Renforth Resources Launches Spring Exploration Program at New Alger

Last month, Renforth Resources Inc. (CA:RFR – $0.03 & US:RFHRF – $0.03 & GER:9RR – €0.02) made a statement as an emerging exploration company by issuing two compliant gold resource estimates back to back, for its New Alger and Parbec projects in Quebec. The ink is barely dry on these reports and already Renforth is forging ahead with another ambitious phase of activity. The Company announced this week that is commencing the next round of exploration at New Alger.

Work will focus on the Discovery Veins target area. The first phase involves continuation of fieldwork following the recently completed drilling program in February and March. A trail was opened to enable access for the drill rigs. Surface stripping of the overburden in this area will now be completed to expose a larger section of the alteration zones for prospecting and sampling.

Of note, about 275 meters of the Discovery Veins area has already been cleared through surface stripping in previous work. However, a review of the property map demonstrates this is still only a small portion of the delineated target area. The section to the west of the currently defined veins, highlighted in grey along the dashed line, is where the next work will proceed. The added focus on this area will reveal a much larger section of near surface alteration for review.

The presence of alteration outcropping at surface, or just below minimal surface overburden, is a favorable characteristic of the project. Historically, the lower grade surface alteration was not of great interest to previous operators. Renforth has taken a more inclusive approach and been rewarded for it. This growing tonnage of alteration is building clout for a potential open pit mine resource that is economically attractive.

Beep Mat Surveying Technology Employed

The Company will complete geophysical surveying to efficiently develop new exploration targets in this emerging deposit zone. A beep mat survey will be used in tandem with GPS tracking to pinpoint new prospects up to several meters below surface. The low-cost technology employs electromagnetic sensors to create an image of the underlying conductors and structure of a rock mass. Further analysis may then determine if these conductors are related to potential alteration zones. This improves the outlook for subsequent drilling programs to follow up with the next round of exploration work.

Actual rock samples from New Alger were successfully tested earlier this year at the PDAC. Instrumentation GDD Inc, one of the front runners of the Beep Mat technology, scanned the samples as a confirmation of the effectiveness of the system.

The data may highlight additional veins or offsets proximal to the system that were previously unknown. A larger area of the Discovery Veins zone will be targeted using the survey to outline new sections for further exploration work.

The advantage to this Beep Mat system is that it is portable, easily deployed, and generates accurate data in the field. This avoids the necessity of time-consuming line cutting work to remove surface vegetation prior to surveying. The results are therefore recorded much faster, and the program is much less expensive than other geophysical options.

Added Perspective Delivered Through Historical Mining Records

While various phases of exploration work have been ongoing at New Alger for many decades, the past mining activity was limited to the Thompson-Cadillac Mine, established in 1927. Two shafts were driven to access the vein-hosted gold resources down to more than 180 meters below surface. A subsequent redevelopment was launched in 1945 to extend the main shaft to a depth of 340 meters.

One section of the underground development included a tunnel extending towards the Discovery Veins. Small scale mining work followed the vein extensions where the previous operators exploited higher grade pockets of coarse native gold. Limited data is available from the previous mining in these zones, but Renforth is reviewing maps of the underground development and creatively analyzing potential extensions beyond the historic workings.

The higher grade vein targets remain attractive, as demonstrated by several of the drill intervals presented so far by Renforth. However, the potential for coarse gold has now been established at several other mineralized domains, including the Piche volcanics, and the Pontiac sedimentary rock units.

Collectively, the expanded target area comprises a much larger section of the property than was previously considered of interest. The potential to continue expanding the overall gold resource is the objective of the current program.

Plans for Bulk Sample Advancing

Renforth is also working towards the strategic objective to complete a mini-bulk sample for this exposed section of the Discovery Veins. Attractive gold grades have been highlighted at several near-surface zones of the deposit. The encouraging presence of coarse gold demonstrated through Metallic Screen analysis adds another element with the potential to upgrade the gold content.

However, the erratic distribution of coarse gold is problematic when evaluating the overall resource potential. Based on the small volume of material available for analysis from drill core samples, the results may be skewed if a higher (or lower) grade section happens to be selected. To achieve greater accuracy, a much larger amount of sample material must be extracted and processed.

The proposed mini-bulk sample will provide Renforth with valuable information that is more representative of the actual deposit grade. A contractor will be chosen to complete the extraction of several tons of resource material. Ideally, the sampling process will include sections of vein-hosted alteration, disseminated zones, and various sizes of coarse gold nuggets distributed within the deposit.

The outcome of the mini-bulk sample could be a true game changer for the Company. First, because it will give a more accurate measure of the gold content, and second because it will illuminate economic variables that may build confidence for a potential low-cost near-surface mine development.

Three Dimensional Modeling Highlights Defined Resources

Renforth has created 3-D models for the current resources of the Parbec and New Alger projects. These were created by the engineering team to graphically illustrate the orientation of the gold zones. Important structural features and geologic rock units have also been represented. In addition, each of the drill holes completed so far were included.

The purpose of this visual tool is to outline the defined resources, and conceptualize the results of the recently reported resource estimate. The gold zones are clearly illustrated, but also the gaps between defined resources are highlighted, and the relationship to the structural features. This will demonstrate target areas where additional exploration activity may reveal opportunities to expand on the resource. Similarly, the representation of the pit shell will allow geologists to ‘see’ areas that can be further optimized for a more efficient mine plan before breaking ground.

Renforth has also made this technology available to investors as a promotional strategy. Typical junior exploration investors may not have the technical skills to interpret geological data. The 3D model is therefore ideal to enable better understanding of the importance of the results achieved so far. It also enhances the potential mine plan in the context of the property layout and proximity to other mines in area.

Conclusion

Renforth’s initial prospecting work led to discoveries of broad zones of alteration. Successful follow up work has extended these zones along strike, and to depth. Rapid progress has been achieved with exceptionally efficient operations for each round at the lowest expense. This strategy has enabled the Company to deliver attractive resources in a very short time frame, for two separate Quebec projects.

As one of the most active exploration stories in Canada, Renforth is now working to advance New Alger beyond the conceptual stage. A proposed pit shell has been delineated for the near surface gold zones. The 3D model provides further insight on where the geologists may search for additional gold-bearing zones, and provide opportunities for further optimization of the pit shell. Ongoing lab testing may demonstrate additional gold content through validation of coarse gold potential.

As work continues to advance on the exploration front, Renforth is also moving forward with plans for a mini-bulk sample. This in turn may generate further evidence in support of favorable economics for development.

All of this activity is building shareholder value, as New Alger moves further along the value curve. Each phase of work that is successfully concluded enhances the potential for mine development. New Alger is just one of several attractive projects controlled by the Company. All of this, within the context of one of the most productive mining districts in Canada. Smallcaps Recommendation: BUY.

Smallcaps.us Advice: Buy	Price Target: $0.29	Latest Company Report (pdf)
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