MIDLANDS REVIEWS STRATEGIC OPTIONS AS REPORT SHOWS HIGH POTENTIAL FOR MORE
DIAMOND-BEARING KIMBERLITES ON ITILIMA, TANZANIA
TSX-V: MEX - New NI 43-101 report provides further evidence that a diamondiferous mantle underlies the Itilima Property - 10 kimberlite targets upgraded to Priority - 1 status - Kimberlite-distinctive combinations of Nb, Ti, Y, and Co signatures - Midlands reviewing strategic options
TORONTO, Sept. 13 /CNW/ - Midlands Minerals Corporation ("Midlands" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the final NI 43-101 report on the Itilima Diamond project submitted by Diakim Consulting Limited demonstrates high potential for more diamond-bearing kimberlites on the Itilima Project based on further evidence that a diamondiferous mantle underlies Midlands' Itilima property in Shinyanga, Tanzania.
"We continue to focus our full attention on gold in Ghana, and we are pleased to see the potential is high for more diamond-bearing kimberlites on the Itilima Project. We are particularly pleased to see 10 kimberlite targets upgraded to Priority - 1 status, and to see more prospective kimberlites than the 2 diamondiferous pipes drilled in 2004. The Company remains focused on gold, and is reviewing its strategic options in moving the Itilima Project forward", said Kim Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Midlands Minerals, Itilima property is located just 25 kilometres south of Petra Diamonds (formerly De Beers) Williamson Diamond Mine at Mwadui in the Shinyanga kimberlite field in northern Tanzania. Mwadui is the largest mined kimberlite in the world which has been mined continuously since its discovery in 1940 and has produced in excess of 17 million carats of high quality diamonds, including rare pink diamonds.
Two kimberlites (K1 and K2) have already been discovered on the Itilima Property. The kimberlites were drilled and sampled in 2004 using Reverse Circulation (RC) and have produced micro-diamonds as well as suites of kimberlite indicator minerals. These minerals, particularly the garnets, have compositions similar to those from the Mwadui and other kimberlites in the Shinyanga kimberlite field. Derivation of these grains from the diamond stability field has been demonstrated. This provides further evidence that diamondiferous mantle underlies the property, and therefore the potential for more diamond-bearing kimberlites is high. Airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys have previously identified six Priority-1 magnetic targets on the property.
Mobile metal ion (MMI) geochemistry surveys conducted over other Priority-2 and -3 magnetic targets has found that some possess kimberlite-distinctive combinations of Nb (Niobium), Ti (Titanium), Y (Yttrium), and Co (Cobalt) signatures, that have led to the upgrading of a further 10 targets to Priority-1 status. There is a high likelihood that all 16 anomalies will be kimberlites. Theses anomalies should be drilled and analyzed for diamond and kimberlite indicator minerals to confirm the kimberlitic character of the anomalies and permit an assessment of their diamond potential.
Matthew Field, PhD., MGSSA, FGS, Pr.Sci.Nat., a world renowned diamond geologist with over 25 years in the diamond industry, is currently Senior VP of Exploration for Thanda Resources, (a privately held diamond exploration company with its primary project in Nunavut Canada). Dr. Field is responsible for the technical content in this news release and is a Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101.
ABOUT MIDLANDS MINERALS
Midlands is a growth oriented and value based gold exploration company operating in Ghana and Tanzania, two stable countries with a history of gold mining. Midlands' top priority project is the fully permitted Sian gold project in Ghana. The Sian property contains Esaase and Ampeha, two previously producing open pit mines with a resource with significant growth potential. Midlands' contiguous Kwahu Praso project, which was once part of Sian, contains extensions of the Esaase and Ampeha trends. Sian and Praso are just 30 kilometres northeast of Newmont Mining's +8.7 million ounce Akyem gold deposit. Midlands also holds highly prospective licences for gold and diamonds in the Lake Victoria Goldfields in Tanzania. The Company has a highly qualified management and technical team with broad African experience and extensive experience in the countries in which the Company operates. For more information on the Company, please visit Midlands' website at www.midlandsminerals.com.
On behalf of the Board Kim Harris President and Chief Executive Officer
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from actual results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding 2 beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. The Company adds a cautionary statement to the effect that the potential quantity and grades referred to in this press release are conceptual in nature. There has been sufficient exploration to evaluate a mineral resource. However, the Company is uncertain if further exploration will result in a mineral reserve. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. Readers are also advised to consider such forward-looking statements while considering the risks inherent in the business of mineral exploration. For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
For further information: Kim Harris, President and CEO, CEO Direct Line: + 1 416 447 6882, 1210 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 302, Toronto, Canada M2K 1E3, Tel: + 1 416 492 6992, Fax: + 1 416 492 6993, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: www.midlandsminerals.com
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