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StrataGold Increases Mar-Tungsten Deposit Indicated Resource by 44% and Provides Metallurgical Test Results

on 10/17/2008

October 16, 2008 - Vancouver, BC - StrataGold Corporation (SGV-TSX) ("StrataGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a new independent National Instrument (NI) 43-101 Mineral Resource estimate by SRK Consulting (US) Inc. ("SRK"), has increased the Indicated Resource of the Mar-Tungsten Deposit by 44%.

  • The Mar-Tungsten Deposit contains 65.7 million pounds of tungsten (WO3) in the Indicated category and 8.5 million pounds of tungsten (WO3) in the Inferred category based on a 0.1% WO3 cutoff.
  • Metallurgical test work recovered ~90% WOз by way of a combined gravity-flotation approach.
  • The price for tungsten (WO3) is US$11.57 per pound as at September 24, 2008.
  • SRK has been engaged to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Mar-Tungsten Deposit.
  • StrataGold is evaluating opportunities to realize value for the Mar-Tungsten Deposit for its shareholders.

2008 Exploration Program

StrataGold drilled 34 diamond drill (DD) holes for a total of 4057.68 metres (m) on the Mar-Tungsten Deposit in 2008 (see news release August 28, 2008). The 2008 diamond drill (DD) program successfully extended the scheelite mineralization up dip toward the surface and along strike. Additionally, infill drilling showed good grade continuity, resulting in significant conversion of previously inferred resource into the current indicated resource category. The deposit remains open down dip and along strike to the north. The Mar-Tungsten Deposit is located within StrataGold's wholly owned Dublin Gulch property, Yukon Territory, Canada, 2.5 kilometres (km) east of the Eagle Zone (gold) Deposit.

Mar-Tungsten Deposit Resource Statement1

Resource Category

Total Tonnes

% WO3 Grade*

Contained WO3 (pounds)

WO3 MTU's
(metric tonne units
**)

Indicated

7,819,330

0.381

65,679,443

2,979,000

Inferred

945,374

0.410

8,545,030

387,600

 

 

 

 

** *A cut-off grade of 0.10% WO3 was used for this resource statement
** An MTU is defined as 1/100th of a metric tonne or 22.05lbs.

Metallurgical Test Results

Under the direction of SRK, samples were collected from the 2008 drill core to be composited and are considered representative of the Mar-Tungsten Deposit. The average grade of the composite used for testing was 0.39% WO3 which is consistent with the Indicated Resource grade of 0.381% WO3. The metallurgical test work was carried out by SGS Canada Inc. and the scope of the program involved chemical and mineralogical analyses, bond ball mill work index (BWI) testing and flow sheet options for the recovery of tungsten via gravity concentration and flotation.

The mineralized material is largely free of deleterious minerals such as clay, fluorite and molybdenum and the tungsten is hosted by scheelite. The composite sample responded well to flotation and gravity concentration with a conventional flow sheet. A combined gravity-flotation approach is contemplated with gravity recovering 60-65% WO3 to a high grade concentrate (62.60% WO3) and flotation expected to recover ~20% to a lower grade concentrate which could be blended with the gravity concentrate. A combined gravity flotation approach recovered ~90% of WO3 to a rougher concentrate. SGS recommended additional work with the rougher flotation concentrate to focus on flotation cleaning, gravity cleaning and a combination of the two.

Grindability testing on the minus 10 mesh composite resulted in a Bond Ball Work Index (BWI) of 14.1 kWh/t. According to the SGS database of other BWI indices the ore is of medium hardness.

A copy of the full resource calculation report will be available on the SEDAR website within 45 days of this press release. The NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, which is effective October 16, 2008, was prepared by SRK Consulting (US) Inc., an independent consulting firm. The qualified person (as described under NI 43-101) responsible for the resource estimate and technical content of this press release is Dr. Bart Stryhas, PhD, a Principal Resource Geologist at SRK.

