North Arrow Acquires Option On Redemption Project
Arctic Star Exploration Corp . (TSXV-ADD) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV-NAR) under which Arctic Star has granted North Arrow an option to earn a 55% interest in the Redemption diamond project in the Lac de Gras region of the Northwest Territories.
The 11,500 hectare Redemption project is located within the Lac de Gras diamond district, approximately 32 km southwest of, and 47 km to the west of the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines, respectively. The project benefits from an extensive database of previous exploration work by Arctic Star and others, including airborne and ground geophysical surveys, till geochemical sampling and a limited amount of drilling. Importantly, the project covers the interpreted up ice termination of the South Coppermine kimberlite indicator mineral train. The South Coppermine train was extensively explored by Arctic Star between 2004 and 2010 and is defined by a full suite of kimberlite indicator minerals including pyrope garnets, high-magnesium ilmenites, chrome diopsides, chromite and eclogitic garnets. These indicator minerals exhibit compositions that are typical of minerals found within diamond bearing kimberlites. A number of the indicator minerals have been described as having angular shapes, soft alteration coats and in some cases are attached to kimberlite; textural characteristics that are interpreted to indicate the minerals have not travelled far from their bedrock source.
A helicopter-borne gravity survey of the Redemption project is currently underway. The survey is being conducted by Fugro Airborne Surveys using their proprietary Falcon airborne gravity gradiometer system. Airborne Gravity Gradiometry has proven to be an effective tool for locating kimberlites in the Lac de Gras region, and will complement the existing airborne electromagnetic and magnetic geophysical survey information within the project database. The airborne gravity data will be evaluated, along with existing datasets, to identify and prioritize potential kimberlite targets for follow up exploration work including till sampling, ground geophysical surveys and, if warranted, drilling.
Option Agreement
Under the terms of the option agreement with Arctic Star, North Arrow can earn a 55% interest in the Redemption project by incurring $5 million in exploration expenditures prior to July 1, 2017, including a firm commitment to spend $1,000,000 prior to July 1, 2014. The cost of the current airborne gravity survey will be included in the first year expenditures.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
“Patrick Power”
Patrick Power
President & Chief Executive Officer