SML - Synergy Metals

Eventhough announcements are positive this company is subject to too many investigations by Victorian authorities.

read more (http://www.blackdogsbarking.com.au/content/insiderail/insiderail-imf21022005.htm)

This has gone off like a frog in a sock since 29/6 (couple of days before their drilling update..). Action looks pretty sweet again today. Anyone got a view on these guys?

thanks.

Background
Synergy is a Victorian based company, focussed on development of the historic Glen Wills goldfield in the Alpine region in the north east of the state. The main project site is located about 40km north of Omeo. Potential for gold and other mineralisation exists along the five kilometres of historic workings, which includes the Glen Wills and the Sunnyside fields and within Synergy's surrounding exploration areas.

Since announcing an initial gold resource at Glen Wills and Sunnyside, in late 2005 the company has continued with drilling and evaluation. This work has comprised technical studies and discussions with potential partners and investors.

Why Glen Wills?
There have been some sound successes in the re-opening up of the Victorian gold fields, with Bendigo Mining and Ballarat Goldfields being notable examples. These companies have found an historic, high grade field and reasoned that the hard rock gold resources did not diminish with depth, but rather were not exploited as the increasing depth stretched the technology available at that time, while the fragmented field ownership made the economics poor.

Synergy has a similar concept in North-Eastern Victoria, although based on different geology and much less advanced than the producing mines at Bendigo and Ballarat.

The Company
Synergy Metals is now a Victorian based company and success has changed its focus over the last year as it has moved into the development phase. A fuller history of the company is provided opposite.

As is appropriate in a small company, the directors take an active role in assisting in its development. It is a lean organisation with no permanent full time employees and the directors and other experienced industry professionals provide consulting services. The experience and skills of directors are outlined in the section on directors.

We are currently rationalizing the company structure to reflect the focus on operations in Victoria and the state of development of the project.

Projects
The Glen Wills project has been extensively explored and researched. In the right-hand navigation column there are five articles giving an overview of Victorian mining exploration, and much detailed information on the Glen Wills project itself.

In summary, the area has been mined from the 1860's with historic workings focussing on high grades. The Mount Wills Geology article indicates that the potential for large tonnage moderate grade mineralisation exists within the Mt Wills Granite and adjacent schistose sediments at its contact.

There are pictures of the site, and a detailed table compiled by Mr Peter de Vries, a consulting geologist,indicating that the inferred mineral resource is more than 50,000 contained ounces of gold.

Exploration in Victoria
Victoria had a rich history of gold production in the 19 century, making it one the premier producing regions in the world. The state is also the source of a range of other minerals. However a combination of government policies and more challenging geology meant that exploration languished until the late nineties. There has now been a revival in activity as new techniques and understanding has lead the to development of new mines.

Synergy has a significant exploration area in Victoria, with a number of granted tenements and several more under application. Some sampling and analysis of the areas has been conducted, with several anomalies highlighted.

Currently most of the company’s funding commitment is focused on Glen Wills, and while background work is being conducted Synergy is also looking at joint venture opportunities.

Glen Wills
The historic Glen Wills goldfield is in the alpine region in the north east of the state about 40km north of Omeo. It can be accessed by sealed road from Omeo or by road from Albury.

Synergy has a mining lease over the main historical workings and also has surrounding exploration areas. The main area of interest is several kilometres from the border of the Alpine National Park.

History
Mining started in this district in the 1860’s but only became larger in the 1880’s. Like most Victorian gold mining operations the manpower shortages during and after World War 1, combined with high water inflows for the technology of the time led to the closure of the operations. The area has seen some intermittent mining up until the 1950’s.

Geology
There are five kilometres of historic workings based on a mineralised fault, which joins Glen Wills to the Sunnyside field. The working were mainly underground and included a stamp battery and tailings facility.

