News

VANCOUVER, CANADA - BeMetals Corp. (“BeMetals” or the “Company”) (TSXV: BMET) (OTCQB: BMTLF) is pleased to announce the results of its first diamond drilling program at the Pangeni Copper Exploration Project (“Pangeni Project” or the “Project”), located on the western extension of the Central African Copperbelt in Zambia (the “Zambian Copperbelt”). This program comprised seven shallow drill holes totaling some 1,275 metres to test three high-priority targets. The Pangeni Project exploration licence totals 575km² in an area where prospective extensions to the Zambian Copperbelt are covered by a thin veneer of Kalahari sand units. See Figure 4 for property location.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2019 DIAMOND DRILLING PROGRAM

• D2 Target: Drill Hole D2-C1 intersected 5.50 metres grading 0.53% copper (“Cu”)
                     Drill Hole D2-C2 intersected 5.56 metres grading 0.47% Cu
• E2 Target:  Drill Hole E2-C2 intersected 4.50 metres grading 0.39% Cu
       Including: 0.5 metres of 1.59% Cu & 0.5 metres grading 1.22% Cu

Note: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia. All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 80 to 90% of the drilled intersections.

John Wilton, President and CEO of BeMetals, commented, “We are very encouraged by the results of our first core drilling program at the Pangeni Project in Zambia. These results have delivered and exceeded our stated objectives at the commencement of this drilling. We have now successfully confirmed the prospectivity of this Project to deliver, potentially tier one scale, copper discovery through the identification of copper sulphide mineralization and associated alteration systems. This area is an under explored region of potential extensions to the Zambian Copperbelt.

Today’s results delivered a number of significant copper intersections for this early stage project especially considering we are exploring through thin Kalahari sand cover. Importantly these intersections are related to broader zones of anomalous copper and associated with alteration minerals known to occur in copper deposits within the region. Twelve core holes have now been drilled on this 575km² property to date, including five drill holes completed in 2016, targeting four prospects, each separated by at least 7 kilometres. Eight of the total twelve diamond drill holes, have to date returned significant copper sulphide mineralization.

The Company’s approach to exploring this property, through highly experienced interpretation of airborne magnetic data with follow up aircore drilling to generate copper targets beneath the Kalahari sand cover, has proved to be successful and cost effective. We will now fully integrate this data and design the next phase of exploration which will likely focus on further aircore drilling at the D2, SW (E2) and CT targets (See Figure 2) to test for extensions and vectors towards higher grade copper mineralization at these prospects during the 2020 field season. The E2 target results represent a 600 metre northeast extension, of the previously drilled SW Target, under the Kalahari sand cover units. This consolidated SW (E2) prospect has now returned bedrock copper mineralization over some two kilometres of strike.

We are also pleased to continue our strong technical and local community relationship with both Copper Cross Zambia Limited and Pangeni Mineral Resources Limited, the optionees of this property.”  

PANGENI PROJECT 2019 DIAMOND DRILLING PROGRAM

Between the 2^nd of July and 23^rd of August 1,275 metres of core drilling was completed on the Project during the 2019 field season. The core was transported to the town of Kitwe in the Zambian Copperbelt for sampling. Full laboratory results were received on the 4^th of October, and quality assessments of the data completed.

The results indicate a number of anomalous zones of predominantly copper sulphide mineralization are present at both the D2 and E2 targets. These targets were generated from two phases of aircore drilling at the property (See previous Company news releases from January 9^th 2019 and November 5^th 2018). The location of the three targets (D2, E2 and H1) tested are indicated on Figure 1.

Table 1 below shows the selected zones of copper mineralization intersected from the follow up core drilling. Copper mineralization is observed as both disseminated and within veins and is associated with feldspar and kyanite alteration, typical of certain large Zambian copper deposits. Table 2 shows the orientation, end of hole depths and collar co-ordinates for the drilling program. Core drill testing of target H1 did not return any significant copper mineralization and a re-assessment of this target will be undertaken.

Figure 2 illustrates the zones of copper mineralization at the D2 Prospect including intersections of 5.50 metres grading 0.53% Cu and 5.56 metres grading 0.47% Cu in drill holes D2-C1 and D2-C2 respectively, and their association with various alteration minerals (kyanite, albite and scapolite).

Figure 3 shows the multiple zones of copper mineralization returned at the E2 target also associated with important alteration minerals that includes 0.5 metres grading 2.73% Cu in drill hole E2-C3. This  represents the highest grade copper sample intersected on the property to date, which is associated with a quartz vein with chalcopyrite, and alteration minerals of feldspar and kyanite.

These encouraging core drilling results will be used to update the geological interpretation of the Project with a focus on designing future exploration to identify higher grade copper mineralization in the proximity of the D2, SW (E2) and CT prospects. Such work will include a detailed structural interpretation of the drill hole core to orientate features associated with the mineralization and guide areas for future aircore drilling. This will ultimately provide vectors towards zones of potential higher grade copper for core drill testing.  

