("Amaroq" or the
"Corporation")
South Greenland Copper
Exploration Update
**Confirmed porphyry / intrusion related copper and molybdenum
body at Target West supports mineral potential of South Greenland
Copper Belt**
***24
further copper targets identified ahead of 2024 field
season***
TORONTO, ONTARIO - May 31, 2024 -
Amaroq Minerals Ltd. (AIM, TSXV, NASDAQ Iceland: AMRQ), an
independent mine development corporation with a substantial land
package of gold and strategic mineral assets across in Southern
Greenland, is pleased to provide an updated results from its
ongoing copper exploration activities in South
Greenland.
James Gilbertson, VP Exploration of Amaroq,
commented:
"Building on the successful 2023 drilling program at Target
West, Amaroq has rigorously interpreted these results, alongside
recently received geophysical data. With the assistance of leading
independent copper industry experts, we continue to define the
emerging South Greenland Copper Belt. This work has now confirmed
the region's first copper porphyry system as well as helped to
identify 24 further high-potential targets across this belt.
Amaroq, through its Gardaq Joint venture, believes that these
results warrant further exploration efforts across a broader area
of the belt to identify further targets.
"Our 2024 field program will leverage the knowledge
developed so far on Target West and direct exploration efforts on
these new high-potential targets."
Overview
•
The South Greenland Copper Belt is defined by
numerous copper showings and historical small scale operations
running ~150km, from the Josva mine in the West, to multiple
porphyry targets in the Johan Dahl Land zone in the East
•
Expert review of the 2022 and 2023 results from
Target West have confirmed the project as a copper-molybdenum
porphyry / intrusion related body, significantly strengthening the
copper potential of this underexplored mineral belt
•
Interpretation suggests greater preservation
potential in the East with up to 17 significant new targets defined
within the Johan Dahl Land area
•
A data review of the 2023 Kobberminebugt
geophysics has highlighted potential for further high-grade copper
mineralisation at depth and across two newly defined
targets
•
Target generation studies coupled with the
potential highlighted by Amaroq's discovery at Stendalen highlights
a further 5 copper-nickel sulphide targets within the same mineral
belt
•
The Company is now finalising the detailed plans
for its 2024 exploration programme which will concentrate on the
discovery and development of copper resources
•
Amaroq's operational readiness ensures
availability of logistical and consumable requirements, should
follow-up assessments be required later this year
References to the accompanying
presentation on the Sava results on the website by clicking the
link below: https://www.amaroqminerals.com/investors/presentations/
South Greenland Copper Belt
The combination of the Company's
Mineral System modelling and the review of registered and
undocumented copper occurrences has defined an emerging South
Greenland Copper Belt, stretching from the past-producing Josva
copper mine in the west ~150km to numerous potential porphyry
systems in the Johan Dahl Land area in the east.
This ground had previously been
mapped and recorded as un-prospective granites, however Amaroq's
research has indicated this to be a misinterpretation and
highlighted the geodynamic association of the belt to the
Ketilidian aged subduction beneath the nearby Archean craton margin
as well as the structural association with the rare earth element
hosting Gardaq Province along the regionally important
Gardar-Voisey's Bay fault zone.
In commencing this research, Amaroq
has made a number of new copper, molybdenum and gold discoveries
along the belt including the Target West copper-molybdenum porphyry
system, which underwent successful scout drilling in 2022 and 2023.
Copper occurrences range from high grade vein hosted mesothermal or
skarn style bodies such as that historically mined at Josva in the
Kobberminebugt area, through large lower grade copper (+/-
molybdenum and gold) porphyry systems as identified at Target West
with indication of further bodies in the Johan Dahl land area. In
addition, potential epithermal copper/gold sites have been
identified, such as Target North.
Research from the 2023 exploration
results suggests that the level of erosion decreases towards the
east and therefore increasing ore deposit preservation
potential.
Review of the Target West Porphyry System
As reported in the press release of
24th January 2024, Amaroq completed a further 2,200m of
scout drilling into Target West located within the Sava licence.
This exploration intersected up to 345m of low grade porphyry style
mineralisation within a body termed Unit 1.
This Unit 1 has subsequently been
interpreted as an early stage fine-grained monzonite intrusion that
is potassic (K-feldspar+biotite) altered and cut by sinuous,
relatively high temperature, quartz veins that contain minor
amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite (less commonly
bornite). Magnetite does occur with the quartz-sulfide veins
locally but overall the body of fine-grained monzonite coincides
with a reduced-to-the-pole magnetic low.
Further review of these data
alongside of leading independent copper industry expert Steve
Garwin, an internationally renowned copper expert, has suggested
that Target West exists as an ancient porphyry or intrusion related
system. The relict potassic altered core suggests that erosion
level are high and thus while depth potential remains, much of the
original mineralising system has been eroded away. However,
Amaroq's discovery of Target West illustrates the potential to find
further porphyry deposits across the belt.
