Gem Quality Aquamarines discovered at Doctor Creek
Cranbrook, B.C.: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (EPL:TSX-V) is pleased to announce the discovery of gem quality aquamarines within the company’s existing Findlay claim group, approximately 45 km NW of Cranbrook. The Blue Hammer showing comprises ice-blue, light-greenish-blue, and white colour varieties of beryl that have been observed in at least 8 occurrences along the western margin of the mid-Cretaceous White Creek batholith. To date, the best quality beryls have been found in late-stage pegmatitic veins hosted in K-feldspar megacrystic granite. Two gem quality beryls in excess of 8 mm in diameter have been found in this phase, in addition to dozens of transparent to translucent crystals less than 3 mm. A second, later beryl-bearing phase has also been noted. Walnut-sized vugs containing inwardly growing euhedral beryl crystals have been noted in quartz-mica +/-tourmaline greisen veins up to 5cm wide.
The known occurrences are within an exposed 500 m by 50 m area of the White Creek Batholith at the contact with the Lower Aldridge Formation and Moyie diorite sills. Existing Eagle Plains’ claims cover more than 8 km of this unexplored contact, which has the potential to host significant quantities of high quality aquamarines and emeralds. The area of interest is easily accessible through a network of established forest service roads, with outcrop readily located in alpine basins and along ridge-tops.
The discovery was made by independent geologist, Jarrod Brown, M.Sc. during a reconnaissance traverse as part of a jointly funded BC and Yukon Chamber of Mines and BCGS project. The objective of the project is to ascertain the gem and rare-metals potential of pegmatites in the Southern Kootenay Region. Mr. Brown has a mineralogy and geochemistry masters degree from the University of Manitoba, with specialization in pegmatite mineralogy.
Recent discoveries of emerald (Cr-bearing-beryl) and aquamarine (Fe-bearing-beryl) in the Canadian Cordillera has sparked great interest in British Columbia and Yukon for gem-beryl potential. Aquamarines of the Blue Hammer showing share similar geology and structural setting as emeralds from the Finlayson District of the Yukon (True-North Gems). Gem potential for the discovery area is high and continued prospecting, followed by a geological and geochemical exploration program is warranted. Eagle Plains is seeking joint-venture participation by interested third-parties to carry out such work.
Eagle Plains Resources continues to aggressively conduct research, acquisition and exploration projects in western Canada. Through a network of experienced prospectors, consultants and contractors, in addition to seasoned employees and a well-rounded Board of Directors, the Company has assembled a diverse portfolio of gold and base-metal properties. EPL seeks to attract joint-venture participation on its properties, thereby leveraging exploration spending to the ultimate benefit of the Company’s shareholders. In recent years, Eagle Plains has completed option agreements with Billiton, Rio Algom, Kennecott, Novagold Resources, Viceroy Resource Corp. and numerous other junior exploration companies, resulting in some 13,000 m (43,000’) of drilling and over $5,000,000 in exploration spending on its properties since 1998.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Signed
“Tim J. Termuende”
President and CEO
For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)
Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.