Western Copper identifies significant zones of potential mineralization at Casino
September 8, 2009
Western Copper identifies significant zones of potential mineralization at Casino
VANCOUVER, B.C. Western Copper Corporation (“Western Copper” or the “Company”) (TSX:WRN) is pleased to announce that preliminary results from a Quantec Titan 24 deep penetration geophysical survey (“Quantec Survey”) at its wholly owned Casino Project, located in the Yukon, have identified several zones of potential mineralization outside of the historical mineralization limits (see attached figures).
Complete assays have been received for only one hole, CAS-014, drilled on the edge of one of the potential mineralized zones 500 meters outside of the historical mineralization limit (see attached figures). These assays indicate the existence of copper, gold and molybdenum mineralization, but at below ore grades.
Dale Corman, President & CEO said “We are very encouraged by the results of the Quantec Survey and initial drilling. The recent drill hole, CAS-014, confirms copper mineralization outside of the currently proposed pit and suggests there is a great potential to expand the Casino resource. We’ve now completed just under 6,000 meters of drilling in 21 holes, and will include these in an updated resource calculation when assays become available.”
The Quantec Survey was conducted in July 2009 and consisted of nine lines at 300 m spacing to cover an area of approximately 5.8 km2. This survey collected data for three geophysical events: direct current resistivity (DC), induced polarization (IP), and magnetotellurics (MT). The Quantec Survey measured IP to depths of 750 meters and MT to depths of 1.5 kilometers. This data was interpreted by Quantec geophysicists working with Western Copper geologists to identify a series of drill hole targets.
Western Copper’s previously announced 10,000 meter drilling program to convert 200 million tonnes of inferred material to measured and indicated has been modified to include drilling of targets identified by the Quantec Survey.
The Casino Project has NI 43-101 compliant proven & probable reserves of 4.4 billion lb of copper, 8 million oz of gold and 475 million lb of molybdenum, contained in approximately 1 billion tonnes of ore. A positive pre-feasibility study was completed in June 2008 projecting a 30 year mine life with a 20.4% pre-tax IRR, C$1.8 billion NPV (8%) and a 3.8 year payback period. The Casino Project has an additional 200 million tones of NI 43-101 inferred resources.
The exploration program is being supervised by Scott Cassleman, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by the National Policy instrument 43-101.
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER CORPORATION
Western Copper is a Vancouver-based exploration and development company with properties containing significant copper, gold and molybdenum resources and reserves. The Company has 100% ownership of four Canadian properties. The two most advanced projects are the Casino Project and the Carmacks Copper Project, both located in the Yukon Territory. The Casino Project is one of the world’s largest open-pittable gold, copper, silver and molybdenum deposits. For more information, visit http://www.westerncoppercorp.com.
Figure 1: 3-D visualization showing IP chargeability zones | Figure 2: Map of Casino Site showing location of drill hole CAS-014 |
On behalf of the board,
“Dale Corman”
F. Dale Corman
Chairman & CEO
Western Copper Corporation
For more information, please contact:
Paul West-Sells
Executive VP, Corporate Development
Chiara Orrigoni
Investor Relations
Call: 1.888.966.9995 or 604.684.9497
Email: info(at)westerncoppercorp.com
Cautionary Notes
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, exploration results and future plans and objectives of Western Copper Corp. 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.
Notice to US 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. We use certain terms on this news release, such as “measured,” “indicated,” and “inferred” “resources,” 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’s Form 20-F, File No. 000-52231, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.