Vancouver, BC - Barsele Minerals Corp. - (TSX-V: BME) ("Barsele") is pleased to report an eleventh operational progress update for the current exploration program within the Barsele Au-VMS Project area in Västerbottens Län, northern Sweden. The exploration program is being operated by joint venture partner Agnico Eagle Mines Limited - (TSX, NYSE: AEM) ("Agnico Eagle"). Ownership in the project is 55% Agnico Eagle and 45% Barsele. Agnico Eagle can earn an additional 15% in the Barsele Project through the completion of a pre-feasibility study.
During the month of February, three diamond drilling machines were focused within and along the trend of the Central and Skiråsen zones, where expansion, infill and twin-hole drilling has taken place. Highlight infill hole SKI17003 yielded 50.0 meters core length (estimated 29.7 meters true thickness) grading 3.10 g/t gold uncut (1.75 g/t gold cut) at a midpoint depth of 445 meters below surface, plus 4.0 meters core length (estimated 2.5 meters true thickness) grading 60.18 g/t gold uncut (9.27 g/t gold cut) at a midpoint depth of 490 meters below surface, plus 5.0 meters true thickness grading 1.07 g/t gold at a midpoint depth of 595 meters below surface. Additional assays from previously mentioned infill hole SKI16015 yielded anomalous zinc mineralization between 775 and 795 meters depth, with zinc grades varying between 0.10 and 2.8 percent.
Four holes were completed during the month of February of which one was expansion and three were infill. During the month, 3,249 meters were drilled and there were 2,298 samples sent for analysis, with 3,023 assay results received.
Barsele's President, Gary Cope states, "Infill hole SKI17003 has delivered eight good gold intercepts and a significant gold intercept 595 meters below surface. The presence of zinc in infill hole SKI16015 is encouraging and we look forward to ongoing drill results from this large and evolving mineralized system."
| February 2017 Drilling Update | |||||||||||
| Hole ID | Easting | Northing | Az | Dip | DDH Length | From (m) | To (m) | CL (m) | TL (m) | Au (g/t) | Top Cut (g/t) |
| SKI16014 | 619319.07 | 7214359.03 | 40 | -45 | 879.60 | 601.3 | 625.0 | 23.70 | 19.5 | 0.54 | |
| Expansion | |||||||||||
| SKI16015 | 619300.00 | 7214521.00 | 40 | -58 | 825.50 | 190.0 | 222.0 | 32.0 | 17.0 | 0.79 | |
| Infill | 274.0 | 280.0 | 6.0 | 3.20 | 2.12 | ||||||
| 289.0 | 333.0 | 44.0 | 23.0 | 0.70 | |||||||
| 362.0 | 369.0 | 7.0 | 3.70 | 3.65 | |||||||
| 383.0 | 414.0 | 31.0 | 16.5 | 2.29 | |||||||
| 449.0 | 462.0 | 13.0 | 7.0 | 1.28 | |||||||
| 561.0 | 576.0 | 15.0 | 8.0 | 1.12 | |||||||
| 713.0 | 719.0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 2.87 | |||||||
| SKI17001 | 619221.00 | 7214516.00 | 360 | -47 | 525.10 | 98.0 | 125.0 | 27.0 | 19.5 | 1.01 | |
| Infill | 199.0 | 217.0 | 18.0 | 13.5 | 1.49 | ||||||
| 278.0 | 287.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 1.58 | |||||||
| 321.0 | 350.0 | 29.0 | 22.2 | 2.40 | 2.09 | ||||||
| 421.0 | 427.0 | 6.0 | 4.7 | 1.15 | |||||||
| SKI17002 | 619427.07 | 7214352.69 | 37 | -45 | 743.80 | 700.0 | 707.0 | 7.0 | 5.4 | 0.88 | |
| Expansion | |||||||||||
| SKI17003 | 619300.55 | 7214519.55 | 327 | -54 | 771.50 | 160.0 | 174.0 | 14.0 | 8.5 | 1.32 | |
| Infill | 211.0 | 215.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.76 | ||||||
| 294.0 | 315.0 | 21.0 | 12.5 | 3.09 | 2.82 | ||||||
| 398.0 | 414.0 | 16.0 | 9.5 | 3.51 | 3.32 | ||||||
| 434.0 | 476.0 | 42.0 | 24.8 | 2.06 | |||||||
| 517.0 | 567.0 | 50.0 | 29.7 | 3.10 | 1.75 | ||||||
| 596.0 | 600.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 60.18 | 9.27 | ||||||
| 744.0 | 752.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 1.07 | |||||||
| SKI17004 | 619221.00 | 7214516.00 | 360 | -62 | 645.40 | 246.08 | 248.0 | 1.92 | 1.0 | 24.87 | 6.45 |
| Infill | 293.0 | 306.1 | 13.1 | 7.0 | 3.12 | 2.75 | |||||
| 320.0 | 344.0 | 24.0 | 13.0 | 1.10 | |||||||
| Further Assays Pending | |||||||||||
| CNT17001 | 618639.61 | 7214999.67 | 215 | -61 | 192.40 | 4.0 | 13.5 | 9.5 | 4.5 | 2.09 | |
