Continental Gold Extends the First High-Grade Broad Mineralized Zone at Buritic??
TSX: CNL
www.continentalgold.com
Mr. Leon Teicher reports:
TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Continental Gold Inc. (TSX:CNL) (OTCQX:CGOOF) ("Continental" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade assay results from its 2018 exploration drilling program at its 100%-owned Buritic?? project in Antioquia, Colombia. The Company is well underway with its 137,000-metre drill program for 2018 and presently has nine diamond drill rigs in operation with additional rigs scheduled to commence drilling over the next few weeks. The focus of the program is to both increase and upgrade mineral resources to higher classification categories by testing for high-grade and Broad Mineralized Zones ("BMZ") within both the mineral reserve and mineral resource envelopes as well as high-impact targets along strike of existing mineral resources and grassroots targets proximal to existing and proposed infrastructure. The Company remains well financed with approximately US$316 million of available liquidity as of January 1, 2018.
Drill-Hole Highlights (referenced in Figures 2 and 3)
35.10 metres @ 8.35 g/t gold and 17 g/t silver (BUUY356)35.15 metres @ 5.30 g/t gold and 5 g/t silver (BUUY357)35.40 metres @ 15.43 g/t gold and 13 g/t silver (BUUY361)20.55 metres @ 70.87 g/t gold and 29 g/t silver (BUUY363)"Drilling within the initial BMZ targeted by our geology team continues to exceed expectations with very high grades and widths that are far superior than the current mineral resource estimate block model," commented Ari Sussman, CEO. "With our most active year of exploration in Company history well underway, we look forward to realizing the potential of our robust precious metal mineral system at the Buritic?? project. Additionally, early-stage exploration continues to advance at our Berlin project and we anticipate making a drilling decision mid?EUR'2018."
BMZ Details (referenced in Figures 1, 2 and 3)
The BMZ consists of a group of modelled precious metal-bearing veins in the current mineral resource estimate block model with mineralization occurring between these veins, generally in the form of veinlets at oblique angles to strike. The majority of the mineralization between modelled veins is not in the current mineral resource estimate, providing potential upside both in terms of identifying significantly broader and more productive zones for mining and increased mineral resources. To date, the Company has identified six BMZs for testing and will systematically drill each target zone as underground mine development advances. The results in this press release are from drill testing of the first BMZ zone ("BMZ1") and is defined as a matrix of the east-west trending FW, San Antonio and HW veins as well as a package of a NW?EUR'SE vein and subsidiary veinlets.
A fan of eight underground diamond drill holes were completed from a new chamber located off of a commercial- scale ramp currently being constructed in the Yaragu?? vein system. Results announced herein have successfully extended the first BMZ zone by 65 vertical metres (1,420 RL) with the zone now measuring approximately 30 metres along strike by 26 metres true horizontal width by 165 metres vertical. The zone remains open up dip and at depth. The Company will continue to systematically test for vertical extensions to the zone as the underground ramp progresses providing deeper locations for short-hole drilling. A composite weighted average of all drill holes intersecting the BMZ in this release is as follows:
22.6 metres @ 15.34 g/t gold and 14 g/t silverNine drill rigs continue to operate with numerous holes completed and awaiting assays. Results are expected to continue to be released in a timely manner.
Table I: Drill Hole Results (BMZ1 intervals highlighted below)
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Intercept Interval* (m) | Gold** (g/t) | Silver** (g/t) | Vein Domain | Mid-Point Elevation (m) | True Width (m) |
| BUUY353 | 20.10 | 22.65 | 2.55 | 7.11 | 8.2 | C11 | 1494 | 2.09 |
| 25.30 | 25.80 | 0.50 | 17.3 | 5.7 | C11 | 1492 | 0.41 | |
| 60.50 | 75.00 | 14.50 | 6.04 | 14.9 | BMZ1 | 1469 | 12.03 | |
| incl | 66.60 | 67.65 | 1.05 | 55.20 | 84.2 | 1473 | 0.87 | |
| and | 74.50 | 75.00 | 0.50 | 12.50 | 1.3 | 1469 | 0.42 | |
| BUUY355 | 52.60 | 61.10 | 8.50 | 5.04 | 11.5 | BMZ1 | 1477 | 7.50 |
| incl | 59.00 | 59.50 | 0.50 | 12.65 | 45.4 | 1477 | 0.44 | |
| BUUY356 | 31.80 | 33.00 | 1.20 | 6.64 | 5.9 | C10 | 1487 | 1.01 |
| 46.70 | 81.80 | 35.10 | 8.35 | 17.0 | BMZ1 | 1460 | 29.51 | |
| incl | 48.05 | 48.55 | 0.50 | 33.40 | 29.2 | 1478 | 0.42 | |
| and | 60.75 | 61.25 | 0.50 | 320.00 | 579.0 | 1471 | 0.42 | |
| 93.30 | 95.90 | 2.60 | 5.53 | 18.7 | VND10 | 1453 | 2.18 | |
| 153.50 | 154.00 | 0.50 | 11.3 | 6.7 | N20 | 1421 | 0.42 | |
| BUUY357 | 48.40 | 83.55 | 35.15 | 5.30 | 5.0 | BMZ1 | 1447 | 25.37 |
| incl | 59.65 | 60.25 | 0.60 | 144.50 | 84.0 | 1462 | 0.43 | |
| and | 82.55 | 83.05 | 0.50 | 94.20 | 43.5 | 1447 | 0.36 | |
| 138.80 | 140.05 | 1.25 | 5.43 | 38.7 | VNAD9 | 1408 | 0.89 | |
| BUUY358 | 37.40 | 41.60 | 4.20 | 4.53 | 6.7 | C11 | 1473 | 2.51 |
