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Published: 29 November -0001
April 30, 2002
Canadian Venture Exchange Symbol: DML
Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: DNL
News Release: Voisey Bay Update
Mr. Harvey Keats, President of Donner Minerals Ltd. provides the following update
on the South Voisey Bay Project.
In early September 2001, the Company, together with its majority owned subsidiary
South Voisey Bay Nickel Ltd. (‘SVBN’), Northern Abitibi Mining Corp.,
Major General Resources Ltd. and Pallaum Minerals Ltd., entered into an option
earn-in agreement with Falconbridge Limited, whereby Falconbridge can earn a 50%
interest in the entire South Voisey Bay Project by spending $23,000,000 on exploration. Immediately thereafter, Falconbridge carried out a $750,000 work program consisting
of geological mapping, line cutting, 139 line kilometres of UTEM geophysics, and
diamond drill core re-logging. Falconbridge has used its geological, geochemical
and geophysical expertise to compile, integrate and interpret all previous and
new data to validate the application of the Voisey’s Bay geological model
to South Voisey Bay and to generate new drill targets for the 2002 program, and
for future programs.
Based on a preliminary program and budget, the 2002 program is expected to include
line cutting, geology, surface UTEM and borehole UTEM surveys, 3D modeling of
magnetic and gravity data, and diamond drilling.
Geological work will include detailed mapping within new UTEM loops and of key
contacts and subunits of the South Voisey Bay gabbros, in order to better understand
the geology of areas where geophysical work and drilling will be conducted. Geological
mapping will be carried out to help understand structural complexities, to identify
additional gabbros and to help in the selection of areas for an airborne TEM survey
planned for late 2002 or early 2003. Re-logging and limited geochemical sampling
of key 1996–1998 drill core will also be carried out.
Surface UTEM loops will be used to improve spatial and conductance modeling of
DEEPEM step-response and UTEM loop edge anomalies. Borehole UTEM surveys will
be carried out on all new drill holes and several 1997 and 1998 holes with poorly
localized high quality off-hole DEEPEM anomalies. 3D modeling of magnetic and
gravity data will aid in the deep geological interpretation of the South Voisey
Bay gabbros.
Diamond drilling in 12-20 shallow drill holes will target untested high quality
conductors, located throughout the South Voisey Bay Project area. Initial drilling
will focus on high conductance EM anomalies outlined by the 2001 UTEM survey,
followed by drilling of high conductance targets interpreted from the reprocessed
1997/1998 DEEPEM data and resolved by the 2002 UTEM surveys.
Weather permitting, it is expected that the camp will be operational by mid-June
and that drilling will commence on drill ready targets by early July.
Falconbridge is committed to spend an additional $1.25 million by the end of 2002,
for a total of $2,000,000, to meet its expenditure commitments and maintain its
option. Additional expenditures in 2002 will be contingent on results.
There are four ownership blocks in the South Voisey Bay Project: the wholly owned
SVBN property; the Donner/Northern Abitibi joint venture property; the Donner/Major
General joint venture property; and the SVBN/Pallaum Minerals joint venture property.
The ownership of SVBN is as follows: Donner Minerals Ltd. 76.69%; Cypress Development
Corp. 11.36%; NDT Ventures Ltd. 6.55%; Rcom Venture Corp. 4.20%; UC Resources
Ltd. 1.20%. Donner has a 52% interest in the Donner/Northern Abitibi joint venture
property and Donner has a 52% interest in the Donner/Major General joint venture
property. SVBN has a 75% interest in the SVBN/Pallaum joint venture property.
Management of the Company is extremely pleased with the expertise that Falconbridge
brings to the South Voisey Bay project and the quality of the targets that have
been identified for drilling in 2002. Management is also encouraged with Falconbridge’s
balanced long-term approach of drilling existing targets and identifying new targets
for future programs.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DONNER MINERALS LTD.
"Harvey Keats"
President
The Canadian Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release
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