PROJECTS - Chile

Caspiche

The Caspiche Project is located in the Maricunga Belt of Chile, a world class gold province. The property is 10 kilometres north of Barrick and Kinross Gold’s Cerro Casale gold-copper deposit and 15 kilometres due south of Kinross Gold’s Refugio Mine. The new Volcan gold deposit owned by Andina is 35 kilometres north northeast of Caspiche;

  • Cerro Casale Gold-Copper Deposit, 22.9 million ounces of gold at a grade of 0.69 grams per tonne (“g/t”) and 5,800 million pounds of copper grading 0.25% (Kinross NI 43-101 Report, August 22nd 2006).
  • Refugio Gold Mine, 5.4 million ounces of gold at a grade of 0.76 g/t (Kinross NI 43-101 Report, December 31st 2006)
  • Volcan Deposit, 6.9 million ounces gold at a grade of 0.55 g/t (Andina 43-101 Report, October 2007)

View the latest 43-101 on Caspiche 6.23MB PDF

Google Earth

View Caspiche on Google Earth (File opens with Google Earth)

Corebox.net

View Caspiche drill holes in 3D on COREBOX

View of proposed current +9300 metre drilling program.

Proposed current +9300 metre drilling

This proposed program commenced in October and will entail three rigs drilling holes at “step-out” distances of 200 metres from holes drilled last season. This may give a size the resource and provide Inferred resources for our initial 43-101 resource estimate in Q2, 2009.

Figure 1: Southern Maricunga Belt Mineral Deposits on Satellite Imagery.

Caspiche Location Map

In 2007 Exeter reported an important gold mineralized intersection of 304 metres (1,003 ft) grading 0.9 grams/tonne (“g/t”) gold (0.026 oz/ton) from drill hole CSR-013. This was the first hole drilled by Exeter to test the porphyry potential of the property. The hole reached 344 meters which was the ultimate capacity of the drill rig. More recently hole CSR-016 intersected 719 meters grading 1.0 g/t (0.032 oz/ton) gold and 0.38% copper.

The Agreement

In October of 2005 Exeter signed an option agreement with Anglo American Chile Limitada and Mantos Blancos S.A. (collectively "Anglo American") over a number of prospective gold projects in the Maricunga metallogenic belt of Chile, one being the Caspiche Project. The terms of the agreement provide for increasing annual drilling and exploration commitments over five years. Exeter has now spent the required US$2.55 million to exercise the option, and will complete 15,500 metres drilling later in 2008. It currently proposes to exercise the option for 100% ownership in January, 2010 which will trigger advance annual payments of $250,000 deductible from future royalties. Anglo American will be entitled to a 3% net smelter return from production.

The Target

Exeter’s target at Caspiche is analogous to that at Cerro Casale, and comprises:

  • a near surface potentially heap leachable gold “blanket” ore body, underlain by
  • a gold-copper “porphyry” ore body that would require conventional flotation to produce a saleable gold-copper concentrate.

Exeter Exploration

Exeter commenced field exploration on the optioned Anglo American Maricunga projects in November, 2005 - following a compilation of existing data. All properties were visited and following reconnaissance exploration were rated according to their apparent potential. This led to the identification of the Caspiche property as the best opportunity for Exeter.

Caspiche has a combined area of 1262 hectares. From a data review combined with surface mapping and sampling Exeter identified three target zones on the property: (1) Caspiche Central Epithermal Mineralization zone with epithermal gold potential in the central west of the property, (2) Caspiche Central Porphyry - a porphyry gold-copper system beneath the Caspiche Central Epithermal Mineralization, and (3) Caspiche III - a zone of epithermal gold-silver mineralization in the east of the property.

Figure 2: Caspiche Property, Principal Prospects and Exeter Drill Holes.

Caspiche Property Principal Prospects and Exeter Drill Holes

In 2006 Exeter undertook detailed geophysical surveying aimed at identifying resistive anomalies (Controlled Source Audible Magneto Tellurics, CSAMT), and reprocessed airborne magnetic data from a helicopter survey completed by previous explorers. Geological mapping and geochemical sampling were also conducted on the large target areas.