Quality Control, Assurance and Data Verification

A rigorous Quality Control and Assurance program (QC/QA) is in place, using control samples and duplicates, as well as Chain of Custody (COC) protocols. Tamperproof sample bags and sample tags were utilized for all of the drill samples. All Mar-Tungsten drill samples were prepared and analyzed by ALS Laboratory Group located in British Columbia, Canada. ALS is an ISO 9001:2000 registered and accredited to ISO 17025:2005 by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for specific analytical procedures. The control samples and duplicate assay results received for the drilling program demonstrate to StrataGold that the results are considered reliable. The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101.

The exploration program was conducted under the supervision of qualified person Terry Tucker, P.Geo., StrataGold's President and CEO. Terry Tucker has reviewed the technical content of this press release.

1: Notes

  1. This drilling has been audited and validated by SRK in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines and with National Instrument 43-101 guidelines by Dr. Bart Stryhas, PhD, an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
  2. The resource estimation employed a categorical indicator approach based on a 0.1% WO3 cut-off.  Grade estimation was made using an inverse distance squared algorithm within blocks having a probability of 50% and higher.
  3. Drillhole WO3 assays were composited into 2 m downhole lengths and capped at 3%.
  4. Tonnage was estimated based on a specific gravity assigned by rock type and alteration type.  The specific gravities ranged between 2.7 and 2.9  g/cm3
  5. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
  6. Mineral resources were classified according to the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves by Dr. Bart Stryhas, PhD, an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
  7. SRK is not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing or other relevant issues that could potentially affect this estimate of mineral resources. The mineral resources may be affected by subsequent assessments of mining, environmental, processing, permitting, taxation, socio-economic and other factors. There is insufficient information at this early stage of study to assess the extent to which the resources will be affected by these factors, which are more appropriately assessed in a conceptual study.


About StrataGold Corporation

StrataGold is a gold development company focused on the systematic exploration and development of two advanced-stage gold projects, Dublin Gulch, Yukon (including the Eagle Zone and Mar-Tungsten Deposits), Tassawini, Guyana and the BRL Venture with Newmont in Guyana. To obtain additional information, photos, project updates and maps pertaining to this news release, please visit: www.stratagold.com.

For further information, please contact:
Terry Tucker, President and CEO
Vanessa Pickering, Manager, Investor Communications
StrataGold Corporation
Tel: 604-696-6601
E-mail: info@stratagold.com
Website: www.stratagold.com  

Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release of StrataGold Corporation (the "Company") contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "aims," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," " may," "could" or "should" occur. Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling results and information concerning mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to be forward looking statements, as such information constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed. Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding: the Company's expectations regarding drilling and exploration activities on properties in which the Company has an interest; and the Company's statements regarding estimates of resources on properties in which the Company has an interest. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of their respective dates. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include among others, risks related to fluctuations in mineral prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; uncertainties involved in the estimation of resources; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained on a timely manner or at all; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated and may preclude commercial development or render operations uneconomic; the possibility that the estimated recovery rates may not be achieved; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptio ns; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from the Company's operations; risks associated with title to mineral properties; and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Section 5 of the Company's Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR and elsewhere in the Company's documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange and Canadian securities regulators. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding general market conditions, the availability of financing for proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of outside service providers to deliver services in a satisfactory and timely manner. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as expressly require d by applicable securities laws, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.


This news release uses the terms "Inferred Resource", "Indicated Resource" and "Mineral Resource". The Company advises readers that although these terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities regulations (under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects"), the US Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize these terms. Readers are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. In addition, "Inferred Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any part of an Indicated or Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, or economic studies exce pt for a Preliminary Assessment as defined and permitted under National Instrument 43-101. Readers are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. The Mineral Resources stated in this news release are not mineral reserves and, in the absence of a current feasibility study, do not demonstrate economic viability. The determination of mineral reserves can be affected by various factors including environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, and marketing issues.



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