Mon Apr 26, 2010 Barker Minerals' 2009 Trenching Exposes Base and Precious Metal Mineralization on the Titan Trend "A" VMS Target on its Frank Creek Project
For immediate release
BM-09-156
Barker Minerals' 2009 Trenching Exposes Base and Precious Metal Mineralization on the Titan Trend "A" VMS Target on its Frank Creek Project
Prince George, B.C., April 26, 2010 -- Barker Minerals Ltd. ("BML" on TSX/V) (the "Company") is pleased to report results and interpretation on its 100% owned Frank Creek VMS project where 2009 trenching exposed a broad zone of VMS style alteration associated with base and precious metal mineralization. The results of the 2009 trench samples show strongly anomalous to potentially ore grade, base and precious metal mineralization in a well-defined stratigraphic horizon with the mineralization being enriched in copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold as well as a number of pathfinder elements that are characteristically elevated in and around Kuroko type VMS deposits.
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. (Location Map)
The late season 2009 trenching discovery on Line 53N and 22+50W was an extension across the stratigraphy of the 2008 original Line 53N area trenching and drilling discovery. The recent trenching exposed approximately 75 metres of a highly altered sulphide zone comprised of lenses, pods and blocks of massive sulphide mineralization. The discovery extends the overall width of the Line 53N trenching and drilling mineralized and altered zone, to approximately a 100 metre true width which is still open in all directions. 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), and chalcopyrite (copper).
The width of the mineralized zone remains open to the southeast and northwest as well as along strike in both directions. The zone is also open at depth where a large and strong Titan 24 Conductor has a 3-D subsurface signature similar to that of a massive sulphide body. The exploration results to date, on surface and in initial exploration drilling, along with the overturned nature of the rocks in this area bode well for a potential economic ore body being present below the broad near surface VMS style footwall mineralization and alteration discovered to date through trenching and initial exploration drilling. (Titan Geophysical Model)
Thirty seven grab samples were taken in order to characterize and determine the potential grades of the surface mineralization exposed in the trench. Sampling was done intermittently over the 75 metres with samples taken approximately 1 to 2 metres apart where bedrock surface exposure allowed. The overall size, geometry and grades of the mineralized zone will ultimately be determined through future drilling programs testing the immediate discovery area, and by tracing the mineralized zone along the prospective horizon both to the northwest and to the southeast, and to depth.
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 with a favourable location for the formation of volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization. (Soils: Copper, Lead, Zinc)
It is very encouraging to see the sulphide content and grades of base and precious metals increasing together as exploration vectors into the heart of the coincident geophysical and geochemical surface anomaly. A high priority has been given to the L53N trench and drilling discovery area in order to extend the mineralization in the new trench and also to see it in drill core.
Other Prominent Nearby Drill Targets
The Titan-24 geophysical survey shows a broad and strong conductor 200 metres to the south of the Line 53N trenching and drilling discovery area which is centred on Line 51 at a moderate depth with the top of the conductor being 250 -- 300 metres from surface. The same conductor is also present on Lines 53N and 55N, only deeper down, with the top of the conductor being between 400 - 500 metres from surface. This area of the Titan Trend "A" Conductor has a subsurface 3-D signature similar to that of a massive sulphide body. This large and strong anomaly, along with the Line 53N trenching and drilling discovery area, are high priority targets for the next phase of drilling at Frank Creek. (Lines 51N, 53N, 55N Geophysical Sections)
Summary and Recommendations
The widespread occurrence of footwall-type alteration and mineralization on surface and in drill core affirms the overturned nature of the local stratigraphy, evidenced by results from previous exploration programs. The massive sulphide lenses discovered in the Discovery Trench in 2001 and in the F9 Target trenches in 2007 - 2009 exist in a favourable stratigraphic contact horizon occurring within, or somewhat below, sedimentary rocks that are locally graphitic, and atop and partly within a felsic volcaniclastic pile. VMS deposits in other mining districts commonly form at or along contact of sedimentary and volcanic rocks with similar alteration assemblages.
Polymetallic massive sulphide lenses discovered in trenches in 2007 - 2009 and diamond drill hole (DDH) in 2008 in the F9 Target area are recommended for intensive follow up by further trenching and drilling. Five thousand metres of drilling in a grid pattern has been recommended to follow the massive sulphide mineralization outward from the known locations near Line 53N and 22W. Two 750 metre deep DDH are also recommended nearby on each of Lines 51N and 53N to test the heart of the compelling strong Trend "A" low resistivity anomaly.
A Line 53N tentative schematic interpretation of the geology and structure can be viewed in the following link (Line 53 Interpretation)
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.
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 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.
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