Although mineralisation is continuous, historic workings focused on high grades with average recovered grades of 22.9gpt across the fields. Synergy is in the process of collating historic data, allowing modern modelling and analysis. The mineralised fault dips at 60-80% and historic stopes were generally 1m to 7m wide. Historic workings were often by adit and inspection has confirmed the continuous nature of the mineralisation and the good ground conditions.

Recent Activity
Since late 2004, over 16km of diamond drilling costing $4 million has occurred. This combined with sampling from the 1970’s has proved a JORC compliant Inferred Resource of 223kt grading 7.68gpt at two locations along strike. Drilling has consistently extended the area of known mineralisation and the resource remains open at depth and along strike.

Where there has been sufficient drilling density a resource has been established, however the drilling from surface is expensive and time consuming as the mineralised structures are steeply dipping with difficult surface topography.

Evaluation and Funding Strategy
At the southern end of the zone (Glen Wills), Synergy believes there is a 300koz exploration potential in an area about 900m long and 300m below the old workings and incorporating the current resource. The company is seeking up to $5million to advance the project through proving up a resource that would allow a development decision, as well as completing detailed mining, technical and economic studies. A major part of this expenditure is $3 million to develop a 1 km decline parallel to the intersections in the ore body defined from surface drilling.

A decline is the best solution because

Due to topography, drilling from surface is expensive and time consuming and to obtain an inferred resource would take at least two years and at least $2 million.
Drilling from underground would cost about $0.6 million to obtain the same inferred resource.
Most of the permitting for the decline is completed and an inferred resource could be obtained in almost half the time of drilling from surface.
Assuming this is successful a decline allows the added advantages of bulk sampling and a low cost drill out to then move to an indicated resource.
A decline would facilitate a rapid move to production based on successful drilling.
At the northern end of the lease, (Sunnyside) the focus is to quantify the potential of the three lines of old workings, around the initial resource. 3D modelling of old workings, the recent drill data and surface geology is continuing and has resulted in a robust geological model.

Mining and Processing
An established decline would allow rapid progress to production. Both grades and metallurgy point to a potential economic operation of 50-70koz/yr at Glen Wills, with upside from Sunnyside. While relatively narrow the mining would be mechanised and is not at a significant depth. This should ensure the good grade leads to reasonable mining costs.

Mining and processing tests show 70% recovery by gravity with fine grained gold coming from both free gold and pyrite. There is some coarse gold but the company believes its impact is small. The balance of the fine gold is locked in the pyrite. Tests indicate over a 70% reduction in waste by gravity and floatation achieving a significant reduction in volumes to go to a CIL.

Good metallurgical characteristics reduce the size of the required treatment plant, lowering both capital and operating costs. There are also about 85kt of mullock dumps on our leases, grading about 2.3g/t. Tests indicate a further 60% recovery from gravity for fine gold, with some refractory gold. This could provide initial commissioning feed to the mill and early cash flow.

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Exploration Rationale

Location Plan

EL3916 covers the entire historically defined high grade Maude and Yellow Girl group of mines and many peripheral mines adjacent and along strike from this centre of production. Geographical isolation and treatment costs dictated only ore of very high grade was treated. The potential exists for significant remaining ore of similar grade below the limits of the old workings and also extensions along strike. Historic requirements for very high grade ore is likely to have resulted in poor testing of the reef selvages within the altered sediments and the granite. Disseminated gold targets are therefore a potential and with the degree of shearing and alteration noted in underground exposures, this appears a geologically sound concept. The exploration program proposed is designed to initially test for the high grade strike and depth extensions to know areas of mineralisation along the Maude and Yellow Girl line and also north into the Sunnyside group of historic workings.

The potential for large tonnage moderate grade mineralisation exists within the Mt Wills Granite and adjacent schistose sediments at its contact. The interplay between the dominant NNE fault sets and the brittle Granite host appears to have resulted in the development of large bodies of quartz stockwork within the granite. This potential will require further investigation.

