Kabba Project Exploration Update
Vancouver, British Columbia -- Bell Copper Corporation ("Bell" or the "Company") (NEX: BCU.H) is pleased to provide an update to the ongoing Kabba exploration program.
Drillhole K-12 was completed last summer on its Kabba porphyry copper project in Arizona.
Field data collection on comprehensive geophysical surveys (aeromagnetics and MT/IP) was completed at Kabba in the 4th quarter of 2016. Preliminary IP results are encouraging.
Kennecott Exploration Company (KEX) continues to sample and assay drill core from previous drilling on the Kabba project, including K-12, with assay results expected in February.
Funding and expertise for all of the work is being provided by KEX. Kennecott's expenditure will accrue toward its obligation under an earn-in agreement announced on April 19, 2016.
Drilling Drillhole K-12, completed in August, 2016, targeted a zone of coincident electrical geophysical anomalies (spontaneous potential and induced polarization) in the gravel-covered hangingwall block of the faulted Kabba porphyry system. K-12 demonstrated that the source of the geophysical anomalies is abundant disseminated pyrite accompanying sericitic alteration in the uplifted edge of a fault block. Core from K-12 was shipped to KEX's sample preparation facility in the 4th quarter of 2016 for splitting and assaying. Assay results are expected in February Surface Geophysical Surveys In October 2016, Kennecott completed a drone-mounted aeromagnetic survey of the gravel-covered target area. While preliminary results do not indicate an obvious porphyry target, the survey results suggest uplifted bedrock blocks where the thickness of gravel cover is probably lessened. Detailed interpretation of the aeromagnetic survey is still underway. In November, Quantec Geosciences completed about 50 kilometers of magnetotelluric (MT) and induced polarization (IP) survey lines over the Kabba project area. Preliminary MT results clearly show the downdropped, basalt- and gravel-filled basin in the vicinity where holes K-9, K-10, and K-11 were drilled. Ridges of relatively higher electrical resistivity may indicate areas of shallower bedrock. Preliminary IP results suggest that the anomaly tested in K-12 extends well beyond the area of previous drill testing. Detailed interpretation and modeling of the results by Quantec and KEX is still in progress. A final report on the surveys from Quantec is expected in February. Tim Marsh, the Company's CEO, reports "Kennecott Exploration is working diligently to interpret and integrate the geophysical results from the recent surveys with the geological and assay data from Bell's previous drilling. The objective of this work is to determine if a significant porphyry target presents itself for additional drill testing. If this work is encouraging, Kennecott would be in a position to follow up with drill testing in the first half of 2017." Qualified Person The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Marsh, PhD, PEng., the Company's CEO and President. No mineral resource has yet been identified on the Kabba Project. There is no certainty that the present exploration effort will result in the identification of a mineral resource or that any mineral resource that might be discovered will prove to be economically recoverable. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Bell Copper Corporation "Timothy Marsh" Timothy Marsh, President, CEO & Director For further information please contact the Company Tel: 604.970.0316 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.
