TSX-V: SMP
OTC: SMPEF
Southern Empire's contractor, Canyon State Earthworks, LLC of
- Road construction and drill pad preparation completed for Phase 1
- Fully permitted for 27 sonic drill holes
- Approximately 470 metres (1,542 feet) of sonic drilling is expected to start in mid-January
- Gold assay results from 2020 surface sampling of the historical heap materials ranged from 0.128 grams gold per tonne to 2.078 grams gold per tonne (0.004 ounce per ton to 0.061 ounce per ton gold); for details, please see Southern Empire's news release of
July 7, 2020 - Sonic drilling is intended to confirm and determine the consistency of gold mineralization remaining in the historical American Girl and Padre
y Madre heap leach pad materials - American Girl historical heap leach pad covers approximately 24.7 hectares (61 acres)
- Padre y Madre historical heap leach pad covers approximately 8.9 hectares (22 acres)
- Samples collected will provide for metallurgical testwork to optimize possible gold extraction methods
- Sonic drill program is expected to be completed approximately two weeks after starting
Assessment of Historical Heap Leach Pads - Objectives and Background
At Oro Cruz, historical mining of the American Girl, Padre y Madre, Queen and Cross oxide gold deposits by the American Girl Mining Joint Venture (AGMJV; then owned 53 per cent by
Southern Empire believes that the gold-bearing material comprising the two historical heap leach pads may contain significant residual gold amenable to reprocessing and, as an initial assessment, collected 26 surface grab samples (12 samples from the Padre y Madre and 14 samples from the American Girl historical heap leach pads). Gold assay results for these samples ranged from 0.128 grams per tonne to 2.078 grams per tonne gold (0.004 ounce gold per ton to 0.061 ounce gold per ton) and averaged 0.775 grams gold per tonne and 0.535 grams gold per tonne for the American Girl and Padre
For the first phase of sonic drilling on the
Qualified Person (QP)
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by
About
Southern Empire is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of gold deposits in
In the Cargo Muchacho mountains of
With a history that includes extensive drilling and large-scale open-pit and underground mining by the American Girl Mining Joint Venture (53 per cent owned by
In 2011,
The historical mineral resource estimate, termed inferred mineral resource, which is a category set out in NI 43-101, was based on previous reverse circulation and core drill hole sample, underground channel sample, and blasthole sample assays, and calculated using ordinary kriging to estimate gold grades in 10-foot-by-10-foot-by-five-foot blocks. Accordingly, Southern Empire considers this historical estimate reliable as well as relevant as it represents key targets for future exploration work. However, a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and Southern Empire is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources.
Southern Empire is well financed, having completed two oversubscribed, non-brokered private placement financings during 2020; see Southern Empire's news releases dated
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
Cautionary Notice on Forward-Looking Information
Information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Southern Empire cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond its respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Southern Empire limited operating history, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, results of exploration programs on its projects and those risks and uncertainties identified in its annual and interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Southern Empire undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.
Work Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Timing of Southern Empire's exploration programs will be contingent on governmental regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and also the availability of exploration-related personnel, drill contractors, equipment, lodging, et cetera. Southern Empire will adhere to COVID-19 directives regarding safe working practices putting worker, community and national safety first and will proceed with exploration and development work programs only if potential COVID-19 risks can be effectively managed.
Neither the
SOURCE
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