Initial exploration focused on potential for high sulphidation epithermal style mineralization on the Caspiche III target. Drill targets were selected based on mapped prospective geology combined with high resistivity geophysical targets. High resistivity equates to strong silicification, which is commonly associated with high sulphidation epithermal gold-silver deposits. Later exploration efforts were directed to the porphyry potential at Caspiche Central with one hole, CSD-018, aimed at a buried geophysics target to the northeast of the Caspiche Central target. To date Exeter has drilled 26 holes. The final two holes did not reach target depths due to the onset of winter conditions on site. These are to be completed next season.

Table 1: Drill Collar Details for Holes Drilled on the Caspiche Property by Exeter.

Hole Easting Northing Elevation Depth (m) Azimuth Dip Location
CSR-001 473127 6937334 4560 94 0 -70 Surveyed
CSR-001A 473125 6937336 4560 238 0 -70 Surveyed
CSR-002 473350 6937487 4610 187 20 -70 Surveyed
CSR-003 473682 6937473 4635 250 0 -70 Surveyed
CSR-004 472930 6937730 4630 185 0 -70 Surveyed
CSR-005 471910 6938450 4540 300 355 -70 Surveyed
CSR-006 474140 6937200 4680 264 0 -70 Surveyed
CSR-007 472595 6938095 4545 300 0 -90 GPS
CSR-008 474110 6937100 4680 300 0 -70 GPS
CSR-009 473120 6937580 4620 300 25 -60 GPS
CSR-010 473270 6937470 4593 260 0 -60 GPS
CSR-011 473650 6937340 4608 186 0 -60 GPS
CSR-012 473950 6937070 4655 340 0 -60 GPS
CSR-013 470870 6937370 4370 344 60 -60 GPS
CSD-014 470923 6937063 4412 741 60 -60 GPS
CSD-015 470624 6937351 4333 1001 60 -60 GPS
CSD-016 470816 6937220 4370 792 60 -60 GPS
CSR-017 470504 6937285 4327 73 60 -60 GPS
CSD-018 470275 6937692 4268 704 60 -65 GPS
CSR-019 471118 6937388 4403 240 60 -60 GPS
CSR-020 470722 6937509 4362 250 60 -60 GPS
CSR-021 470903 6936864 4430 152 60 -60 GPS
CSR-022 470867 6937146 4386 231 60 -60 GPS
CSR-023 470795 6936993 4390 200 60 -60 GPS
CSD-024 470948 6937602 4400 750 250 -65 GPS
CSD-025 471010 6937460 4396 336 240 -65 GPS
CSD-026 471167 6937313 4400 209 240 -60 GPS

Note: CSR = Reverse Circulation hole and CSD = Diamond hole.

Drilling – Caspiche Central Porphyry Target

In the 1990’s Newcrest tested the porphyry potential at Caspiche Central with three drill holes. The area of the drilling is entirely covered by alluvium material.

Table 2: Newcrest Caspiche Central Porphyry Mineralized Holes (not NI43-101 compliant).

Hole From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Gold
g/t
Copper
%
CDH-2b 64 330 266 0.47 0.22
including 126 154 28 0.9 0.43
and 214 274 60 0.6 0.27
CDH-03 28 326 298 0.54 0.17
including 28 58 30 0.7 0.01
and 222 326 104 0.7 0.23
CDH-12 16 326 310 0.3 0.08

Exeter drilled hole CSR-013, the final hole for the 2006-2007 season into the area prospective for porphyry style mineralization at Caspiche Central. This was the first hole to be drilled on this target by Exeter and was sited over a pronounced geophysical anomaly (Induced Polarization Chargeability) that had been delineated by Newcrest. The anomaly had been partly tested by Newcrest drill holes, CDH-2b and CDH-3, although it was clear to Exeter that there remained significant potential for a deposit the size of the nearby Cerro Casale or Refugio deposits.

