In late 2003 a horizontal mine tunnel (named the "20th of November Drift") was driven 95m along the Compadres Vein where an old mine stope was encountered (Silver Shoot #1). Sampling of this shoot returned assays ranging up to 1,128g/t Ag and 0.2g/t Au over 1.9m with a median value of 680g/t Ag and 0.3g/t Au over 0.90m in the central portion of the vein. A single drill hole intersection 50m below this old stope by the Mexican owners is reported to have intersected 3.3m grading 1,463g/t Ag and 0.2g/t Au (see IMPACT news release of June 17, 2004).
Recently this Drift has been further advanced and work has also begun on a decline tunnel to access the high grade zone at depth indicated by the drill hole. In the Drift, Silver Shoot #1 was fully exposed and shown to be a 35m long, 1-2m wide high grade lens in the central portion of Compadres Vein which in total, is at least 8m wide here (the lower (footwall) portion of the vein has yet to be exposed). Grades vary from high values in this central portion (see above) decreasing to low values (less than 100g/t silver) toward the exposed upper contact of the vein.
At the time of IMPACT's last examination of the Drift, it had been advanced 20m beyond Silver Shoot #1. Samples collected from a recent large muck (blasted rock) pile at the end of the tunnel returned assays of 658 g/t silver, 0.47 g/t gold and 235 g/t silver, 0.19 g/t gold. Two samples across a partial exposure of the vein at the end of the Drift returned assays of 177 g/t silver, 0.22 g/t gold across 1.8m (TW) and 80 g/t silver, 0.17 g/t gold across 1.5m (TW).
Near term plans are to continue the Drift along the Compadres Vein in exploration for additional high-grade silver shoots. Observations in other parts of the Zacualpan Silver District indicate that some of the best shoots occur where veins intersect. Over the next 50m planned portion of the Drift several other veins are projected to intersect the Compadres Vein and hold the potential for discovery of additional high grade shoots.
IMPACT crews have also been mapping and sampling the Compadres Vein on surface along trend from the Drift. Highlights of this work include the following (see attached map):
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Sampling of a trench 165m southeast of the Drift entrance returned 265 g/t silver, 0.77 g/t gold across 5.6m. In the same area a panel sample in surface outcrop returned 343 g/t silver and 0.32 g/t gold over an area of 8 x 3m. A sample from a small old shaft 350m southeast of the Drift entrance returned 352 g/t silver, 0.28 g/t gold across 1.2m and 321 g/t silver and 0.12 g/t gold from the rock dump beside the shaft.
Other veins in the Compadres area have also been mapped and sampled. Highlights of this work include the following:
The Nacho Vein exposed in the Drift just beyond its intersection with Silver Shoot #1 returned 460 g/t silver, 0.13 g/t gold across 1.2m (TW). An unnamed vein in an old inclined shaft 90m east of the Drift entrance returned 447 g/t silver, 0.31 g/t gold across 2.2m. Samples collected from other veins in the Compadres area are still in the laboratory awaiting completion of assays and will be reported as they are received and compiled.
To date over 100 old silver prospects and historic mine workings have been catalogued by IMPACT geologists at Zacualpan. The ongoing Phase One work program is continuing to map and sample select numbers of these prospects and workings. This data will then be used to define priority targets for testing by a Phase Two drill program scheduled to begin in January. Mapping and sampling will continue during Phase Two in preparation for further drilling later in 2005. IMPACT's plans are to carry out extensive surface, underground and engineering studies in order to evaluate and make a purchase decision on the Zacualpan operations.
Zacualpan is one of the oldest mining districts in North America with Spanish Colonial mining dating back to at least 1528. In 1531 it was the first mining district in the Americas to be bestowed the title of 'Royal Mines' of Zacualpan by proclamation under the Spanish Crown. It is located 100km southwest of Mexico City and 25km northwest of the famous Taxco Silver Mine. Zacualpan is a classic Mexican epithermal silver district with an abundance of veins that have seen historic production. Statistics for the early centuries of production are sporadic but in modern times recorded production between 1975-2004 was about 17 million ounces of silver (26 million ounces silver equivalent with by-product gold, lead and zinc credits). Veins presently being mined on the property typically vary from 2 to 5 meters in width. Individual production shoots are often 50 to 150 meters long and predominantly steeply dipping.
Nigel Hulme, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 directly supervised the field work and approved the technical information in this news release. Chip and channel samples were collected from cleaned rock faces in old mine workings and from bedrock outcrops over a continuous representative interval using a moil and hammer. A total of 5% assay standards and 5% blanks were inserted into every sample shipment as a quality control measure. All samples were shipped to the ALS Chemex preparation laboratory in Guadalajara (Mexico) where they were fine crushed (70% passing a 2mm screen), pulverized (85% passing a 75 micron screen) and a pulp split separated for assay by a riffle splitter. These pulps were shipped to the ALS Chemex laboratory in North Vancouver Canada where a 30 gram split of each was assayed for gold and silver by standard fire assay and a 10 gram split was analysed for an additional 30 elements by ICP spectrometry.
IMPACT Minerals International Inc. is a silver and gold focused exploration and development company with projects in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. IMPACT is 39% owned by Energold Mining Ltd. (EGD:TSX.V)
On behalf of the Directors of IMPACT Minerals International Inc.
"Frederick W. Davidson"
For further information please contact:
President Fred Davidson - President or
Darrell Rader - Corporate Development
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved this news release.
