CORNISH METALS REPORTS FINAL
DRILLING RESULTS FROM WIDE FORMATION EXPLORATION
PROGRAMME
Vancouver, August 18, 2024
Cornish Metals Inc. (AIM/TSX-V: CUSN)
("Cornish Metals" or the "Company"), a mineral exploration and
development company focused on advancing its 100% owned and
permitted South Crofty tin project in Cornwall, United Kingdom, is
pleased to report results from the last eight drill holes of the
recently completed 14-hole / 8,993m drilling programme at its Wide
Formation target, located approximately 1km south of the South
Crofty mine (Figure 1).
The programme successfully tested
the geometry and continuity of tin mineralisation within a 2,500m
by 800m extent of the Wide Formation, located between and sub
parallel to the past producing Great Flat Lode to the south, and
the Dolcoath and South Crofty mines to the north (Figure 8). In
addition to the Wide Formation, drilling also intersected tin
mineralisation associated with the Great Flat Lode and the Great
Flat Lode Splay identified earlier in the programme (see news
release dated February
4, 2024), as well as the
interpreted eastern extension of the Great Condurrow Mine's Main
Lode, and several strongly mineralised steeply dipping zones
locally referred to as 'Droppers'.
The numerous mineralised lodes and
structures encountered during the programme have increased overall
confidence in the Company's exploration model and confirm the
potential of systematic exploration drilling to make new
discoveries and expand Mineral Resources within the South Crofty
mine permission area and elsewhere within Cornish Metals' extensive
mineral rights in the region.
Highlights
·
Wide Formation structure has been confirmed over a strike
length of over 2,500m and a downdip extent of at least 800m, with
true thicknesses ranging from approximately 2m to 10m. The
structure remains open at depth and along strike.
·
Notable tin ("Sn") intercepts within the Wide Formation
(Figure 5) include:
o 10.55m grading
0.19% Sn including a zone of 1.49m grading 0.72% Sn in CB23_012
·
Notable tin intercepts from the steeply-dipping, high-grade
'Dropper' zones identified primarily between the Great Flat Lode
and the Wide Formation, including:
o 1.56m grading
0.76% Sn in
CB23_010
o 2.07m grading
0.85% Sn in
CB23_012
o 1.97m grading
0.66% Sn in CB23_012
·
Notable tin and copper ("Cu") intercepts from a new structure
interpreted as the eastern extension to Great Condurrow Mine's Main
Lode (Figure 7), including:
o 2.11m grading
0.58% Sn and 5.48% Cu in CB23_011
·
Table 1 below presents all significant intercepts.
Ken
Armstrong, Interim CEO and Director of Cornish Metals,
stated: "This drilling programme has
validated the Wide Formation as a new, large-scale, tin-bearing
exploration target that is potentially accessible from the
underground workings at South Crofty. Mineralisation has been
traced over a 2,500m extent, up to 800m down dip, and remains open
along strike and to depth. Furthermore, in addition to the earlier
discovery of the Great Flat Lode Splay and new 'Dropper' zones of
high-grade tin mineralisation, the discovery of polymetallic tin
and copper mineralisation within the interpreted extension of the
Great Condurrow Mine's Main Lode further demonstrates the
exploration potential of the South Crofty area."
Wide
Formation
The Wide Formation represents a
high-grade "payshoot" controlled tin target in the Carn Brea South
exploration area, located along the southern boundary of the South
Crofty underground mine permission area. The 14-hole, 8,993m
drilling programme was designed to test the geometry and the
continuity of tin mineralisation within the Wide Formation over an
area measuring 2,500m along strike (northeast to southwest) and
800m downdip to the southeast. The Wide Formation is characterised
by strong tourmaline mineralisation, with local concentrations of
significant cassiterite (tin) mineralisation, typical of all
historically mined tin-bearing structures in the South Crofty
area.
Great Flat Lode
Splay
Drilling continued to intersect a
previously unrecognised splay lode structure found immediately
beneath the Great Flat Lode. Termed the Great Flat Lode Splay, this
mineralised structure varies up to 9m in thickness, and represents
an important new exploration target less than 280m below surface
(Table 1 and accompanying figures).
New Steeply Dipping Tin
Zones
As the programme progressed,
drilling continued to intersect multiple steeply dipping high-grade
tin zones, mainly located between the Great Flat Lode and the Wide
Formation (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5). With the increasing
intersections of these new structures, it is possible to confirm
continuity of individual structures between drill holes. From the
intercept pattern, an E-W trending 'corridor' has been identified
where these structures are interpreted to occur, representing a
priority exploration target to be confirmed with future drilling.
