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Sandfire Resources America Inc. Reports High Grade Copper Intersections at the Black Butte Copper Project

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Sandfire Resources America Inc. reported high-grade copper intersections at the Black Butte Copper Project. Initial drill results included hole SC24-279 with 5.37m of 10.2% copper and hole SC24-284 with 6.26m of 10.7% copper. The ongoing 2024 drill program focuses on upgrading and expanding the Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone resource. The Company has drilled 4,420 meters of a planned 20,000-meter program. The Johnny Lee deposit has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 10.9Mt at an average copper grade of 2.9% and an Inferred Resource of 2.7Mt at an average copper grade of 3.0%. The Company received a Mine Operating Permit for mine development and completed a majority of Phase I construction.

Sandfire Resources America Inc. ha riportato intersezioni di rame ad alto grado nel Progetto Rame Black Butte. I risultati iniziali delle perforazioni includono il foro SC24-279 con 5,37m di rame al 10,2% e il foro SC24-284 con 6,26m di rame al 10,7%. Il programma di perforazione in corso per il 2024 si concentra sul miglioramento e sull'ampliamento della risorsa della Zona Inferiore di Rame Johnny Lee. La società ha perforato 4.420 metri di un programma pianificato di 20.000 metri. Il giacimento di Johnny Lee ha una Risorsa Minerale Misurata e Indicata di 10,9Mt con una gradazione media di rame del 2,9% e una Risorsa Inferita di 2,7Mt con una gradazione media di rame del 3,0%. La società ha ricevuto un Permesso di Operatività Mineraria per lo sviluppo della miniera e ha completato la maggior parte della costruzione della Fase I.
Sandfire Resources America Inc. informó sobre intersecciones de cobre de alta gradación en el Proyecto de Cobre Black Butte. Los resultados iniciales de perforación incluyeron el pozo SC24-279 con 5.37m de 10.2% de cobre y el pozo SC24-284 con 6.26m de 10.7% de cobre. El programa de perforación de 2024 en curso se enfoca en mejorar y ampliar el recurso de la Zona Inferior de Cobre Johnny Lee. La compañía ha perforado 4,420 metros de un programa planeado de 20,000 metros. El depósito de Johnny Lee cuenta con un Recurso Mineral Medido e Indicado de 10.9Mt con un promedio de grado de cobre del 2.9% y un Recurso Inferido de 2.7Mt con un grado promedio de cobre del 3.0%. La compañía recibió un Permiso de Operación Minera para el desarrollo de la mina y completó la mayoría de la construcción de la Fase I.
Sandfire Resources America Inc.는 Black Butte Copper 프로젝트에서 고품질 구리 교차점을 보고했습니다. 초기 시추 결과에는 5.37m의 10.2% 구리를 포함하는 SC24-279구멍과 6.26m의 10.7% 구리를 포함하는 SC24-284 구멍이 포함되었습니다. 진행 중인 2024년 시추 프로그램은 Johnny Lee 하부 구리 구역 자원의 업그레이드 및 확장에 중점을 두고 있습니다. 회사는 계획된 20,000m 프로그램의 4,420m를 시추했습니다. Johnny Lee 광상은 평균 구리 등급이 2.9%인 10.9Mt의 측정 및 지시된 광물 자원과 평균 구리 등급이 3.0%인 2.7Mt의 추정 자원을 가지고 있습니다. 회사는 광산 개발을 위한 광산 운영 허가를 받았으며 1단계 건설의 대부분을 완료했습니다.
Sandfire Resources America Inc. a signalé des intersections de cuivre à haute teneur au Projet Black Butte Copper. Les résultats initiaux des forages comprenaient le trou SC24-279 avec 5,37 m à 10,2 % de cuivre et le trou SC24-284 avec 6,26 m à 10,7 % de cuivre. Le programme de forage en cours pour 2024 se concentre sur l'amélioration et l'expansion de la ressource de la zone inférieure en cuivre de Johnny Lee. La société a foré 4 420 mètres sur les 20 000 mètres prévus. Le gisement de Johnny Lee dispose d'une ressource minérale mesurée et indiquée de 10,9 Mt à une teneur moyenne en cuivre de 2,9 % et une ressource inférée de 2,7 Mt à une teneur moyenne de 3,0 %. La société a reçu un permis d'exploitation minière pour le développement de la mine et a achevé la majorité de la construction de la phase I.
Sandfire Resources America Inc. berichtete über hochgradige Kupferabschnitte im Black Butte Copper Projekt. Die anfänglichen Bohrergebnisse umfassten das Bohrloch SC24-279 mit 5,37m zu 10,2% Kupfer und das Bohrloch SC24-284 mit 6,26m zu 10,7% Kupfer. Das laufende Bohrprogramm 2024 konzentriert sich auf die Aufwertung und Erweiterung der Ressource der unteren Kupferzone von Johnny Lee. Das Unternehmen hat 4.420 Meter eines geplanten 20.000-Meter-Programms gebohrt. Die Johnny Lee Lagerstätte verfügt über eine gemessene und angezeigte Mineralressource von 10,9Mt mit einem durchschnittlichen Kupfergehalt von 2,9% und eine vermutete Ressource von 2,7Mt mit einem durchschnittlichen Kupfergehalt von 3,0%. Das Unternehmen erhielt eine Betriebsgenehmigung für den Bergbau und hat den Großteil der Phase-I-Bauarbeiten abgeschlossen.
Positive
  • High-grade copper intersections reported at the Black Butte Copper Project.

