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STRIKE RESOURCES LIMITED — Capital/Financing Update 2011
Jun 16, 2011
65855_rns_2011-06-16_d325a320-db7a-4311-9766-13ec6a443825.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
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Market Announcement
Cusco Project – Resource Estimate
The Company is pleased to announce the completion of an initial JORC mineral resource estimate for the Santo Tomas concessions within the Cusco Iron Ore Project located in the Southern Highlands of Peru (see Appendix A - Figure 1) by international consulting firm SRK Consulting1 in conjunction with Apurimac Ferrum ("AF") geologists.
Announcement Highlights
- Inferred Resource of 104.4 million tonnes (Mt) at an average grade of 32.6% Fe, 21.7% SiO2, 3.19% Al2O3, 0.53% S, 0.04% P and 0.23% LOI.
- Additional potential iron ore mineralisation identified from current drilling of 23 to 26 Mt at similar grades to the Inferred Resource. (The potential quantity and grade of the target iron ore is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define an additional mineral resource in relation to that target iron ore. It is uncertain whether further exploration will result in the determination of an additional mineral resource in relation to that target iron ore.)
- Potential for higher-grade, lower-sulphur, near-surface haematite zones identified in logging.
- Significant potential for further iron ore mineralisation through extensions along strike and testing of remaining geophysical targets.
Detailed Results
The Cusco Iron Ore Project lies in the Southern Highlands of Peru within the highly-prospective Andahuaylas-Yauri Cu/Fe Belt (see Appendix A - Figure 2). The AF concessions comprise 22 concessions in three separate blocks, covering approximately 175 square kilometres. The initial area tested by drilling falls within the Santo Tomas concessions, which lie at approximately 4300m above sea level and 200 kilometres to the south east of the Opaban resource.
The Santo Tomas Project was identified in 2007 as an area highly prospective for iron ore, with a large circular magnetic anomaly in the order of two (2) kilometres in diameter and several associated major structural zones. The circular feature is interpreted as a late-stage intrusive at depth. These intrusives are commonly the source of the hydrothermal fluids which form the iron ore mineralisation within the region as well as large copper (and gold) porphyry systems.
Surface mapping and gravity surveys identified gravity highs and outcropping ironstones containing both haematite and magnetite coincident with much of the magnetic anomaly. Approximately 40% of the target area was subject to an initial, broadly-spaced drilling program in 2007 and 2008, comprising 168 holes for 16,935 metres of reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling.
The haematite-rich material was noted from the geological mapping to be relatively high-grade (>50% Fe) and containing modest sulphur grades. Hence, the focus of the initial exploration and study programs was on testing these zones to evaluate opportunities to establish a low-tonnage, lump product business involving trucking of the ore to Imata followed by rail transport to the port of Matarani for export. While this option is technically feasible the requirement for significant capital and lead time to up-grade the transport legs and port facilities and the dispute between AF's shareholders at that time led to this option being shelved in 2008.
With the settlement of the shareholder dispute in 2009 and the subsequent restart of exploration the AF team revisited the Santo Tomas area while awaiting approvals to commence work on the
1 SRK consulting is unrelated to Strike Resources (ASX code: SRK)
Apurimac project. This involved re-logging of the drill holes with a focus on understanding the key material types and styles to assist with determining the future exploration direction at Santo Tomas and the Cusco area in general.
This work highlighted several key findings, namely;
- Three (3) key iron ore material types were present (see Appendix A - Figure 3):
- o Haematite-rich material which formed a superficial cap on the deeper, magnetite-rich mineralisation;
- o Massive magnetite zones in the core of the primary mineralisation; and
- o Magnetite breccias, which tend to form the margins of the deposits.
- The mineralisation remains open in most areas due to the relatively-coarse drill hole spacing.
- Iron ore grades tend to be highest near surface and reduce with depth.
- The magnetite mineralisation is similar in style to Opaban, with relatively coarse-grained magnetite, which is hence expected to be amenable to up-grade at relatively coarse grind sizes (0.5 – 1mm).
- The magnetite mineralisation contains significant pyrite and some chalcopyrite which will require removal to produce a suitable iron ore product.
Inferred Resource Estimate
The Santo Tomas JORC Mineral Resource estimate is set out in Table 1 below, with additional details of the resource set out in Appendix B.
