SEMAFO Intersects a New Wider, High-Grade Area at Mana's Wona SW 4.20 g/t Au Over 32 Meters Results Also Expected to Extend Wona At-depth Open Pit Limits
Results Also Expected to Extend Wona At-depth Open Pit Limits
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 09/20/10 -- SEMAFO (TSX: SMF) today announced results from its drilling program on the Wona SW Zone at the Company's Mana Mine in Burkina Faso. The Wona SW Zone is located immediately southwest and parallel to the Wona Main Deep Zone. Core drilling results add significant underground depth potential for wider and higher grade mineralization, while reverse-circulation ('RC') drilling results significantly expand the up-dip open pit extension of the mineralization over one kilometer. These outstanding results will conceivably add new reserves to the Wona Pit.
Since the last update on July 8, 2010 we carried out a total of 7,484 meters of core drilling in 17 holes (up to WDC223) and 7,924 meters of RC drilling in 35 holes (up to MRC10-212) on the Wona SW Zone. The drilling hit ratio remains close to 100%.
Wona SW Zone Results
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DDH Zone Section (N) From To Au(i) / Length(ii)
No.(iii)
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MRC10-172 Wona SW 14400 150.0 153.0 1.84 g/t/3.0 m
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MRC10-173 Wona SW 14425 139.0 146.0 0.20 g/t/7.0 m
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MRC10-174 Wona SW 14475 125.0 126.0 0.91 g/t/1.0 m
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MRC10-175 Wona SW 14525 158.0 160.0 1.50 g/t/2.0 m
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MRC10-176 Wona SW 14500 127.0 129.0 1.10 g/t/2.0 m
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MRC10-177 Wona SW 14800 122.0 144.0 2.28 g/t/22.0 m
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MRC10-178 Wona SW 14850 157.0 174.0 3.47 g/t/17.0 m
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MRC10-179 Wona SW 14875 118.0 129.0 4.31 g/t/11.0 m
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MRC10-180 Wona SW 14950 153.0 162.0 4.47 g/t/9.0 m
(8.18 g/t uncut)
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MRC10-181 Wona SW 14975 140.0 161.0 1.88 g/t/21.0 m
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MRC10-182 Wona SW 15025 171.0 187.0 2.13 g/t/16.0 m
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MRC10-183 Wona SW 15075 152.0 179.0 1.79 g/t/27.0 m
(2.08 g/t uncut)
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MRC10-184 Wona SW 15100 127.0 135.0 2.20 g/t/8.0 m
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MRC10-185 Wona SW 15125 142.0 156.0 2.42 g/t/14.0 m
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MRC10-186 Wona SW 15150 123.0 136.0 1.81 g/t/13.0 m
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MRC10-187 Wona SW 15175 158.0 163.0 3.04 g/t/5.0 m
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MRC10-188 Wona SW 15200 118.0 126.0 1.67 g/t/8.0 m
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MRC10-189 Wona SW 15225 156.0 165.0 2.06 g/t/9.0 m
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MRC10-190 Wona SW 15325 145.0 152.0 4.81 g/t/7.0 m
(5.04 g/t uncut)
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MRC10-191 Wona SW 15350 124.0 133.0 3.75 g/t/9.0 m
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MRC10-192 Wona SW 15425 147.0 155.0 3.87 g/t/8.0 m
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MRC10-193 Wona SW 15450 152.0 160.0 3.89 g/t/8.0 m
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MRC10-194 Wona SW 15475 144.0 148.0 2.52 g/t/4.0 m
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MRC10-195 Wona SW 15550 148.0 158.0 2.63 g/t/10.0 m
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MRC10-196 Wona SW 15575 135.0 144.0 2.02 g/t/9.0 m
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MRC10-197 Wona SW 15625 135.0 142.0 1.97 g/t/7.0 m
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MRC10-198 Wona SW 15650 143.0 148.0 2.77 g/t/5.0 m
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MRC10-199 Wona SW 15675 130.0 134.0 1.41 g/t/4.0 m
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MRC10-200 Wona SW 14675 156.0 160.0 1.33 g/t/4.0 m
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MRC10-206 Wona SW 14575 153.0 156.0 1.21 g/t/3.0 m
