Mon Jan 11, 2010 Barker Minerals' 2009 Drilling and Trenching Programs Extend Mineralized Zones on the Frank Creek VMS Project and Grants Options
For immediate release
BM-10-153
Barker Minerals' 2009 Drilling and Trenching Programs Extend Mineralized Zones on the Frank Creek VMS Project and Grants Options
Prince George, B.C., January 11, 2010 -- Barker Minerals Ltd. ("BML" on TSX/V) (the "Company") announces that 900 metres of diamond drilling was recently completed in two holes on its 100% owned Frank Creek VMS project. DDH-FC09-39 was successful in intercepting 286 metres of VMS style footwall alteration and mineralization beginning at 280.0 m and continuing down to the bottom of the drill hole at 566 m. A more intensely veined 114 metre wide zone occurs between 280.0 m and 394.0 m. The property is located in the Cariboo Mining District of British Columbia approximately 77 km northeast of Williams Lake B.C. and hosts excellent access and infrastructure.
DDH-FC09-39
DDH-FC09-39 was a 566.0 m hole collared at grid location Line 53N and 26+50W which targeted surface and mid depth chargeability highs, and resistivity lows. The target area represents the western margin of the surface expression of the 450 m wide Titan Trend "A" conductive zone and is located 450 m west of the 2008/2009 Line 53N trenching and drilling discovery area.
The top of the hole intercepted slump brecciated siltstone from 6.0 m -- 93.2 m with locally graphitic sections. Altered felsic volcaniclastics were intercepted over a length of 472.2 m from 93.2 m to the end of the hole at 566 m. A 114.0 m section between 280.0 m and 394.0 m is comprised of cherty quartz stockwork veins with pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite which are interpreted to be a vent or feeder zone to a massive sulphide deposit. Less intense pyrrhotite veining occurs from 394 metres through to the bottom of the hole. Alteration consists of silica, sericite, chlorite with minor carbonate and chrome mica (fuchsite). Sulphides occur as disseminations, stringers to semi-massive sulphides.
Down hole geophysics show that the top of the hole intercepted the edge of a shallow conductor which is centred down dip from the drill hole. A second conductor was detected between 205 m and 215 m depth which may reflect a thin layer of pyrite at 225 m in the drill core. The centre of the lower conductor was also located down dip from the in-hole conductor.
The geological interpretation of the line 53N area where trenching and drilling has taken place indicates the target area is in an overturned recumbent anticline. The 300 m stockwork and alteration zone in Hole 39 is significant and may be indicative of a large VMS deposit being present nearby. The Titan-24 geophysical survey shows a nearby broad, strong conductor centred on line 51N which has a subsurface 3-D signature similar to that as a massive sulphide body. This anomaly is a high priority target for the next phase of drilling at Frank Creek.
Samples of the highly altered and mineralized zones have been sent for analysis in order to determine the precious and base metal content of this zone within the large hydrothermal system.
Drill hole FC-39 was associated with a moderate mag high which was most likely caused by the 300 m wide pyrrhotite veining intercepted in the hole. Line 53N and 2000W is centred on a larger and stronger mag high which may represent a similar larger vent associated with massive sulphides. The absence of a soil anomaly at this location merely indicates that the mineralization is not on the surface and could be associated with a strong Titan chargeability high and resistivity low with any massive sulphides being completely preserved deeper down.
DDH-FC09-38
DDH-FC09-38 tested the Titan Trend "C" Conductor on line 57N 12+50W where previous drill hole FC08-26 was lost to poor ground conditions before reaching its target depth. The 334 metre drill hole tested below the conductive carbonaceous argillites where the Titan MT showed a strong, deep rooted vertical conductor.
From the top of the hole to 140.8 m felsic volcaniclastics occur with narrow zones of graphitic argillites and minor siltstones. A zone between 88.35 m -- 108.25 m contains pervasive and extensive sericite, silica and chrome mica (fuschite) alteration with minor quartz veining.
At 140.8 m -- 279.5 m volcaniclastics occur again with intense silica, sericite and chlorite alteration. This broad altered zone is intensely altered between 176.6 m - 184.2 m and 202.6 m - 279.5 m, with the original rock type essentially unrecognizable. The rock is distinctive with pale yellow green with white patches which is due to very intense pervasive and extensive sericite and silicification. These highly altered zones are similar to the classic sericite alteration below a massive sulphide deposit. Although the quartz veins in this hole had lower sulphide content a number of altered and mineralized samples were sent for analysis to determine the level of base and precious metals in the system at this location.
The upper conductor is caused by the carbonaceous argillites at the top of the hole and the deeper rooted MT conductor remains unexplained. The deeper target will be tested with step out holes along strike of the anomaly in a future program.
The 900 metre drill program was a follow-up to VMS footwall mineralization discovered through previous trenching and drilling programs. Drilling is anticipated to resume in 2010 as financing conditions improve.
New Trenching Discovery
A new late season 2009 trenching discovery was made on Line 53N and 22+50W which was an extension across the stratigraphy of the 2008 Line 53 area trenching discovery. The new discovery exposed approximately 50 metres of a highly altered sulphide zone comprised of lenses, pods and blocks of massive sulphide mineralization. The blocky massive sulphide mineralization occurs together with stringer sulphides in favourable felsic volcanic rocks. Massive pyrite occurs together with variable amounts of sphalerite (zinc), galena (lead), chalcopyrite (copper). The width of the mineralized zone remains open to the southeast and northwest as well as being open along strike in both directions.
Samples taken across the width of the zone, where snow and mud conditions would allow, have been sent to the lab for analysis and will be reported once received. The Line 53N and 22W area is centred on the strongest co-incident multi-element enzyme leach soil anomaly and is near the contact between chargeability highs and resistivity lows, a geophysical pattern which is consistent as a favourable location for the formation of volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization. A high priority has been given to the L53 trench area in order to further extend the mineralization in the trench and also to see it in drill core.
Base and precious metal mineralization in the Line 53 discovery area from previous trenching and drilling is associated with a rhyolite flow/dome complex and intermediate to felsic volcanic flows and tuffs. The presence of rhyolite and bi-modal volcanics, precious and base metals, zonation and grades of metals, alteration patterns and mineralogical associations are all indicative of important Kuroko style volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits.
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Rein Turna, B.Sc., P.Geo. the Company's "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Options Granted
The Company also announces the grant of 5,500,000 incentive stock options to consultants, employees, officers and directors of the Company. The options are exercisable at $0.10 per share for a period of ten years.
About Barker Minerals
Barker Minerals is advancing exploration on its mineral properties in the Cariboo Gold District, one of the most mineralized belts in British Columbia. The Company has 20 projects on its exploration properties, all of which are 100% owned by Barker Minerals. Eight projects have drill-ready gold and/or massive sulphide targets.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information, including those relating to "plans" of the Company. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by the Company in its public securities filings -- that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Louis E. Doyle, President & CEO
Barker Minerals Ltd.
Tel: (250) 563-8752
Fax: (250) 563-8751
Robert H. Kuhl
Barker Minerals Ltd.
Tel: (604) 321-0709
Fax: (604) 321-0719
Neither 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.
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