NEWS RELEASE | |
June 24, 2010 | Release 09-2010 |
WESTERN COPPER EXTENDS HIGHER GRADE SUPERGENE MINERALIZATION AT CASINO
VANCOUVER, B.C. Western Copper Corporation (“Western Copper” or the “Company”) (TSX:WRN) is pleased to announce preliminary results from the 2010 exploration program at its wholly owned Casino Project, located in the Yukon.
Drilling at Casino has extended the flat-lying, shallow copper and gold enriched supergene zone to a 2.0 km by 1.2 km area – a significant expansion over its previously outlined extent as identified in the 2008 Pre-feasibility Study (Figure 1). The average core length of the supergene from the current drilling is 80 m. The copper and gold enriched zone remains open to the north for further expansion.
Highlights of the 33 holes drilled and assayed during the 2010 campaign are summarized in Table 1 and a complete listing of drill-holes and results are shown in Table 2. Hole locations are shown on Figure 1.
Hole CAS-073 is of particular interest. In addition to the 114 m of 0.97% copper equivalent mineralization in the supergene zone, it also contains 110 m of copper, gold and molybdenum mineralization at a copper equivalent grade of 0.69% in the hypogene zone.
Table 1: Highlights from current drilling program
Drill-hole | From (m) | To (m) | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Cu (%) | Mo (%) | CuEq (%) | ||||||||||||||
CAS-044 | 50.7 | 97.5 | 46.9 | 0.16 | 0.39 | 0.020 | 0.62 | ||||||||||||||
CAS-059 | 50.6 | 102.0 | 51.4 | 0.20 | 0.35 | 0.011 | 0.54 | ||||||||||||||
CAS-062 | 75.6 | 173.7 | 98.1 | 0.24 | 0.27 | 0.021 | 0.57 | ||||||||||||||
CAS-063 | 67.5 | 197.8 | 130.3 | 0.34 | 0.37 | 0.020 | 0.72 | ||||||||||||||
CAS-066 | 59.3 | 178.8 | 119.5 | 0.36 | 0.22 | 0.020 | 0.59 | ||||||||||||||
CAS-073 | 105.4 | 219.8 | 114.4 | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.072 | 0.97 | ||||||||||||||
Copper Equivalent Metal Prices: US$2.00/lb copper, US$875.00/oz gold and US$11.25/lb molybdenum |
Western Copper has now completed 20,000 m of new drilling since the pre-feasibility was completed in 2008. An additional 6,000 m of drilling is planned for the remainder of 2010 and is expected to be complete by mid-August. All of the new drilling has been drilled in areas outside of the previously defined area of mineralization or in areas previously considered waste.
“We believe the discovery of significant additional near surface supergene mineralization has the potential to considerably improve the project’s economics” said Dale Corman, Chairman & CEO “The newly discovered mineralization with overall higher grades would be extracted and processed during the first years of the mine life and much of it occurs in areas of the pit previously thought to be waste material and should result in a lower stripping ratio”
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2050–1111 West Georgia St, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4M3 | T 604.684.9497 F 604.669.2926 | www.westerncoppercorp.com
The Casino project is located 380 km northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon and has a NI 43-101 compliant reserve estimate containing 8 million oz of gold, 4.4 billion lb of copper, and 475 million lb of molybdenum, contained in approximately 1 billion tonnes of ore.
Scott Casselman, P.Geo., is the qualified person responsible for the execution of the Casino Project exploration program and the preparation of the technical information in this news release.
QA/QC including assurance of chain of custody has been implemented in accordance with industry best practices. Split core samples are prepared and analyzed by ALS Chemex. Prepared samples are initially run using a four acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-AES analysis. Additional assaying for total copper and molybdenum is run using a 4 acid digestion – AES or AAS method to a 0.001% detection limit. Gold assays are run using 30 gram sample fire assay with an AA finish to a 0.005 ppm detection limit. The QA/QC procedure involves regular submission of Certified Analytical Standards and blanks and property specific duplicates, with check assaying performed by Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd.