Table 1 – Santo Tomas Project – June 2011 Inferred Resource Estimate – 0% Fe Cut off
| Tonnes (Mt) | Fe (%) | S (%) | Al2O3 (%) | LOI (%) | P (%) | SiO2 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104.4 | 32.62 | 0.528 | 3.19 | 0.21 | 0.035 | 21.66 |
The tonnage and grade sensitivity for the both material types is presented in Appendix A - Figure 4.
Further Iron Ore Potential
As noted above, the Santo Tomas drilling has identified iron mineralisation which is not sufficiently well defined to be included in the Inferred Resource estimate due to the relatively broad spacing of some of the drilling. SRK Consulting has estimated that an additional 23 to 26 Mt of potential iron ore mineralisation at a similar grade to the Inferred Resource has been identified by the current drilling.
(The potential quantity and grade of the target iron ore is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define an additional mineral resource in relation to that target iron ore. It is uncertain whether further exploration will result in the determination of an additional mineral resource in relation to that target iron ore.)
In addition SRK Consulting has reviewed the geophysical and geological data for the Santo Tomas concessions and identified several areas with strong potential to identify additional iron mineralisation. These include extensions to current resources, identified potential and the remainder of the major magnetic anomaly and structural zones associated with the margin of the interpreted late stage intrusion. These targets are shown in Appendix A - Figure 5.
Precious and Base Metal Potential
Importantly, the Santo Tomas mineral resource lies within the tectonic Andahuaylas-Yauri belt and metallogenic province, which hosts a number of world-class polymetallic deposits (see Appendix A - Figure 2). The Andahuaylas–Yauri belt is situated in south-eastern Peru and is a rapidly emerging porphyry copper province.
Until the 1980s the province was mainly known for its copper-bearing magnetite skarn deposits such as Tintaya, Atalaya and Las Bambas, however, during the 1990s, important discoveries of economic porphyry copper style deposits such as Antapaccay, Los Chancas and Cotabambas were made.
A recent review by AF geologists has recognised similar association between the porphyry copper style alteration assemblages and the magnetite +/- sulphides mineralisation occurring within the Santo Tomas project area.
Also of significance, broad zones of anomalous copper, silver and molybdenum values have now been identified within historical drill samples. While this work is at an early stage it has substantially raised the project's potential to host precious and base metals. Further assessment of this potential is continuing, with a specific geological mapping and sampling programme in progress. This work, combined with the outcomes from the review of previous geological and drilling programs, is due for completion in the September Quarter, with the aim of identifying precious and base metal exploration targets for detailed geophysical surveys and a preliminary drilling program within the Santo Tomas concessions.
JORC Code Competent Person Statement
The information in this document which relates to Mineral Resources has been compiled by Mr George Even, who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and is an employee of SRK Consulting (Chile) S.A. Mr Even has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code)." Mr Even consents to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Friday 17 June, 2011
For further information:
Malcolm Richmond Ken Hellsten Acting Chairman Managing Director T | +61 8 9324 7100 T | +61 8 9324 7100
Appendix A - Figures

Figure 1: Apurimac Iron-Ore Project and Cusco Iron Ore Project
Figure 2: Andahuaylas-Yauri Metallogenic Province showing AF concessions and nearby polymetallic deposits

Figure 3: Typical cross section at Santo Tomas showing haematite (pink), magnetite (MT, dark brown) and hydrothermal breccia (HB, light brown) zones

Figure 4: Grade tonnage curve for Inferred Resources


Figure 5: Total magnetic field image showing mineralisation envelopes (inferred resources and potential) and target areas (black circles) yet to be drill tested.
