Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, stated: "To continue the advancement of our flagship Ayawilca project, we believe it is a necessary next step to update the PEA and technical report on the project following the successful recent drilling campaign. An updated PEA will include a processing scenario for both the Ayawilca Zinc Zone and the Tin Zone and incorporate an update to the mineral resources."
2022-2023 Drill Program
Tinka concluded an 11,000-metre zinc resource definition and expansion drill program at the Project in Q3 2023 focusing on the Zinc Zone. The drill program achieved the primary objectives of targeting high-grade zinc mineralization and enhancing the confidence in the geological model for the Ayawilca deposit. Results highlighted the quality of the zinc mineralization at the Project, both in grade and thickness, and provided additional confidence in the geological model. Key findings included:
-
Definition of two pipe-like zinc sulphide bodies at West that have strong vertical continuity (between 100 and 200 metres) connected by massive zinc sulphides at the base.
-
High-grade massive zinc mineralization at South was proven to be concentrated in a folded limestone ‘anticline' at shallow depth.
-
A high-grade vein of silver mineralization, the "Silver Zone", truncates the massive zinc mineralization at South and could be an important third style of mineralization for the Project.
Preliminary Economic Assessment Update
As a result of the successful 2022-2023 drill campaign which returned some of the best drill results ever at the Project, the Company has made the strategic decision to update the PEA (the most recent technical report for Ayawilca has an effective date of October 14, 2021). A significant amount of new data has been acquired at the Project during the past 12 to 18 months, including:
-
11,000 metres of infill and exploration drilling at West and South Ayawilca.
-
Additional metallurgical testwork resulting in improved recoveries for the Tin Zone.
-
Geotechnical information from drill logs and down hole ‘televiewer' surveys.
The PEA update, expected to be completed by March 2024, will incorporate a mineral resource update and an economic assessment of a potential future mining strategy for the Zinc Zone and Silver Zone, as well as include a Tin Zone processing scenario for the first time. SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd. has been selected as the lead mining consultant for preparation of the PEA update.
Mineral Resource Update
An updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") to be incorporated into the updated PEA in Q1 2024, is expected to include a significant increase in the Zinc Zone indicated classified resources as well as an increase in the Tin Zone resource tonnage. SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. is again responsible for updating the MRE for the Project.
Metallurgical Testwork
Tin Zone:
Metallurgical testwork was conducted on two tin composite samples from Ayawilca at ALS Burnie, Australia: a coarse-grained tin composite from South (AGC-01), thought to represent approximately 15% of the tin mineralization at the Project, and a finer-grained tin composite (AGC-02) thought to represent ~85% of the tin mineralization. Each composite sample was approximately 45 kg. The tin composites graded around 2% Sn (as cassiterite) and contained significant quantities of iron sulphides (pyrrhotite, pyrite and marcasite) with associated iron carbonate (siderite) and quartz, typical of the two styles of tin mineralization at Ayawilca. Zinc grades in these tin composite samples was low (<1% Zn).
A processing flowsheet has been developed which included sulphide flotation to remove the iron sulphides, gravity concentration of the sulphide flotation tails, and tin flotation on the sulphide concentrate following a regrind. Acid leaching was employed to remove the iron carbonates and magnetic separation was used to remove residual pyrrhotite.
Composite AGC-01 generated a concentrate grade of ~50% tin at an excellent recovery (~90%). Composite AGC-02 produced a concentrate grading 50% tin at a lower recovery (~45%), with a projected recovery in closed circuit of 50% tin. There remain opportunities to improve the recovery and product quality with further testwork.
Silver Zone:
A single composite sample, typical of the Silver Zone mineralization at the Project, is being tested by conventional flotation at Plenge Laboratories, Lima, Peru. The Silver Zone bounds the northern edge of the Zinc Zone at South within a vertical-dipping vein trending northeast-southwest and is believed to be similar in style to other epithermal silver-rich low sulphide vein deposits at various mines in central Peru. The metallurgical testwork will enable the Company to assess the economic potential of the silver-rich mineralization in the PEA update. The Silver Zone bounds the northern edge of the Zinc Zone at South Ayawilca within a vertical-dipping vein, trending northeast-southwest.
The Qualified Person, Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has reviewed and verified the technical contents of this release.
The NI 43-101 Technical Report entitled "Ayawilca Polymetallic Project, Central Peru, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment" dated November 10, 2021, with an effective date of October 14, 2021, is available for download under Tinka's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca The Technical Report was prepared by Mining Plus Peru S.A.C. ("Mining Plus") as principal consultant, Transmin Metallurgical Consultants ("Transmin"), Envis E.I.R.L ("Envis"), and SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd ("SLR").
About Tinka Resources Limited
Tinka is an exploration and development company with its flagship property being the 100%-owned Ayawilca zinc-silver-tin project in central Peru. The Zinc Zone deposit has an estimated Indicated Mineral Resource of 19.0 Mt @ 7.15% Zn, 16.8 g/t Ag & 0.2% Pb and Inferred Mineral Resource of 47.9 Mt @ 5.4% Zn, 20.0 g/t Ag & 0.4% Pb (dated at August 30, 2021). The Ayawilca Tin Zone has an estimated Inferred Mineral Resource of 8.4 Mt grading 1.0% Sn (dated at August 30, 2021). An update of the Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Ayawilca project, including a mineral resource update, is expected during Q1 2024.
Forward Looking Statements: Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of Tinka as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Tinka's management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations: timing of planned work programs and results varying from expectations; delay in obtaining results; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions; imprecision in resource estimates or metal recoveries; success of future development initiatives; competition and operating performance; environmental and safety risks; the Company's expectations regarding the timing and successful completion of the PEA update; the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities; community agreements and relations; and, other development and operating risks. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Although Tinka believes that assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Tinka disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release
SOURCE: Tinka Resources Ltd.
View the original press release on accesswire.com
