Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR) expects to start its initial exploration on the Rio Zarza Gold Project in a prolific gold belt in the exploration hotspot of Ecuador later this month.
The project, in the country's south, is adjacent to and within the same district as the world-class Fruta del Norte Gold Project under development by Lundin Gold Inc (TSX:LUG), 27%-owned by Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM).
Tempus will take a systematic approach involving ionic geochemistry and field mappling/sampling with the intention of refining existing targets generated by previous explorers as well as generating new drill targets.
READ: Tempus Resources enters the stage in highly prospective Ecuador
The company will collect soil samples over the entire concession on a grid pattern of 100-metre line spacing and 50-metre sample spacing for analysis using the ionic geochemistry method.
Ionic geochemistry is capable of measuring metal ions at very low detection levels and this technique is useful for detecting buried deposits.
Field mapping and sampling will seek to take advantage of a new road developed through the northeast corner of the Rio Zarza concession.
The road runs east-west for more than 400 metres exposing a cross section of previously covered rock through highly prospective, parallel faults to Fruta del Norte.
READ: Tempus Resources shifts focus to gold in highly prospective Ecuador
The adjoining Fruta del Norte project hosts an indicated and inferred resource of 35.4 million tonnes at 8.35 g/t gold equivalent.
Rio Zarza’s eastern boundary is about 500 metres west of the Fruta del Norte deposit and exhibits strikingly similar geological, structural and alteration characteristics.
Tempus is also engaging with contractors to conduct airborne geophysical surveys over both its Zamora projects - Rio Zarza and Valle del Tigre - anticipated to be completed later this quarter, subject to the availability of equipment.
The initial part of the Rio Zarza exploration program that the company has planned is permitted.
The 2,195 hectare concession hosting the Valle del Tigre Project is north of Fruta del Norte and contains repeats of the subparralel rift faults that control that deposit
Tempus is also advancing environmental audits and other regulatory requirements, including water permitting, for the next part of its program, which is expected to include drilling.
An extraordinary general meeting is planned for August to seek shareholder approval for the acquisition of the Zamora Projects.