Kobberminebugt Geophysical Results
The Kobberminebugt licence covers a
coastal area in South-Western Greenland, 25km southwest of Arsuk.
The terrain is flat undulating and affords excellent exposure of
interbedded metavolcanics, metasedimentary and pyroclastic rocks of
the Ilordleq Group exposed along the extent of the Kobberminebugt
shear zone, a regionally significant feature. These rocks have been
mineralised during the intrusion of a large granite system (the
Julianehåb complex) that are late Paleoproterozoic (Ketilidian) in
age, and therefore temporally related to the mineralisation
observed and reported on within the Company's Sava licence over
120km to the East. As such Amaroq considers that the Kobberminebugt
licence forms the western extent of an emerging copper belt located
along the Gardar - Voisey's Bay Fault Zone that straddles Eastern
Canada and South Greenland.
Narrow vein hosted high grade copper
mineralisation was exploited at the Josva mine area, which was
operated by Grønlands Minedrift Aktieselskab between 1853-1855 and
1905-1914. It is estimated that ~91 metric tons of copper as well
as small amounts of gold (16oz) and silver (1,600oz) were extracted
from 2200 tons of ore that was smelted on the site.
During 2023, a helicopter-borne
MobileMT electromagnetic and magnetic survey was conducted across
the entire licence area aimed at delineating the known
mineralisation at Josva and other historically mined areas and
assessing the strike and dip extensions of these. In parallel the
signature from these bodies could be used to define further targets
within the immediate licence area. The subsequent data has also
undergone inversion to allow for three dimensional
interpretation.
From these data, and specifically
the magnetic inversions, Amaroq has interpreted a small strike but
greater dip extension to the high-grade hosting shear zone at the
Josva mine. This provides additional copper hosting potential at
depth and particularly in areas where the host shear zone appears
to bend and widen.
In addition to this, the association
between mineralisation and magnetite seen at Josva has allowed the
Company to define a further two prospective targets at the Sanerut
island area and particularly at Kiinalik where granitoid rock near
a skarn horizon of the Ilordleq group may host hydrothermal skarn
type mineralisation, and displays anomalous Au and lesser Cu stream
sediment anomalies.
Nunarsuit Geophysical Results
The 2023 helicopter-borne geophysics
(magnetics, radiometric and gravity) flown over the western areas
and specifically the Gardar age rock of the Nunarsuit licence have
been received. Initial review and interpretation from these data
have provided significant insights into the structure and
composition of the Gardar intrusions that hold potential to host
critical metal and rare earth metals. Of particular interest is the
identification of new, previously unrecognised, intrusions and
dykes as well as the southern extension of the Isortoq Dyke which
15km to the north hosts VTi Resources Isortoq vanadium-titanium
deposit (70.3 million tonnes containing 10.9% TiO2,
0.15% V2O5 and 43.4% FeO[1]).
The identification and mapping of
the structure of these Gardar intrusions is a critical step towards
understanding their and defining their metal hosting
potential.
Target Generation Across the Mineral Belt
Following the assessment of the
Target West data in conjunction with Steve Garwin and the
confirmation that the belt host copper porphyry / intrusion related
bodies, all available data from across the belt has undergone
further review in order to update and refine Amaroq's key copper
exploration targets ahead of the 2024 field season. This process
involved a review of the regional remote sensing, geophysical and
geochemical data sets in conjunction with the Company's Mineral
System models and the insights gathered from the Target West
drilling data and regional exploration conducted in 2023. Due to
the interpretation of the higher preservation potential towards the
east of the belt, this project generation programme focused on the
Johan Dahl Land area.
The results of this programme are
that, in addition to the two modelled mesothermal/shear hosted
targets defined in the Kobberminebugt Target, a further 17 copper
exploration targets have been defined across the North Sava and
Johan Dahl Land area. This is in addition to the previously
reported targets across the wider belt.
Further, and leaning on insights
taken from the Stendalen copper-nickel discovery reported
29th February 2024, a number of appinite (hydrous
plutonic rocks) bodies have been assessed as further magmatic
sulphide target located upon the same copper belt. In all five
further sulphide targets have been defined.
