HISTORY
The deposit was discovered in August of 1995 by Esperanza del Oro. A joint venture to explore the property was offered to Mount Isa Mines (MIM) by
Esperanza del Oro after the initial discovery. MIM drilled 11 holes and Hot Springs Gold Corporation drilled an additional 10 holes. Initial drilling
of the property was completed in December of 1997-98 ( early drill hole map). From
the data collected by MIM, there is a potential gold resource of 308,000 ounces. In addition there is significant recoverable silver and copper. At
2007 metal prices the value of all metals was estimated to be $319 million ( see Table 1). At
current metal prices (2008), the value of the resource is estimated to be well over $500 million.
MINERALIZATION
Three mineralized zones clustered near the ranch of La Sabila owned by Don Victorio Cardenas were identified by the early drilling: the North Zone, the
Main Discovery Zone and Cuendeo, (2 km south of the Main Zone). Twelve holes are considered 'pay holes' with the drilling results and metal values
shown in ounces per ton (opt) for gold and silver and percent for copper in Table 1. The
Main Zone is 40 to 60 meters wide on the surface and approximately one km in length.
Each drill hole starts with surface examinations of rock outcrops.
Shown here is a fracture mineralized with copper oxide containting both gold and silver.
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USPR personnel, scientists and others looking at copper oxide mineralization at La Sabila.
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Rock outcrop showing copper oxide.
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Mike Floersch demonstrating the Niton XRF analyzer. The readings for this particular sample predicted 1 oz. of gold per ton of ore.
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Project geologist Juan Alberto Contreras standing adjacent an outcrop of advanced argillic alteration.
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Cuendeo.
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Sulfide rock chip sample from surface exposure and mining, Cuendeo.
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Cut surface sample of chalcopyrite and pyrite from Cuendeo, USPR property 2 kilometers to the south of the Main Zone.
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DRILLING
Drilling of the La Sabila project began in February of 2008 by USPR. Micro Tunnels, the drilling contractor hired by USPR, has two drills working six days per week and
two shifts per day.
A new drill operating in the Main Zone.
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Workers operating a drill.
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Drill core laid into boxes.
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Core boxes stacked up for transport to the Lab.
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DRILL CORE SAMPLES
One of the first core samples showing native copper.
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Drill core samples stacked and waiting for analysis.
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Close-up of drill core sample assayed at 0.17 oz gold per ton of ore.
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Well-mineralized drill core.
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Mineralized core.
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Mineralized core.
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Logged as interbedded black shale and andesite. Petrographic study to be completed.
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Breccia clasts of sulfides.
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METALLURGICAL LAB AND CORE LAB
A warehouse has been rented near Morelia for USPR office space and for a commercial metallurgical lab for assaying all samples, drill cores, and for
storing core samples. It will also be available to other mining companies. Permits have been submitted for the laboratory facility in Morelia since
the lab must be approved by the Mexican government.
The metallurgical and chemistry lab, a 1200 square foot lab, is located within the warehouse facility in Morelia.
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AA instrument in operation in the lab.
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Drill core sawing area.
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Manuel, driver and drill core saw operator, brings the drill cores in from the drilling areas and cuts them into short lengths.
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Intercept of a quartz sulfide vein from drill hole number 5. Chalcopyrite and pyrite are shown in the photo.
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Core from drill hole number 5; cut section of core enriched in chalcopyrite.
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Sylvia, geology technician, logs drill cores, core cuts, and records assay results as they are sent back from Chris Cristopherson Labs in Idaho.
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Antonio cleaning the core saw on Saturday morning as part of the maintenance program.
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ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
In 2007, all existing roads were repaired and widened to accommodate drilling and to prepare for future mining activities. The rainy season
that begins in June and runs thru September creates problems for the roads. Without ditches and culverts the runoff erodes and creates impassable
road conditions.
The road before improvements adjacent a heading that has excellent gold, silver and copper values. The road was a foot path as shown.
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Road after improvements.
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Road before improvements taken near the top of the mountain in the "Main Zone" of mineralization. The road had deteriorated and vehicle access was impossible.
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Road after improvements.
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A summary of progress since the USPR acquisition of the property:
- On March 13, 2003, USPR acquired Solidaridad I (175 hectares).
- On March 27, 2003, USPR acquired the Solidaridad II (2,162 hectares) exploration concession from the Mexican government.
- On July 22, 2003, exploration concessions for Solidaridad III, (294 hectares) and Solidaridad IV (149 hectares) were acquired.
- On May 25, 2004, the company received the exploration concession from the Mexican government for Solidaridad V (La Ceiba, 921 hectares).
- In February 2006, USPR claimed a gold mine concession lot named "La Sabila" (11,405 hectares) that surrounds the other concessions,
bringing the total area under USPR's control to 15,400 hectares (one hectare equals 2.47 acres).
- In 2007, road improvements were made and a warehouse in Morelia was for drill core storage and analysis. Funding was acquired for a more
thorough definition drilling campaign.
- Drilling began in early 2008.
- All legal obligations for the concession have been met and all fees and taxes are current.
- A Chief geologist and metallurgist have been hired to continue the exploration and begin ore characterization. In addition, a contract
geologist living in Morelia is working on the project full time.
- Chemical analysis and metallurgy is being conducted by Mike Floersch of Applied Minerals, Inc.
- In Septermber 2008, an Environmental Impact Statement was approved so that a pilot plant for ore processing and deep core drilling can begin.
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