Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU) has released positive results from an induced polarisation resistivity geophysical survey conducted at the Kepez North and Kepez Main areas of the Kiziltepe Sector project in Turkey.
Both Kepez Main and Kepez North are part of Zenit Madencilik, held in partnership with Proccea Construction and Ozaltin Holding. Zenit Madencilik is 23.5% owned by Ariana.
Three significant target areas were identified within Kepez Main which show potential for gold and silver mineralisation.
"We are highly encouraged by the results of the latest geophysical surveys undertaken in the Kepez area,” said Dr Kerim Sener, managing director of Ariana.
“We have potentially identified a fully intact epithermal vein system preserved beneath a silica cap at Kepez Main, which is associated with very high-grade silver mineralisation up to almost 400 grams per tonne silver, with lower-grade gold of about 1.5 grams. Initial drilling that was undertaken in the northern part of Kepez Main has identified extensive zones of silicification and quartz-vein textures indicative of the uppermost parts of a low-sulphidation epithermal vein system. The presence of high-grade gold mineralisation at Kepez North and the discovery of high-grade gold at Kepez South, either side of the Kepez Main area, indicates the prospectivity of this system for what could become a major new discovery.”
Kepez Main is characterised by several mineralisation, alteration and geochemical features, among others, which suggest potential for a deep drilling target which lies near the potential bonanza-zone within an epithermal system. Unlike Kiziltepe, which represents a significantly eroded epithermal system, Kepez Main appears to have the entire system preserved, making it an extremely compelling exploration target.
“These are some of the most exciting exploration results we have ever reported from the broader Kiziltepe Sector in many years and we are highly motivated to do the work necessary to make a significant discovery," added Sener.