VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 14,
2023 /CNW/ - Southern Empire Resources Corp.
(Southern Empire) (TSXV: SMP) (Frankfurt: 5RE) (OTC: SMPEF) announces that
detailed Synchrotron radiation micro-X-Ray Fluorescence
(Synchrotron Micro-XRF or SRµ-XRF) mineralogical studies of
gold-enriched drill core samples from its Pedro Gold Project in
Durango, México, reveal certain, specific mineralogical
similarities to the unique ore mineralization of the world-class
Carlin gold deposits in
north-central Nevada. Although
preliminary in nature, this mineralogical work together with many
other noted geological similarities supports the possibility that a
new belt of Carlin-style gold deposits, named the "Mapimi Gold
Corridor" by Southern Empire, may exist in north-central
México.
"The idea that there could be a metallogenic trend of
bulk-minable, sediment-hosted gold deposits in north-central México
makes for a very compelling exploration strategy," explained
Dale Wallster, Southern Empire's CEO
adding, "Now, with the Synchrotron Micro-XRF analyses of Pedro
drill core specimens, we have strong mineralogical evidence that
further supports the classification of the Pedro gold
mineralization as "Carlin-style", an important concept that will be
applied to our exploration modelling."
Also herein, Southern Empire provides a summary of its 2022
north-central México exploration strategies, property acquisitions,
and an update regarding option agreement amendments with Commander
Resources Ltd. (Commander).
Pedro Gold Project: Drill Core Synchrotron Micro-XRF
Mineralogical Study
Detailed mineralogical studies were conducted at the
U.S.A. Department of Energy's
Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source (APS) in
Chicago, one of the most
technologically complex research facilities in the world, by Dr.
Lisa Van Loon of LISA CAN Analytical Solutions Inc. (LISA CAN) in collaboration with Dr. Neil Banerjee of Western
University. There, synchrotron facilities that generate
ultra-bright, high-energy X-rays were used to map microscopic
pyrite grains in core samples collected from Southern Empire's
Pedro Gold Project drill hole (DDH) P22-02; see Photo 1
showing DDH P22-02 core interval 46.10m to 47.14m.
In the Carlin-type gold
deposits of north-central Nevada,
a ubiquitous suite of "pathfinder" or "indicator" trace elements,
which include arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl) and
antimony (Sb), often occurring together with submicron-sized gold
(Au) particles in As-rich rims (a chemical zonation feature
referred to as "fuzzy" rims) that formed around
unmineralized pyrite cores during ore-mineralizing processes
(Longo, Cline and Muntean, 2009; Palenik et al, 2004 & Barker
et al, 2009; cited in Gopon et al, 2019).
The initial LISA CAN SRµ-XRF mineralogical study further
supports Southern Empire's hypothesis that gold mineralization at
Pedro is potentially Carlin-style (see Photo 2). A summary
of this study follows:
- SRµ-XRF analyses were conducted on representative pyrite grains
in sample SER-2B.
- The exceptional operating conditions (<2µm spot size)
allowed the identification of trace elements Hg and Tl associated
with pyrite grains and the arsenic (As) altered rims of pyrite
grains.
- Hg and Tl occur together in the As-rich rim of pyrite grain
SER-2B-1-1 (see Photo 2).
- Although the core interval assayed 0.750 grams gold/tonne (g
Au/t; an average of repeated samples S43451 & S43451R), no gold
was identified in the limited number of samples studied using
SRµ-XRF.
- Hg and Tl are not associated with each other.
- Hg is heterogeneously distributed in most pyrites.
- Characteristic Sb L-edge XRF emission peaks could not be
resolved from strong Ca-K edge XRF emission peaks.
About Synchrotron Micro-XRF Analysis
Synchrotron Micro-XRF analysis is a non-destructive analytical
study technique that enables screening for elemental constituents
within mineral grains of interest, thus providing important
mineralogical data to be applied to mineral deposit classification
and exploration. Using a tuneable synchrotron X-ray source provides
an intensity that cannot be matched by normal laboratory X-ray
fluorescence (XRF) sources. LISA CAN has used the technique
in various capacities, including on gold-enriched specimens from
various geological deposit settings.
Review of 2022 and Update: México Gold
Exploration and the Mapimí Gold Corridor
During 2021 and 2022, Southern Empire acquired by option and
staking three gold projects with bulk-tonnage scale potential in
north-central México:
- Centauro Gold Project, Jiménez Municipality, Chihuahua
State;
- Pedro Gold Project, Mapimí Municipality, Durango State;
and,
- La Loma Gold Project, Nazas & Lerdo Municipalities,
Durango.
