Desert Gold Assays 41.0 g/t Au from Grab Sample and Completes Rock Sampling and Mapping Program at Segala West Permit in Western Mali
Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 21, 2017) - Desert Gold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: DAU) (FSE: QXR2) (OTC Pink: DAUGF) ("Desert Gold" or "the Company") is pleased to provide the following update regarding the results of a recently completed mapping, rock and soil sampling program at its Segala West permit. The Company has also outlined its follow up drill program at its Segala West prospect in Western Mali.
HIGHLIGHTS
Assay results from grab samples received from pit mapping and rock sampling on various artisanal working areas at Segala West returned significant high-grade gold values including the following:
- 41 g/t at Baroya;
- 19 g/t at Baroya north;
- 11.9 g/t at Segala; and
- 39.2 g/t at Baroya north west
- Segala West permit borders several multi million oz Au deposits including Randgold's Loulo/Gounkoto Mine complex and Endeavour Mining's Tabakoto/Segala mines.
ABOUT SEGALA WEST
The Segala West permit is surrounded by several large gold mines which include Randgold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine complex to the West where the company has declared resources of 51 Mt at 4.4 g/t for 5.7 million oz au Measured and Indicated, 20 Mt at 3.9 g/t for 2 million oz Au inferred and ore reserves of 32 Mt average at 4.6 g.t for 3.7 million oz Au in the Proven and Probably category.
Adjacent to the East of Segala West are Endeavour Mining's Tabakoto and Segala mines with Kofi and Kefola prospects to the north and south respectively. The surface expression of the neighboring mine, Tabakoto (Endeavour Mining), which hosts ~3 million oz Au is less than 1 km2 (18.5 Mt at 3.5 g/t for 1.8 million oz au measured and indicated, 9 Mt at 3.6 g/t for 1 million oz Au inferred and 6.4 Mt at 3.5 g/t for 0.7 million oz au proven and probable).
Within Desert Gold's Segala West permit there exists a large soil geochemical anomaly covering an area of 24 km2 within which 4 significant artisanal mines are active. The purpose of the recently completed program was to identify all active artisanal working areas in order to estimate their extension and to better understand the geological and structural controls of the mineralisation. This dataset has been integrated to assist planning of the diamond drilling program due to start earlier in July of 2017.
Figure 1. Location Map of Segala West Permit with artisanal pits and neighboring operations.
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RESULTS FROM ROCK SAMPLING AND MAPPING PROGRAM
The program covered mostly the eastern part of the permit where artisanal mining is underway with more than 500 people. The mapping and sampling focused on four main artisanal working areas including Baroya, Baroya north, Baroya north-west and Segala. A total of 117 rock samples were taken from the four artisanal sites and sent to SGS Laboratories in Bamako, Mali to be assayed. Note that grab samples are selective samples and are not necessarily representative of the mineralisation hosted on the property.
| Assay Results from Grab Sampling Program Yielding Au Values > 1.0 g/t | ||
| Sample ID | Description | Au ppm |
| Baroya | ||
| A1941 | Quartz veins (N340 ?/70 ?) 10 cm width oxidized | 2.93 |
| A1944 | Grey dark to blue saprolite of Shale, moderate-pervasive graphite alteration + brecciated quartz veins stock work + box works (rejects from pits) | 5.66 |
| A1945 | Saprolite of shale sheared + quartz veins brecciated + hematite alteration + boxworks (rejects from pits) | 2.5 |
| A1947 | Saprolite of siltstone + moderate stockwork millimetric feox veinlet (Well reject) | 1.01 |
| A1949 | Sandstone massive + stock work quartz veins oxidized | 1.17 |
| A1952 | Quartz rich vein from main zone oxidized and sheared strongly, moderate box works at 25 m depth from active pit rejects | 11.8 |
| A1954 | Dark grey saprolite sandstone, hematite alteration, brecciated and oxidized strongly + moderate box works at 33m depth from active pit rejects | 3.53 |
| A1956 | Grey saprolite siltstone host rock, brecciated, sheared and oxidized strongly + moderate box works from active well reject | 2.45 |
| A1959 | Quartz veins fragments strong oxidized + moderate boxworks (Active pit rejects) | 1.47 |
| A1960 | Brecciated quartz veins very oxidized + boxworksdisseminated (Active pit rejects) | 1.06 |