Targets of highest priority are areas where these structures are
interpreted to intersect both the Great Flat Lode and the Wide
Formation. These intersection points represent areas of greater
fracturing and therefore increased potential for high grade tin
mineralisation.
Great Condurrow Main
Lode
Drill hole CB23_011, intersected
significant polymetallic (tin and copper) mineralisation within the
interpreted eastern extension, across the Great Crosscourse fault,
of Great Condurrow Mine's Main Lode. Further drilling will be
necessary to fully quantify the prospectivity of this target and to
confirm the geometry of the zone. However, the location of this
intercept proximal to the Wide Formation and South Crofty mine, is
considered significant and confirms exploration potential of the
Carn Brea district.
Hole
ID
|
From (m)
|
To (m)
|
Length
(m)1
|
Sn %
|
Comments
|
CB23_007
|
62.67
|
65.29
|
2.62
|
1.27
|
Great Flat lode
|
Including
|
62.67
|
63.57
|
0.90
|
1.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB23_007
|
394.45
|
395.04
|
0.59
|
1.02
|
Vein
|
CB23_007
|
496.67
|
497.20
|
0.53
|
0.70
|
Vein
|
CB23_007
|
574.85
|
578.89
|
4.04
|
0.01
|
Wide Formation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB23_008
|
172.93
|
174.93
|
2.00
|
0.32
|
Great Flat lode
|
CB23_008
|
178.66
|
179.64
|
0.98
|
0.25
|
Great Flat Lode splay
|
CB23_008
|
637.13
|
644.91
|
7.78
|
0.04
|
Wide Formation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB23_009
|
41.63
|
48.18
|
6.55
|
0.01
|
Great Flat lode
|
CB23_009
|
135.08
|
136.33
|
1.25
|
0.64
|
Quartz haematite structure
|
Including
|
135.08
|
135.58
|
0.50
|
1.12
|
|
CB23_009
|
298.74
|
299.92
|
1.18
|
0.45
|
Quartz haematite structure
|
Including
|
298.74
|
299.37
|
0.63
|
0.84
|
|
CB23_009
|
552.41
|
562.43
|
10.02
|
0.03
|
Wide Formation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB23_010
|
124.20
|
126.40
|
2.20
|
0.13
|
Great Flat Lode
|
CB23_010
|
247.44
|
249.00
|
1.56
|
0.76
|
Quartz haematite structure
|
Including
|
247.44
|
247.84
|
0.40
|
2.45
|
|
CB23_010
|
614.46
|
622.37
|
7.91
|
0.05
|
Wide Formation
|
Including
|
618.38
|
618.74
|
0.36
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB23_0112
|
354.16
|
356.27
|
2.11
|
0.58
|
5.48% Cu
|
Eastern extension of Great Condurrow
Main Lode
|
Including
|
355.16
|
355.66
|
0.50
|
1.47
|
9.91% Cu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB23_012
|
144.36
|
148.27
|
3.91
|
0.28
|
Great Flat Lode
|
Including
|
146.84
|
147.44
|
0.60
|
0.91
|
|
CB23_012
|
329.5
|
334.78
|
5.28
|
1.06
|
Altered tourmaline
stockwork
|
Including
|
331.54
|
333.71
|
2.17
|
1.89
|
|
CB23_012
|
405.71
|
407.78
|
2.07
|
0.85
|
Quartz haematite structure
|
Including
|
405.71
|
406.65
|
0.94
|
1.04
|
|
CB23_012
|
609.91
|
610.74
|
0.83
|
0.52
|
Quartz haematite structure
|
CB23_012
|
615.03
|
617.00
|
1.97
|
0.66
|
Quartz haematite structure
|
Including
|
616.18
|
617.00
|
0.82
|
1.32
|
|
CB23_012
|
684.43
|
694.98
|
10.55
|
0.19
|
Wide Formation
|
Including
|
693.49
|
694.98
|
1.49
|
0.72
|
|
Including
|
693.49
|
693.99
|
0.50
|
2.12
|
|
CB23_013
|
132.11
|
136.91
|
4.80
|
0.07
|
Wide Formation
|
CB23_014
|
140.79
|
145.30
|
4.51
|
0.07
|
Great Flat Lode
|
CB23_014
|
635.60
|
637.72
|
2.12
|
0.06
|
Wide Formation
|
Table 1: Selected
drilling results from holes 7-14 at the Wide Formation
target.