1.2 Exploration History
The area has had a long history of gold exploration and mining, dating back to the 1850’s. Glen Wills was one of the major early gold fields in this region that included the Mt Elliot, Dart, Harrietville, Bright Wandiligong Freeburgh and Beechworth and Bethanga Goldfields.

Earlier modern day exploration focused on tin as well as gold. In neighbouring gold fields of late 1970’s-1980’s, explorers have targeted large stockwork or disseminated gold as well as alluvial gold. This included Gippsland Minerals N.L. (EL 126), Essex Minerals Company (EL 621) and Goldfields Exploration Pty Ltd (EL 1023). The most significant work to be undertaken at Glen Wills occurred in 1972 when Aurora Minerals NL refurbished the main 5L access and internal shaft to 9L. This allowed access to mapping and bulk sampling of portions the lower levels. This work concluded that the known shoots continue with depth and resulted in an estimated resource of 272,000 tonnes at 11.3 g/t (total pre – JORC standard resource). Citing corporate reasons Aurora Minerals NL withdrew from the agreement in 1974. Subsequent to this Aberfoyle Exploration carried out regional exploration for tin (1979 – 80).

More recently, companies including Bendigo Gold (EL 3163), Nickelseekers (EL 1553), Poseidon (EL 3244) and CRA Exploration within EL’s 2131, 2132, 2143 (areas north of Glen Will area) and 2146 have explored Mt. Wills and Glen Wills together with areas to the north such as Mt. Unicorn (Dart Area) for both disseminated gold in granite-associated gold enriched haloes, and gold in hydrothermal vein systems. Copperfield Gold NL drilled the upper levels of the Maude and Yellow Girl during 1987 – 88 under a farm in agreement with Swan Resources Ltd and other parties.

2.0 Geology
2.1 Regional Setting
The Glen Wills gold field is located in the eastern part of the Lachlan Fold Belt, in the Omeo Structural Zone. Refer to Figure 2. The Omeo zone (containing the Omeo Metamorphic Complex) extends north from Cassilis to the Hume Weir and into N.S.W. It is dominated by a basement of deformed Ordovician turbidites intruded by numerous granite plutons. Many of the sedimentary rocks have been metamorphosed to schist, gniess and migmatite.

All these rocks were severely deformed and metamorphosed during the Benambran Orogeny in the Early Silurian Period. The rocks were tightly folded, regionally metamorphosed and S-type granites intruded. Further, though less intense, deformation took place in the Late Silurian (Bindian), Middle Devonian (Tabberabberan) and Early Carboniferous (Kanimblan). The Tabberabberan event is thought to have resulted in crenulation cleavage, kink folds and brittle deformation. It also probably caused reactivation of pre-existing faults.

Figure 2. Regional Geological Setting, reproduced from The Glen Wills Project, MIN4921 & EL3916 Revised Work Plan 2003, R.K Hazeldene (Mindeco Pty Ltd).

2.2 Geological Model
2.2.1 Introduction

Geological Setting

After completion of the Pre-Drill model, the extensive drill testing has tested the validity of the model at many points. In general the faults and mineralised positions interpreted from the historic information have been reliable. Drilling has revealed down dip extensions and strike extensions to known portions of mineralisation and has highlighted other potential mineralised structures for future testing. The results of the ongoing program as they relate to the pre-drill geological model appear below.

2.2.2 Geological Model
The aim of the geological modelling was to form a framework on which to design future exploration and drilling campaigns. The model also illustrated the potential tenure of this style of mineralisation and as such can be used in assisting preliminary economic modelling.

