REG-ECR Minerals plc Positive Results from Phase 4 Channel Sampling at Itogon Gold Project, Philippines <Origin Href="QuoteRef">ECRE.L</Origin>

ECR MineralsAnnouncement

24/11/2014 14:20

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LONDON--(Business Wire)--


ECR MINERALS plc

("ECR Minerals", "ECR" or the "Company") 

AIM: ECR 

US OTC: MTGDY 

POSITIVE RESULTS FROM PHASE 4 CHANNEL SAMPLING

AT ITOGON GOLD PROJECT, PHILIPPINES

LONDON: 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 - ECR Minerals plc is pleased to announce positive
assay results from phase 4 channel sampling at the Itogon epithermal gold
project in Benguet Province, northern Philippines. 

HIGHLIGHTS

* Intercepts from phase 4 channel sampling at Itogon include, at surface, 28m
averaging 3.11g/t gold (channel MP-52), 20m averaging 1.15g/t gold (channel
MP-54) and 12m averaging 2.08g/t gold (channel MP-69) 

* Reconnaissance mapping and sampling is to planned to commence during October
2014 on ridges to the north-east and south-west of the main prospect area 

* Drilling is expected to recommence at Itogon during Q4 2014 (as previously
announced) 

Stephen Clayson, Chief Executive Officer of ECR, commented:

"The results of channel sampling at Itogon continue to indicate a significant
epithermal vein system with widespread surface expressions, and it is our belief
that continued exploration will prove very rewarding. 

During the course of the year so far ECR has mapped and channel sampled numerous
outcrops which do not appear to have been identified historically, including,
with reference to the maps that accompany this news release, those represented
by mapping points MP-20 to 21 and MP-38 to 40, the discovery of which has
increased the known extent of mineralisation in the main prospect area. 

Phase 4 channel sampling focused primarily on the westernmost identified vein
zones in the central part of the main prospect area. As with prior phases, a
number of impressively consistent mineralised intercepts were obtained, as
detailed in Table 1 below. 

Reconnaissance mapping and sampling is planned to commence during October 2014
on the ridges situated immediately to the north-east and south-west of and
running sub-parallel with the ridge comprising the main prospect area, and is
intended to identify any further surface expressions of the main epithermal
system along with any other mineralisation of interest." 
 
 Table 1: Phase 4 Channel Sampling                                                   
 
Itogon Gold Project, Philippines                                                   
 
Apparent Widths and Average Grades                                                 
 Mapping Point        From        To          Apparent Width        Average Grade    
                      m           m           m                     g/t Au           
 Surface channel samples                                                             
 MP-50                0.0         8.0         8.0                   0.08             
                                                                                     
 MP-51                0.0         8.0         8.0                   1.56             
 inc.                 0.0         2.0         2.0                   1.63             
 inc.                 2.0         4.0         2.0                   2.26             
 inc.                 4.0         6.0         2.0                   1.16             
 inc.                 6.0         8.0         2.0                   1.18             
                                                                                     
 MP-52                0.0         28.0        28.0                  3.11             
 inc.                 0.0         2.0         2.0                   2.34             
 inc.                 2.0         4.0         2.0                   6.02             
 inc.                 4.0         6.0         2.0                   1.05             
 inc.                 8.0         10.0        2.0                   1.98             
 inc.                 10.0        12.0        2.0                   1.03             
 inc.                 14.0        16.0        2.0                   1.04             
 inc.                 16.0        18.0        2.0                   4.86             
 inc.                 18.0        20.0        2.0                   4.07             
 inc.                 20.0        22.0        2.0                   6.01             
 inc.                 22.0        24.0        2.0                   3.08             
 inc.                 24.0        26.0        2.0                   2.45             
 inc.                 26.0        28.0        2.0                   8.40             
                                                                                     
 MP-53                0.0         4.0         4.0                   0.26             
                                                                                     
 MP-54                0.0         20.0        20.0                  1.15             
 inc.                 0.0         2.0         2.0                   1.51             
 inc.                 12.0        14.0        2.0                   4.84             
                                                                                     
 MP-55                0.0         38.0        38.0                  0.24             
 MP-56                0.0         1.5         1.5                   2.32             
 MP-57                0.0         1.5         1.5                   7.82             
 MP-58                0.0         1.5         1.5                   0.18             
 MP-59                0.0         11.0        11.0                  0.45             
 MP-60                0.0         1.7         1.7                   0.82             
 MP-61                0.0         4.0         4.0                   0.32             
                                                                                     
 MP-62                0.0         6.0         6.0                   1.85             
 inc.                 2.0         4.0         2.0                   1.24             
 inc.                 4.0         6.0         2.0                   3.56             
                                                                                     