No.
|
Target
|
Comment
|
1
|
JDL1
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - anomalous Cu stream sediments across 7 shallow magnetic
bodies
|
2
|
JDL2
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - two shallow
elliptical magnetic highs with favourable structural
complexity
|
3
|
JDL3
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - pluton with
evidence of magnetite destruction and alteration
|
4
|
JDL4
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - potential for
alteration, rheological contrasts and favourable
lithology
|
5
|
JDL5
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - porphyry
remote sensing target
|
6
|
JDL6
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - felsic
intrusion with a circular fracture pattern with anomalous
gold
|
7
|
JDL7
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - porphyry
remote sensing target
|
8
|
JDL8
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - showing
strong propylitic (MgOH) responses
|
9
|
JDL9
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target -
strong sericite responses (AlOH, PC4,
Fe)
|
10
|
JDL11
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - porphyry
remote sensing target
|
11
|
JDL12
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - porphyry
remote sensing target
|
12
|
JDL13
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target -
Fe-sericitic-propylitic acid alteration responses.
|
13
|
JDL14
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target -
Fe-sericitic-propylitic acid alteration
responses
|
14
|
JDL15
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - coincident
radiomentic halo and magnetic high
|
15
|
JDL17
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - anomalous Cu stream sediments
|
16
|
JDL18
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - elevated Mo stream sediments
|
17
|
JDL19
|
Porphyry/IOCG Target - elevated Mo
stream sediments and coinciding Zr anomaly
|
18
|
JDL10
|
Magmatic Sulphide Target - large
circular appinite with anomalous stream sediments
|
19
|
JDL21
|
Magmatic Sulphide Target - elevated
MgO, Ni, Fe2O3, Cr and CaO
|
20
|
JDL16
|
Magmatic Sulphide Target - Co stream
sediment anomaly within an unmapped intrusion
|
21
|
JDL20
|
Magmatic Sulphide Target - Appinite
suite diorites in a 9km long body
|
22
|
JDL22
|
Magmatic Sulphide Target - high
magnetic and coinciding low radiometric response
|
23
|
Sanerut island
|
Copper Skarn Target - magnetite
anomaly in a granitoid region
|
24
|
Kiinalik
|
Copper Skarn Target - skarn horizon
of the Ilordleq group
|
2024 Exploration Aims and Objectives
Amaroq is now finalising its 2024
field plans and objectives for the licence within the South
Greenland copper belt. These programmes will involve a dedicated
copper exploration team assessing all targets identified from the
~10,000 line km geophysical data collected in 2023 with particular
attention paid to the porphyry targets identified within the
eastern reaches of the belt where preservation potential is
high.
Amaroq has further ensured
availability for logistical and consumable requirements needed for
any scout drilling this Summer should any of these targets assessed
warrant immediate follow up assessment.
Enquiries:
Amaroq Minerals Ltd.
Eldur Olafsson, Executive Director
and CEO
eo@amaroqminerals.com
Eddie Wyvill, Corporate
Development
+44 (0)7713 126727
ew@amaroqminerals.com
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nominated Adviser and
Broker)
Callum Stewart
Varun Talwar
Simon Mensley
Ashton Clanfield
+44 (0) 20 7710 7600
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Joint Broker)
Hugh Rich
Dougie Mcleod
+44 (0) 20 7886 2500
Camarco (Financial PR)
Billy Clegg
Elfie Kent
Charlie Dingwall
+44 (0) 20 3757 4980
For
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Further Information:
About Amaroq Minerals
Amaroq Minerals' principal business
objectives are the identification, acquisition, exploration, and
development of gold and strategic metal properties in South
Greenland. The Company's principal asset is a 100% interest in the
past producing Nalunaq Gold mine which is due to go into production
towards the end of 2024. The Corporation has a portfolio of gold
and strategic metal assets in Southern Greenland covering the two
known gold belts in the region as well as advanced exploration
projects at Stendalen and the Sava Copper Belt exploring for
Strategic metals such as Copper, Nickel, Rare Earths and other
minerals. Amaroq Minerals is incorporated under the Canada Business
Corporations Act and wholly owns Nalunaq A/S, incorporated under
the Greenland Public Companies Act.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable
securities legislation, which reflects the Corporation's current
expectations regarding future events and the future growth of the
Corporation's business. In this press release there is
forward-looking information based on a number of assumptions and
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond the Corporation's control, that could cause actual results
and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or
implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and
uncertainties include but are not limited to the factors discussed
under "Risk Factors" in the Final Prospectus available under the
Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Any
forward-looking information included in this press release is based
only on information currently available to the Corporation and
speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required
by applicable securities laws, the Corporation assumes no
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to
reflect new circumstances or events. No securities regulatory
authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of
this press release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Inside Information
This announcement contains inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on Market Abuse ("UK MAR"), as it
forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act 2018, and Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on Market
Abuse ("EU MAR").
Qualified Person Statement
The technical information presented
in this press release has been approved by James Gilbertson CGeol,
VP Exploration for Amaroq Minerals and a Chartered Geologist with
the Geological Society of London, and as such a Qualified Person as
defined by NI 43-101.
Glossary
Cu
|
Copper
|
CuEq
|
Copper equivalent
|
IOCG
|
Iron Ore Copper Gold
|
IP
|
Induced polarization
|
Kt
|
Thousand metric tonnes
|
Mo
|
Molybdenum
|
Mt
|
Million metric tonnes
|
UTM
|
Universal Transverse
Mercator
|