News Release
Jan 18, 2007
Western Copper Confirms Significant New Mineralized Zone at Carmacks
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Western Copper Corporation (TSX: WRN) (‘Western’) announces results from an additional ten holes drilled in the 2006 diamond drilling campaign, at its wholly-owned Carmacks Copper Project in the Yukon, Canada.
The results are for three holes in Zone 13 (WC-020, WC-022, and WC-023) and seven holes in Zone 1 (WC-008, WC-009, WC-010, WC-018, WC-019, WC-021A, and WC-021B) - see attached Drill Hole Location Map.
Zone 13 Results
Drilling results from the first three of ten Zone 13 holes drilled in 2006 indicate significant sulphide resource potential.
Zone 13 is located approximately 1 km southeast of Zone 1 and its genesis, orientation, structure and lithological character appear to be analogous to the Zone 1 deposit. However, with the exception of near surface occurrences on the north end of the zone, the mineralized hornblende gneiss host appears to have remained largely unoxidized.
Assay results from the first three complete holes received are summarized in the following table:
The results from holes WC-020, WC-022, and WC-023, each drilled approximately 100 m apart and from the hanging wall side, indicate significant shallow intercepts of sulphide (chalcopyrite) and native copper mineralization. Apparent intercepts widen to the south, showing overall average grades of 0.62 % Cu over 89 m in WC-022 to 0.69 % Cu over 80 m in WC-023. Included narrower zones of 0.91 % Cu over 6 m in WC-023 to 1.47 % total Cu over 10 m in hole WC-022 are indicative of local enrichment.
Assaying results from four additional widely-spaced holes within Zone 13 are pending and will be released as they are received.
Zone 13 remains open laterally and at depth. Drilling to determine the size and potential of this Zone, and possible continuity with Zone 12 located 500 m to the south, will commence in April as part of the ongoing exploration plan for the property.
Zone 1 Results
The following table summarizes the results from seven holes drilled in Zone 1:
The results from holes WC-008, WC-009, WC-010, and WC-019, all drilled from the hanging wall of Zone 1, confirm both the lateral and vertical continuity of oxide mineralization, previously inferred from parallel but more widely-spaced historical drilling. The interval oxide copper grades are consistent with and will increase the level of confidence in results obtained from prior drilling. The elevated copper and gold grades in holes WC-008, WC-009, and WC-019 at the footwall contact confirm similar results in prior drilling.
Hole WC-018, drilled below oxide mineralization in Zone 1, is indicative of the continuity at depth of primary sulfide mineralization (bornite and chalcopyrite) at elevated copper grades across the apparent width of the zone. Drilling to test deeper sulphide mineralization is planned for 2007.
Holes WC-021A and WC-021B were drilled down-dip on Zone 1 to test down-dip variability in grade and to examine the transition of oxide-to-sulphide mineralization.
Hole WC-021A ended in oxide mineralization before reaching the oxide-sulfide contact due to difficult ground conditions. However the hole returned above-average values of 1.30 % oxide Cu and 1.11 gpt Au over its entire length of 69 m. An included 53 m interval returned values of 1.47 % oxide Cu and 1.38 gpt Au.
Hole WC-021B transitioned sharply from oxide into sulphide mineralization at 229 m down-hole, returning consistently above-average oxide copper and gold values over the entire oxide zone. Copper values averaged 1.29 % oxide Cu and 1.01 gpt Au over 226 m in the oxide zone. The copper grade in the deeper sulphide zone averaged 0.67 % total Cu over 111 m before crossing into the footwall.
Assaying results from two remaining Zone 1 holes, WC-025 and WC-028, are pending. Results will be released as they are received.
Dale Corman, CEO and Co-Chairman of Western, comments, “Drilling results from the 2006 drilling program have exceeded our expectations. The new Zone 13 which also contains molybdenum has the potential to significantly expand the scope of the project”.
For additional information on property geology and historical drilling results, refer to the March 2006 Technical Report on the Carmacks Copper Project and recent news releases posted on Western’s website, http://www.westerncoppercorp.com.
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Jim Marlow, P.Eng., is the qualified person responsible for the planning and execution of the Carmacks property 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 prepped and analyzed by ALS Chemex. Prepped samples are initially run using an aqua regia digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-AES analysis. Additional assaying for total copper is run using a 4 acid digestion – AAS method to a 0.01% detection limit. Non-sulfide copper assays are run using weak-acid digestion – 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. A series of property specific duplicates are routinely submitted, and check assaying is implemented at regular intervals.
On behalf of the board,
"Dale Corman"
F. Dale Corman
Chairman & CEO
Western Copper Corporation
For more information, please contact:
David Jensen - VP, Corporate Development
Nicole Rizgalla - Investor Relations
Call: 1.888.966.9995 or 604.684.9497
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