| A1961 | Saprock sandstone massive, hematite alteration, stock work quartz veins oxidized, brecciated + box works | 1.43 |
| A1967 | Quartz veins fragments from active well, strong oxidised, cracked + moderated box works disseminated | 6 |
| A1969 | Saprock sandstone brecciated, hematite alteration + stockwork quartz veinlet | 1.84 |
| A1970 | Saprock sandstone brecciated, hematite alteration + stockwork quartz veinlet | 2.8 |
| A1972 | 10-20cm Quartz veins (N340 ?/70 ?) strong oxidised, brecciated + boxworks from an excavation | 2.32 |
| A1979 | Quartz fragments oxidized strongly + moderate boxworks (pit rejects) | 1.09 |
| A1981 | Quartz veins (N350 ?/35 ?) moderate oxidized and cracked | 2.21 |
| A1983 | Contact quartz veins / Saprolite (N345 ?/33 ?) bleached and sheared + weak boxworks | 2.37 |
| A2022 | Quartz veins very oxidized + moderate disseminated boxworks (sample were given by local artisanal miners from their productive well) | 1.18 |
| A2023 | Quartz veins very oxidized + moderate disseminated boxworks (sample were given by local artisanal miners from their productive well) | 41 |
| Baroya North | ||
| A1995 | Sheared quartz veins fragments brecciated, oxidized + moderate boxworks given by local artisanal miner from their active well | 1 |
| A1996 | Sheared quartz veins fragments brecciated, oxidized + moderate boxworks given by local artisanal miner from their active pit about 34m depth | 19 |
| A1998 | Fragments quartz veins cracked and oxidized along crack plane and brecciated (pit rejects) | 3.42 |
| A2002 | Quartz veins fragments sheared and oxidized strongly + disseminated boxworks. | 7.17 |
| A2005 | Sheared quartz veins fragments with hematite alteration + moderate boxworks (pitl reject) | 1.93 |
| A2007 | Sheared quartz veins fragments brecciated, oxidized + moderate boxworks | 13.5 |
| A2011 | Saprolite of siltstone oxidized, sheared, brecciated + quartz veins + boxworks (pit reject) | 1.29 |
| A2012 | Strong oxidized quartz veins fragments, sheared and brecciated +boxworks | 3.73 |
| A2013 | Sheared saprolite of siltstone + quartz veins sheared along shearing plane | 1.1 |
| A2014 | Strong sheared saprolite of siltstone, very limonite alteration + quartz veins sheared and brecciated | 3.95 |
| A2018 | Quartz veins (N210 ?/60 ?) 1cm width showing hematite alteration | 2.64 |
| Baroya North West | ||
| A2057 | Medium grained saprock sandstone sheared+ strong hematite veins parallels along shearing plane + visible gold given by artisanal miners from 20m depth | 39.2 |
| A2059 | Quartz fragments 10-15 cm very oxidized , brecciated + boxworks from 20cm | 14.7 |
| A2061 | Quartz veins (N160 ?/75 ?) 10-15 cm width strong brecciated + hematite and limonite alteration + boxworks. | 4.1 |
| A2068 | Quartz veins (N210 ?/80 ?)0.5 cm width very oxidized exploited by artisanal miners in the zone generally | 1.32 |
| A2069 | Networks quartz veins (N214 ?/88 ?)0.5 cm width very oxidized exploited by artisanal miners in the zone generally | 10.6 |
| Segala | ||
| A2027 | Quartz veins (N320 ?/15 ?) 1 - 2cmwidth oxidized, elongated and brecciated | 1.03 |
| A2028 | Quartz veins (N063 ?/83 ?) 1 cmwidth oxidized + boxworks | 2.56 |
| A2033 | Quartz veins (N240 ?/84 ?) 2 cm width strong oxidized + boxworks | 5.55 |
| A2034 | Quartz veins (N220 ?/84 ?) 2 - 5cm width strong oxidized, brecciated + boxworks | 6.79 |
| A2036 | Individual quartz veins (N225 ?/85 ?) 2-3cm width strong oxidized, brecciated + boxworks | 4.9 |
| A2038 | Sheared quartz veins (N130 ?/88 ?) oxidized parallel shearing plane | 1.99 |
| A2039 | Purple - yellowish saprolite of Siltstone strong foliated, strong hematite + limonite alteration + quartz veins along foliation plane | 2.29 |
| A2040 | Purple - yellowish saprolite of Siltstone strong foliated, strong hematite + limonite alteration + quartz veins along foliation plane | 1.91 |
| A2041 | Network quartz veins (N290 ?/40 ?) 1-2cm width strong oxidized and brecciated | 1.01 |
| A2044 | Individual quartz veins (N230 ?/75 ?) 0.5cm width strong oxidized | 11.9 |
RESULTS OF MAPPING PROGRAM
Baroya
The Baroya artisanal site has more 450 meters strike length with 50 meters width. It's active with about more 200 local artisanal miners. The geology at Baroya is dominated by sedimentary units that vary from sandstone to siltstone and graphitic shale. Alteration is constrained to these units and consists of strong limonite, hematite and moderate kaolinite and graphite. Mineralization is associated with quartz veins (10-15%) cracked, brecciated and sheared locally, rich in carbonate, hematite and feldspar alteration developed within a shear zone corridor.
