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VallecitoHighlights- Discovery of a large system of precious and base metal mineralization at the Ivan Alberto prospect.
- Mineralization has been encountered over a total strike length of 4km and over a width of more than 1.5km.
- 386 samples were taken from mineralized structures and alteration zones and results show values as high as; 6 g/t Au; 50g/t Ag; 0.4 % Cu; 0.4% Pb; 11% Zn
- The highly anomalous values indicated in the assays, coupled with the geological continuity and scale of the mineralization, imply potential for a meaningful discovery of a substantial pollymetallic mulit-vein system.
- Approximately 25-30% of assays received are considered anomalous in gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc. Highly anomalous results are hundreds of times background levels for all five key metals previously mentioned.
Location:
Vallecito is located in the north-east of the Province of Jujuy within the Departments of Rinconada and Cochinoca and is 41km to the east of the restarted Pirquitas Ag-Sn-Zn mine
Target Type:
In the Vallecito property the target comprises the potential for Ag-Sn-Zn stockwork systems and a separate vein Cu deposit.
Geology:
This property is sited on a part of an Ordovician magmatic complex comprising principal dacitic rocks, rhyolite and volcanoclastics which are surrounded by mudstones, greywackes and sandstone units In the northern part of the property there are two prominent oxide caps. The first comprises brecciated rocks recemented by dominant hematite and overlying westerly striking sub-vertical stringer veins reminiscent of a possible stockwork system beneath. The second oxide cap is also composed of brecciated rocks recemented with hematite and cut by one or more banded sub-vertical quartz veins, the largest of which is several metres in thickness and, whilst leached at surface, has the potential for mineralization at depth. Both of these oxide caps have been tested with surface trenching and general excavation at surface, but to a maximum depth of around 7 metres and without exposing anything other than iron oxides at the base of the excavations. These trials were reportedly carried out some 30 to 40 years ago by the company that operated the now abandoned Pan de Azucar mine 9km to the north of Vallecito.
Within the southern half of the Vallecito property there is located an underground trial mine reportedly carried out by the same operators. Here they have driven for an unknown distance on a westerly-striking quartz-barite vein. There is a small water filled shaft or winze at the entrance to the workings. The level beyond is collapsed. A small pile of mineral close to the entrance shows pyrite, quartz and chalcopyrite (copper-pyrites). These trials could easily be re-opened and investigated.
Mineralization:
Two different styles of mineralization are to be currently seen on the Vallecito property. These comprise two oxide caps sited in the NW quadrant of the property together with a barite vein located in the SW quadrant.
The oxide caps comprise brecciated hematised rocks recemented with hematite and cut by one or more banded quartz veins. These are devoid of other mineralization at surface due to leaching of any possible sulphide mineralization, but are prospective in depth below the zone of oxidation. On the borders of one of these caps fresher rock was traversed by very thin stockwork-type veining trending westwards and
associated with sericitization of the host rock.
The quartz-baryte vein located separately in the SW quadrant of the property also Strikes westwards. It is subvertical and can be traced for several hundred metres across a valley and hillside where it has been explored by trial mining. A small dump of mineral bearing copper and iron sulphides is located close to a former adit entrance.
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