• Ongoing regional exploration reveals more high-grade zinc mineralisation at the underexplored Alfonsitos prospect
• Mineralisation style and Geology similar to the mine sequence at Plomosas
• Regional exploration continues with drilling imminent

Consolidated Zinc Limited (ASX:CZL) has discovered further high-grade zinc mineralisation 2.5km along strike from the Plomosas underground mine at its project in northern Mexico.

First pass rock chip sampling at the Alfonsitos prospect returned exciting results with grades up to 18.53% and 24.34% Zn+Pb from workings and 15.05% Zn+Pb from outcrop.

Alfonsitos is the first of several prospects identified by reconnaissance exploration and geophysical surveys previously reported to the ASX in November 2016.

“The ongoing regional exploration in proximity to the existing underground mine continues to reveal promising results,” Managing Director Will Dix said.

“The Alfonsitos area, located north west of the current Plomosas mine, has the same geological setting to the mine itself and displays a similar style of mineralisation at surface. This providesfurther encouragement that there is potential for significant new discoveries and additional resource tonnes at Alfonsitos and within the existing tenement portfolio.

“Our immediate intention is to move straight to exploration drilling at Alfonsitos to determine the extent of the surface mineralisation at depth and continue assessment of other prospects identified within the region.”

This is the first modern exploration undertaken at Alfonsitos, although artisanal shallow workings have been located, which date from pre-1940s.

ASARCO also carried out a limited exploration program in the area in 1976, but despite positive results, no follow up work or drilling was undertaken.

CZL undertook a sampling program at Alfonsitos in October that returned anomalous samples which are highlighted in Table 1.

Alfonsitos and several other specific targets have been outlined which will be drilled from surface as soon as permits are approved by the Mines Department.

Additional surface exploration planned for other prospects identified in the region is continuing.

Alfonsitos Prospect

Location and Setting

Alfonsitos is located approximately 2km directly west of the Plomosas plant site at 474003mE; 3216853mN, within the Plomosas Mountain area. This area is interpreted to be part of the Plomosas Uplift, which resulted in thrust belts and associated strong folding that may repeat sequences and hence mineralisation as well.

It exhibits significant carbonate limestone units of the Juarez Limestone which are preferentially mineralised and which host parts of the extensive high grade mineralisation mined at Plomosas over more than 70 years.

CZL Exploration

Recent exploration by CZL follows up the regional mapping program completed in November 2016 which identified Alfonsitos as being prospective and possibly hosting similar style mineralisation as the Juarez Limestone at the Plomosas mine. Several anomalous samples were obtained as reported to the ASX on November 3 2016 and geophysical surveys confirmed the area as a target.

The current sampling was completed by either biased grab sampling or channel sampling of weathered and gossanous material across mineralised intervals and details of those returning significant assay results >2% Zn+Pb combined are provided in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the location of these samples while Table 3 provides full details of the sampling program. 

Geology Setting

Gossanous units were described as comprising jasperiods and hematite-jarosite-limonites after sulphides. Minor manganese is also noted.

Two structural zones are noted in the area;

1) Northwest orientated structures that are parallel to the main thrust zones responsible for the mineralisation event at Plomosas

2) Northwest orientated structures that are late stage fractures, crosscutting northwest structures and may be responsible for allowing mineralisation leakage along their lengths.

Continuation of Work

Further work in the area will include:

• Continuation of mapping at the Alfonsitos Prospect,
• Continuation of the mapping and sampling over the regional areas and other prospects identified within it,
• Interpretation of the structures and relevance to mineralisation,
• Generation of drill targets.

ABOUT CONSOLIDATED ZINC

Consolidated Zinc Limited (ASX:CZL) is a minerals exploration company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The Company’s major focus is in Mexico where it recently acquired 51% of the exciting high grade Plomosas Zinc Lead Silver Project through its majority owned subsidiary, Minera Latin American Zinc CV SAPI. Historical mining at Plomosas between 1945 and 1974 extracted over 2 million tonnes of ore grading 22% Zn+Pb and over 80g/t Ag. Only small scale mining continued to the present day and the mineralised zones remain open at depth and along strike. The Company’s main focus is to identify and explore new zones of mineralisation within and adjacent to the known mineralisation at Plomosas with a view to identifying new mineral resources that are exploitable.

Competent Persons’ Statement

The information in this report that relates to exploration results, data collection and geological interpretation is based on information compiled by Steve Boda BSc (Hons), MAIG, MGSA, MSEG and Andrew Richards BSc (Hons), Dip Ed, MAusIMM, MAIG, MSEG, GAICD. Messrs Boda and Richards are both Members of Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) and Mr Richards is also a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

Both Messrs Boda and Richards have sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that is being undertaken to qualify as Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves’ (JORC Code). Messrs Boda and Richards consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

Original Article: http://www.consolidatedzinc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/091117-Alfonsitos-Results-Accelerate-Dilling-FINAL2.pdf