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER CORPORATION
Western Copper is a Vancouver based exploration and development company with significant copper, gold and molybdenum resources and reserves. The Company has 100% ownership of four Canadian properties. The two most advanced projects are the Carmacks Copper Project and the Casino Project both located in the Yukon. The Casino Project is one of the world's largest open-pittable copper, gold and molybdenum deposits. For more information, visitwww.westerncoppercorp.com
On behalf of the board, |
“Dale Corman” |
F. Dale Corman |
Chairman & CEO |
For more information please contactPaul West-Sells,President & COOorChiara Orrigoni,Manager Investor Relations at 604.684.9497 or emailinfo@westerncoppercorp.com
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release.
This press release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, financing plans, exploration results and future plans and objectives of Western Copper are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Certain terms, such as “measured,” “indicated,” and “inferred” “resources,” are used in the Company's disclosure documents filed in Canada that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Western Copper’s Form 20-F, File No. 000-52231, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC’s website athttp://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
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2050–1111 West Georgia St, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4M3 | T 604.684.9497 F 604.669.2926 | www.westerncoppercorp.com
Figure 1: Plan map of drill holes
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2050–1111 West Georgia St, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4M3 | T 604.684.9497 F 604.669.2926 | www.westerncoppercorp.com
Table 2: 2010 Drill results
Hole | From | To | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Ag g/t | Cu % | Mo % | Cu Eq % | Category | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-041 | no signficiant mineralization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8.00 | 44.1 | 36.1 | 0.13 | 0.7 | 0.03 | 0.000 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-042 | 44.10 | 83.8 | 39.7 | 0.17 | 0.2 | 0.20 | 0.000 | 0.31 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
83.80 | 248.5 | 164.7 | 0.08 | 0.2 | 0.02 | 0.000 | 0.07 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
21.34 | 41.6 | 20.3 | 0.24 | 1.6 | 0.11 | 0.052 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-043 | 41.60 | 91.5 | 49.9 | 0.15 | 1.1 | 0.24 | 0.013 | 0.42 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
91.45 | 243.8 | 152.4 | 0.11 | 0.5 | 0.10 | 0.027 | 0.33 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
6.80 | 50.7 | 43.9 | 0.16 | 1.2 | 0.04 | 0.012 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-044 | 50.65 | 97.5 | 46.9 | 0.16 | 1.1 | 0.39 | 0.020 | 0.62 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
97.50 | 224.0 | 126.5 | 0.10 | 0.2 | 0.07 | 0.013 | 0.21 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
3.05 | 41.0 | 38.0 | 0.15 | 1.0 | 0.05 | 0.008 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-045 | 41.00 | 83.0 | 42.0 | 0.15 | 1.0 | 0.35 | 0.007 | 0.50 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
82.95 | 198.1 | 115.2 | 0.25 | 1.3 | 0.13 | 0.010 | 0.36 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
7.11 | 37.2 | 30.1 | 0.21 | 1.3 | 0.07 | 0.012 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-046 | 37.20 | 114.7 | 77.5 | 0.12 | 1.3 | 0.16 | 0.016 | 0.33 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
114.70 | 211.2 | 96.5 | 0.07 | 0.4 | 0.07 | 0.018 | 0.22 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
3.05 | 60.6 | 57.6 | 0.11 | 1.2 | 0.04 | 0.010 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-047 | 60.60 | 151.0 | 90.4 | 0.09 | 0.9 | 0.18 | 0.016 | 0.34 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
151.00 | 193.6 | 42.6 | 0.13 | 0.9 | 0.09 | 0.012 | 0.25 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
