Exploration Program On The Sunnyside Project
VANCOUVER - Barksdale Resources Corp. reported on the ongoing exploration drilling program at its Sunnyside project in Arizona has intercepted significant base metal sulfide mineralization at depth. Mineralization is best described by Barksdale's geologists as carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) style, and the mineralogy of the sulfide assemblage includes copper-rich phases, a possible indication of proximity to a porphyry source.
Rick Trotman, President and CEO, said, "We are thrilled that the top of the Paleozoic carbonate section is highly altered and has already given us a great ~10-meter intersection of copper-dominant semi-massive sulfides. We are confident in our geologic model and are continuing the hole to depth. It is exciting to see what comes next as we get deeper into the carbonates."
Drill hole SUN24-002B still in progress, was designed to test multiple targets, including known near surface copper-silver mineralization as well as deep extensions of massive to semi-massive lead-zinc-silver-copper CRD mineralization found elsewhere in the district.
Thus far drilling has encountered approximately 93m (305ft) of intensely altered and variably mineralized Triassic-Jurassic volcaniclastic tuffs and breccias, that overlie intensely altered and mineralized carbonate rocks that are typically converted to silicified marble and calc-silicate skarn. The unconformable contact between the volcanic rocks and underlying carbonate units occurs at a down hole depth of 1,305m (4,281ft). Given the intensity of alteration and overprinting mineralization, the protolith carbonate stratigraphic units are difficult to ascertain because none of their original characteristics have been preserved.
Mineralization within altered volcanic and carbonate lithologies from 1,265 to 1,358m (4,150ft to 4,455ft) is comprised of intervals of semi-massive to stockwork textured sulfide mineralization containing up to 50% sulfide composed of coarse grained, chalcopyrite and galena with accessory sphalerite and chalcocite. Over a 9.75m (32ft) interval of semi-massive sulfides, from 1,348-1,358m (4,423-4,455ft), Barksdale's geologists believe that early-stage calcite veins were removed leaving a dense network of open spaces that were subsequently filled by coarse-grained base metal sulfides. Drilling is progressing at 1,370m (4,492ft). Barksdale's geologic model projects additional targeted zones of mineralization deeper in the carbonate section.