This vein is exposed at surface less than 100 meters east of the plant and will be connected with the southwest extension of the Camino adit. It was first mapped and sampled in 2012 by the Company with good results.
The Natas Vein is part of the Cinco Estrellas vein system which is marked by numerous horsetail structures. Development of this higher grade gold vein is the current focus of the Catanava gravimetric plant as higher grades lead to higher recoveries, pending the installation of a flotation circuit to capture the fine gold and silver. It is important to note that this zone is open laterally and vertically forming high grade ore shoots and that exploration and development in both directions is expected to increase the known mineralized volume.
The opening and the preparation of the Natas Vein adit started in September. The development of the Natas Vein is currently on two levels approximately totalling 125 meters. The Upper Level or "Bloque Superior" is prepared from surface to confirm the high grades, while access from Rampa Camino will connect with Natas Level 01 approximately 35 m below. Subsequently, both mine drifts will connect with raises for ventilation and prove the lateral and vertical continuity of ore shoots. Finally, when the stope is completed, the ore will be mined systematically through traditional Cut & Fill methods and/or a stope ramp.
"This new vein highlights the opportunity and the challenge to increase the resource base and our plan to develop high-grade areas. Production from Natas together with the production of other areas, such as Camino, should reach 100 tons per day (TPD) in the next few months and eventually attain 300 TPD by the end of 2014, but we need to rapidly develop the mineralized areas that will provide feed for the mill," commented Tim Gallagher, Chairman & CEO.
Systematic sampling of development headings have delineated a high grade ore shoot that has been opened laterally over 30 meters in length. In addition, the Camino vein yielded good grades at Drift 12N, however, the development connects with old workings and currently mine engineers are reviewing the safety conditions in order to determine whether to continue with development.
Table 1 lists some representative results from the recent sampling program. Although the assay results are somewhat erratic some very high grades were obtained from the core of the sampled veins and this material is being selectively mined as much as is possible. We expect mill head grades to rise significantly for these veins.
Quality Control
The quality assurance-quality control (QA-QC) program employed by Excalibur Resources has been described in previous press releases. Certified standards and blanks are inserted alternately at each ten sample positions in all batches of samples. Samples were prepared at ALS Chemex facilities of Zacatecas, México and assayed in ALS Chemex Vancouver by Fire Assay – AA, 30 gr.
The technical content of this news release has been approved by Charles Beaudry, M.Sc, P.geo., géo, a Director of Excalibur Resources and Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.
