Variscan Mines Limited ('Variscan' or the 'Company' or the 'Group') (ASX:VAR) is pleased to report positive assay results from surface and underground diamond drilling and channel sampling programme on the Buenahora exploration licence, located in Cantabria, northern Spain. Details of visual zinc mineralisation from surface diamond drilling stepping out from the San Jose Mine are also presented.
1Further to the observations noted above and the details provided in the announcement and in accordance with the Australian Institute of Geoscientists 'AIG' guidance, Variscan wishes to advise that, in spite of its familiarity with mineralisation at San Jose, visual estimates of mineralisation should, never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where metal concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding potential impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations of some mineral commodities
Managing Director & CEO, Stewart Dickson said, 'These results reflect a very busy period of drilling and field exploration through 2022 and into 2023 as the planned programme was extended in duration. The drill campaign over the Buenahora exploration licence was the first significant exploration drilling there for at least three decades. The underground drilling and channel sampling program confirmed consistently high grade zinc-dominant mineralization in the SW part of the Buenahora exploration license, and its considerable vertical extent, exceeding 20m in places. Surface diamond drilling conducted on untested areas of the licence area targeting new regional prospects intersected mineralisation in most holes. This campaign has confirmed the prospectivity and the complexity of the Buenahora exploration license, further demonstrating the value embodied in the wider Novales-Udias Project. The step-out drill-holes at the San Jose Mine are encouraging and we look forward to reporting assay results soon. These major intersections indicate wider zones of mineralisation and will be prioritised in future follow-up surface drilling. Further underground drilling at the San Jose Mine is anticipated to commence shortly as we proceed with mineral resource definition and a Mine Re-Start Concept Study to identify the potential economics and workstreams to support a re-start of mining at the San Jose Mine.'
Surface and underground diamond drilling focused on the area between the historic (artisanal) Pepita and Jufresno mines, and was supplemented by vertical channel sampling at various levels of the Pepita mine. Overall, surface diamond drilling comprised 17 holes (totalling 1556.50 m) together with underground core drilling, which comprised 8 holes (totalling 115.25 m) at the Pepita Mine and 3 holes (totalling 31.60 m) at the Jufresno Mine. A total of 19 vertical channel samples were collected at 14 locations spanning all 5 levels of the historic Pepita mine in order to cover most of the mine's footprint.
Step-Out Drilling at San Jose Mine
The most significant development of the surface drilling campaign has come from 3 holes (totalling 322.12 m) stepping-out approximately 1,200m north-east along strike of the San Jose Mine stopes. Initial core logging indicates 2 diamond drillholes have intersected in excess of 20m of continuous zinc mineralization that appears to be a continuation of the same mineral system. The assay results are pending and should be released shortly. In spite of Variscan's considerable experience in the area and with the appearance of the mineralisation, the observations noted above and in accordance with the Australian Institute of Geoscientists 'AIG' guidance, Variscan wishes to advise that, visual estimates of mineralisation should, never be considered a proxy or substitute for laboratory analyses where metal concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding potential impurities or deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations of some mineral commodities.
Contact:
Variscan Mines
Stewart Dickson
T: +44 (0) 7799 694195
E: stewart.dickson@variscan.com.au
Media
The Capital Network
Julia Maguire
T: +61 2 8999 3699
E: julia@thecapitalnetwork.com.au
Variscan Mines Limited (ASX:VAR) is a growth oriented, natural resources company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of high-quality strategic mineral projects. The Company has compiled a portfolio of high-impact base-metal interests in Spain, Chile and Australia. Its primary focus is the development of its advanced zinc projects in Spain. The Company's name is derived from the Variscan orogeny, which was a geologic mountain building event caused by Late Paleozoic continental collision between Euramerica (Laurussia) and Gondwana to form the supercontinent of Pangea. To learn more, please visit: www.variscan.com.au
Competent Person Statement
The information in this document that relates to technical information about the Novales-Udias project is based on, and fairly represents information and supporting documentation compiled and reviewed by Dr. Mike Mlynarczyk, Principal of the Redstone Exploration Services, a geological consultancy acting as an external consultant for Variscan Mines. Dr. Mlynarczyk is a Professional Geologist (PGeo) of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland, and European Geologist (EurGeol) of the European Federation of Geologists, as well as Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). With over 10 years of fulltime exploration experience in MVT-style zinc-lead systems in several of the world's leading MVT provinces, Dr. Mlynarczyk has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' ('JORC Code'). Dr. Mlynarczyk consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears. The information in this document that relates to previous exploration results was prepared pre-2012 JORC code. It is the opinion of Variscan that the exploration data is reliable. Although some of the data is incomplete, nothing has come to the attention of Variscan that causes it to question the accuracy or reliability of the historic exploration.
Forward Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guaranteed. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are outside the control of the Company. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and no representation or warranty is made as to the likelihood of achievement or reasonableness of any forward-looking statements or other forecast. The occurrence of events in the future are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ from those referred to in this announcement. Given these uncertainties, recipients are cautioned not to place reliance on forward looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement speak only at the date of issue of this announcement. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law and the ASX Listing Rules, the Company, its directors, officers, employees and agents do not give any assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events referred to in this announcement will occur as contemplated.
VARISCAN MINES LIMITED 
