OAKVILLE, Ontario, June 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Giyani Metals Corporation (TSXV:WDG)(GR:A2DUU8) (“Giyani” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the progress of Phase 1 of its 2018 operational program, including drilling, geophysics, resource estimation, and hydrometallurgical testing.
Highlights
- Drilling at K.Hill concluded in May 2018
- Geophysical interpretation completed at K.Hill and Otse
- Consulting firm MSA appointed to conduct resource estimation
- Hydrometallurgical testing commenced in May 2018
Robin Birchall, CEO of Giyani Metals Corp. commented:
“I’m extremely pleased with the progress achieved in Botswana. The team has accomplished much in the 112 days from the close of financing. Preliminary results from the drilling program have met expectations for the K.Hill prospect and we look forward to the results of the assays and progressing towards a maiden resource. Our attention now turns to drilling at our second prospect, Otse, which commenced earlier in June 2018. Furthermore, since we are under budget for metres drilled, we are contemplating allocating some metres to drill our third prospect at Lobatse.”
Diamond Drilling at K.Hill All the drilling for the Phase 1 resource estimation drill campaign has now been completed (see Figure 1).
Hole DDKH18_0018 was drilled specifically for hydrometallurgical testing of mineralized material. Core logging, sampling and geochemical analysis of the holes drilled for the purpose of resource estimation continues and finalization of the master database is expected to be completed by middle of June 2018. All relevant data will then be delivered to MSA, the consulting firm contracted by the Company, to compile a 3D model, prepare a resource estimate and compile an NI 43-101 compliant report for the K.Hill prospect. Table 1 below summarizes the completed drill holes.
Table 1: Summary of drill holes completed at K.Hill.
| Hole ID | UTM_Zone | Easting | Northing | Elevation | Depth (m) | Azimuth | Dip |
| DDKH18_0001 | WGS84_35S | 329391 | 7234214 | 1420 | 85,78 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0002 | WGS84_35S | 329200 | 7234312 | 1408 | 50,72 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0003 | WGS84_35S | 329298 | 7234245 | 1246 | 83,29 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0004 | WGS84_35S | 329105 | 7234365 | 1397 | 68,73 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0005 | WGS84_35S | 329140 | 7234288 | 1397 | 80,72 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0006 | WGS84_35S | 329243 | 7234228 | 1415 | 78,00 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0007 | WGS84_35S | 329316 | 7234198 | 1429 | 83,70 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0008 | WGS84_35S | 329170 | 7234114 | 1412 | 30,22 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0009 | WGS84_35S | 328966 | 7233972 | 1377 | 56,82 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0010 | WGS84_35S | 329252 | 7234081 | 1423 | 68,72 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0011 | WGS84_35S | 329339 | 7233797 | 1455 | 56,68 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0012 | WGS84_35S | 329362 | 7233895 | 1452 | 56,73 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0013 | WGS84_35S | 329369 | 7234007 | 1451 | 53,88 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0014 | WGS84_35S | 329366 | 7233732 | 1463 | 59,72 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0015 | WGS84_35S | 329454 | 7234079 | 1452 | 56,68 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0016 | WGS84_35S | 329318 | 7233695 | 1464 | 47,72 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0017 | WGS84_35S | 328804 | 7233020 | 1423 | 35,72 | 0 | -90 |
| DDKH18_0018 | WGS84_35S | 329348 | 7233819 | 1485 | 54,94 | 0 | -90 |
Giyani drilled a total of 18 diamond drill holes of which 15 totaling 961.29m will be used in the calculation of the resource estimate. 14 of the 15 holes, to be used in the resource estimate, intersected the manganiferous shale horizon. The remaining hole (DDKH18_0002) intersected a cavity and as a result it was abandoned. The mineralized horizon was sampled extensively to ensure that all mineralized intervals are covered. Figure 2 shows the mineralized horizon from hole DDKH18_0004 and includes a short description of the geology. This figure summarizes the geological units intersected in the upper parts of the larger host shale unit.
The geochemical results for the first batch of 109 samples are expected during the first week of June. Three additional batches, totaling 320 samples, are expected to be processed in the first half of June. All samples were packed in plastic sample bags, labelled and securely stored prior to shipping to SGS laboratories in Randfontein South Africa. Samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for manganese and other major elements.