CSR-013 intersected a wide zone of mineralization, at a higher grade, than Newcrest’s previous holes, 304 metres (1,003 ft) grading 0.9 g/t gold (0.026 oz/ton), from a down hole depth of 40 metres. It was terminated in economic tenor mineralization at the final drilling capability of the RC rig. The gold porphyry target remained open to depth as well as to the north, south, east and west. Copper appeared at a down hole depth of 214 metres, indicating potential for an upper “leachable” gold section (devoid of copper) that averaged 0.9 g/t gold.

Exeter contracted Major Drilling to provide two diamond drill rigs for the 2007-2008 season. A third reverse circulation drill rig was also contracted for a period principally to assist with testing the upper gold blanket. The first hole, CSD-014, was collared 300 meters to the south of CSR-013. The new hole intersected an upper oxide silica cap mineralized zone from 0 to 148 meters, followed by 593 meters of porphyry stockwork mineralization that continued to the end of the hole at 744.7 meters. The potential “leachable” near surface gold zone in CSD014 is 148 meters in downhole length at a grade of 0.57 g/t gold, which includes 60 meters at a grade of 0.7 g/t gold.

Diamond drill hole CSD-015 was collared 400 meters to the northwest of hole CSD-014 and 250 meters to the west of CSR-013. Assays for CSD-015 returned 56.05 meters at a grade of 0.35 g/t gold in oxide material, from a depth of 57.95 meters. This interval was followed by 887.4 meters at a grade of 0.62 g/t gold and 0.27 % copper in the sulphide zone.

Diamond drill hole CSD-016 was drilled 200 meters northeast of CSD-014 and 200 meters southwest of CSD-015. The hole intercepted 718.75 meters (2,358 feet) at a grade of 1.0 g/t gold and 0.38% copper, from a depth of 73 meters. The upper gold blanket component was 92 meters at a grade of 0.41 g/t gold from 73 meters downhole. The lower sulphide component was 626.75 meters grading 1.1 g/t gold and 0.43 % copper. The hole ended at the limit of the drills capacity of 791.75 meters. The final 2.75 meters (9 ft) of drill core recovered from the hole assayed 0.74 g/t (0.021 oz/ton) gold and 0.35% copper.

Due to the onset of winter conditions CSD-026 was suspended at a depth of 209 meters in the oxide zone, while CSD-025 was suspended at a depth of 336 meters in high-grade primary gold-copper mineralisation. These are to be completed next season. CSD-018 was collared to test a strong geophysical anomaly located some 400 meters to the north and intersected the outer pyrite halo of the gold-copper porphyry.

Table 3: Caspiche Central Drill Hole Mineralised Intercepts

Diamond Hole OXIDE GOLD MINERALIZATION GOLD-COPPER MINERALIZATION
From To Width Gold Copper From To Width Gold Copper
(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (%) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (%)
CSD-014 0 148 148 0.57 0.02 148 740.7 592.7 0.44 0.25
CSD-015 58 114 56 0.35 0.02 114 1001.4 887.4 0.62 0.27
CSD-016 73 165 92 0.41 0.01 165 791.8 626.8 1.08 0.43
CSD-024 0 209 209 0.29 0.02 209 766.3 557.3 0.36 0.15
CSD-025 44 212 168 0.64 0.01 212 336.05* 124.1 1.17 0.36
CSD-026 68 135 67 0.19 0.01 135 208.95* 74.0 0.32 0.13
RC Hole
CSR-013 40 214 174 0.88 0.01 214 344 130.0 0.87 0.22
CSR-019 32 154 122 0.30 0.00 154 240 86.0 0.20 0.08
CSR-020 6 126 120 1.16 0.01 126 250 124.0 0.45 0.08
CSR-021 10 152 142 0.31 0.01 Not tested
CSR-022 22 150 128 0.86 0.01 150 231 81.0 0.57 0.16
CSR-023 4 104 100 0.66 0.10 104 264 160.0 0.64 0.27

*Hole in Progress

To view assays and summary photo-geological logs please click on the links below:

CSR-013

CSD-014

CSD-015

CSD-016

Figure 3: Exeter Caspiche Central Drill Holes.

