PANAMA CITY, Feb 19, 2008
Bellhaven Copper & Gold, Inc. (TSX-Venture: BHV) in conjunction with its joint venture partner Dominion Minerals Corp. (OTC: DMNM) is pleased to report summary copper, gold and silver results from Holes CH-07-01 to CH-07-11 as part of the recently completed diamond drill program at the Cerro Chorcha porphyry copper project in the western highlands of Panama.
The 3,615.8 meter drill program confirmed Bellhaven's geologic model which outlines a structurally controlled mineralized zone with a NE-SW direction.
Holes CH-07-01 to CH-07-11 drilled across the higher grade stockwork structures, identifying a zone of nearly 900 meters in strike length, which will be further defined by the next drilling campaign. Additionally, the drill program confirmed an envelope of medium grades (ranging from 0.4 to 0.8% Cu) which surround the higher grade stockwork zones.
All holes drilled appear to indicate potential for the extension of the higher grade zone at depth as evidenced by dipping mineralized structures observed in drill core and as shown on cross sections. This possibility will be explored to greater extent by the upcoming 15,000 meter drill program to begin in Q1 2008.
The recently completed drill program gives better context to the probable continuity of higher grade stockwork and porphyry-style mineralization within areas of previously unexplained rock and soil geochemical anomalies surrounding the known Chorcha deposit. These anomalies are located within 0.5 to 1 kilometer to the north, south and east of the drill indicated resource, and are now being investigated by field crews to develop drill targets for the 2008 drill program. An updated NI-43-101 report, which will be carried out within the next few months, should outline an increased ore resource and serve as the basis for the next 15,000 meter drill program planned for 2008. The purpose of the upcoming drill program will be to provide greater continuity to the geological model and to further define the mineralization at Chorcha which remains open in almost every direction, and to extend porphyry-style copper and gold mineralization to areas adjacent to and surrounding the known deposit.
Copper values by ICP-MS (Acme Labs, Vancouver) for Holes CH-07-01 to CH- 07-06, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (SGS Labs, Peru) for Holes CH-07-07 to CH-07-11. Gold values by fire assay prep and AAS finish. Silver values by ICP-MS analysis. Maps and sections showing the location and assay results of all drill holes are available at the company's website at www.bellhavencg.com.
Holes CH-07-09, CH-07-10 and CH-07-11 are northwest directed -60 degree angle holes located several hundred meters to the west of previously reported Holes CH-07-01 to CH-07-08. Hole CH-07-09 was drilled from a site approximately 350 meters west of Hole CH-07-01, and encountered an 8 meter (142-150 m) zone of quartz-magnetite-sulphide stockwork that assayed 0.88 % copper, 0.15 g/t gold, and 4 g/t silver.
Hole CH-07-10 located 75 meters northeast of Hole CH-07-09 encountered a 20 meter (168-188 m) zone of stockwork that assayed 0.75 % copper.
Holes CH-07-09 and CH-07-10 encountered strong and continuous zones of faulting and shearing that appear to have offset the main zone of mineralization. Approximately 100 meters southwest of Hole CH-07-09, Hole CH-07-11 encountered a 8 meter (100-108 m) stockwork zone that assayed 0.79 % copper, 0.2 g/t gold and 6.7 g/t silver, and bottomed in copper mineralization. This extends both the higher grade stockwork and main porphyry-style mineralization at least 900 meters along trend to the east- northeast, from
Hole CH-07-11 to Hole CH-07-08.
Assay results from all Holes confirm that stockwork and porphyry-style mineralization remains open in all directions and at depth.
The zones of copper-gold-silver mineralization in Holes CH-07-01 to CH-07-11 are associated with stockwork veins and disseminations hosted in a quartz diorite to quartz monzodiorite porphyry within the Cerro Chorcha porphyry intrusive complex.
This news release has been prepared under the supervision of Michael D. Druecker, Ph.D., P.Geo. who serves as the Qualified Person for this project under National Instrument 43-101. Sample protocol used at the project includes standards, duplicates and blanks for each sample shipment.
About Bellhaven Copper & Gold
Bellhaven Copper and Gold is one of Panama's leading exploration companies. Bellhaven controls highly prospective gold and copper concessions, totaling over 500 square kilometers, that are located in some of the most mineral-rich regions in the country. Gold has been mined in Panama as far back as the 1500's, when the Spanish extracted a million ounces of high-grade ore from the Cana mine. During modern times, the Santa Rosa and Remance gold mines operated during the 1990's and the Molejon Gold Project is scheduled to come online in 2008. Bellhaven's Cerro Quema project is slated for production in 2009. Adding greatly to the strength of the Company is the fact that many of its senior management and board members are residents and/or citizens of Panama. These individuals have a record of success and achievement, and enjoy excellent working relationships with the government, the native Indian tribes, and within the worldwide mining community.
On behalf of the board of directors,
Julio C. Benedetti, President,
CEO BELLHAVEN COPPER AND GOLD, INC.
Pini Althaus,
President, CEO DOMINION MINERALS CORP.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
SOURCE Bellhaven Copper & Gold, Inc.
http://www.bellhavencg.com
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