Note 1: True thickness of down-hole
intersections reported are expected to be approximately 70-98% of
the down-hole lengths.
Note 2: Hole CB23_011 was abandoned
before reaching the target depth of the Wide Formation.
Hole
ID
|
Hole Length
|
CB23_007
|
632.3m
|
CB23_008
|
701.7m
|
CB23_009
|
610.7m
|
CB23_010
|
692.6m
|
CB23_011
|
413.5m
|
CB23_012
|
764.7m
|
CB23_013
|
299.7m
|
CB23_014
|
701.2m
|
Table 2: Drill hole lengths for CB23_007
through to CB23_014, from surface to end of hole.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALISATION
The geology in the Carn Brea South
exploration area is identical to that at South Crofty, comprising
metasediments (locally termed "killas") which overlie an intrusive
granite body.
The mineralisation of the Wide
Formation consists predominantly of blue tourmaline with
disseminated and blebby cassiterite, hosted within a siliceous
tourmaline altered granite. The cassiterite mineralisation is found
within tourmaline-quartz veins and tourmaline breccia which
overprint the interpreted earlier blue tourmaline lode structure.
No mining has ever been carried out on the Wide Formation. Stronger
cassiterite mineralisation is identified to concentrate within
local, structurally controlled areas within the host structure.
This style of "payshoot" control on cassiterite mineralisation
within a large structure, is common within Cornwall, and has been
identified within both the Great Flat Lode and the lode structures
at South Crofty.
The Great Flat Lode Splay (Figure 2)
occurs as a blue tourmaline-rich lode with quartz (occasionally
brecciated), hosting disseminated cassiterite mineralisation. The
mineralised structure, which appears to separate away from the
metasediment-granite boundary followed by the Great Flat Lode, is
hosted within strongly altered granite. This structure forms an
unmined splay below the Great Flat Lode, is several meters thick
and has an approximate area of 700m by 450m. Based on drilling
completed to date, the east-northeast striking Splay has an
approximate dip of 29 degrees towards the southeast and plunges at
approximately 10 degrees towards the east.
The mineralised quartz haematite
veins, or droppers, discovered primarily between the Great Flat
Lode and the Wide Formation, individually occur as steeply dipping
quartz veins, which often display in core as a stockwork textured
zone, accompanied by a strong overprinting haematite alteration.
Cassiterite mineralisation is difficult to identify visually due to
the haematite alteration but is detectable with a portable
X-ray florescence instrument ("pXRF") instrument. Based on the limited
structural data collected to date, these structures are interpreted
to occur in a broad regional east-north-east striking
zone.
The intercepted eastern extension of
Great Condurrow mine's Main Lode (Figure 7), is a steeply dipping
chlorite rich vein hosting massive textured chalcopyrite and
sphalerite, which overprint older stringer veinlets hosting
cassiterite. The structure is bounded by weak haematite alteration
of the host granite.
The Wide Formation, Great Flat Lode
Splay, Quartz Haematite veins of steeply dipping high-grade tin
mineralisation and the newly discovered eastern extension to Great
Condurrow's Main Lode, warrant further future
exploration.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Drilling at Carn Brea South was
performed by Priority Drilling Company Ltd. using two Atlas Copco
CS14 Diamond Drill Rigs. Hole construction typically consisted of
HQ (96.1-millimeter ("mm") diameter) to recover 72.8mm diameter
drill core from within the shallower Great Flat mineralised zone,
before reducing to NQ (76-mm diameter) to recover a 48mm diameter
drill core when drilling at depth through the Wide Formation
target. Where poor ground conditions were expected, the hole
collared in PQ (96.1-mm diameter), before reducing through HQ and
NQ hole diameters with depth.
On completion, holes were multi-shot
surveyed using a Reflex EZ-Trac. Core recovery was greater than
95%. The core was logged, split via core saw, and sampled by
Cornish Metals personnel. The samples, comprising half core, were
sent for assay at ALS Minerals, Loughrea, Ireland. Sample
preparation involved crushing to 70% less than 2mm, riffle split
and pulverised to 85% less than 75 microns. The analytical method
used for tin, copper, tungsten, zinc, and arsenic was X-ray
florescence ("XRF") following a lithium borate fusion. A
multi-element 4 Acid Digestion ICP-AES analysis was also carried
out to further characterise the mineralisation and alteration
assemblages. Overlimit assays on silver were carried out using a
3-acid digest and a HCl leach ICP AES analysis. Comprehensive
Quality Assurance / Quality Control programme using standards,
duplicates and blanks was included within the sampling
programme.
This news release has been reviewed
and approved by Mr Owen Mihalop, MCSM, BSc (Hons), MSc, FGS, MIMMM,
CEng, Chief Operating Officer for Cornish Metals Inc. who is the designated Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and
the AIM Rules for Companies and a Competent Person as defined under
the JORC Code (2012). Mr. Mihalop consents to the inclusion in this
announcement of the matters based on his information in the form
and context in which it appears.
Figure 2: Section A-A' (looking west) showing
CB23_002, CB23_003, CB23_004 and CB23_008.
Figure 3: Section B-B' (looking west) showing
CB23_005, CB23_006 and CB23_007.
Figure 4: Section C-C' (looking west) showing
CB23_001 and CB23_009.
Figure 5: Section D-D' (looking west) showing
CB23_010, CB23_012 and CB23_014.
Figure 6: Section E-E' (looking west) showing
CB23_013.
Figure 7: Section F-F' (looking west) showing
CB23_011.
Figure 8: Cross section through Williams
Shaft showing Great Flat Lode through to South Crofty
Mine.
ABOUT CORNISH METALS
Cornish Metals is a dual-listed
mineral exploration and development company (AIM and TSX-V: CUSN)
focused on advancing the South Crofty high-grade, underground tin
project through to a construction decision, as well as exploring
its additional mineral rights, located in Cornwall, United
Kingdom.
·
South Crofty is a historical, high-grade, underground tin
mine that started production in 1592 and continued operating until
1998 following over 400 years of continuous production;
· The
Project possesses Planning Permission for underground mining (valid
to 2071), to construct new processing facilities and all necessary
site infrastructure, and an Environmental Permit to dewater the
mine;
·
South Crofty is one of the highest grade tin Mineral
Resources globally and benefits from existing mine infrastructure
including multiple shafts that can be used for future
operations;
· The
2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment for South Crofty validates the
Project's potential (see news release dated April
30, 2024 and the Technical Report entitled
"South
Crofty PEA"):
o US$201 million
after-tax NPV8% and 29.8% IRR
o 3-year
after-tax payback
o 4,700 tonnes
average annual tin production in years two through six
o Life of mine
all-in sustaining cost of US$13,660 /tonne of payable
tin
o Total after-tax
cash flow of US$626 million from start of production
· Tin
is a Critical Mineral as defined by the UK, American, and Canadian
governments;
· Tin
connects almost all electronic and electrical infrastructure,
making it critical to the energy transition - responsible sourcing
of critical minerals and security of supply are key factors in the
energy transition and technology growth;
·
Approximately two-thirds of the tin mined today comes from
China, Myanmar and Indonesia;
·
There is no primary tin production in Europe or North
America;
·
South Crofty benefits from strong local community, regional
and national government support.
·
Cornish Metals has a growing team of skilled people, local to
Cornwall, and the Project could generate up to 320 direct
jobs.
The 2024 Preliminary Economic
Assessment for South Crofty is preliminary in nature and includes
inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative
geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them
that would enable them to be categorised as mineral reserves. There
is no certainty that the 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment will
be realised. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not
have economic viability.
ON
BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Kenneth A. Armstrong"
Kenneth A. Armstrong
P.Geo.
