Mariana Resources announced today that Hochschild Mining Holdings has carried out preliminary drilling at the Los Amigos Joint Venture site in Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Mariana Resources Ltd is an AIM-quoted exploration and project development company with a portfolio of projects considered highly prospective for epithermal gold-silver and IOCG (iron oxide copper–gold) deposits, with a focus in Argentina and Chile.
Hochschild Mining Holdings, the operator of the Los Amigos Joint Venture, informed Mariana Resources that three Reverse Circulation holes have been drilled for a total of 900 metres at the project site. The holes were drilled to investigate various vein targets for epithermal gold-silver mineralisation.
Mariana Resources has two projects in the area, Mariana Amigos I and Amigos II, and Hochschild San Augustin tenements are located 110km south of Hochschild's gold-silver San Jose Mine.
The dimensions of the holes were between 1 and 10 m wide with quartz veinlets. Each hole intersected wider alteration zones. Results of the investigation are expected by the end of February 2010.
The project is reported to cost US$2 million, over a period of 3 years. Mariana Resources have agreed to pay 40% of the cost, and the remaining 60% will be covered by Hochschild to reflect the participating interests of 49% and 51% respectively. A budget of US$500,000 is to be committed in the first year.
Hochschild’s interest could potentially increase to a total of 70% if they agree to fund 60% of the next $US3 million in the following two years, and a further 10% by completing a Feasibility Study or by providing project financing.
Prior to the joint venture with Mariana, Hochschild previously held the San Augustin property with IAMGOLD Corporation. IAMGOLD retain 1.5% of net returns royalty on any future production from the Hochschild-Mariana partnership.
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