  • Initial drill results show promising copper grades of 10.2% and 10.7%.

  • Ongoing 2024 drill program aimed at upgrading and expanding the Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone resource.

  • Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 10.9Mt at an average copper grade of 2.9% at Johnny Lee deposit.

  • Received Mine Operating Permit for mine development and completed Phase I construction.

Negative
  • Uncertainty around the remaining drill program and its impact on resource estimation.

  • Potential environmental concerns or community opposition related to the mining activities.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mt., April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandfire Resources America Inc. (“Sandfire America” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce initial drill results of its winter exploration drilling program. This includes hole SC24-279 which intercepted 5.37 meters of 10.2% copper and hole SC24-284 which intercepted 6.26 meters of 10.7% copper.   

The ongoing 2024 drill program focuses on upgrading and expanding the Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone resource which at last estimate consists of a measured and indicated resource of 1.2 million tonnes grading 6.8% Cu and an inferred resource of 0.5 million tonnes of 5.9% Cu (2020 Technical Report*). Since December 2023, the Company has drilled approximately 4,420 meters of a planned 20,000-meter drill program. 

Table 1. Black Butte Copper 2024 Exploration Drilling Program  

Drill hole IDcollar xcollar ycollar zazimuthdipFrom (m)To (m)Width (m)Cu %Resource
SC23-278506700.05180717.01741.028.9-7264.9881.3616.381.4Upper Copper Zone
SC23-278     433.46446.3712.914.7Lower Copper Zone
SC24-279506628.05180702.01748.015-6762.8676.2513.392.3Upper Copper Zone
SC24-279     461.73467.105.3710.2Lower Copper Zone
SC24-280507100.05180848.71709.440-70weakly mineralizedLower Copper Zone
SC24-281506441.55180834.2173632.5-7894.98100.585.601.8Upper Copper Zone
SC24-281     431.66437.545.884.6Lower Copper Zone
SC24-282507650.05180746.01736.0208-80weakly mineralizedLower Copper Zone
SC24-283507213.05180540.01713.044-71471.44477.936.492.4Lower Copper Zone
SC24-284506900.05180832.0172135-86383.44392.989.547.4Lower Copper Zone
with     386.72392.986.2610.7 
SC24-285506900.05180832.0172128-66Assays pending    
SC24-286506609.05180868.01779.043-73Assays pending    
SC24-287506850.05180852.01731.1336-72In progress    

Intercept calculations included a minimum of 2 samples above a 1% copper cutoff grade. 

1)   Drilling conducted by Ruen Drilling of Hope, ID. HQ3-sized core was collected. Drill holes were oriented with dips varying between -80 to -70 degrees in relatively variably dipping mineral zones. Intercepts may be slightly longer than true thickness.

2)   After being logged, photographed in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, all mineralized zones were sampled by cutting half-core splits which were delivered to ALS labs in Reno NV for processing. ALS crushed the entire sample to 85% passing 2mm then split off 1kg, which was ground to 85% passing 75 micron and wet-sieved the split to ensure grinding passed specifications and then assayed for gold by fire assay with AA finish. Base metals were analyzed using a 4-acid digestion and ICP-OES analysis. Various other trace and major elements were also analyzed utilizing ICP procedures. Sandfire America utilized a QA/QC protocol which included inserting Certified Reference Materials (CRM) on a minimum of 1 CRM in 20 samples insertion rate. Assays of duplicates, and blanks were also included as part of the QA/QC program.

