The Company has completed a comprehensive sampling program at the Cuatro Hermanos Porphyry Copper Project, highlighted with assays returning up to 16.25% Copper.
82 rock samples were collected across the 4H Project focused on areas that have received minimal historical attention.
20 samples in the south conglomerate zone averaged Cu grades of 1.736%
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2024) - Sonoran Desert Copper Corporation (TSXV: SDCU) ("SDCU'' or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from the comprehensive sampling program on the Company's Cuatro Hermanos Porphyry Copper Project (the "4H Project").
The 4H Project is located in Sonora, Mexico, and comprises 10 concessions totalling 8,125 hectares and contains a large porphyry copper-molybdenum system with surface measurements of at least four kilometres east-west by two kilometres north-south. The Company released a recent NI 43-101 report on the 4H Project in October 2023 which comprised a review of historical work. Historical resources were last estimated in 2008:
Primary sulphide mineralisation is chalcopyrite and molybdenite with secondary oxide chalcocite.
CEO Brian Leeners stated, "We are thrilled to announce these exceptional results from our sampling program across various areas of the 4H Project in Sonora, Mexico. In particular, the copper grades in the South Conglomerates greatly exceeded our expectations, underscoring our view that the soluble copper content in the North and South Conglomerates, in addition to the supergene zones at the 4H Project have the combined potential for a significant Heap Leach & SX-EW operation. These outstanding results combined with the enormous size and potential of the 4H Copper Moly Porphyry, affirm our position as a rising player in the junior copper sector. We look forward to leveraging this positive momentum as we continue to advance and develop the 4H Project in Sonora."
Sampling Program
Under the sampling program, 82 rock samples were collected with a focus on the areas of the 4H Project that have received minimal historical attention.
New Zones
Noemi Zone - 10 samples collected
NOEMI
Cu (ppm)
Mo (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
Au (ppm)
Min
37.7
2.57
1.14
0.02
Max
1915
67
173
5.21
Average
336.5
18.0
45.5
1.0
Std Deviation
572.9
18.1
61.7
1.6
10 samples were collected from the Noemi Zone. Noemi is a higher-level PCD apophyses and returned elevated precious metals values. No drill results exist for this target, however there is road access to the test pits on the peaks. Noemi Zone is interpreted to be peripheral to the primary Cu-Mo Zone of the porphyry complex due to the elevated Ag, Au, Pb, and Zn.
South Conglomerate Zone - 20 samples collected
SOUTH CONGLOMERATE
Cu (ppm)
Mo (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
Min
102
1.68
0.21
Max
162,500
49.8
1.54
Average
17,363
22.1
0.9
Std Deviation
35,184
13.9
0.3
The combined surface areas of the known conglomerates (North and South) at 4H is 1.7 million square metres (170 hectares). The recent sampling program focused on the South Conglomerate area and those 20 samples provided an average Cu grade of 1.736% (see table).
South Conglomerate Copper Assays (PPM / %)
Sample #
Easting (m)
Northing (m)
Cu (%)
1843843
631128
3139681
1.095
1843844
631128
3139671
1.280
1843845
631054
3139725
0.010
1843846
630936
3139801
0.380
1843848
630944
3139801
0.464
1843849
630882
3139759
0.194
1843850
630882
3139749
0.209
1843851
630710
3139684
0.253
1843852
630642
3139689
1.155
1843853
630642
3139699
0.796
4H015a
631139
3139658
1.570
4H015b
631139
3139648
2.170
4H015c
631139
3139638
1.090
4H016
631085
3139692
1.755
4H017b
630938
3139802
0.316
4H033
631156
3139705
1.025
4H034
631200
3139691
3.590
4H036
631516
3139506
0.473
4H037
631713
3139029
16.250
4H038
631777
3138933
0.650
Average
1.736%
The South Conglomerate area is relatively higher grade. The immediate development plan is to conduct percussion drilling in this area. It is anticipated that this drilling program, along with permitting, metallurgy and acid-sourcing will all be completed in 2024.
The soluble copper content in the North and South Conglomerates, in addition to the supergene zones at 4H are interpreted to have the combined potential for a significant Heap Leach & SX-EW operation.
Historic Zones
Main Zone - 6 samples collected within the historic resource area
MAIN
Cu (ppm)
Mo (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
Min
93.1
4.13
0.05
Max
274
215
6.45
Average
196.6
100.1
1.7
Std Deviation
60.1
89.9
2.6
This magmatic breccia is comprised of at least 5 fertile porphyritic intrusives of intermediate composition with a fertile granodioritic matrix. Multi-generational porphyry mineralization is inferred from intrusive clasts displaying A + B-type veins which are later cut by A + B-type veins cutting both matrix and clasts.
West Zone - 6 samples collected
WEST
Cu (ppm)
Mo (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
Min
37.8
17.25
0.23
Max
2750
391
3.61
Average
1204.8
131.3
1.44
Std Deviation
977.6
141.2
1.2
The 2008 core drilling proved the West Zone to be a significant future development target within the 4H Project. Basin and range tectonics have affected the entire region and several large post-mineral faults have displaced portions of the porphyry body, but the primary zone is largely intact. Initial data compilation and 3D modelling indicate a good probability to connect the Main and West Zones.
Cactus Zone - 3 samples collected
CACTUS
Cu (ppm)
Mo (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
Min
1,840
132
8.17
Max
67,900
336
13.95
Average
35,980
217.5
10.6
Std Deviation
33,086
105.9
3.0
The Cactus Zone is an upper level structural porphyry copper target immediately NE of the Main Zone. The high moly content may indicate that this is another mineralized apophyses to test at depth.
San Lorenzo Zone - 37 samples collected
SAN LORENZO
Cu (ppm)
Mo (ppm)
Ag (ppm)
Min
4
0.14
0.01
Max
22,500
96.70
60.00
Average
705
8.22
2.46
Std Deviation
3,688
17.73
9.99
This is a large concession that needs to be evaluated further. There is a large intrusion exposed along a major SW-NE structure that follows the southeastern boundary of the concession.
Case Lewis, P.Geo., a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved this news release.
About Sonoran Desert Copper Corporation Sonoran Desert Copper Corporation is focused on the development of its Cuatro Hermanos copper / molybdenum porphyry project in Sonora, Mexico (the "4H Project").
On behalf of the Board of Directors of SONORAN DESERT COPPER CORPORATION
"Brian Leeners"
Brian Leeners, CEO & Director [email protected] / +1 604-862-4184 (WhatsApp)
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