Two holes (total of 92.54m) were drilled as exploration holes (DDKH18_0009 and DDKH18_0017) away from known mineralization and along geophysical anomalies, see Figure 1. The two exploration holes were abandoned within the uppermost Chert Breccia unit due to difficult ground conditions. Giyani is considering alternative drilling techniques and hopes to be able to show, in principle, that the K.Hill prospect extends beyond the known area. These step out holes could significantly increase the mineralization potential and would allow Giyani to evaluate the licence in new areas of interest and possibly make new discoveries where previous explorers did not or could not go.
DDKH18_0018, drilled for hydrometallurgical testing, is located in close proximity to hole DDKH18_0011 and 0012 where the manganese-shale unit appears to be high grade. A second, smaller, mineralized unit, intersected for the first time in hole DDKH18_0012, was targeted as it may also be considered important. See Figure 3 and 4 below for photographs of the manganese-shale unit as intersected in 14 of the 15 holes, as well as the second mineralized unit observed in DDKH18_0012.
Ground geophysical interpretation Giyani has now finished Phase 1 ground geophysics surveying and interpretation. The survey consisted of a total of 2,557 gravity stations collected on a 50 x 50m grid, over one block at K.Hill and two blocks at Otse. A total of 101.3 line km of ground magnetic data was collected over the K.Hill prospect and 13.8 line km and 12.2 line km over the Otse North and Otse South blocks, respectively. Additionally, 3 x 1 km Induced Polarization Direct Current (IP/DC) lines were completed over K.Hill. These surveys allowed Giyani to make some key observations as to the geophysical characteristics of the geological units at the two prospects:
- Both gravity and magnetic datasets are dominated by the response of the felsic volcanics which produce significant anomalies (See Figure 5 – Dark pink-purple anomalies along the eastern side of the grid).
- Prospective sedimentary units are mapped as distinct, structurally controlled, gravity lows (See Figure 5 – shades of dark blue).
- Results from IP/DC traverses have demonstrated excellent correlation with the gravity inversion and interpretation. As expected the prospective shale units are more conductive (lower resistivity) than underlying and overlying units, correlating well with low density portions of the inverted density volume. Distinct IP chargeability anomalies coincide with the anticipated location of manganese mineralization.
Resource estimation Giyani contracted mining consulting firm MSA Group, of South Africa, to construct a three-dimensional geological model of K.Hill, complete a mineral resource block model and resource estimate, and compile a NI 43-101 technical report. MSA will commence with a site visit to the K.Hill project area by the assigned qualified person (QP) and will use surface and drill exploration data to conduct the modeling and resource estimate.
Hydrometallurgical testing Hydrometallurgical testing commenced in May 2018. The objective of this important testing is to assess Giyani’s manganese mineralization properties and determine the processes and steps required to prepare battery grade manganese oxides from the mineralization. Led by Dr. Ian Flint, Giyani’s Chief Metallurgist, the testing will be performed primarily at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada and will comprise three stages; leaching, purification, and formulation of the final manganese product. These tests are expected to be completed in early Q3 and the results will guide the Company to design a pilot circuit that will produce manganese oxides for the cathode and battery market.
Roger Moss, Ph.D., P.Geo, is the qualified person, as that term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, on behalf of the Company and has approved the scientific and technical content contained in this press release.
About Giyani Giyani Metals Corp. is a Canadian based junior exploration company focused on creating shareholder value by accelerating the development of its high-grade manganese project in the Kanye Basin, Botswana, Africa.
Additional information and corporate documents may be found on www.sedar.com and on Giyani Metals Corp. website: http://giyanimetals.com/ .
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Giyani Metals Corp.
Robin Birchall, CEO
Contact: Giyani Metals Corporation Robin Birchall CEO, Director +447711313019
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, the financial picture of the Company etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statement.
Photos (Figures) accompanying this announcement are available at:
Figure 1: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...5fcccd2d67
Figure 2: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...9464bcef8b
Figure 3: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...7effef4845
Figure 4: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...3c1ee8c799
Figure 5: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...157608b23e
Figure 6: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...6529e90507
Figure 7: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...4b812fb559
The photos (figures) are also available via AP PhotoExpress.
