- Published: 01 June 2009
- Written by Editor
Sandman Gold Project Returns 25.58 Grams Per Tonne Gold Over 5.28 Metres
Fronteer Development Group Inc. (TSX:FRG)(NYSE Amex:FRG) is pleased to announce that Newmont USA Limited ("Newmont"), a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation, has provided the results from a further nine holes recently drilled as part of their 2009 US$5M work-program at the Sandman gold project in Nevada.
Six holes intersected near-surface, oxide gold mineralization within the Southeast Pediment deposit, continuing to demonstrate the high-grade nature of this emerging deposit.
Highlights include:
- 25.58 grams per tonne gold over 5.28 metres, including 65.69 g/t over 1.95 metres in NSM-53;
- 120.75 g/t over 1.95 metres in NSM-69; and,
- 20.21 g/t over 1.98 metres in NSM-76.
Three holes also tested the Silica Ridge deposit, located five kilometres from Southeast Pediment. Results were encouraging with the highest gold reported as 3.57 g/t over 1.34 metres in NSM-102.
Phase 1 of the 2009 development and exploration program came to close on April 17, with a total of 62 holes and 6,700 metres drilled since January 2009. Newmont plans to compile data for the next two months and resume drilling in mid-July.
Newmont's 2009 work-program will provide the foundation for ongoing development activities. The overall objectives of the 2009 development program are to focus on the known deposits at SE Pediment and Silica Ridge and drill a combination of HQ and PQ core holes to:
- confirm the character of gold mineralization (size range of the gold);
- obtain bulk metallurgical material for mill grade and potential heap leach metallurgical tests;
- and improve the understanding of the geology and ore controls of the mineralization.
The 2009 exploration program will focus on finding additional mineralization along the known structural trends from two of the four existing gold resource areas, and also target new areas generated from geological mapping and the results of recent geophysical and geochemical surveys.
At Sandman, high-grade, gold mineralization occurs in multiple locations along a 16-kilometre trend, situated within the regional King River Rift structure. High-grade vein-related gold systems, including the Sleeper gold mine and the Goldbanks deposit, also occur along the King River Rift, suggesting regional structural control that could expand the size and continuity of the mineralization at this project.
Sandman's deposits are near-surface and potentially amenable to open-pit mining. Infrastructure surrounding Fronteer's Sandman project is considered excellent. The property is within trucking distance to Newmont's Twin Creeks mine, potentially eliminating the need for a stand-alone milling facility and other significant capital expenditures if the project were to proceed to production.
Under the terms of the Sandman option and joint-venture agreement, Newmont can earn an initial 51% interest in the project by making a positive production decision by June 2011, spending a minimum of US$14 million on exploration and development, making a commitment to fund and construct a mine, and completing a feasibility study. Newmont has met all earn-in obligations to date.
SANDMAN DRILL RESULTS
From To Interval Ag Au Au
Hole ID (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (oz/ton) Target Area
NSM-47 92.87 95.10 2.23 1.93 0.56 0.016 Silica Ridge
and 96.56 97.84 1.28 5.90 0.66 0.019
and 98.88 100.40 1.52 6.79 0.96 0.028
NSM-53 30.78 36.06 5.28 34.92 25.58 0.746 SE Pediment
including 32.58 34.53 1.95 57.97 65.69 1.916
and 40.33 44.17 3.84 7.45 0.67 0.020
and 44.74 47.79 3.05 14.44 2.19 0.064
and 51.39 52.12 0.73 14.19 0.79 0.023
NSM-68 9.30 14.33 5.03 23.49 1.45 0.042 SE Pediment
including 10.94 11.98 1.04 70.22 2.37 0.069
and 16.92 21.34 4.42 11.23 1.54 0.045
including 19.93 21.34 1.40 13.20 3.40 0.099
NSM-69 26.94 28.68 1.74 4.88 1.20 0.035 SE Pediment
and 36.18 36.73 0.55 31.20 8.20 0.239
and 38.01 39.96 1.95 20.39 120.75 3.522
NSM-76 0.00 10.67 10.67 14.21 1.08 0.031 SE Pediment
and 32.80 34.78 1.98 45.06 20.21 0.590
and 35.81 37.37 1.55 25.64 2.32 0.068
and 38.47 40.08 1.62 14.95 2.01 0.059
NSM-77 13.26 15.03 1.77 6.26 0.74 0.021 SE Pediment
and 18.99 20.79 1.80 15.87 6.33 0.185
NSM-85 12.56 17.50 4.94 11.02 0.55 0.016 SE Pediment
and 20.85 21.61 0.76 7.20 0.54 0.016
NSM-102 2.62 3.84 1.22 3.81 0.81 0.024 Silica Ridge
and 15.24 18.17 2.93 44.26 0.57 0.016
and 20.73 24.57 3.84 62.04 1.64 0.048
including 23.23 24.57 1.34 56.71 3.57 0.104
and 26.43 27.74 1.31 72.51 2.61 0.076
NSM-113 27.86 30.91 3.05 4.27 2.50 0.073 Silica Ridge
and 69.34 73.24 3.90 8.94 1.09 0.032
Note: The true width of the mineralized zones is estimated to be
approximately 90% of those stated. Primary composite intervals
were calculated using a cut-off of 0.5 g/t Au and 2.0 g/t Au for
the higher grade internal intervals.
Drill samples and analytical data for the Sandman project are being collected under the supervision of Newmont, Fronteer's joint venture partner and project operator, using industry standard QA-QC protocols. Fronteer's James Ashton P.E., who is the QP responsible for compiling the data contained in this release, has not verified the data; however, the grades and widths reported here agree well with the Company's past results on the project and correspondence with the operator has given him no reason to doubt their authenticity. For further details on Sandman, please view the technical report prepared by Mine Development Associates ("MDA"), as of May 31, 2007, on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com.
Sandman, Long Canyon and Northumberland are currently Fronteer's leading properties among its large portfolio of gold projects in Nevada.
For more information on Sandman and Fronteer's other Nevada projects, visit: http://www.fronteergroup.com/?q=content/nevada
ABOUT FRONTEER
Fronteer is an exploration and development company with a track record of making big discoveries. Fronteer has an extensive gold project pipeline in Nevada, a 40% interest in three gold and copper-gold projects in western Turkey, and 100% ownership of Aurora Energy Resources, a private subsidiary advancing a world-class uranium district in Labrador, Canada.
Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, certain information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, those with respect to potential expansion of mineralization, potential size of mineralized zone, and size of exploration program involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Fronteer to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to international operations and joint ventures , the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, uncertainty in the estimation of ore reserves and mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold and silver, environmental risks and hazards, increased infrastructure and/or operating costs, labor and employment matters, and government regulation and permitting requirements as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Fronteer's Annual Information form and Fronteer's latest Form 40-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although Fronteer has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Fronteer disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
NEWS RELEASE 09-16
SOURCE: Fronteer Development Group Inc.
Fronteer Development Group Inc.
Mark O'Dea, Ph.D, P.Geo
President and CEO
604-632-4677 or Toll Free: 1-877-632-4677
Fronteer Development Group Inc.
Richard Moritz
Director, Investor Relations
604-632-4677 or Toll Free: 1-877-632-4677
Fronteer Development Group Inc.
Glen Edwards
Director, Communications
604-632-4677 or Toll Free: 1-877-632-4677
www.fronteergroup.com
