Rockcliff Metals (CSE:RCLF) has provided an update from its completed drill program at the Bur property in Manitoba. The company completed drilling to test potential copper-zinc geophysical targets and found multiple pegmatite dykes in drill core near its existing high-grade Bur VMS Deposit with thicknesses of up to roughly 15 metres.

Located within the Flin Flon Snow Lake Greenstone Belt, the Bur Property is known for its high-grade copper-zinc potential and is recognized as part of the lithium-bearing Wekusko Lake Pegmatite Field east of Snow Lake, Manitoba. 

The Wekusko Lake Pegmatite Field hosts several nearby historical lithium-rich pegmatite deposits and other exploration completed by other companies yielded discoveries of lithium-bearing pegmatites in the area. This has created a spike in interest in the area due to the current increase in global demand for critical minerals.

Rockcliff’s interim President and CEO, Ken Lapierre, commented in a press release: “Our drill program at Bur has discovered the presence of beryl, tourmaline and lithium bearing spodumene and lepidolite in zoned pegmatites within the WLPF. The discovery of pegmatites near our existing 5.3 million tonne high grade Bur VMS Deposit is truly a testament to the tremendous prospectivity of the property for copper, zinc and now lithium and other critical minerals. Historical maps on the property have outlined kilometres long unexplored pegmatite dyke swarms at surface throughout the property. A modern-day staking rush continues around us and heated interest in this area focuses on its potential to host multiple and significant areas with lithium and critical minerals all near a world class copper-zinc mining camp with excellent infrastructure already in place. As we continue to focus on copper and zinc within our extensive property portfolio, we will sample and assay lithium and critical minerals on all pegmatites intersected in our drilling at the Bur Property. We will also re-examine Bur historical drill core for additional pegmatite intersections previously not recognized. Rockcliff plans to expand its summer prospecting program at Bur and at its nearby 100% owned Sails Property, which happens to be centered between two major landowners in the WLPF. It’s in the early stages for us in the lithium space but we are excited to investigate this tremendous lithium and critical mineral opportunity and will keep our shareholders updated with results.”

Highlights from the results are as follows:

Bur Property: Bur VMS Deposit and Wekusko Lake Pegmatite Field (see Figure 1)

A total of approximately 1,400 metres of drilling in 4 holes were completed on geophysical targets within the hangingwall and footwall rocks hosting the Bur VMS Deposit. All targets were explained by the presence of appreciable graphite and pyrite and all mineralized areas will be assayed for copper and zinc.

Additionally, multiple pegmatite dykes have been discovered by drilling on the Bur property across an area of approximately 2 kilometres. The Bur Property is now recognized as being part of the WLPG, which represents a well-endowed belt of lithium bearing pegmatites east of the main Snow Lake mining camp. All 4 holes intersected from one up to 5 pegmatite dykes ranging from down the hole thicknesses (not true thickness) of 0.5 metres and up to 14.82 metres. Historical mapping at the Bur Property have identified numerous unexplored pegmatite dyke swarms at surface. If drill core sampling of the pegmatite dykes proves successful, Rockcliff will expand its efforts to determine the prospectivity of the pegmatite dykes throughout the Bur Property in the coming spring and summer seasons. Rockcliff will also compile all existing data at our 100% owned Sail Property that is in the center of the WLPF.

The 100% owned Bur Property hosts the Bur VMS Deposit and is located approximately 30 kilometres by gravel and paved road from the center of the Snow Lake Mining Camp. The Bur VMS Deposit is a strategic, high-grade and significant resource of copper and zinc. It remains open at depth and along strike. (see Figure 2 below).

Bur VMS Deposit

Rockcliff completed a NI 43-101 Technical Report in Q4 2021 on the Bur Property and press released the report on November 22, 2021. The Technical Report prepared by Stantec, with an effective date of October 26, 2021, is summarized below:

Bur VMS Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate at a 2.3% CuEq Cut-Off Grade (1-12)

1. CIM definitions are followed for classification of Mineral Resource.
2. Mineral resources are contained within a mineralized vein (zone) dipping at approximately 60 degrees towards the northwest whose closest vertical depth from surface is 6 m and maximum vertical depth is 1,274 m.
3. Resources are constrained to a minimum true vein thickness of 0.2 m and where calculated block revenues after recovery are greater than costs for mining.
4. CuEq (%) = Cu (%) + Zn (%) x 0.347 + Au(gpt) x 0.430 +Ag(gpt) x 0.005
5. ZnEq (%) = Cu (%) x 2.885 + Zn (%) + Au(gpt) x 1.241 + Ag(gpt) x 0.016
6. CuEq and ZnEq formulas are calculated using the following revenue inputs: Cu US$ 3.26/lb, Zn US$ 1.13/lb, Au US$ 1,744/oz, and Ag US$ 22.05/oz. Metal recoveries are: 80% Cu, 80% Zn, 40% Au and 40% Ag.
7. Mining costs used to determine prospects for eventual economic extraction total C$110/t.
8. US$ to C$ exchange rate applied is 1:1.31.
9. Specific gravity for the mineralized zone is fixed at 3.1.
10. Totals may not represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.
11. The Mineral Resource estimate has been prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Services Ltd. in conformity with CIM “Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices” guidelines and are reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve.
12. The 100% owned Bur Property is part of the Company’s extensive Manitoba property portfolio, has excellent infrastructure with a year-round access road, clearing for portable buildings, and a box cut and portal. The Bur Property lies within the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt, the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world and the most prolific VMS district in Canada.

The above references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a licensed professional for investment advice. The author is not an insider or shareholder of any of the companies mentioned above.