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MRC10-207 Wona SW 14625 159.0 160.0 1.04 g/t/1.0 m
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MRC10-209 Wona SW 14725 142.0 159.0 2.64 g/t/17.0 m
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MRC10-210 Wona SW 14825 152.0 154.0 4.74 g/t/2.0 m
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MRC10-211 Wona SW 14900 162.0 165.0 2.12 g/t/3.0 m
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MRC10-212 Wona SW 14925 152.0 159.0 2.77 g/t/7.0 m
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WDC204 Wona SW 16400 470.0 484.0 1.66 g/t/14.0 m
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WDC205 Wona SW Results previously announced
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WDC206 Wona SW 16400 538.0 544.0 2.77 g/t/6.0 m
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WDC207 Wona SW 16200 618.0 624.5 0.07 g/t/6.5 m
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WDC208 Wona SW 16500 434.0 446.0 1.83 g/t/12.0 m
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WDC209 Wona SW 16500 544.0 557.5 3.07 g/t/13.5 m
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WDC211 Wona SW 16600 465.7 468.4 2.82 g/t/2.7 m
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WDC212 Wona SW 16700 446.6 464.0 3.08 g/t/17.4 m
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WDC213 Wona SW 15600 281.0 291.0 3.11 g/t/10.0 m
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WDC214 Wona SW 15600 319.8 325.8 1.31 g/t/6.0 m
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WDC216 Wona SW 15600 222.0 239.0 2.72 g/t/17.0 m
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WDC217 Wona SW 15525 176.0 184.8 7.32 g/t/8.8 m
(12.95 g/t uncut)
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WDC218 Wona SW 16200 534.0 546.2 2.04 g/t/12.2 m
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WDC219 Wona SW 15600 178.0 186.0 4.62 g/t/8.0 m
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WDC221 Wona SW 16400 234.0 243.6 2.48 g/t/9.6 m
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WDC223 Wona SW 16600 587.0 619.0 4.20 g/t/32.0 m
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(i)All individual samples are cut at 15 g/t as per Wona Deposit procedures.
(ii)All lengths are measured along the hole axis; additional information is
required to determine true widths.
(iii)MRC holes (RC drilling) numbers MRC201 to MRC205 were drilled outside
the Wona SW Zone, and MRC208 results remain pending. WDC210 and WDC215 (core
drilling) were drilled outside the Wona SW Zone and WDC220 and WDC222 remain
pending.
Core drilling focused primarily on the deeper part of the Wona SW Zone and the up-dip extension of the underground potential (WDC213, WDC214, WDC216 and WDC217) where we previously obtained high grade results. Results not only confirmed the higher grade up-dip mineralization with values of up to 7.32 g/t Au (12.95 g/t Au uncut) across 8.8 meters, but also identifies a wider area with a higher grade at greater depths with hole WDC223 returning 4.20 g/t Au over 32 meters. Proximal hole WDC209 also returned 3.07 g/t Au over an above-average width of 13.5 meters, which suggests that the immediate area where holes WDC209 and WDC223 were drilled could host an extensive gold mineralization (Figure 1). Additional drilling is scheduled to further test this area.
Figure 1 is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/sem0920.pdf
Furthermore, in order to establish the limit of the up-dip extension of the Wona SW Zone, a series of RC holes were completed immediately below the pit design over a 1.3-kilometer strike length, almost reaching the southwest end of the Wona pit. Results show that the addition of significant ore can be anticipated below the pit design, but above the revised open-pit bottom limit of 5,200 meters elevation, over a strike length of more than one kilometer.
The Wona SW parallel zones previously identified continue to be increasingly significant towards the southwest, showing areas of swelling with above average grades. Parallel zones were crossed in both near-surface RC holes and in deeper core holes. Their proximity to the Wona SW Zone and higher grade will most likely augment the reserves base in this area.
Wona SW Parallel Zone Highlights
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DDH No. Zone Section (N) From To Au / Length(i)
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MRC10-179 Parallel 14875 144.0 153.0 1.45 g/t/9.0 m
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MRC10-180 Parallel 14950 173.0 177.0 1.71 g/t/4.0 m
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MRC10-181 Parallel 14975 125.0 130.0 1.89 g/t/5.0 m
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MRC10-182 Parallel 15031 151.0 157.0 1.38 g/t/6.0 m
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MRC10-184 Parallel 15100 150.0 153.0 2.57 g/t/3.0 m
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MRC10-184 Parallel 15100 173.0 174.0 9.02 g/t/1.0 m
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MRC10-193 Parallel 15450 179.0 183.0 7.53 g/t/4.0 m
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(9.73 g/t uncut)
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MRC10-199 Parallel 15675 157.0 164.0 3.65 g/t/7.0 m
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MRC10-199 Parallel 15675 187.0 192.0 6.94 g/t/5.0 m
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(11.86 g/t uncut)
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MRC10-210 Parallel 14825 126.0 129.0 3.11 g/t/3.0 m
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MRC10-211 Parallel 14900 117.0 134.0 2.79 g/t/17.0 m
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MRC10-211 Parallel 14900 140.0 146.0 2.15 g/t/6.0 m
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MRC10-212 Parallel 14925 125.0 140.0 3.20 g/t/15.0 m
(3.35 g/t uncut)
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WDC218 Parallel 16200 599.7 615.0 2.38 g/t/15.3 m
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WDC219 Parallel 15600 215.0 217.0 4.98 g/t/2.0 m
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(i)All lengths are measured along the hole axis; additional information is
required to determine true widths.
The exploration programs were designed and managed locally by Dofinta Bonde and David Lalonde, Mana Mineral's Exploration Chief Geologists and Richard Roy P Geo, Deputy Geology Manager, 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 core samples represent approximately one-meter in length of core which was sawed 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 Minerals laboratories in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. All individual RC samples represent approximately one-meter in length of rock chips homogenized and riffle-split to an approximately 2kg subsample which is also sent for preparation and gold assaying at the ALS Minerals laboratories in Ouagadougou. Each sample is fire-assayed for gold content on a 50-gram sub-sample at the same ALS Minerals laboratories. In addition to ALS Minerals' 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.
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: the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, the Samira Hill Mine in Niger and the Kiniero Mine in Guinea. SEMAFO is committed to evolve in a conscientious manner to become a major player in its geographical area of interest. SEMAFO's strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities in West Africa.
Caution Concerning Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains 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. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as 'suggesting', 'expected', 'extend', 'limits', 'potential', 'expand', 'additional', 'will', 'add', 'could', 'scheduled', 'anticipated', 'continue', 'committed', 'evolve', 'become', 'pursuing', 'growth' and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include the ability of these drilling results to add new reserves to the Wona Pit, the ability of the immediate area where holes WDC209 and WDC223 were drilled to host an extensive gold mineralization, the ability of the results of the series of RC holes completed immediately below the pit design to add significant ore below the pit design but above the planned open-pit bottom, the ability to execute on our strategic focus, fluctuation in the price of currencies, gold or operating costs, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, delays, political and social stability in Africa (including our ability to maintain or renew licenses and permits) and other risks described in SEMAFO's documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in SEMAFO's 2009 Annual MD&A, as updated in our 2010 First Quarter MD&A and 2010 Second Quarter MD&A and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. These documents are also available on our website at www.semafo.com. SEMAFO disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
Contacts:
SEMAFO Inc.
Benoit La Salle
President & CEO
514-744-4408
Toll-Free: 1-888-744-4408
blasalle@semafo.com
SEMAFO Inc.
Sofia St Laurent
Communications
514-744-4408
Toll-Free: 1-888-744-4408
sstlaurent@semafo.com