3)   ALS Labs are accredited by ISO/IEC 170205:2017 methods for North America.

4)   Drillhole collars are surveyed conforming to UTM NAD83 Zone 12.

5)   The Company is aware of no drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to above.

VP of Exploration, Jerry Zieg shared, “We’re very pleased with these results which continue to show that additional exploration drilling has the potential to increase our mineral resource and extend the projected mine life of the Black Butte Copper project.” 

Drilling completed at the Black Butte Project December 2023-April 2024; black dots show locations of past pierce points in Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone; red dots show locations of pierce points in Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone from this drill program; and colored areas show Measured (brown), Indicated (yellow) and Inferred (blue) resource areas.

Figure 1: Drilling completed at the Black Butte Project December 2023-April 2024; black dots show locations of past pierce points in Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone; red dots show locations of pierce points in Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone from this drill program; and colored areas show Measured (brown), Indicated (yellow) and Inferred (blue) resource areas. 

Johnny Lee Copper Deposit 

The Johnny Lee deposit has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 10.9 million tonnes (Mt) at an average copper grade of 2.9% for 311 thousand tonnes (kt) of contained copper (Cu) at a 1.0% Cu cut-off grade, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.7 Mt at an average copper grade of 3.0% for 80 kt of contained Cu at a 1.0% Cu cut-off grade (2020 Technical Report*). The Company has received a Mine Operating Permit from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for mine development of this deposit and has completed a majority of Phase I construction on associated surface facilities. The Company received a 5-2 decision from the Montana Supreme Court on February 26, 2024, upholding the mine operating permit and allowing Phase II of construction to move forward. 

Qualified Person 

Jerry Zieg, Sr. Vice President of Exploration for the Company, is a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has also reviewed and approved the information of a scientific or technical nature contained in this news release. Mr. Zieg verified the data disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in this news release. 

*(2020 Technical Report)- Feasibility Study (Johnny Lee Deposit) and Mineral Resource Estimate Update (Lowry Deposit) – Technical Report NI 43-101” dated October 19, 2020, and news release “Sandfire Resources America Achieves Major Milestones with Completion of Black Butte Copper Project Feasibility Study and Updated Mineral Resource for Lowry Deposit” October 27, 2020.

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.

Contact Information:  
Sandfire Resources America Inc.  
Nancy Schlepp, VP of Communications and Government Relations 
Mobile: 406-224-8180  
Office: 406-547-3466  
Email: nschlepp@sandfireamerica.com 
www.sandfireamerica.com 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this document constitute “forward looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding further expansion and upgrade of the Johnny Lee Lower Zone. In making these forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will be able to achieve further expansion of the Johnny Lee Lower Zone, that the Company will be able to complete any environmental review, permitting process, or engineering and economic studies required for resource development of the Johnny Lee copper deposit. However, the forward-looking statements in this document are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, including factors relating to the inability to achieve further expansion of the Johnny Lee Lower Zone, the inability to complete any engineering and economic studies required for resource development of the Johnny Lee copper deposit that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including that results of exploration and development activities will not be consistent with management’s expectations, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals or financing, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the risk of accidents, labor disputes, inclement or hazardous weather conditions, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground control problems, earthquakes, flooding and all of the other risks generally associated with the development of mining facilities. 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65ee5b45-87c4-440f-be71-15c83d3f7e7a


FAQ

<p>What were the copper grades intercepted in drill holes SC24-279 and SC24-284?</p>

Hole SC24-279 intercepted 5.37 meters of 10.2% copper, and hole SC24-284 intercepted 6.26 meters of 10.7% copper.

<p>What is the current focus of the 2024 drill program by Sandfire Resources America Inc.?</p>

The current focus is on upgrading and expanding the Johnny Lee Lower Copper Zone resource.

<p>What is the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource at the Johnny Lee deposit?</p>

The Johnny Lee deposit has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 10.9 million tonnes at an average copper grade of 2.9%.

<p>What major milestone did the Company achieve regarding the mine operating permit?</p>

The Company received a 5-2 decision from the Montana Supreme Court upholding the mine operating permit.

SANDFIRE RES AMER INC

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