4.30 | 60.7 | 56.4 | 0.11 | 0.9 | 0.04 | 0.013 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-048 | 60.70 | 95.6 | 34.9 | 0.12 | 1.4 | 0.29 | 0.009 | 0.43 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
95.60 | 208.2 | 112.6 | 0.29 | 1.0 | 0.10 | 0.012 | 0.36 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
9.80 | 53.3 | 43.5 | 0.14 | 1.7 | 0.06 | 0.023 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-049 | 53.30 | 146.2 | 92.9 | 0.15 | 0.9 | 0.21 | 0.018 | 0.41 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
146.20 | 244.2 | 98.0 | 0.13 | 1.0 | 0.11 | 0.022 | 0.32 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
8.30 | 61.9 | 53.6 | 0.15 | 1.1 | 0.05 | 0.017 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-050 | 61.90 | 186.2 | 124.3 | 0.16 | 1.0 | 0.19 | 0.015 | 0.38 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
186.20 | 219.5 | 33.3 | 0.08 | 0.4 | 0.09 | 0.019 | 0.24 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
50.20 | 51.8 | 1.6 | 0.36 | 1.0 | 0.06 | 0.007 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-051 | 51.80 | 94.4 | 42.6 | 0.20 | 1.0 | 0.32 | 0.010 | 0.51 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
94.37 | 268.2 | 173.9 | 0.16 | 1.2 | 0.16 | 0.009 | 0.31 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
12.00 | 80.6 | 68.6 | 0.15 | 1.1 | 0.20 | 0.009 | 0.35 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-052 | 80.60 | 248.1 | 167.5 | 0.10 | 0.8 | 0.09 | 0.019 | 0.26 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
14.50 | 39.8 | 25.3 | 0.13 | 1.2 | 0.07 | 0.004 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-053 | 39.80 | 71.3 | 31.5 | 0.16 | 0.6 | 0.25 | 0.002 | 0.37 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
71.25 | 236.2 | 165.0 | 0.16 | 0.6 | 0.15 | 0.004 | 0.28 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
53.00 | 55.8 | 2.8 | 0.14 | 2.6 | 0.05 | 0.003 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-054 | 55.75 | 175.4 | 119.7 | 0.24 | 1.2 | 0.22 | 0.003 | 0.40 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
175.40 | 249.9 | 74.5 | 0.14 | 1.2 | 0.16 | 0.006 | 0.29 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
26.50 | 36.8 | 10.3 | 0.18 | 0.9 | 0.04 | 0.002 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-055 | 36.75 | 104.2 | 67.4 | 0.23 | 1.3 | 0.32 | 0.004 | 0.50 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
104.15 | 201.5 | 97.4 | 0.10 | 3.0 | 0.12 | 0.007 | 0.25 | Hypogene | ||||||||||||||||||||
11.40 | 61.1 | 49.7 | 0.19 | 0.6 | 0.08 | 0.008 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||||
CAS-056 | 61.10 | 125.8 | 64.7 | 0.17 | 1.0 | 0.21 | 0.015 | 0.40 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
125.80 | 199.6 | 73.8 | 0.13 | 0.8 | 0.11 | 0.016 | 0.29 | Hypogene |
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2050–1111 West Georgia St, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4M3 | T 604.684.9497 F 604.669.2926 | www.westerncoppercorp.com
Hole | From | To | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Ag g/t | Cu % | Mo % | Cu Eq % | Category | ||||||||||||||||||
CAS-057 | 28.53 | 130.0 | 101.5 | 0.10 | 1.0 | 0.05 | 0.003 | - | Leached CAP | ||||||||||||||||||
130.00 | 249.9 | 119.9 | 0.20 | 1.4 | 0.17 | 0.003 | 0.32 | Supergene | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-058 | no signficiant mineralization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15.54 | 50.6 | 35.1 | 0.22 | 1.6 | 0.08 | 0.006 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-059 | 50.60 | 102.0 | 51.4 | 0.20 | 1.2 | 0.35 | 0.011 | 0.54 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
102.00 | 210.3 | 108.3 | 0.14 | 0.9 | 0.13 | 0.015 | 0.32 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
20.70 | 44.6 | 23.9 | 0.14 | 0.4 | 0.03 | 0.005 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-060 | 44.60 | 119.1 | 74.5 | 0.15 | 1.2 | 0.19 | 0.004 | 0.31 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