2.2.3 Local Geology / Mineralisation – Preliminary Findings
The pre-drill model indicated the most significant structures related to mineralisation distribution are:

N – S Lode Structures (2 – 5% Sulphide)
N.E Trending (pre-syn and post mineralisation displacement – <2% sulphide)
E. – W. Trending (syn to post mineralisation displacement – very low sulphide)
Verticals (minor syn mineralisation displacement – strong sulphide – coarse gold component)
It appears that all of the above structures have been intersected by holes of the current program. The information gained to date regarding fault timing has not changed from the original interpretation indicating the following sequence:

——N – S shear —— —-N.E Trending —— ——-E.- W. Faults—— ——-Verticals—— ——N – S reactivation——

The results of assays from the various structures appear to marry well with the interpreted timing and fall into two broad categories,

Mineralised systems:
N – S Lodes
N – E Trending Faults
Verticals
N – S reactivation
Post Mineralisation Systems:
E – W Faults

Summary of Results: Assay intervals from all but the N – S reactivation faults have shown anomalous gold assays results from the “Mineralised systems” group. It appears the N – E Trending faults contain low grade gold (<5 g/t Au) with the N – S Lode structures showing up to 22 g/t Au. The model had identified the presence of “Verticals” (near E – W striking structures that controlled the distribution of economic mineralisation within the old workings). However, the high grade nature of these structures was not realised. E – W faults were not gold mineralised where exposed in the underground workings or within historical references and appear barren where intersected in the drilling to date.

2.2.3.1 N – S Lode
The main N – S Lode Structures appear to be very strike and dip persistent and may occur as a sericite, chlorite and / or pyrite altered zone, sometimes as only a channel of less than 500mm with little or no defined sulphide “Lode”. However, anomalous gold grades appear to be associated with the structure and associated elevated arsenic. As such the continuity of the N – S Lodes has been established both along strike and down dip from the mineralisation historically defined within the old workings. The intersection of the other fault sets acts to redistribute the N – S Lode structures and also appears to influence the dilation experienced at the intersection points (hence the distribution of historic stopes).

2.2.3.2 N – E Trending Faults
The low grade gold (<3.88 g/t Au to date) associated with the N – E Trending faults may be accounted for by late stage fluids penetrating broad zones of sheared material with little dilation or the reactivation of portions of high grade “Lode Structures” along the major shears as fault bound inclusions. It is intended to further test the potential of these poorly mineralised structures in future programs.

2.2.3.3 E – W Faults
The significant displacement noted on the E – W faults found along the line and the lack of anomalous gold assay data within the structures indicates a late structural history with no overlap of mineralising fluids. Therefore these structures post date mineralisation and only redistribute the already mineralised system.

2.2.3.4 “Verticals”
“Verticals” have been noted throughout the pre-drill geological model and appeared to correspond with bounding or controlling structures to economic mineralisation. One drill hole is interpreted to have intersected one such structure and has returned an intersection showing coarse visible high grade gold (up to 171 g/t Au or 5oz/t). This may indicate the potential for other “controlling” structures away from areas that have been historically mined and a future target for high grade mineralisation. These structures will be further tested as the drill programs progress.

3.0 Geochemistry
3.1 Petrology
A petrological study was undertaken on several samples from three Diamond Drill Holes. The study indicated that gold is paragenetically late (after pyrite and arsenopyrite) and probably deposited coevally with galena, chalcopyrite and carbonate, interstitial to quartz.

Gold was associated predominately with pyrite – arsenopyrite and that solid solution gold within arsenopyrite and (arsenian) pyrite could be significant.

The most significant mineralisation occurs in the later phase of veining and associated hydrothermal brecciation. The emplacement is considered to be typical of the orogenic gold style of mineral deposit system. The alteration-mineralisation is late or post-tectonic stage, after peak metamorphism and regional deformation and after emplacement of the muscovite granite suite.

Mineralising fluids are likely to have been of moderate temperature (~300 – 350 deg C) near neutral, slightly reducing and introducing CO2, S, As and Au into the site of mineralisation. The siting of the mineralisation was favoured by late structures (maybe dilational) formed under brittle conditions at relatively shallow crustal depths.