 MP-63                0.0         2.0         2.0                   0.37             
 MP-64                0.0         2.0         2.0                   0.15             
 MP-65                0.0         2.0         2.0                   0.60             
 MP-66                0.0         2.0         2.0                   0.33             
 MP-67                0.0         2.0         2.0                   1.81             
 MP-68                0.0         1.5         1.5                   4.72             
                                                                                     
 MP-69                0.0         12.0        12.0                  2.08             
 inc.                 0.0         2.0         2.0                   2.45             
 inc.                 2.0         4.0         2.0                   2.08             
 inc.                 6.0         8.0         2.0                   3.22             
 inc.                 8.0         10.0        2.0                   3.28             
 
 
A set of maps relating to the sampling results disclosed in this news release
may be viewed at: http://www.ecrminerals.com/Itogon-channel-sampling-phases-1to4

The maps are for illustration only and should not be relied upon for technical
purposes. 

Geological mapping highlighted altered, mineralised and/or intensely oxidised
occurrences for channel sampling, in some cases following trenching. 

Where channels comprised multiple samples, Table 1 discloses the weighted
average gold grade for the length of each channel and the grades of any
individual samples which exceeded 1 g/t gold. No top or lower cut-off has been
applied in calculating weighted averages. 

Phase 4 channel sampling at the Itogon project comprised a total of 80 samples
(excluding QA/QC samples), each representing a channel length of between 1.3m
and 2.0m, and representing an aggregate channel length of 156.7m. Intercepts are
given as apparent widths. 

Assay values have been expressed in this news release as g/t (grams per tonne)
gold but are received from the laboratory expressed as ppm (parts per million)
gold. For the purposes hereof ppm gold and g/t can be considered equivalent. 

QA/QC

Sampling was carried out under geological supervision. A secure chain of custody
was maintained in the transport and storage of all samples, which were shipped
to and analysed by Intertek Testing Services Philippines, Inc. ("Intertek"), an
internationally accredited independent analytical laboratory in Metro Manila.
Upon arrival at Intertek samples were sorted, dried, crushed, split, and a
fraction was pulverised. The method of analysis for gold was fire assay (50g
charge) with AAS finish. 

QA/QC measures including the use of blanks and standards were implemented by ECR
and separately by Intertek in relation to the analysis of the samples. The assay
data reported is considered acceptable in the context of these measures. 

Review by Competent Person

The contents of this announcement have been reviewed by Andrew Tunningley
MAusIMM (CP), a geologist with the consultancy Exploration Alliance, which has
been engaged by ECR in connection with the Itogon project. 

About the Itogon Project

Exploration by ECR to date, including reverse circulation (RC) drilling
completed in April 2014, indicates that gold mineralisation in the main prospect
area at the Itogon project is hosted by generally north-west trending,
south-west dipping to subvertical epithermal veins, with a subordinate set of
generally north-east trending veins. ECR`s drilling has confirmed mineralisation
over a strike length of 400m and a vertical extent of 250m, open along strike
and down dip. The width of the overall mineralised zone at surface, demonstrated
by channel sampling, is up to 250m (notwithstanding sections between vein zones
which may be unmineralised). 

The epithermal veins are composed of grey and white, saccharoidal and vuggy
quartz with associated clay, calcite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite,
and vein breccia, hosted by moderately to strongly oxidised and argillised
medium grained diorite. Individual veins rarely exceed 1m wide and tend to occur
as approximately 0.2m wide, closely spaced, sheeted veins within the altered
zones. Establishing the continuity of the vein zones between intercepts at
surface, in underground workings and by drilling is an important exploration
objective. 

The highest gold grades are typically associated with multiple narrow, 1-2m wide
occurrences of sheeted quartz veins and quartz vein breccia, with a mineralised
selvedge grading approximately 0.30g/t gold or higher associated with these
structures. 

ABOUT ECR

ECR is a mineral exploration and development company with, among other
interests, the right to earn a 50% interest in the Itogon gold project in the
Philippines. Itogon is an advanced exploration project located in a gold and
copper mining district on the island of Luzon in the north of the Philippines. 

ECR has a 100% interest in the Sierra de las Minas gold project in La Rioja
Province, Argentina, the exploration strategy for which is to delineate multiple
medium to high grade, low tonnage deposits suitable for advancement to
production on a relatively low capital, near term basis. 

ECR holds a substantial minority stake in THEMAC Resources Group Ltd (TSX-V:
MAC), which is focused on the development of the Copper Flat
copper-molybdenum-gold-silver porphyry project in New Mexico, USA. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

ECR Minerals plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7929 1010 

Paul Johnson, Non-Executive Chairman 

Stephen Clayson, Director & Chief Executive Officer 

Richard (Dick) Watts, Technical Director 

Email: info@ecrminerals.com

Website: www.ecrminerals.com

Daniel Stewart & Company plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7776 6550 

Emma Earl/Harrison Clarke (Nominated Adviser) 

Colin Rowbury (Broker) 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement may include forward looking statements. Such statements may be
subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate and therefore actual results and future events could differ materially
from those anticipated in such statements. 