Exeter Caspiche Central Drill Holes

Caspiche Central Geology

Dr Richard Sillitoe, a renowned geological consultant, recently undertook a review of all Caspiche drill core. Much of the information provided in this Caspiche Central Geology section is from Dr Sillitoe’s report. For a copy of the entire report, please contact Rob Grey (V.P. Investor Communications) rgrey@exeterresource.com.

Mineralization

Caspiche Central has two dominant mineralization styles being (1) an upper Oxide Gold Zone (believed to be potentially heap leachable based on past scouting testwork) and (2) a Lower Porphyry Stockwork Gold-Copper Zone.

The Oxide Gold Zone is exposed in two outcrops and it was these that first drew attention to the presence of gold mineralization on the property. The Oxide Gold zone contains portions of high sulphidation epithermal mineralization comprising intense silica flooding with abundant kaolin and alunite and subordinate pyrophyllite. This zone also contains portions of oxidized porphyry stockwork mineralization, observed only in drill core. The Caspiche Oxide Zone is deeper developed than in most other Maricunga Porphyry deposits having an average vertical thickness calculated from drilling of around 150 meters.

The Lower Porphyry Stockwork Gold-Copper Mineralization is extensive having been drill tested to a vertical depth of over 750 meters, and with east-west and north-south dimensions of over 500 meters. Although the porphyry body has only limited drilling to date none of the holes have intersected post mineral stocks suggesting that the entire mass is mineralized. Mineralization also remains open to the east, west, and south and to depth. The Porphyry Stockwork Gold-Copper Zone is typified by asymmetrical stockwork veining (“A” type). High grade Gold-Copper mineralization is associated with broad sectors containing intense veining.

Chalcopyrite and minor pyrite are the main sulphide minerals in the potassic zone, with chalcopyrite presumed to contain much of the gold. The sulphides occur as extremely fine-grained, disseminated grains in “A-type” quartz veinlets, which constitute 50% or more of the early diorite porphyry. The advanced argillic overprint caused reconstitution of the sulphide assemblage and resulted in higher pyrite contents plus enargite and lesser tennantite.

Alteration

Commonly in this type of combined epithermal high sulphidation-porphyry hydrothermal system the epithermal mineralization develops near to the surface with the porphyry stockwork mineralization developing below at depths greater than 1 kilometre. However, in the Maricunga Belt of Chile there several deposits have the high sulphidation zone located immediately above the porphyry stockwork zone, or even overlapping with it, as is the case for Caspiche. This phenomenon is believed to be due to rapid erosion whilst the hydrothermal mineralizing system is active, a process referred to as “telescoping”.

Epithermal high sulphidation related alteration comprises zones of strong silica flooding-to vuggy silica and kaolinite altered rock with lesser alunite and minor pyrophylite. Three alteration styles are recognized in the porphyry-mineralized zone being 1. an inner k-feldspar rich potassic zone that grades outward into 2. a biotite rich potassic alteration and 3. an advanced argillic alteration comprising predominantly kaolinite with lesser alunite which overprints the earlier potassic alteration. This late stage advanced argillic overprint is thought to have resulted during the waning of the hydrothermal system when acid sulphate fluids collapsed downward overprinting earlier alteration types. K-feldspar converts to kaolinite, biotite to chlorite and magnetite to specular haematite. At depth stockwork “A” type veining is associated with potassic alteration. The large zone of stock work veining in advanced argillic alteration at shallower levels represents primary potassic altered rocks that were subsequently overprinted by the late stage advanced argillic alteration.

