MMS.L Regulatory News (MMS)

11 Oct 2005 16:20

Maghreb Minerals PLC11 October 2005 PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM AT TAN CHAFFAO AIMED AT VERIFYING AND EXTENDING ZONE OFGOLD AND COPPER MINERALISATION Maghreb Minerals PLC ("the Company") is pleased to announce that a work programat its Tan Chaffao exploration license will commence immediately following theend of Ramadan, in early November. Over the next month, with the assistance ofthe Algerian O.R.G.M. (Office National de la Recherche Geologique et Miniere),the Company expects to establish a base for operations at Tan Chaffao. Theexploration program this year is planned to include mapping, additionalgeophysical surveys and drilling. The drilling will be aimed at verifying thegrades of mineralisation identified by previous work by the O.R.G.M. The polymetallic (Zn, Pb, Cu, Au) orebody of Tan Chaffao is located about 250kmnorthwest of Tamanrasset in the Hoggar region of Algeria. Discovered in 1971,it was explored during two field seasons (1972 and 1973) by Russian supervisedORGM teams. The work consisted of geological and geophysical studies and a10-hole drill programme. The 10 holes were drilled to depths of between 100m to 200m on severallenticular mineral-bearing zones over a strike length of 1450 m. The lensesvary in length from 50m to 300m with widths of between 0.6m with 16.5m. Of the10 drill holes, 6 intersected significant mineralisation. Assay results for O.R.G.M. sample* Thickness (m) Grade Grade Grade Au gpt Cu% Zn % Trench 101 10 2.2Trench 102 3.2 3.3Trench 106 10 1.0Drill Hole S 21 17 3.5 1.0 1.8 21 2.0 - -Drill Hole S 28b 17 1.0 0.4 1.5Drill Hole S 30 6.5 0.1 1.9Drill Hole S 43b 4.4 0.42Drill Hole S 24 9 3.3 0.62Drill Hole S 23 5 8.6 1.2 5.8 3.6 0.55 *Maghreb Minerals plc has not verified these results Mineralisation at Tan Chaffao occurs as disseminated and massive sulphide withinvolcano-sedimentary formations of upper Proterozoic age. Structurally themineralisation occurs within a large NS trending syncline, adjacent to the deepNS fault with which the gold deposits of Tirek and Amesmessa and Pb-Znmineralisation in the south of Algeria are associated. Several other mineralised occurrences have been identified within the immediatesurroundings of the known Tan Chaffao resource. Only limited exploration hasbeen carried out of the remainder of the exploration licence. The objective of the exploration programme at Tan Chaffao is to find economicsulphide mineralisation firstly in the already known mineralised area andsecondly within the rest of the exploration licence area. After the compilationof existing data and a study of spectral and radar satellite images, theprogramme will involve detailed geophysical survey (IP and magnetics) associatedto geochemical and geological ground survey over the known orebody in order todefine drilling targets. A similar survey, using geophysical, geochemical andgeological mapping but at a wider spacing, will be conducted over the remainderof the licence area to identify additional areas of potential mineralisation andtest those other occurrences already known. Existing drilling targets, such asuntested lateral extension of known intersections, will be tested as soon aspossible. Executive Chairman, Gordon Riddler said, "The Tan Chaffao property represents anexciting step forward for Maghreb Minerals. It presents an opportunity toleverage off earlier work by the O.R.G.M. which suggests the potential for alarge tonnage orebody in the Tan Chaffao area. In addition it provides MaghrebMinerals with a base to acquire additional properties, some potentiallyrepresenting near term production, in this large underdeveloped mineral richprovince. Maghreb Minerals is looking forward to a close working relationship inAlgeria with the O.R.G.M., similar to the strong working relationship it hasestablished with the Tunisian ONM." For further information please contact: Maghreb Minerals Plc Westhouse Securities LLPRobyn Storer/Gordon Riddler Richard Morrison / Tim MetcalfeTel: 44 (0) 20 7618 6411 Tel: 44 (0) 20 7601 6100 www.maghrebminerals.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange