trafigura, one of the world's leading commodity trading houses.
Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company directed to discovery of mineral deposits, using a hybrid prospect generator business model. The Company holds one 100%-owned license in Portugal, the Alvalade VMS Project, now optioned to MATSA in an earn-in joint venture agreement. Avrupa focuses its project generation work in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, presently including Portugal, Finland, and Kosovo. The Company continues to seek and develop other opportunities around Europe.
For additional information, contact Avrupa Minerals Ltd. at 1-604-687-3520 or visit our website at www.avrupaminerals.com.
On behalf of the Board,
"Paul W. Kuhn"
Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director
This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release.
Information about the Lousal Mine comes directly from published academic documents prepared by the geological survey of Portugal (LNEG), theses from the University of Lisbon, private company documents authored by mine geologists employed at one time by the Lousal Mine, and copies of original mine records. The information is considered accurate, but NOT compliant to present-day NI 43-101 regulations and standards.
Neither 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.