Figure 2: Baroya Grab Sampling Results over Interpreted Geological Map
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Baroya North
Located 1.7km to the north of Baroya site, Baroya North has more than 700m strike length. The geology is a sedimentary sequence consisting of siltstone and sandstone affected by limonite and hematite alteration along a NW strike trending shear zone dipping toward NE. Mineralisation is associated with sheared quartz veins strongly oxidized and brecciated with localised box works from sulphide dissolution.
Figure 3. Baroya North Grab Sampling Results over Interpreted Geological Map
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Baroya North West
With more than 400m strike length, this site is located at 1km to the west of Baroya North site. The geology sedimentary and varies from siltstone to sandstone. These are associated with hematite veins. Two types of gold mineralization systems are defined in the site; gold linked hematite veins following foliation plan with visible gold and brecciated quartz veins very oxidized with box works.
Figure 4. Baroya North West Grab Sampling Results over Interpreted Geological Map
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Segala
With more than 350 meters strike length, Segala is located 800m to the east of Baroya North and seems to be the extension of the structure of the Segala gold mine corridor currently under production by Endeavour Mining. The mineralization is controlled by a network thin quartz veins with various thicknesses that are very oxidized affected by limonite and hematite alteration with box work from sulphide dissolution.
Figure 5. Segala Grab Sampling Results over Interpreted Geological Map
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Desert Gold's President Jared Scharf commented, "Results from this sampling program are very encouraging and demonstrate significant potential for a new gold discovery at Segala West. Mineralization in the area is associated with quartz veining systems developed within shear zones trending South-East to North-West. Taking into consideration the results from the aforementioned program and the quality of the surrounding deposits and mines currently being operated by our neighbours, we will commence a targeted diamond core drill program aimed to be completed by August of this year before the rainy season begins."
This note was reviewed by Dr. Luc Antoine who is a director of the Company and is registered as a Member of the Geological Society of South Africa (MGSSA 967397). He approves the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release and has the necessary experience relevant to the style of mineralization and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person as defined in the National Instrument 43-101.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Jared Scharf"
___________________________
Jared Scharf
President & Director
+1 (858) 247-8195
For further information please visit www.SEDAR.com under the company's profile.
This news release contains forward-looking statements respecting the Company's ability to successfully complete the Offering. These forward-looking statements entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations, are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such statements, including the inability of the Company to successfully complete the Offering. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the capital markets, the price of gold; operational, funding, and liquidity risks; the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources; and the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are present; the risks and hazards associated with mining operations. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedar.com and readers are urged to read these materials. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements unless required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the united states securities act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the united states or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such act.