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking
statements. Any forward looking statements contained herein speak only as of the
date hereof (unless stated otherwise) and, except as may be required by
applicable laws or regulations (including the AIM Rules for Companies), the
Company disclaims any obligation to update or modify such forward looking
statements as a result of new information, future events or for any other
reason. 

GLOSSARY

AAS: atomic absorption spectroscopy 

adit: an opening driven horizontally into the side of a mountain or hill for
providing access to a mineral deposit 

alteration: the chemical response of rocks to hydrothermal solutions causing
mineralogical change 

argillic alteration: clay rich assemblages dominated by low temperature clays
such as kaolinite, smectite, and interlayered illite-smectite; these are formed
by low temperature (<230°C), acid to neutral, low salinity hydrothermal fluids 

assay: a test performed on a sample of ores or minerals to determine the amount
of valuable metals contained 

Au: gold 

breccia: coarse (usually >2 mm) fragmental rock, consisting of generally angular
clasts of one or more lithologies; a complexly veined rock can have a brecciated
appearance (if veins are multi-generational and/or branching), but it is
important to differentiate between the two; veins are generally linear or
sinuous, whereas a breccia matrix is highly irregular 

channel sampling: a sample composed of pieces of rock that have been cut out of
a small trench or channel 

chlorite: a group of platy, monoclinic, usually greenish minerals; associated
with and resembling the micas; widely distributed as alteration products of
ferromagnesian minerals 

epidote: a green monoclinic mineral 

drussy: pertaining to an insoluble residue or encrustation of quartz crystal 

epithermal: mineralisation produced by near surface hydrothermal fluids related
to igneous activity; originally defined as having formed in the range 50-300°C 

fault: a break in the Earth`s crust caused by tectonic forces which have moved
the rock on one side with respect to the other 

footwall: the rock on the underside of a vein or ore structure 

g: grams 

galena: a grey metallic mineral; has a perfect cubic cleavage; soft and very
heavy; principal ore of lead 

g/t: grams per tonne 

hanging wall: the rock on the upper side of a vein or ore deposit 

hematite: a common iron mineral; occurs in rhombohedral crystals, in reniform
masses or fibrous aggregate; deep red earthy forms; an alteration product in
hydrothermal systems 

illite: a general name for a group of mica like clay minerals that are widely
distributed in argillic altered rocks 

kg: kilogram 

km: kilometre 

m: metre 

massive: said of rocks of any origin that are more or less homogenous in texture
or fabric; also said of a mineral deposit especially of sulphides, characterized
by great concentration of ore in one place as opposed to a disseminated or vein
type deposit 

MDL: method detection limit 

outcrop: an exposure of rock or mineral deposit that can be seen on surface,
that is, not covered by soil or water 

oxidation: a chemical reaction caused by exposure to oxygen which results in a
change in the chemical composition of a mineral 

portal: the entry to an underground or sub surface access such as an adit,
decline or tunnel 

ppm: parts per million 

propylitic alteration: chlorite-epidote-calcite alteration assemblage 

RL: reduced level; calculated elevation in relation to a particular datum 

saccharoidal: granular aggregates of equant crystals having the appearance of
sugar in hand specimen 

selvedge: the area of the point of contact between a vein and the surrounding
rock 

silicification: a hydrothermal alteration assemblage dominated by silica 

smectite: mineral commonly found in argillic altered rocks 

sphalerite: a yellow, brown, or black, isometric mineral with a perfect
dodecahedral cleavage and a resinous to adamantine lustre; widely distributed
ore of zinc; commonly associated with galena in epithermal veins 

stringer: a narrow vein or irregular filament of a mineral or minerals
traversing a rock mass usually of limited strike and dip compared to a vein 

trenching: cutting of a narrow, shallow ditch across a mineral showing or
deposit to obtain channel or other samples or to observe geology 

t: tonne 

vein: material which was chemically deposited by fluids within a rock fracture;
veins exhibit a range of textures and minerals, depending primarily on the
temperature, depth, and composition of the fluid and host rock; may also contain
a small amount (<10%) of entrained host rock and/or vein clasts 

vein breccia: rock consisting predominantly of vein fragments (<10% host rock
clasts) in a chemically deposited matrix; clasts are generally sub angular, and
supported in a matrix of generally similar vein minerals (such as quartz,
chalcedony), which may be banded and enclose open cavities 

vug: open cavity within a rock, usually in a vein or breccia cement, which is
lined by euhedral prismatic crystals that project into the cavity 
 
ECR Minerals plc 

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