Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR) has completed an initial exploration program at the Rio Zarza project, which is adjacent to the world-class Fruta del Norte Gold Project in southern Ecuador.
The program comprised a Mobile Metal Ions (MMI) soil geochemistry survey across the entire concession with 1,168 samples collected.
These samples have been delivered to the SGS laboratory in Quito and will be shipped to the SGS lab in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada, for specialist analysis using MMI technology.
Specialist MMI analysis
MMI, which was developed by SGS, is capable of measuring metal ions at very low detection levels and this technique is particularly useful for detecting deep buried deposits.
Rio Zarza and nearby Valle del Tigre II form high-quality, early-stage gold exploration prospects within the Zamora Projects, which were recently acquired by Tempus.
The 1,000-hectare combined concession package hosting Rio Zarza is adjacent to Fruta del Norte, which was discovered about 13 years ago and is being developed by Lundin Gold Inc (TSE:LUG), which is 27%-owned by Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX:NCM).
Close to 9.05 million-ounce deposit
That project hosts an NI 43-101 indicated and inferred resource of 35.4 million tonnes at 8.35 g/t gold equivalent for 9.05 million ounces.
Rio Zarza’s eastern boundary is 850 metres west of the Fruta del Norte deposit and exhibits strikingly similar geological, structural and alteration characteristics.
The 2,195-hectare concession hosting Valle del Tigre II is to the north-northwest of Fruta del Norte and contains repeats of the subparallel rift faults that control Fruta del Norte deposit.
At Rio Zarza soil samples were collected over the entire concession on a grid pattern, of 100-metre line spacing and 50-metre sample spacing.
Tempus, in coordination with Lundin, also sampled and mapped rock and saprolitic exposures along new mining roads.
Due to deep tropical weathering and land movements, minimal exposures were identified, however, 38 channel and grab samples were collected.
These samples have been shipped to the prep-lab in Quito and, following preparation, will be sent to Lima, Peru, for final analysis.
Rio Zarza MMI soil grid.
Geophysical survey planned
Geotech Ltd has been retained to fly a helicopter-borne geophysical survey over Rio Zarza and Valle del Tigre II projects, which is expected to begin in December.
This will be flown at 200-metre line spacing for a total of approximately 600-line kilometres and will include ZTEM TM (Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic) system, magnetics and radiometrics.
The ZTEM TM system provides superior exploration depth and high resolution, and excellent resistivity discrimination.
This survey is expected to provide a valuable data set to assist in mapping geological units and to gain a greater understanding of the structural framework of the area.
Sub parallel rift faults similar to that which hosts Fruta del Norte, within the pull-apart basin, will be of great interest as well as potential porphyry anomalies.
Engaging community
Community engagement in the Valle del Tigre area is in progress with future field exploration to begin following appropriate discussions in the area.
Tempus’ focus on Ecuador comes at a time when the country is one of the world’s most sought-after exploration jurisdictions for gold and base metals.
Companies such as BHP Group LTD (ASX:BHP), Rio Tinto plc (LON:RIO), Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX:FMG), Newcrest, Anglo American pls (LON:AAL), Codelco, First Quantum Minerals Limited (TSE:FM) and SolGold plc (LON:SOLG) have made significant advances in the country in the past three to five years.
Zamora-Chinchipe Province in the southeast of Ecuador, bordering with Peru, where the Zamora Projects are located, is considered some of the most prospective ground in the country.