One explorer to start summer drill program:
Saturn hires surveyor for Sask., Manitoba properties
2011-06-14 10:11 ET - News Release
Mr. Stan Szary reports
SATURN MINERALS COMMENCES 4,389 LINE-KM AIRBORNE GRAVITY SURVEY IN EASTERN SASKATCHEWAN & WESTERN MANITOBA ON COAL AND OIL PROPERTIES
Saturn Minerals Inc. has engaged Sander Geophysics Ltd. of Ottawa, Ont., to commence a 4,389-line-kilometre helicopter airborne gravity survey over selected properties of the company in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. The field crew and equipment have been mobilized and the Sander survey began on June 3, 2011.
The Sander survey will add 3,689 line kilometres of geophysical gravity interpretation based on narrow-spaced (120 metres to 150 metres) lines to the results of the extensive fixed-wing airborne GeoTEM and gravity surveys, and a limited ground gravity survey, which the company has completed on its Saskatoba coal project since 2009. The Sander survey will also provide a completely new set of airborne gravity and magnetic data for the Rat Creek properties in Manitoba which were recently acquired by the company based on analysis of regional data. The survey is also expected to allow for an improved interpretation of the configuration of the pre-Cretaceous paleosurface and evaluation of Saturn's properties with respect to potential accumulations of other minerals.
The Sander survey will nearly double the size of the company's airborne geophysical database (to approximately 8,000 line kilometres) for the Saskatoba coal project. Geophysical data acquired to date have been instrumental in elaborating and implementing the Saturn exploration model of coal-bearing basins in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. Limited drill campaigns conducted by the company in 2009/2010 and 2011 were based predominantly on geophysical data in hand and were designed to test the Saturn exploration model. The 2009/2010 winter drill campaign resulted in coal discoveries of the Leif coal basin in Saskatchewan, with significant coal intercepted in eight out of 12 drill holes. The 2011 winter drill program resulted in coal discoveries of the Karolina coal basin in western Manitoba with significant coal intercepted in six out of seven drill holes including an 88.98-metre coal intersection at 44.65 m depth in drill hole QP227-04 (see Saturn news release, March 29, 2011). Both drill programs provided independent geological and additional geophysical data (down-hole geophysical logs) which allowed for geological calibration and substantial improvement of the Saturn exploration model.
The coal discoveries in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba made since 2008 appear to establish a model of a karstification-related Cretaceous sedimentary paleoenvironment that was favourable for coal accumulation. The presence of thick coals as discovered by Saturn in the Karolina coal basin and potentially widespread coals in the Leif coal basin combined with new geophysical and geological data acquired by Saturn suggest that the coal deposits of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba are related to a wider combination of geological factors, including larger-scale structural controls and the development of deltaic, fluvial and/or lake sedimentary paleoenvironments. The potential effect of such factors has significant exploration implications on the Saturn exploration model for ultimate economic potential of the area.
"Accurate acquisition and interpretation of geophysical data has proven integral to successful exploration for coal and other sedimentary-based minerals in many mining jurisdictions," stated Stan Szary, president of Saturn Minerals. "The Saskatoba project is no different. Understanding all potential geological factors influencing coal accumulation in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba is critical for exploration, a process that is greatly aided by examining the nature and history of potentially comparable coal basins such as Belchatow-Szczercow in central Europe which contain up to 1.9 billion metric tons of coal. The Sander survey will greatly help the company in refining the Saturn exploration model to design a broader drill campaign with which to address the wider potential of the company's properties."
The Sander survey will also include a preliminary exploration program of approximately 700 line kilometres of an airborne gravity and magnetic survey over the company's recently acquired Little Swan and Bannock Creek oil/gas properties in eastern Saskatchewan. The properties encompass a total of 1,524 square kilometres granting Saturn the exclusive right to explore for oil and gas for five years.
Dr. Krzysztof Mastalerz, PGeo, the company's qualified person under NI 43-101 standards, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.
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