Rock Types

Four dominant rock types are present at Caspiche which in order from oldest to youngest are andesitic volcanics, micro-diorite, early diorite porphyry and inter-mineral quartz diorite. Observations to date indicate that the early diorite porphyry carries the highest grade mineralization. It intrudes both the andesitic volcanics and the micro-diorite causing a spotted hornfels texture in the micro-diorite proximal to the contact. The inter-mineral quartz diorite unit contains both stockwork veining and xenoliths of quartz vein material indicating assimilation of pre-existing stockwork mineralized rocks during intrusion.

Figure 4: Schematic Model for Mineralization on the Caspiche Central Gold-Copper Deposit.

Schematic Model for Mineralization on the Caspiche Central Gold-Copper Deposit

The geology and mineralization observed at Caspiche is analogous to that of the Cerro Casale deposit located 10 kilometres to the south. The wide mineralized intercepts drilled by holes CSD-014, CSD-015 and CSD-016 indicate that Caspiche is another large Gold-Copper Porphyry deposit and as such it has very significant exploration potential.

Future Exploration

Exeter has three objectives for the forthcoming exploration season:

  1. To define the limits of mineralization on the Caspiche Central Gold-Copper deposit.
  2. To complete sufficient drilling to allow a 43-101 compliant “drill indicated” resource to be established.
  3. To drill test two other porphyry targets on the property delineated by geophysical, geological and geochemical surveys conducted last season.

Exeter intends to have at least 4 drill rigs operating on the project in the 2008-2009 season that commences in October.

Drilling - Caspiche III Epithermal Target

Exeter commenced drilling on the Caspiche project early in 2007 with the aim of testing the Caspiche III epithermal target with 7 drill holes. Results suggested that mineralization was deeper than expected, so a follow-up drill program was undertaken to test potential for mineralisation nearer to surface. Holes drilled in the later program intersected significant widths of mineralisation but again there was considerable cover, suggesting a probable difficulty in establishing the near term viability of the Caspich III epithermal target.

Drilling confirmed the presence of a high-sulphidation epithermal gold system at Caspiche III. Mineralization is interpreted to lie within flat lying replacement zones that are probably related to a nearby intrusive body which has yet to be intersected by drilling.

Table 4: Significant Exeter Drill Intercepts from the Caspiche III Epithermal Gold + Silver Target

Hole From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Gold
g/t
Silver
g/t
CSR-002 52 76 24 1.1 23
CSR-002 172 178 6 1.7 16
CSR-006 144 166 22 1.5 1.6
CSR-008 42 58 16 1.3 5
CSR-010 166 202 36 1.3 26
CSR-011 96 108 12 1.2 4
CSR-012 94 110 16 2.1 2

Table 5: Significant Results from Previous Drilling on Epithermal Targets (not 43-101 compliant)

Hole From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Gold
g/t
Silver
g/t
CDH-05 0 126 126 0.7 6
CDH-05 126 200 74 0.5 2
CDH-14 92 150 58 0.5 25
SHC-05 2 48 46 1 6
SHC-07 2 50 48 0.5 10
SHC-10 2 50 48 0.7 1
SPC-01 26 58 32 0.7 13
SPC-05 2 102 100 0.5 1

Quality Control and Assurance

Drill widths presented above are drill intersection widths and may not represent the true widths of mineralization. Gold assay results presented are preliminary and have not been calculated using a gold cut-off grade, or with any cutting of high grades.

All diamond drill core samples are split on regular two-metre intervals and represent either sawn half HQ-size or NQ-size core. Gold samples were prepared and assayed by fire assay (50 gram charge) whilst copper was assayed with a four acid digestion and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The primary laboratory is ALS Chemex in Chile, an ISO-9001:2000 certified laboratory. Standard, blank and duplicate samples are used throughout the sample sequence as checks for the exploratory reverse circulation and diamond drilling.

Glen Van Kerkvoort, Exeter’s Chief Geologist and a “qualified person” within the definition of that term in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this news release.

43-101 Report:

26 April, 2008 (Details 6.23 MB - PDF)

24 December, 2007 (Details 6.72 MB - PDF)

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