TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 08/24/11 — Medusa Mining Limited (ASX: MML)(LSE: MML) („Medusa“ or the „Company“), through its Philippines operating company, Philsaga Mining Corporation, advises that the release of the new resource model for the Co-O Mine and on-going exploration drilling results have significantly increased the support for the Conceptual Exploration Target (ii) for the Co-O Mine of:
3,000,000 ounces in 9,800,000 tonnes to 7,000,000 ounces in 23,500,000 tonnes using a grade range of 9 to 11 g/t gold with a preferred average grade of 10 g/t gold.
The combination of past production of approximately 450,000 ounces and the current global resource of 1,960,000 ounces indicates the deposit size is approaching the lower end of the Conceptual Exploration Target size range.
Detailed mapping and data compilation of the Co-O Mine vein system has been completed. It is a well preserved, intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein system with a large near surface, mushroom-shaped argillic alteration zone measuring over 1,500 by 1,500 metres in area and which grades into propylitic alteration to the east and at depth. The alteration and mineralisation trends indicate that the source of mineralising fluids is likely to be from beyond the current eastern end of the vein system.
Geoff Davis, Chairman of Medusa, commented:
„The Co-O Mine continues to expand, the more we drill the more we find, and we still cannot see an end to this extensive epithermal vein system. It is currently approximately 1.6 kilometres long and open to the east, and around 750 metres wide across the strike of the veins and still open both north and south, and as shown by drilling, it is also open at depth.
The size of the alteration envelope suggests there is the possibility of more vein systems contributing to this very large argillic alteration zone.
Drilling will continue with the six surface rigs and five underground rigs for the foreseeable future.“
(ii) The potential target size and grade is conceptual in nature, and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being defined as a mineral resource.
CONCEPTUAL EXPLORATION TARGET SIZE
Discussion
Drilling since the previous estimate of the Conceptual Exploration Target announced on 18 January 2010 has continued to expand the vein system, as supported not only by the new global resource estimate of 1,960,000 ounces, but also by drill hole intersections in a significant number of veins to the north and east of the of the previous resource model.
The range for the Conceptual Exploration Target remains well supported at 3,000,000 ounces in 9,800,000 tonnes to 7,000,000 ounces in 23,500,000 tonnes using a grade range of 9 to 11 g/t gold with a preferred average grade of 10 g/t gold:
The additional support for this target is listed below:
Figure 1 shows the veins at Level 6 used in the new resource estimate published on 27 July 2011.
Figure 2 shows the projection of all drill intersections below Level 6. The new drill results from 01 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 enhance the support for mineralisation to continue to depth and to the east.
Co-O MINE GEOLOGY AND ALTERATION
The Co-O epithermal vein system is hosted by Eocene to Oligocene (within the Tertiary era) gently north-dipping, basaltic andesitic lavas to andesitic lavas and volcaniclastics. The sequence is intruded by andesitic to dioritic dykes and stocks and cut by north-trending faults with the Oriental Fault identified as the most significant fault at this stage.
The quartz veins are dominantly westerly trending and sub-vertical, with lesser 30 to 50 degrees dipping. Some of the vein characteristics are:
Early fluid inclusion studies in the upper levels of the mine concluded:
Figures 3 and 5 show the surface geology and the geology in cross-section.
Figures 4 and 6 show the surface alteration and the alteration in cross-section.
Alteration types identified are:
At surface the mapped alteration shows that the:
The alteration patterns at depth are:
Information in this report relating to Exploration Results has been reviewed and is based on information compiled by Mr Geoff Davis, who is a member of The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Davis is the Chairman of Medusa Mining Limited and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a „Competent Person“ as defined in the 2004 Edition of the „Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves“ and is a „Qualified Person“. Mr Davis consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
DISCLAIMER
This report contains certain forward-looking statements. The words -anticipate-, -believe-, -expect-, -project-, -forecast-, -estimate-, -likely-, -intend-, -should-, -could-, -may-, -target-, -plan- and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future earnings and financial position and performance are also forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Medusa, and its officers, employees, agents and associates, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.
Actual results, performance or outcomes may differ materially from any projections and forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those assumptions are based.
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and neither Medusa nor any of its directors, employees, servants or agents assume any obligation to update such information.
To view the figures accompanying this press release, please visit the following link:
ABN: 60 099 377 849
Contacts: Australia Medusa Mining Limited Peter Hepburn-Brown Managing Director +61 8 9367 0601
Medusa Mining Limited Geoff Davis Chairman +61 8 9367 0601
United Kingdom Fairfax I.S. PLC Nominated Adviser and Broker Ewan Leggat/Laura Littley +44 (0)20 7598 5368
