PINNACLE EXPANDS SURPRISE CREEK PROPERTY AND PLANS FOR 2006 PROGRAM
Vancouver, BC - Pinnacle Mines Ltd. announces that 15 additional claims totaling 5,600 hectares were acquired by staking in the Surprise Creek area located about 32 kilometers northeast of Stewart, British Columbia and 24 kilometers east of Pinnacle’s Silver Coin Project, in the Skeena Mining division. The new claims join to the west and north the existing block of claims (15,000 hectares) already 100% owned by Pinnacle Mines. The new claims were staked in the wake of a prospecting and sampling program conducted in this area in 2005 by Pinnacle. During the program, the following was established:
The newly staked area is the source of large boulders (up to 2 meters across) of very strongly silicified rhyolite and/or rhyolite breccia containing sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite. These boulders, discovered in the previous exploration seasons can be found in valleys joining the Surprise Creek, over a distance of several kilometers. They contain up to 5% of combined Zn +Pb, up to 2.8% Cu and up to 213 g/t Ag. They also feature highly anomalous mercury of up 1,000 times above the background level. Mercury minerals form only in a very low temperature, which is characteristic of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide environment.
These mineralized rhyolite boulders are believed to be related to a felsic eruption center located in the Surprise Creek area as indicated by the outcrops of rhyolite flow with distinct flow banding.
In addition, outcrops of a horizon, several meters wide, composed of thin, often highly deformed layers of jasper, white silica, and magnetite were also found in the area.
Based on the above facts, management of Pinnacle believes that the area of Surprise Creek may host a Kuroko type Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit. Pinnacle is planning to start the 2006 exploration season with an airborne geophysical survey followed by additional prospecting, sampling and reconnaissance mapping, trenching and drilling.
Pinnacle Mines Ltd. is a Canadian based mineral exploration and development company whose primary assets are located in both Canada and China. In Canada, Pinnacle holds several properties in Northwestern British Columbia, in proximity to numerous past and producing mines including the Silbak-Premier Mine and Barrick Gold’s famed Eskay Creek Mine. In China, Pinnacle’s current focus is in Southeast Yunnan, an area being increasingly considered for its potential to host significant mineral resources including “Carlin” style gold deposits.
For further information contact Andrew Bowering, President, at 604-688-7377 or visit Pinnacle’s website at http://www.pinnaclemines.com.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
“Andrew W. Bowering”
President and CEO
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