Andean Resources extends gold mineralisation at Argentina project

Andean Resources (ASX, TSX: AND) has reported results from the ongoing exploration program at its wholly owned Cerro Negro Project in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.

Discovery of the San Marcos, Mariana Norte, and Mariana Central vein systems located 4 to 6 kilometers northeast of the Eureka deposit has lead to a focused drill program that is defining the shape and extent of these potential ore bodies.

Highlights include:

San Marcos – holes confirming and extending mineralization along strike by 100 meters - 12.4m of 16.5 g/t Au and 131 g/t Ag from 143.6m, 6.4m of 10.7 g/t Au and 144 g/t Ag from 142.7m, 3.65m of 12.2 g/t Au and 52 g/t Ag from 108m; and 11.45m of 15.2 g/t Au and 136 g/t Ag from103.55m.

Holes SDD-1010 (8.9m of 24.5 g/t Au and 292 g/t Ag from 121m and 5.3m of 12.8 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag from 141.7m) and SDD-1012 (6.4m of 19.8 g/t Au and >100 g/t Ag from 226.9m and
12.3m of 15.6 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag from 256.7m) extended the mineralization in the San Marcos veins a further 100 meters to the east.

The holes could have intersected the veins at a shallower angle due to a potential change in the vein dip.

The change in strike and dip are currently being confirmed by additional drilling. San Marcos remains open to the east and at depth.

Mariana Norte – new assays confirm mineralized strike length of at least 300 meters - 9.0m of 15.8 g/t Au and 72 g/t Ag from 163.4m; 3.0m of 9.5 g/t Au and 89 g/t Ag from 184.0m; and 8.4m of 22.7 g/t Au and 57 g/t Ag from 173.6m.

Further drilling has extended these veins an additional 100 meters to the northwest; this vein system remains open along strike and to depth.

Mariana Central – downdip extension hole of 110 meters- 5.9m of 55.5 g/t Au and 199 g/t Ag from 207.3m.

Further drilling has extended this vein system an additional 225 meters; assays are pending and the vein remains open to depth and along strike.

William Wulftange, Andean’s Vice President of Exploration stated, “Cerro Negro now has at least three distinct centers of mineralization that include Bajo Negro and Vein Zone to the east, Eureka to the west and now the Mariana’s and San Marcos mineral system located in the north central part of the property."

"The fact that all three systems have significant gold grades over broad widths is quite exciting and a very rare occurrence in the gold industry."

"I believe that as the exploration program continues, Andean geologists will develop a geologic link between the three deposits that will help us find additional mineral zones outside of the current known deposit areas.”

As of mid-April 2010, Andean has completed 4,994 meters in 24 holes on the San Marcos veins located just 1.2 kilometers north of the Mariana Norte vein system.

The San Marcos target is comprised of at least two sub-parallel veins that strike 290° and dip nearly vertical, as currently tested.

The company has defined mineralization in the vein for at least 500 meters along strike and from 100 meters to 250 meters down dip based on assay results.

Mineralization can approach 10 meters in true width, but average 4.4 meters true width based on current drill results.

Initial grade times horizontal thickness long section interpretations show the mineral body plunging 20° to 30°E and open to the surface, to depth and to the east.

http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/6504/andean-resources-extends-gold-mineralisation-at-argentina-project-6504.html