The most spectacular discovery on the ground in
2005 was finding an outcrop of massive sulphide uncovered by a retreating
glacier. The existence of mineralisation at this location was known,
but previously it was covered by 60m of ice. Grab samples taken from
the outcrop returned 30% Zn and 20% Pb. The first drilling results from 2006 have confirmed these high gardes (read the Press Release about these results). Last year we believed that
the outcrop was 250m long, but closer examination in summer 2006
revealed that the mineralisation on the surface continues for nearly
700m in almost a straight line, the eastern end disappearing under
the glacier.
Contrary to what you might have thought, the South
Lakes Glacier is NOT a river of ice pushing towards the sea with
all its might and producing huge icebergs. It is in reality a rather
pathetic pile of old snow. We call it a 'pancake glacier' - it doesn't
reach sea level, lies on a flat terrain and slowly melts away. It
is a lame tentacle of the Greenlandic ice cap, where the downhill
rate of flow of the ice is exceeded by melting, hence the retreat.
We established from aerial photos that since 1954 it has retreated
nearly 750m, of which some 250m happened in the last decade. In its
retreat it revealed an outcrop of massive sulphide - zinc and lead
mineralisation.
Frank
van der Stijl shows the size of the discovery.
The mineralisation is very distinct, with the sulphides
making a brown 'matrix’ in which white marble 'clasts' float.
The darker the colour the higher the grade (inset). It appears that
the actual outcrop may be in a hinge of a fold eroded by the glacial
action. The strata on both sides of the outcrop dip in opposite directions.
Because this
structure is complex we invited additional two structural geologists
to the site this summer (in addition to the 3 resident ones) to help
us better understand it. Our current theory is illustrated on the
diagram below. We have put 44 drill holes through this prospect during the current season and all hit mineralisation.
The results demonstrate that the mineralised zone is proved to a depth of 100m
thick and opened at depth.
Cross section of the Glacier Showing. Fragment
of the new geological map of the new discovery prepared by a structural
geologist Warren Pratt. He recently spent 2 weeks on site. Another
structural geologist, Dave Collier, has spent two weeks on the outcrop in August.
The sulphides form distinct bands of re-mobilised
mineralisation, which on the surface measure from 0.2m to 5m. Parts
of the outcrop are difficult to see because of the loose material
deposited by the glacier. It is the most promising
outcrop of massive sulphides found since the original Black Angel
discovery.
Frank van
der Stjil, Chief Geologist and Andrew Zemek, Chief Executive of
Black Angel Mining Ltd measure the bands of sulphides at the Glacier
Outcrop.
The terrain around the showing is relatively flat.
Should we find an economic quantity of mineralisation here, it should
be relatively straight forward to create a mine.
The link below (when live) will lead you to the drillhole maps of the Glacier Showing.
Maps of the drillholes coming here soon (link inactive for now) >>
