Astral Drills 3.09m Averaging 479g/t Silver and 3.5% Copper at Los Crestones, Mexico
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/23/11 -- Astral Mining Corporation (TSX VENTURE: AA)(TSX VENTURE: AA.WT)(PINK SHEETS: AAMJF)(FRANKFURT: A7DA) ('Astral' or 'the Company') is pleased to report an initial batch of results from first-ever drilling at the Los Crestones property, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Analytical highlights from the first 6 holes of the recently-completed 18 hole 2,618.61m program include 3.09m averaging 479g/t silver and 3.5% copper from hole 11LD006, including 1.09m of 1,230g/t silver and 8.9% copper. Drill logs from this hole suggest an intersection angle of 30 degrees to core axis; true width of the stated intervals is approximately 50% of the downhole length.
Drilling targeted low-medium sulphidation epithermal style mineralization in three parallel vein/breccia zones and utilized a low-impact, portable diamond drill rig. 'Corona', 'Bohemia' and 'Indio' are sub-parallel features trending north-south and have been mapped on surface between 680m and 930m in length (for aerial view click on: http://www.astralmining.com/images/stories/losphotos/LC-3.JPG). The zones consist of silicified breccias and quartz stockwork veining hosted by remnant andesitic rocks heavily intruded by monzonite, granodiorite and granite. The drilling program produced HQ sized core, reduced to NTW size at around 100m downhole depth, and represents first ever drilling at Los Crestones. Result highlights from the first six holes of the program are tabulated below.
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Interval Au Ag Cu
HOLE ID Target From To (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%)
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11LD001 Corona Vein 64.25 65.10 0.85 0.26 1.3 0.01
11LD001 Corona Vein 71.10 72.10 1.00 1.31 0.5 0.01
11LD002 Corona Vein No significant intercepts
11LD003 Indio Vein 9.15 24.16 15.01 0.35 7.9 0.44
incl Indio Vein 12.30 17.70 5.40 0.60 2.4 0.13
incl Indio Vein 23.11 24.16 1.05 0.15 33.9 2.43
11LD003 Indio Vein 26.16 27.16 1.00 0.63 2.7 0.04
11LD003 Bohemia Vein 109.60 110.58 0.98 0.39 58.6 0.10
11LD003 Bohemia Vein 115.25 116.00 0.75 0.53 6.8 0.06
11LD004 Indio Vein 6.10 15.25 9.15 0.11 7.8 0.45
incl Indio Vein 6.10 6.85 0.75 0.55 49.3 0.61
11LD004 Indio Vein 18.00 24.40 6.40 0.53 16.2 0.77
incl Indio Vein 21.35 22.27 0.92 0.39 63.8 2.65
11LD004 Indio Vein 25.80 26.06 0.26 0.07 120.0 3.19
11LD005 Indio Vein 9.15 14.40 5.25 1.06 2.3 0.14
incl Indio Vein 13.15 14.40 1.25 2.70 3.2 0.21
11LD006 Indio Vein 138.15 141.24 3.09 0.14 479.0 3.50
incl Indio Vein 138.15 139.24 1.09 0.24 1230 8.91
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Seventeen of eighteen holes were completed as planned (Hole 11LD013 abandoned due to poor ground conditions). Two holes (11LD001 and 11LD002) tested the Corona vein, the remainder tested the Bohemia and Indio veins over a horizontal distance of 300m. A drill location plan is available on the company's website (to view click on: http://www.astralmining.com/images/stories/losmaps/Dplan_Nov2011.jpg). Astral expects additional assays to be returned in the coming weeks.
Logging and sampling were completed under the direct supervision of qualified geoscientists, samples shipped directly to ALS Chemex's sample preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora. The company implemented an industry standard quality assurance/quality control program including blank material, certified reference material and duplicate samples.
British Columbia
The Company is also pleased to report the completion of a 1,334 line-kilometre Helicopter-Borne Electromagnetic and Magnetic survey over the Barriere Ridge and Honeymoon Projects north of Kamloops, British Columbia.
Fugro Airborne Surveys were contracted to complete a Helicopter-Borne Electromagnetic and Magnetic survey over the Barriere Ridge and Honeymoon Project areas. The two projects, located 5km apart in the Barriere Lakes-Adams Lake area are located 80km north of Kamloops, British Columbia. The properties are prospective for polymetallic vein and VMS style copper-gold-silver and zinc mineralization. Honeymoon has additional potential for intrusive related gold style mineralization related to the nearby Baldy Batholith.
The company has completed preliminary reconnaissance work including grab sampling, orientation soil sampling and historical archive research. Airborne surveys will provide essential data for use in planning a focused exploration effort for spring/summer of 2012. The survey comprises 433 line kilometers over 7,850 hectares at Barriere Ridge and 901 line kilometers, over 16,370 hectares at Honeymoon. Collection of data is complete and Fugro Airborne Surveys are proceeding with data processing.
Technical details contained in this news release have been reviewed by Dale Brittliffe, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and Astral's V.P. Exploration.
Astral Mining Corporation is a Canadian company engaged in the exploration and development of precious metal properties in the Americas. By focusing on exploration in mining-friendly districts, the Company minimizes the political and social risks encountered in many other parts of the world. With a new gold discovery at the Company's Jumping Josephine Gold Project in Southern British Columbia, the promising early stage Los Crestones gold-silver project in Sinaloa state, Mexico, an experienced technical team and seasoned management, Astral is poised to leverage this expertise into early exploration success. Further details on Astral Mining Corporation and its high-quality portfolio of exploration projects can be found at www.astralmining.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Mr. Manfred Kurschner, President & CEO
Astral Mining Corporation
Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
2011 Number 20
Shares outstanding - 24,639,400
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Astral Mining Corporation
Manfred Kurschner
President & CEO
604-641-1315
info@astralmining.com
www.astralmining.com