VANCOUVER, June 5, 2014 /CNW/ – Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSX VENTURE: KTN.V) (“Kootenay”) is pleased to announce further results from six trenches from its strategic hand trenching and chip sampling program on its La Negra, diatreme Breccia prospect, located approx. 7 kilometers north of its flagship Promontorio Silver Resource in Sonora, Mexico.

A total of 50 samples were taken in 3 meter intervals for 150 meters of trenches across the 6 trenches ranging from 21 to 30 meters in length. All trenches returned silver mineralization throughout their length. Results further augment previous assays from the program, indicating robust and consistent grades of widespread silver mineralization being present within the entire 100 by 400 meter core of the La Negra Diatreme Breccia.

States Kootenay President and CEO James McDonald “We are very pleased with results from our current sampling program on La Negra. Assays continue to show a remarkable consistency of silver mineralization across the entire exposed area of the Breccia. Moreover, petrographic work has led to the recognition that the silver mineralization is hosted in a silver chlorargyrite, a mineral that is amenable to low-cost heap leach mining, as well as a host mineral to other noted discoveries in Mexico. Although we are still at an early stage of exploration, with many uncertainties ahead, La Negra’s geological characteristics, combined with results to date, present a very exciting scenario as we prepare for our upcoming drill program.”

Highlights from Hand Trenching and Chip Sampling Program:

The hand trenching and chip sampling program was designed to gain a better understanding of the grade potential and continuity of silver mineralization within the breccia in preparation for a proposed upcoming drilling program. Current results further support and augment previous assays from sampling conducted along the entire length of breccia(See news release May 28, 2014). They each support earlier results that returned anomalous silver across the total area of the exposed breccia. Included were 19 chip samples taken from 2 by 2 meter panels returning an average of 107 gpt Ag within a larger sample set of 50 samples (19 chips in 2 by 2 meter panels plus 31 grab samples) that averaged 77 gpt silver (See news release May 6, 2014).

In conjunction with the sampling program, the breccia was mapped over an area approximately 100 to 200 by 500 meters and revealed extensive bedrock exposure in an area measuring 100 by 400 meters where the trench sampling was conducted.  The breccia is believed to be a diatreme pipe that forms a prominent hill with approximately 120 to 130 meters of relief. Airborne geophysics was effective in mapping the southern contact of the breccia and indicates the breccia could be twice the aerial extent of the visible bedrock exposure.

Upcoming drilling dates on La Negra will be reported in a future news release.

To View Full Results of Sampling Program Visit: La Negra Sampling Program

Current NI 43-101 Compliant Silver Resource

The current mineral estimate on Promontorio effective date March 31, 2013 (See May 14, 2013 news release) contains a combined Measured and Indicated silver resource of 92,428,000 silver equivalent ounces (39.9M oz’s Ag, 508K oz’s Au, 394.8M lb’s Pb, 462.2M lb’s Zn). In addition to the measured and indicated silver resources, there are an additional 26,814,000 silver equivalent ounces in the Inferred category (12.8M oz’s Ag, 147 oz’s Au, 99.5M lb’s Pb, 109.1M lb’s Zn). Measured and Indicated resources are contained in open pit resources of 44,504,000 tonnes grading an average of 64.32 gpt silver equivalent (27.77 gpt Ag, 0.35 gpt Au and 0.87% Pb+Zn) and resources outside of the open pit of 215,000 tonnes grading an average of 56.96 gpt silver equivalent (22.89 gpt Ag, 0.28 gpt Au and 0.95% Pb+Zn). Inferred resources are within open pit resources of 14,564,000 tonnes grading an average of 51.95 gpt silver equivalent (24.95 gpt Ag, 0.28 gpt Au and 0.59% Pb+Zn) and resources outside of the open pit of 1,265,000 tonnes grading an average of 61.17 gpt silver equivalent (26.57 gpt Ag, 0.37 gpt Au and 0.74% Pb+Zn). 

The current NI 43-101 Resource Estimation conducted on Promontorio by SRK Consulting Inc. (U.S.) of Lakewood, Colorado (See May 14, 2013 news release), included gold assay results in the updated resource estimation. As a result of the addition of gold, the mineral resource is now contained in a single larger optimized Whittle Pit, as opposed to two individual smaller pits as reported in the August 21, 2012 resource estimate.  The decision to include gold in the resource estimation follows extensive metallurgical testing and technical analysis conducted by ALS Minerals of Kamloops, British Columbia that confirmed up to 94.5% recovery of gold from pyrite concentrates from the Promontorio resource can be achieved using a post pressure oxidation treatment process. 

QA/QC

Samples were assayed using a high-grade multi-acid digestion ICP analysis conducted by ALS Chemex of North Vancouver, B.C., Canada and prepped in ALS Chemex’s Lab in Hermissilo, Sonora, Mexico. Further Quality Assurance and Control procedures and details on assays procedures and laboratories used are disclosed on the Kootenay Silver Inc. website.

The foregoing geological disclosure has been reviewed and verified by Kootenay’s CEO, James McDonald, P.Geo (a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. McDonald is a director of Kootenay.

ABOUT KOOTENAY

Kootenay Silver Inc. is actively developing mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. Its flagship property is the former producing Promontorio Silver mine in Sonora State, Mexico. Kootenay’s objective is to develop near term discoveries and long-term sustainable growth. Its management and technical team are proven professionals with extensive international experience in all aspects of mineral exploration, operations and venture capital markets. Multiple, ongoing J/V partnerships in Mexico and Canada maximize potential for additional, new discoveries while maintaining minimal share dilution.

The current program sampled along the entire length of breccia at intervals of roughly 25 to 100 meter spacings.  Advantage was made of bedrock exposure to aid in the hand trenching and provide for contiguous sample intervals. A total of six hand trenches were completed, varying in length from 21 meters to 30 meters in length, with chip samples taken in contiguous three meter lengths.  A total of 150 chip samples were taken.

The breccia was mapped over an area of approximately 100 to 200 by 500 meters with extensive bedrock exposure over 100 by 400 meters in the target area.  It forms a prominent hill with approximately 120 to 130 meters of relief. Airborne geophysics was effective in mapping the southern contact of the breccia and indicates the breccia could be twice the aerial extent of the visible bedrock exposure.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements: The information in this news release has been prepared as at June 4, 2014.  Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”, constitute “forward-looking statements” under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws.  These statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expected”, “may”, “will” or similar terms.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.  Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC’s mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. 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.

This press release uses the terms “Measured”, “Indicated”, and “Inferred” resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. “Inferred Mineral Resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource is economically or legally mineable.

SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc.