extends primary copper mineralisation at thadu

Ventnor Resources extends primary copper mineralisation at Thaduna/Green Dragon Copper Project

Highlights

Australian base metals company Ventnor Resources (ASX: VRX) (“Ventnor”) announces extensions to primary copper mineralisation along strike at the Thaduna prospect from its latest drilling results at the Thaduna and Green Dragon Copper Project comprising:
? Intersections of primary chalcopyrite mineralisation in two additional holes at the Thaduna prospect along strike and north of the previously reported intersections;
? THRC068 at the north end of the Thaduna pit has intersected chalcopyrite from 135m;
? THRC101, which is north of the Thaduna pit, has intersected chalcopyrite from 204m;
? Primary mineralisation has now been intersected over a 720-m strike length at Thaduna;
? Both holes had mineralisation at the EOH and will be extended with diamond tails;
? Intersections are again below the predicted footwall contact;
? Copper mineralisation is visible and confirmed with hand-held portable XRF;
? Confirmation laboratory assays pending.
The Thaduna and Green Dragon Copper Project is located 170 kilometres north of Meekatharra, Western Australia, in the Doolgunna district, and 40 kilometres east of Sandfire’s Degrussa copper project.
Exploration Update
Ventnor commenced the third phase of drilling at its Thaduna and Green Dragon Copper prospects in October 2011 to determine a copper Resource at both copper prospects.
The Phase 3 drill program at Thaduna and Green Dragon was designed to determine a JORC-compliant Resource to a nominal 200 metres vertical depth by extending known mineralisation at both prospects. The original 57-hole program at Thaduna has been extended due to successful intersections based on hand-held XRF results. To date a total of 42 holes for 6,480 metres have been completed at Green Dragon, and 66 holes for 7,908 metres at Thaduna.
Ventnor is pleased to announce that it has intersected further primary chalcopyrite mineralisation in its Phase 3 drill program at the Thaduna prospect in twoadditional holes. THRC068 is along strike and 320 metres north of THRC054, and has intersected chalcopyrite from 135m down hole; THRC101, which is along strike and a further 400 metres north, terminated at 233 metres, which is the depth capacity of the RC rig that drilled the hole. Both holes terminated in mineralisation and will be included in the extended program of holes to be deepened with the diamond drill rig.
Again, the intersections of primary chalcopyrite have been found below the postulated footwall interpreted from results of the first two phases of drilling

In THRC068 the following were observed:
? Visible chalcopyrite/chalcocite from 134m to 145m;
? Discrete zones of chalcopyrite/chalcocite intervals ranging from 1 metre to 13 metres wide from 150m to 219m (EOH) and terminating with visible chalcopyrite.
In THRC101 the following were observed:
? Copper mineralisation from 198m to 233m (EOH) (HPXRF);
? Visible chalcopyrite/chalcocite from 200m to 233m (EOH).
These latest two intersections of primary mineralisation have broad transition zones of secondary chalcocite and primary chalcopyrite copper mineralisation which indicate a variation in depth of the transition zone and vertical levels of primary mineralisation.
The primary zone intersected in the southern drill holes (THRC 054, 058, 059) is approximately 100 metres from surface with a truncated transition zone, but the northern drillholes (THRC 068, 101) have indicated a broader transition zone with primary mineralisation at approximately 200 metres.
Concentrated drilling north of the Thaduna pit including THRC101 now confirms mineralisation has been intersected from just below the surface to approximately 200 metres vertical depth. The number of holes drilled in this area exceeded the original program and the mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth.
The final program will be determined after further drilling to follow up the broad zones of visible chalcopyrite that have been announced previously in three holes: THRC054, THRC058, and THRC059.
Sample handling procedures remain the same as the previous announcement.
The chalcopyrite was confirmed visually with the aid of a hand lens; copper mineralisation was confirmed with a hand-held portable XRF analyser (HPXRF). Laboratory results will be required to determine final copper mineralisation grades and the extent of intersections. The samples in chalcopyrite will be assayed by 4 acid digest and AA for 47 elements to determine the mineralogy and associated minerals.