Appendix B
Santo Tomas – Resource Parameters
| Resource Estimation Criteria | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | ||||
| Resource Date | June 2011 | |||
| Project Name | Santo Tomas Iron Ore Project | |||
| Ownership | Apurimac Ferrum | |||
| Concession Status | Name | Area (km2) | ||
| El Pacifico II | 10.2 | |||
| Delia Esperanza | 10.2 | |||
| Flor de Maria | 9.1 | |||
| Geographic Coordinate System | PSAD56 Zone 19S | |||
| Resource Category | Inferred | |||
| Resource Location | Located within the Department of Cusco southern Peru | |||
| Resource Dimensions | Easting | 181250mE187500mE | ||
| Northing | 8422000mN | 8425600mN | ||
| RL | 3800m | 4400m | ||
| Geological Description | ||||
| Genetic Type | Andean Porphyry Fe-Cu system. Structurally control emplacement | |||
| with some supergene enrichment. | ||||
| Geological Setting | The Andahuaylas–Yauri metallogenic Cu-Fe-Au-Mo belt. Iron | |||
| mineralization associated with amphibole–(±biotite-bearing) dioritic | ||||
| intrusions belonging to the Andahuaylas-Yauri batholith. | ||||
| Emplacement and mineralisation occurred during the Middle | ||||
| Eocene to Early Oligocene epoch. |
| Responsibilities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Collection | Apurimac Ferrum | ||
| Data Management | Apurimac Ferrum | ||
| Data Integrity | Apurimac Ferrum | ||
| Geological Interpretation | Apurimac Ferrum | ||
| Resource Modelling | SRK Consulting (Chile) | ||
| Competent Person | George Even - Corporate Consulting Geologist | ||
| Independent Technical Review | SRK Consulting (Perth) |
| Geological and Geochemical Data Base | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Insitu Bulk Density | None collected: Densities derived from a regression formula | ||
| provided by SRK based on iron projects with similar geological and | |||
| material type characteristics. | |||
| Density = Total Fe% x (0.0305)+2.5125 | |||
| Analytical Laboratory | ALS Chemex Canada | ||
| Number of samples analysed | 8170 | ||
| Sample preparation | Certified method: Crushing, drying, pulverising, splitting | ||
| Analytical Methods | |||
| X Ray Florescence (XRF) | ME-XRF1: Fe and other Metal oxides: LOI determined at 10000C | ||
| Induced Coupled Plasma (ICP) | ME-ICP61: four acid digestion with 33 element analysis | ||
| Quality Assurance/Control | Standards 1 in 50; Duplicates 1 in 25, Blanks 1 in 25 | ||
| Geological Modelling Parameters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Geological Software | MapInfo | ||
| Geological Interpretation | 25 geological cross sections: Variable line spacing; 100m and | ||
| 200m | |||
| Lithological boundaries | Defined by geological mapping, logging and chemical analysis | ||
| Mineralisation envelop | Defined by geological logging and chemical analysis | ||
| Material Type | Defined by geological logging and chemical analysis | ||
| Hydrothermal breccia | Fragments of altered diorite magnetite in a matrix of magnetite ± | ||
| pyrite, with magnetite up to 95% content. |
| Massive Magnetite | Massive lensoid magnetite body along nearly vertical intrusive |
|---|---|
| contact with the intrusive. |
| Drilling Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drilling Method | Number of Holes | Total Metres | |
| Diamond Drilling | 68 HQ/BQ | 649.40 | |
| Reverse Circulation | 100 | 10481.60 | |
| Surveying Methods | |||
| Collar | Hand held Garmin and Leica GPX1230/ SR 9500 DGPS | ||
| Downhole | None | ||
| Sampling Method | |||
| Reverse Circulation | Sub sampling by riffle splitting: Variable sampling intervals | ||
| Diamond DrillingHalf core diamond saw cutting: Variable sampling intervals |
| Block Model Parameters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modelling Software | VULCAN, LEAPFROG, GEMS | |||
| Estimation Method | Ordinary kriging using omni-directional variograms to define | |||
| element parametres | ||||
| X (m)Y (m)Z (m) | ||||
| Parent Block size | 10 | 10 | 5 | |
| Composites | All samples regularised to 2 m composites | |||
| Massive magnetite | 1335 composites 2m in length | |||
| Breccia | 657 composites 2m in length | |||
| Attributes | ||||
| HB | ||||
| Hydrothermal brecciaMTMassive magnetite overgrowth | ||||
| FeTotal Fe% grade | ||||
| S | Sulphur grade | |||
| Cu | Copper grade | |||
| Al2O3 | Aluminium Oxide grade | |||
| LOI | Loss on Ignition | |||
| P | Phosphorous grade | |||
| SiO2Silica Oxide grade |