119.08 | 249.9 | 130.9 | 0.37 | 1.5 | 0.12 | 0.012 | 0.44 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
13.72 | 50.2 | 36.5 | 0.13 | 2.2 | 0.06 | 0.008 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-061 | 50.24 | 154.8 | 104.6 | 0.20 | 1.4 | 0.22 | 0.004 | 0.38 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
154.80 | 249.9 | 95.1 | 0.25 | 3.7 | 0.19 | 0.006 | 0.42 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
11.90 | 75.6 | 63.7 | 0.09 | 1.3 | 0.02 | 0.026 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-062 | 75.60 | 173.7 | 98.1 | 0.24 | 2.5 | 0.27 | 0.021 | 0.57 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
173.65 | 250.2 | 76.6 | 0.36 | 3.3 | 0.26 | 0.010 | 0.57 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
9.00 | 67.5 | 58.5 | 0.21 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.034 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-063 | 67.50 | 197.8 | 130.3 | 0.34 | 2.6 | 0.37 | 0.020 | 0.72 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
197.78 | 201.2 | 3.4 | 0.23 | 2.1 | 0.24 | 0.008 | 0.45 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
1.52 | 55.2 | 53.7 | 0.10 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.010 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-064 | 55.20 | 163.8 | 108.6 | 0.10 | 1.9 | 0.17 | 0.012 | 0.31 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
163.80 | 203.3 | 39.5 | 0.14 | 1.2 | 0.10 | 0.009 | 0.25 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-065 | no signficiant mineralization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20.60 | 59.3 | 38.7 | 0.34 | 3.4 | 0.02 | 0.032 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-066 | 59.30 | 178.8 | 119.5 | 0.36 | 3.2 | 0.22 | 0.020 | 0.59 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
178.83 | 201.2 | 22.3 | 0.14 | 0.9 | 0.05 | 0.003 | 0.17 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
2.45 | 79.7 | 77.3 | 0.08 | 1.5 | 0.04 | 0.015 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-067 | 79.70 | 199.7 | 120.0 | 0.15 | 1.5 | 0.18 | 0.005 | 0.31 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
199.70 | 249.9 | 50.2 | 0.11 | 0.7 | 0.05 | 0.009 | 0.17 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
8.10 | 46.3 | 38.2 | 0.14 | 1.2 | 0.03 | 0.011 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-068 | 46.30 | 229.9 | 183.6 | 0.15 | 1.7 | 0.15 | 0.011 | 0.32 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
229.90 | 304.8 | 74.9 | 0.13 | 1.1 | 0.05 | 0.006 | 0.18 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
0.40 | 61.3 | 60.9 | 0.06 | 0.8 | 0.05 | 0.012 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-069 | 61.30 | 99.5 | 38.2 | 0.08 | 0.7 | 0.14 | 0.034 | 0.39 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
99.50 | 250.2 | 150.7 | 0.10 | 0.8 | 0.08 | 0.008 | 0.20 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
0.00 | 116.0 | 116.0 | 0.13 | 1.3 | 0.01 | 0.018 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-070 | 116.00 | 239.0 | 123.0 | 0.16 | 3.6 | 0.21 | 0.025 | 0.48 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
239.00 | 295.6 | 56.6 | 0.12 | 1.5 | 0.11 | 0.030 | 0.37 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
7.62 | 72.6 | 65.0 | 0.09 | 1.1 | 0.03 | 0.020 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-071 | 72.60 | 160.6 | 88.0 | 0.10 | 0.9 | 0.17 | 0.018 | 0.34 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
160.60 | 251.5 | 90.9 | 0.06 | 0.7 | 0.07 | 0.004 | 0.14 | Hypogene | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-072 | no signficiant mineralization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.77 | 105.4 | 100.6 | 0.13 | 0.9 | 0.01 | 0.043 | - | Leached CAP | |||||||||||||||||||
CAS-073 | 105.40 | 219.8 | 114.4 | 0.34 | 1.8 | 0.34 | 0.072 | 0.98 | Supergene | ||||||||||||||||||
219.80 | 330.7 | 110.9 | 0.24 | 1.5 | 0.16 | 0.064 | 0.69 | Hypogene |
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2050–1111 West Georgia St, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4M3 | T 604.684.9497 F 604.669.2926 | www.westerncoppercorp.com