Table 1. 2019 Core drilling program selected drill hole results

Note: Intertek Genalysis completed the analytical work with the core samples processed at their preparation facility in Kitwe, Zambia. All analytical procedures were conducted in an Intertek Genalysis laboratory in Australia. Reported widths are drilled core lengths as true widths are unknown at this time. Based upon current data it is estimated true widths range between 80 to 90% of the drilled intersections. A nominal cut-off grade of 0.1% Cu has been used to determine the boundaries of the total intersections with internal dilution at 0.05% Cu not exceeding 23% of the intercept to illustrate the anomalous zones. * denotes intersections where a 0.25% Cu has been used. † denotes single sample.

Figure 1.  Location of 2019 drill hole collars and D2, SW (E2) and CT targets on interpreted map of surface regolith

Figure 2.  Cross section through D2 Target core drill holes D2-C1 & D2-C2
(Aircore drill holes D2-08,09,07,10,06)

Figure 3.  Cross section through E2 Target core drill holes E2-C1, E2-C2 & E2-C2
(Aircore drill holes E2-05,08,04,09,03), Inset Plan View with SW1 copper intersection (see news release July, 19, 2018)

Figure 4.  Pangeni Copper Project Location Map

Table 2.  2019 Drill hole, Azimuth, Dip, EOH depth, collar co-ordinates

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL

The results reported here for this core drilling program were analyzed by Intertek Genalysis, an independent and accredited laboratory. Samples were prepared at their facility in Kitwe, Zambia and analytical work conducted in Australia. The results were determined using multi-acid, near total digest, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (“ICP”) Optical (Atomic) Emission Spectrometry (“OES”). The core sampling was conducted with a robust sampling protocol that included the appropriate insertion of standard reference material, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream.

Field operations and management have been provided by Remote Exploration Services (“RES”) an independent geological consulting and contracting company. The core drilling was conducted by Blurock Mining Services, of Kitwe, Zambia.

THE PANGENI COPPER EXPLORATION PROJECT

The Pangeni Project is located on the western extension of the Zambian Copperbelt, within the Lufilian Arc, underlain by Katangan Supergroup metasediments situated unconformably on basement schists and gneisses, which are covered by a thin veneer of Kalahari sands. The open pit Sentinel Copper Mine is operated by First Quantum Minerals Ltd. some 130 kilometres to the northeast of the Pangeni Project. A number of major international mining companies have identified this region of the Zambian Copperbelt to be prospective for the discovery of tier one copper mines and are also conducting extensive exploration  work in this area.

The Pangeni Project property is geologically prospective for the following deposit types; Basement-hosted Cu (analogues: the Lumwana Deposit, Nyungu Prospect), Sediment-hosted stratiform Cu-Co (analogues: Nchanga, Konkola, Nkana, and Mufulira Deposits), other Domes Region Deposits e.g. Sentinel, and Kansanshi and DRC Copperbelt Deposits e.g. Lonshi, Frontier, Kamoa-Kakula).

ABOUT BEMETALS CORP.

BeMetals' founding Directors include Clive Johnson, Roger Richer, Tom Garagan and John Wilton. BeMetals is a new base metals exploration and development company focused on becoming a significant base metal producer through the acquisition of quality exploration, development and potentially production stage projects. The Company is advancing both its early-stage, tier-one targeted, Pangeni Copper Exploration Project in Zambia, and its advanced high-grade, zinc-silver polymetallic underground exploration at the South Mountain Project in Idaho, USA. The Company’s growth strategy is led by our strong Board, key members of which have an extensive proven record of delivering considerable value in the mining sector through the discovery, construction and operation of mines around the world. The Board, it’s Advisors, and senior management also provide outstanding deal flow of project opportunities to BeMetals based upon their extensive network of contacts in the international minerals business.

The technical information in this news release for BeMetals, has been reviewed and approved by John Wilton, CGeol FGS, CEO and President of BeMetals, and a “Qualified Person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF BEMETALS CORP.

"John Wilton

John Wilton
President, CEO and Director

For further information about BeMetals please visit our website at www.bemetalscorp.com and sign-up to our email list to receive timely updates, or contact:

Derek Iwanaka
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Telephone: 604-609-6141
Email:    diwanaka@bemetalscorp.com  

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 release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and “forward looking information” (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management’s best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to future exploration and development of the Pangeni Project and the South Mountain Project, as well as plans for the identification and acquisition of additional base metal projects. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, without limitation, the actual results of exploration activities, the availability of financing and/or cash flow to fund the current and future plans and expenditures, the ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions of the option agreements for the South Mountain Project and/or the Pangeni Project, and changes in the world commodity markets or equity markets. Please refer to the Company’s most recent filings under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting the Company and its business. The forward-looking statements and forward looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  The Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any forward-looking statements or forward looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.