| 71.60 | 84.00 | 12.40 | 3.98 | 7.1 | BMZ1 | 1440 | 7.39 | |
| incl | 72.30 | 72.80 | 0.50 | 37.20 | 23.2 | 1448 | 0.30 | |
| 114.50 | 119.20 | 4.70 | 8.25 | 27.1 | SA12+FWV11 | 1413 | 2.79 | |
| incl | 115.50 | 116.00 | 0.50 | 41.00 | 209.0 | 1415 | 0.3 | |
| BUUY359 | 11.70 | 12.30 | 0.60 | 15.70 | 9.3 | C20 | 1494 | 0.34 |
| 83.60 | 102.70 | 19.10 | 5.76 | 23.1 | BMZ1 | 1420 | 10.36 | |
| incl | 92.20 | 92.70 | 0.50 | 17.50 | 39.5 | 1428 | 0.27 | |
| and | 94.40 | 95.00 | 0.60 | 30.60 | 359.0 | 1426 | 0.33 | |
| and | 101.40 | 102.70 | 1.30 | 21.10 | 55.7 | 1419 | 0.70 | |
| BUUY361 | 21.20 | 21.80 | 0.60 | 12.95 | 14.0 | C11 | 1491 | 0.46 |
| 38.05 | 39.65 | 1.60 | 6.12 | 7.5 | SOF10 | 1479 | 1.23 | |
| 49.40 | 84.80 | 35.40 | 15.43 | 12.6 | BMZ1 | 1451 | 27.12 | |
| incl | 63.75 | 67.70 | 3.95 | 92.23 | 73.8 | 1462 | 3.03 | |
| incl | 63.75 | 64.35 | 0.60 | 521.00 | 265.0 | 1464 | 0.46 | |
| and | 81.70 | 82.70 | 1.00 | 133.45 | 66.0 | 1452 | 0.77 | |
| incl | 81.70 | 82.20 | 0.50 | 234.00 | 63.2 | 1452 | 0.38 | |
| BUUY363 | 56.70 | 57.20 | 0.50 | 14.10 | 3.7 | HWV1 | 1459 | 0.27 |
| 64.45 | 85.00 | 20.55 | 70.87 | 29.0 | BMZ1 | 1438 | 11.11 | |
| 65.80 | 66.80 | 1.00 | 1387.90 | 278.2 | HWV2 | 1452 | 0.54 | |
| incl | 65.80 | 66.30 | 0.50 | 2740.00 | 516.0 | 1452 | 0.27 | |
| and | 77.60 | 78.30 | 0.70 | 43.40 | 362.0 | 1443 | 0.38 | |
| 167.10 | 168.10 | 1.00 | 6.89 | 25.0 | VNAD9 | 1373 | 0.56 |
| * | Intercepts calculated for minimum intervals of 0.5 metres. Drill holes designated "BUUY" were collared from underground. | |
| ** | Grades herein are reported as uncapped values. | |
| Note: Certain drill holes went through narrow mined-out tunnels and, for those intersections, precious metal grades from either the May 2015 NP 43-101 mineral resource block model or channel sampling results previously announced were incorporated into the overall interval. If neither were available, a grade of nil was assigned. |
Geological Description of the Buritic?? Project
Continental's 100%-owned, 70,764-hectare project, Buritic??, contains several known areas of high-grade gold and silver mineralization, of base metal carbonate-style ("Stage I") variably overprinted by texturally and chemically distinctive high-grade ("Stage II") mineralization. The two most extensively explored of these areas (the Yaragu?? and Veta Sur systems) are central to this land package. The Yaragu?? system has been drill-outlined along 1,100 metres of strike and 1,700 vertical metres and partially sampled in underground developments. The Veta Sur system has been drill-outlined along 1,000+ metres of strike and 1,800 vertical metres and has been partially sampled in underground developments. Both systems are characterized by multiple, steeply-dipping veins and broader, more disseminated mineralization and both remain open at depth and along strike, at high grades.
Technical Information
Mauricio Casta??eda, Vice-President, Exploration of the Company and a qualified person for the purpose of NI 43?EUR'101, has prepared or supervised the preparation of, or approved, as applicable, the technical information contained in this press release.
Reported intervals include minimum weighted averages of 3 g/t gold equivalent (70:1 Au/Ag) over core lengths of at least 1.0 metres. Assays are uncut except where indicated.
The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program. HQ and NQ core is sawn or split with one-half shipped to a sample preparation lab in Medell?-n run by ALS Colombia Limited ("ALS") in Colombia, whereas BQ core samples are full core. Samples are then shipped for analysis to an ALS-certified assay laboratory in Lima, Peru. The remainder of the core is stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. Blanks, duplicates and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance and a portion of the samples are periodically check assayed at SGS Colombia S.A., a certified assay laboratory in Medell?-n, Colombia.
The Company does not receive assay results for drill holes in sequential order; however, all significant assay results are publicly reported.
For information on the Buritic?? project, please refer to the technical report, prepared in accordance with NI 43?EUR'101, entitled "Buritic?? Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study, Antioquia, Colombia" and dated March 29, 2016 with an effective date of February 24, 2016, led by independent consultants JDS Energy & Mining Inc. The technical report is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, on the OTCQX at www.otcmarkets.com and on the Company website at www.continentalgold.com.
About Continental Gold
Continental Gold Inc. is an advanced-stage exploration and development company with an extensive portfolio of 100%-owned gold projects in Colombia. Formed in April 2007, the Company - led by an international management team with a successful track record of discovering and developing large high-grade gold deposits in Latin America - is focused on advancing its fully-permitted high-grade Buritic?? gold project to production with first gold pour on track for H1, 2020. Additional details on Continental Gold's suite of gold exploration properties are also available at www.continentalgold.com.