Vancouver, British Columbia -- Artha Resources Corporation (TSX.V: AHC) is pleased to announce that the company has successfully staked over 100,000 hectares of ground highly prospective for a variety of rare earth, precious and base metals in Jujuy and Salta Provinces, NW Argentina.
The rare earths licences, covering over 300 square kilometers, include the Susques Property (Map 1), which covers more than 20,000 hectares in southern Jujuy Province, NW Argentina. Susques is known to be prospective for a variety of rare earths elements, including yttrium, and thorium has been historically mined on a small scale. The local geology is dominated by Ordovician sediments and Tertiary intrusives and Carbonatites with little detailed exploration ever being done. Rare earth mineralisation observed to date is hosted in stockwork veins with the host structures up to 10 metres wide.
The properties were identified as part of the Company's continuous target generation strategy where new opportunities are constantly being reviewed to provide ongoing feedstock for our expansion and growth. The properties were selected based on extensive local knowledge and deep experience in the NW Provinces, in particular through our local country manager who has mined and prospected in this region for almost three decades. His expert knowledge has guided our efforts to secure strategically significant and geologically prospective properties, with rare earths providing an important opportunity.
A short reconnaissance program by AHC geologists in December 2009 targeted Susques where mapping and rock chip sampling identified a number of parallel mineralised veins that have been traced for over 6 km in total strike length. The initial results from this sampling included sample 26954 which returned elevated rare earth elements, including Yttrium.
|
Sample |
Ce ppm |
Dy ppm |
Er ppm |
Eu ppm |
Ga ppm |
|
26954 |
2990 |
106 |
18.65 |
182 |
17.2 |
|
Gd ppm |
La ppm |
Nd ppm |
Pr ppm |
Rb ppm |
|
|
474 |
1360 |
2550 |
472 |
13.4 |
|
|
Sm ppm |
Sr ppm |
Th ppm |
Y ppm |
Zn ppm |
|
|
825 |
933 |
>1000 |
192.5 |
90 |
Additional sampling on this property has shown that elevated levels of some rare earth metals are present on similar vein structures on other parts of the property.
These results are important first indicators of potential mineralisation considering the broader geological environment in which they lie. The ratio of heavy to light rare earths is also encouraging. More detailed work is now planned to commence in the coming months to ascertain the extent and economic potential of mineralization.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to be presented with an opportunity like this," says Todd McMurray, President, "adding a prospective property like the Susques Property to our portfolio greatly increases our chances of a major discovery in a highly prolific mining region of the world."
Although initial results are positive at the Susques Property, the Company remains fully committed to its Pirquitas Properties and its current exploration strategy of delineating drill targets. The new properties will add to the Company's already impressive land position and provide a diversified portfolio to the shareholders, thereby increasing the opportunities for success.
Charles Straw, B.Sc., is the qualified person under NI 43-101 responsible for the technical information in this news release.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Todd McMurray"
President
For Information Contact:
Todd McMurray
President, Director
Tel: 1 604 648 1530
Email:
Bernie Kennedy
BK Consulting
1- 877- 489- 4440
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