Engage with us directly at our
investor hub. Sign up at: https://investors.cornishmetals.com/link/mPqkle
For additional information please
contact:
Cornish Metals
|
Fawzi Hanano
Irene Dorsman
|
investors@cornishmetals.com
info@cornishmetals.com
|
|
|
Tel: +1 (604) 200 6664
|
SP
Angel Corporate Finance LLP
(Nominated Adviser & Joint
Broker)
|
Richard Morrison
Charlie Bouverat
Grant Barker
|
Tel: +44 203 470 0470
|
|
|
|
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited
(Joint
Broker)
|
Derrick Lee
Neil McDonald
Leif Powis
|
Tel: +44 131 220 6939
Tel: +44 207 220 0500
|
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners
(Financial
Adviser)
|
Matthew Hasson
Andrew Chubb
Jay Ashfield
|
cornish@hannam.partners
Tel: +44 207 907 8500
|
|
|
|
BlytheRay
(Financial PR)
|
Tim Blythe
Megan Ray
|
cornishmetals@blytheray.com
Tel: +44 207 138 3204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Caution regarding forward
looking statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking
information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively,
"forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include
predictions, projections, outlook, guidance, estimates and
forecasts and other statements regarding future plans and
operations, the realisation, cost, timing and extent of mineral
resource or mineral reserve estimates, estimation of commodity
prices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, estimated future
exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of
new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time
lines, requirements for additional capital and the Company's
ability to obtain financing when required and on terms acceptable
to the Company, future or estimated mine life and other
activities or achievements of Cornish Metals, including but not
limited to: the balance of the cash consideration due to Cornish in
respect of the sale of the Mactung and Cantung royalty interests;
mineralisation at South Crofty, mine dewatering and construction
requirements; the development, operational and economic results of
the preliminary economic assessment, including cash flows, capital
expenditures, development costs, extraction rates, recovery rates,
mining cost estimates and returns; estimation of mineral resources;
statements about the estimate of mineral resources and production
of minerals; magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; anticipated
advancement of the South Crofty project mine plan; exploration
potential and project growth opportunities for the South Crofty tin
project and other Cornwall mineral properties, the Company's
ability to evaluate and develop the South Crofty tin project and
other Cornwall mineral properties, strategic vision of Cornish
Metals and expectations regarding the South Crofty mine, timing and
results of projects mentioned. Forward-looking statements are
often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast",
"expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget"
and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will",
"should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved and
other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All
statements other than statements of historical fact included in
this news release, are forward-looking statements that involve
various risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: risks related to receipt
of regulatory approvals, risks related to general economic and
market conditions; risks related to the availability of financing;
the timing and content of upcoming work programmes; actual results
of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in Mineral
Resources or grade; outcome of any future feasibility studies;
projected dates to commence mining operations; failure of plant,
equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour
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coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in
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rules and regulations. The list is not exhaustive of the factors
that may affect Cornish's forward-looking
statements.
Cornish Metals' forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current
expectations regarding future events and operating performance and
speak only as of the date such statements are made. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those
described in forward- looking statements, there may be other
factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ
materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and
accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Cornish Metals does
not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if
circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions
should change other than as required by applicable
law.
Caution regarding non-IFRS
measures
This news release contains certain terms or performance
measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined
under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"),
including "all-in sustaining costs". Non-IFRS measures do not have
any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they
may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other
companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional
information and should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
IFRS and should be read in conjunction with Cornish Metals'
consolidated financial statements and Management Discussion and
Analysis, available on its website and on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
Disclosure
The information contained within this announcement is deemed
by the Company to constitute inside information pursuant to Article
7 of EU Regulation 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as
amended.
Appendix
"alteration halo" means a border of minerals produced by
hydrothermal alteration in the rock surrounding a
vein
"cassiterite" means a tin oxide mineral which is the principal
source for tin metal
"Cu" means Copper
"grade(s)" means the quantity of ore or metal in a specified
quantity of rock
"Indicated Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral
Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and
physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence
to allow the application of mining, processing, metallurgical,
infrastructure, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social
and governmental factors to support mine planning and evaluation of
the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is
derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling
and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or
quality continuity between points of observation. An Indicated
Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying
to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a
probable mineral reserve.
"Inferred Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource
for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis
of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is
sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality
continuity. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of
confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and
must not be converted to a mineral reserve. It is reasonably
expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be
upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
An Inferred Mineral Resource is based on limited information and
sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations
such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill
holes.
"JORC Code" means the 2012 edition of the Australasian
Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian
Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia. The
JORC Code is an acceptable foreign code for purposes of NI
43-101.
"Lodes" means a vein of metal ore in the
earth
"MRE" means Mineral Resource Estimate
"kt" means thousand tonnes
"Mt" means million tonnes
"NI 43-101" means National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects issued by the Canadian Securities
Administrators, which provides standards of disclosure of
scientific and technical information regarding mineral
projects
"Sn" means Tin
"t" means tonnes
"tourmaline" means the crystalline silicate mineral
group that occurs as prismatic crystals in granitic and
other rocks