Vancouver, British Columbia -- Artha Resources Corporation (TSX.V: AHC) is pleased to announce that the company has successfully completed reconnaissance mapping on its five new properties in NW Argentina. This initial exploration generated a number of high priority targets requiring detailed follow-up work. The new prospects demonstrate the high prospectivity of the properties where the recent field work is the first modern exploration ever completed on the properties.
Field work focused on the two properties surrounding Silver Standard's Pirquitas silver (tin-zinc) mine (Map 1) where geological and structural targets have been identified. The targets were generated initially through ASTER satellite imagery interpretation which suggested that broad zones of alteration were apparent along with favourable structural zones in specific areas. These targets were followed up with reconnaissance level mapping. This initial work has resulted in five prospects being defined and are summarised in Table 1 below.
| Prospect Name | Summary | Property(s)/Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Noelia Breccia |
|
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| Pirquitas South |
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| Pirquitas NW |
|
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| C Bayo |
|
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| Loma Azul E |
|
|
The Noelia Breccia Prospect was initially identified through satellite imagery interpretation which showed a broad zone of alteration extending north from the Pirquitas Mine. Follow-up field work lead to the identification of a large tectonic breccia with dimensions of 1.5km x 0.6km. The breccia is hydrothermally altered and is aligned along a NW structural system with NE cross-cutting secondary structures, consistent with the major regional structures which host many of the known deposits in the area. Observed alteration in the breccia consists of strong argillic and moderate silicification (quartz--sericite) with clasts of altered sediments (Ordovician sediments which host the Pirquitas mineralisation) held in a matrix of iron oxide and quartz veinlets. This is considered a high priority prospect and detailed follow-up mapping and sampling will begin this week with an induced polarisation geophysics survey to follow.
The Pirquitas South Prospect is a stockwork system in the same Ordovician sediments that host the Pirquitas Mine. The stockwork sits within the intersection of a NW and NE structural system and contains a hydrothermally altered zone with moderate to strong argillic alteration and veinlets of quartz and iron oxides. The size of the main alteration halo is approximately 1.6km x 1.4 km with two smaller halos mapped to the south and south west. The mineralogy is dominated by limonite and a variety of iron oxides. The prospect is high priority and will be mapped in detail in the new year in conjunction with an induced polarisation geophysics survey.
The Pirquitas NW Prospect contains Ordovician shales and sandstones with weak argillic alteration and covers an area of approximately 0.7 x 0.5 km. The structure is dominated again by a NW structural system consistent with other local targets. The rocks contain fractures and veinlets filled with iron oxides. Further work will focus on surface mapping and trenching plus induced polarisation geophysics.
The C Bayo & Loma Azul E Prospects are similar to the Pirquitas NW prospect and consist of a number of small halos of weak argillic alteration in Ordovician shales and sandstones. The outcrops are located in an extension from the NW structural system which hosts the Pirquitas Mine. Iron oxides in veinlets have been observed in the outcrops. Over the next few months the prospects will be mapped in detail..
Further regional mapping and target generation will continue on the properties and based on the success of the recent work in identifying new prospects for detailed work the Company is confident that further targets will be indentified. The Company is very pleased with the success of the recent programs and the very promising targets identified. Charles Straw, B.Sc., is the qualified person under NI 43-101 responsible for the technical information in this news release.
Artha was founded by a team of mining industry professionals with a proven track record in project generation, exploration, mining and finance. The team's primary goal is to build Artha into a world class mining company, focused on the development and mining of economic minerals deposits world wide.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Todd McMurray"
President
For Information Contact:
Todd McMurray
President, Director
Tel: 1 604 648 1530
Email: todd@artharesources.com
www.artharesources.com
Bernie Kennedy
BK Consulting
1-877-489-4440
berniekc@telus.net
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