These three separate gold projects are located along an
approximately 150-kilometre (km), southeast trending, Oligocene
tectonostratigraphic geological belt that Southern Empire is
referring to as the Mapimí Gold Corridor.
The Centauro and Pedro Gold Projects have been the subject of
significant historical exploration work, including detailed
geological and satellite spectral alteration mapping,
grid-controlled soil geochemistry, magnetic and induced
polarization geophysical surveys, and drilling (Centauro: 5,795
metres (m) core in 27 holes; Pedro: 1,265.0
m core in 8 holes and 1,335.5
m reverse circulation in 9 holes).
On July 23, 2021, Southern Empire entered into an option
agreement (the Pedro Agreement) with Commander allowing Southern
Empire to acquire a 100% beneficial interest in the Pedro Gold
Project in northeastern Durango State, México by acquiring
Commander's Mexican subsidiary, Minera BRG C.V. de
S.A. (Minera BRG; see Southern Empire News Release dated, July
26, 2021). On February 1, 2022, Southern Empire and Commander
signed an amendment (the First Amendment) foregoing the need for a
definitive agreement, formalizing the option payment terms of the
Pedro Agreement and accepting October 23, 2021 as the effective
date.
On October 26, 2022, Southern Empire and Commander agreed to a
"Second Amendment" such that if Southern Empire staked, optioned or
purchased "Additional Properties" in the name of Minera BRG, then
Southern Empire is responsible for all costs and maintenance of
those Additional Properties, and if it fails to acquire Minera BRG,
then all rights and titles in those Additional Properties will
immediately be assigned and transferred to a Mexican subsidiary
designated by Southern Empire. No changes to the underlying payment
structure of the July 23, 2021 option result from either the First
or Second Amendment.
On November 10, 2022, Southern Empire, through Minera BRG,
signed a comprehensive Option Agreement to acquire 100% rights to
the Centauro mineral property with the owner, a Mexican geologist.
At the time of entering into the Centauro Option Agreement,
the Centauro mineral property consisted of two mineral concessions
totaling 600 hectares.
In December, 2022, Southern Empire (through Minera BRG) staked
and registered two new claims at Centauro and one new claim at
La Loma. These new claims, while
duly registered, require final approval, which is pending pursuant
to a ruling from México's Federal Government. Taxes are not
due until the claims are approved, although some exploration is
permissible.
Details regarding the Pedro, Centauro and La Loma property acquisitions are provided in
Southern Empire's news releases dated: July 26, 2021, December 12,
2022 and December 19, 2022.
The "Mapimi Gold Corridor"
At Centauro and Pedro, and to an extent, the lesser studied
La Loma, a range of similar and
specific geological, mineralogical, alteration and geochemical
features are noted and these that support Southern Empire's theory
of the Mapimí Gold Corridor being a unique, newly recognized
metallogenic belt potentially hosting Carlin-style gold deposits
(see Table 1).
The Mapimí Gold Corridor (see Figures 1a and
1b) is situated along the
northwestern end of the Cretaceous carbonate stratigraphy of the
Mexican Fold and Thrust Belt where east-west Oligocene extension
led to the development of the Northern México Basin and Range
physiographic province.
The Mapimí Gold Corridor is highlighted by the occurrences of
gold and a suite of specific elements (arsenic, antimony, mercury,
thallium) that are indicators of Carlin-style gold mineralization,
all of which are present at Southern Empire's Centauro, Pedro and
La Loma properties.
As observed at both Centauro and Pedro, gold mineralization is
predominantly associated with hematite-stained, weak- to
moderately-silicified, brecciated limestone conglomerates of the
Eocene to Oligocene Ahuichila Formation. On both properties, the
Ahuichila Fm. is predominately represented by limestone dominated,
polymictic conglomerates associated with linear NNW trending,
probable graben structures. The silicified auriferous breccia zones
are typically linear, paralleling the NNW graben trend. The
silicified conglomerate zones at both Centauro and Pedro are
highlighted by kilometre-scale, coincident geochemical soil
anomalies of gold (Au; >10 ppb), arsenic (As; >100 ppm), plus
antimony (Sb), thallium ("Tl") and mercury ("Hg"). The Ahuichila
Fm. stratigraphically overlies the Late Cretaceous to Eocene
Caracol Formation. Overlapping with the period of Oligocene
extension, and following the same NNW trend, are scattered various
intrusive plutons and plugs of Paleogene monzodiorite to
granodiorite.
Historical drill results from Southern Empire's Centauro and
Pedro Gold Projects include wide intercepts (up to ~112 m) of
highly anomalous gold grades; see Table 2. Historical
drilling at both properties has been widely spaced (drill collars
typically spaced >300m apart) and
relatively shallow, with most holes penetrating to vertical depths
of less than 200 m.
Further discussions of the Centauro, Pedro and La Loma properties are provided in Southern
Empire's news releases and quarterly filings of Management
Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), available on SEDAR.
Qualified Person (QP)
The scientific and technical information contained in this news
release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by David Tupper, P.Geo. (British Columbia), Southern Empire's VP
Exploration and a Qualified Person (QP) within the context of
Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101;
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).
Some of the historical analytical data presented in this news
release were obtained from public disclosures and data of the
Secretaria de Economia de Mexico
(SGM), Silver Spruce Resources Inc. and Mundoro Capital Inc. and
have not been verified by the QP.
About Southern Empire Resources Corp.
Southern Empire is focused on the acquisition, exploration and
development of metals and minerals deposits in North America.
In northeastern Durango State, México, Southern Empire
has an option to acquire a 100-percent beneficial interest in the
1,750-hectare Pedro Gold Project. At Pedro, in the spring of 2022,
Southern Empire drilled gold mineralization approximately 800
metres from 2014 drilling by a subsidiary of Newmont Mining
Corporation. Gold mineralization, associated with
highly anomalous arsenic (orpiment and realgar common),
antimony, mercury and thallium, has been identified hosted in
permeable basal conglomerates deposited during
Oligocene extensional deformation, the latter forming
widespread Basin and Range physiography along the easter part of
Sierra Madre Occidental. Gold is present in 12 of the 17 holes
drilled at Pedro to date. Please see Southern Empire's news
releases posted on SEDAR for further details.
In the Cargo Muchacho mountains of Imperial County, California, Southern Empire
owns 100 percent of the historical gold-producing American Girl
mine property and holds options to acquire a 100 percent interest
in the adjacent 2,160-hectare (5,338-acre) Oro Cruz Property
located approximately 22.5 kilometres (14 miles) southeast of the
operating Mesquite gold mine of Equinox Gold Corp.
At Oro Cruz, extensive historical drilling and large-scale
open-pit and underground mining of the American Girl, Padre y
Madre, Queen, and Cross oxide gold deposits by the American Girl
Mining Joint Venture ("AGMJV") occurred between 1987 and 1996.
During that time, gold was recovered by either heap leaching of
lower-grade, or milling of higher-grade ores until AGMJV operations
ceased in late 1996 because of declining gold prices leaving the
Oro Cruz Property with many gold exploration targets in addition to
a historical inferred resource estimate, reported In 2011 by
Lincoln Mining Corp., totaling 341,800 ounces gold based on
4,386,000 tonnes averaging 2.2 grams gold per tonne (g Au /t) at a
cut-off grade of 0.68 g Au/t (4,835,000 tons at 0.07 ounce gold per
ton; please refer to the Cautionary Notice Regarding the Oro Cruz
Property Historical Resource Estimate below).
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Southern Empire
Resources Corp.,
Dale
Wallster, CEO and Director
Cautionary Notice on Forward-Looking Information
Information provided in this news release may contain
forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are
based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. Such
information or statements reflect management's current estimates,
beliefs, intentions, and expectations and are not guarantees of
future performance. Southern Empire cautions that all
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual
performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which
are beyond its respective control. Such factors include, among
other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Southern Empire's
limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental
and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on
its projects, and those risks and uncertainties identified in its
annual and interim financial statements and management discussion
and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions,
and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs,
intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the
forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable
securities legislation, Southern Empire undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
Cautionary Notice Regarding Historical Resource
Estimate
The Oro Cruz Project historical resource estimate is disclosed
in a technical report dated April 29,
2011, prepared for Lincoln Mining Corp. by Tetra Tech, Inc.
and filed on Canadian Securities Administrators' System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR"). It is termed
an inferred mineral resource, which is a category set out in NI
43-101. It was based on historical reverse circulation and core
drill hole sample, underground channel sample, and blasthole sample
assay results and calculated using ordinary kriging to estimate
gold grades in 10-foot-by-10-foot-by-five-foot blocks. Accordingly,
Southern Empire considers this historical estimate reliable as well
as relevant as it represents key targets for future exploration
work. However, a QP has not done sufficient work to verify or
classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and
Southern Empire is not treating this historical estimate as current
mineral resources.
Cautionary Notice Regarding Exploration Work
Programs
The timing and the ability to conduct Southern Empire's
exploration programs are, among other things, contingent on:
governmental regulations allowing for the issuance of permits;
affects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and the availability of
exploration personnel, drill contractors, equipment, lodging, etc.
Southern Empire will adhere to COVID-19 directives regarding safe
working practices putting worker and community health and safety
first and will proceed with exploration and development work
programs only if potential COVID-19 risks can be effectively
managed.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
SOURCE Southern Empire Resources Corp.