| Twin | 28.0 | 33.0 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 1.79 | ||||||
| 45.0 | 51.0 | 6.0 | 2.9 | 1.53 | |||||||
| 63.0 | 137.0 | 74.0 | 35.0 | 1.56 | |||||||
| 146.0 | 154.0 | 8.0 | 3.8 | 1.82 | |||||||
| 172.95 | 189.0 | 16.05 | 7.7 | 1.66 | |||||||
| Az= Compass Bearing Dip= Degrees Inclination CL= Core Length TL= True Length Top Cut to 20 g/t gold | |||||||||||
This technical information in this release was verified by way of a site visit in March, 2017 by the Qualified Person, where the data was discussed with the site operator, the database was reviewed, and the drill core was examined. The press release is also reviewed by Agnico Eagle prior to dissemination. Agnico Eagle uses an industry accepted quality control/quality assurance program at the Barsele project, as described more thoroughly on our website at http://barseleminerals.com/s/QAQCProcedures-Barsele.asp.
All samples referred to in this table were tested at independent ALS Laboratories in Romania and Ireland, using ultra trace level method (ME-MS61)-48 element by using four acid digestion together with ICP-AES and ICP-MS analytical methods. Gold is tested by fire assay, aqua regia digest and analysed with an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or gravimetric finish depending on grade (Au-AA24 and Au-GRA22). Each method has a lower and upper calibration range for which results are accurately determined.
As project operator, Agnico Eagle has developed a community relations program to engage the various stakeholders in the project area. Basic environmental assessment and surface water characterization, species studies and hydrogeology studies are ongoing. Basal till drilling has resumed. Planning toward VMS target drilling is underway.
About the Barsele Gold Project
The Barsele Project is located on the western end of the Proterozoic "Skellefte Trend", a prolific volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits belt, where it intersects with the "Gold Line" in Northern Sweden. Both polymetallic deposits and intrusive hosted orogenic gold deposits are present in this region and on the property. Current and past producers in the region include Boliden, Kristineberg, Bjorkdal, Svartliden and Storliden.
The intrusive hosted gold mineralization within the Barsele Property appears to be similar to Agnico Eagle's Goldex deposit in Quebec. Drilling has been focused on verifying, defining and expanding the mineral resources within and along the Central, Avan and Skiråsen zones, that are now interpreted to be part of the same mineralized system that extends approximately 3.0 kilometers in strike length and to a depth of 600 meters and still open in all directions. These contiguous mineralized zones occur within a granodiorite host that ranges in width from 200 to 500 meters and is traceable over a strike length exceeding 8.0 kilometers. Gold is generally associated with arsenopyrite and low base metal content, but also occurs as native metal locally.
Art Freeze, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and takes responsibility for the technical disclosure contained within this news release.
About Barsele Minerals Corp.
Barsele is a Canadian-based junior exploration company comprised of highly qualified mining professionals. Barsele's main property is the Barsele Gold Project in Västerbottens Län, Sweden, a joint venture with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. The company has retained the services of Amec Foster Wheeler to complete an Independent Review of the Barsele Mineral Resource Update that was recently created by Agnico Eagle. An updated NI 43-101 Technical Report will be prepared if warranted.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gary Cope
President
For further information, please contact Barsele Minerals Corp. at (604) 687-8566 x227, email info@barseleminerals.com or visit our website at www.barseleminerals.com
Neither 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 release