News Release
Nov 18, 2009
Western Copper expands in-pit mineralization and discovers a new molybdenum zone at Casino
VANCOUVER, B.C. Western Copper Corporation (“Western Copper” or the “Company”) (TSX:WRN) is pleased to announce assay results from the completed exploration program at its wholly owned Casino Project in the Yukon Territory, Canada.
The assay results indicate a significant expansion of the known area of mineralization. Only one hole in the 39-hole exploration program, CAS-035, to the west of the deposit and outside of the currently defined pit, did not return intercepts of mineralization above the resource cut-off grade (0.3% CuEq). 16 of the holes drilled outside or on the border of the deposit outline as defined in the 2008 pre-feasibility study and within the currently defined pit reported long (>50 m) intercepts above cut-off grade.
Of note are 12 holes which targeted an area within the pit previously thought to be barren and described as a Latite Plug (Table 1). The mineralization in this area is comprised predominantly of molybdenum, indicating a new molybdenum zone. One interval in hole CAS-025 reported 0.518% molybdenum, 0.33% copper, 0.15 g/t gold, and 2.3 g/t silver over 9.5 meters. All of these holes reported significant lengths of mineralization above cut-off grade.
Assay results from the nine holes drilled to the northeast and northwest of the previously identified deposit outline and within the currently defined pit (Tables 2 & 3) also indicated that mineralization extends in these directions.
The four holes inside of the current deposit outline targeted deeper mineralization and better definition at the edges of the currently defined deposit (Table 5). Hole CAS-002 succeeded in demonstrating that above cut-off grade mineralization extends beyond previously proven depths with the bottom of the hole returning ore grade mineralization.
10 holes (Table 6) targeted geophysical anomalies identified during the Quantec Titan 24 IP survey performed earlier this year (see news release dated September 8, 2009). Drilling of two of these anomalies to the south of the deposit identified significant lead-zinc-silver-gold zones. CAS-021, to the south of the deposit, returned 9.85% zinc, 0.13% lead, 6.40 g/t silver, and 0.03 g/t gold over 16.75 meters. One hole to the north of the deposit identified anomalous gold.
“We are very pleased with the results of this drilling program.” said Dale Corman, President & CEO “The identification of mineralized material within areas of the pit previously described as barren will significantly add to the reserve and improve the economics of the project by converting waste into ore. Once this data is entered into the model and analyzed, we will be in a position to identify further drilling targets for next year to continue adding to the reserve. Casino is one of the world’s largest gold, copper and molybdenum reserves and has the potential to become one of the world’s largest mines.”
The Casino project is located 300 km northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon and has a NI 43-101 compliant reserve of 8 million oz of gold, 4.4 billion lb of copper, and 475 million lb of molybdenum, contained in approximately 1 billion tonnes of ore.
See the end of this news release for the list of drill hole assays and the drilling map.
Scott Casselman, P.Geo., is the qualified person responsible for the execution of the Casino Project exploration program and the preparation of the technical information in this news release.
QA/QC including assurance of chain of custody has been implemented in accordance with industry best practices. Split core samples are prepared and analyzed by ALS Chemex. Prepared samples are initially run using an four acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-AES analysis. Additional assaying for total copper and molybdenum is run using a 4 acid digestion – AES or AAS method to a 0.001% detection limit. Gold assays are run using 30 gram sample fire assay with an AA finish to a 0.005 ppm detection limit. The QA/QC procedure involves regular submission of Certified Analytical Standards and property specific duplicates, with check assaying performed by Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd.
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER CORPORATION
Western Copper is a Vancouver based exploration and development company with significant copper, gold and molybdenum resources and reserves. The Company has 100% ownership of four Canadian properties. The two most advanced projects are the Carmacks Copper Project and the Casino Project both located in the Yukon. The Casino Project is one of the world's largest open-pittable copper, gold and molybdenum deposits. For more information, visit http://www.westerncoppercorp.com
CASINO DRILLING MAP
Note:
CuEq Metal Prices – US$2.00/lb copper, US$875.00/oz gold, US$11.25/lb molybdenum and US$11.25/oz silver.
Significant assays above cut-off grade shown (0.3% CuEq).
Complete results will be available on Western Copper’s website (http://www.westerncoppercorp.com)
On behalf of the board,
"Dale Corman"
F. Dale Corman
Chairman & CEO
Western Copper Corporation
For more information, please contact:
Paul West-Sells - Executive VP,
Corporate Development
Chiara Orrigoni - Investor Relations
Call: 1.888.966.9995 or 604.684.9497
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