Resource Statement
Mineral Resource Inventory At 20 October 2005
Location Tonnes Grade (gm/t) Contained Ounces
of Gold
Glen Wills gold project area 182 500 7.79 45,700
Sunnyside gold project area 40,800 7.21 9,500
Total 223,300 7.68 55,200

The Inferred Mineral Resource information contained within this report was compiled by Mr Peter de Vries, a consulting geologist, on behalf of Synergy Metals Ltd. Mr de Vries is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and is competent and experienced in the activity being undertaken, and consents to the publishing of the information in this report in the form and context in which it appears.

Check out this news regarding SML and its $7M capital raising news from Miningnews.net.

Worth reading!!!



Thursday, 23 August 2007


HOW many bad resources investment decisions were made last weekend? At a guess, lots. The Outcrop by Robin Bromby


The markets had been collapsing all week and then the Fed moved on Friday. It didn't take much to figure that the ASX would bounce big-time on Monday; the futures indicated around 200 points, and so it was.

To some, Monday may have seemed a last chance to get out of some of those mining stocks before they slid again.

Wrong, again, to judge by the continuing resilience all this week.

And it was a very understandable mistake. It looked as if the exploration sector was able to get the big squeeze. Two brokerages pulled their underwriting offers (for the Maximus Resources raising and the Eyre Energy initial public offering), seemingly a sign that chequebooks were being slammed shut all over town.

We panicked too soon, it seems.

Two announcements that came out, largely unnoticed, in the middle of the week give heart that, if we are facing a "we'll all by rooned" scenario, the time is not yet quite ripe.

First, Synergy Metals said it was raising $7 million with backing out of Singapore.

The white knight was American Orient Capital Partners, putting up the money so Synergy could continue drilling its gold, silver and base metals targets in East Gippsland.

AOC Partners is putting $5 million worth of Synergy shares to their "high net worth Singaporean clients" and underwriting a non-renounceable rights issue to Synergy shareholders for the other $2 million.

If any of the horses were going to be scared by the outlook for the mining industry, you'd have placed the Asian ones as among the most likely.

The fact the Singaporeans stayed committed to the plan suggests they believe the China story is still intact, and metals demand has only one way to go.

The other straw in the wind concerns DiamonEx.

JP Morgan Asset Management has acquired a 9.9 per cent stake in the company ahead of production starting early next year at the Lerala diamond mine in Botswana. J. P. Morgan spent $4 million to become the biggest shareholder in DiamonEx.

So the money isn't drying up.

Now Puru Saxena is not one of your bulls. The publisher of London-based Money Matters came out overnight saying the market had tested its lows for the moment and the advance should resume.

"Who is there left to sell?" he asked, noting the capitulation in the market had peaked last Thursday and that gold and silver shares had been whacked in last week's rout, which was inconsistent with the bullish monetary and economic backdrop for precious metals (namely, rising monetary inflation worldwide, imminent interest rate cuts in the United States, and expanding credit spreads).

"Investors are advised to accumulate major positions in resources (miners, energy stocks, uranium stocks, precious metals stocks) and the emerging markets during this widespread doom and gloom," he wrote.

A more complex picture comes out of the latest Commonwealth Bank weekly commodities review.

The bank's strategists believe copper prices are likely to be volatile in the near term, but possibly moving upwards. Markets would be alert to any further disruptions due to labour disputes, but in the longer run moderately lower prices seemed likely.

Lead would remain volatile, but with significant declines over the coming year as several large projects come online.

Nickel would be down moderately in 2008, with further price falls in 2009 as more mines come into production; similarly with zinc, although there could be a short-term rally.

All in all, then, no immediate crisis in the resources sector if you go by all these factors.

And yet, with the Fed likely to lower interest rates, and central banks pumping liquidity to keep the global boom show on the road, some further panic down the line should not – and probably, cannot – be ruled out.

Neither MiningNews.net nor the author implies any recommendation regarding the shares mentioned. Investors should seek advice from a professional financial adviser. The author does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.

Anyone know why SML is trading so well today? Is there news due or something ?? I have no idea ??????

Anyone know why SML is trading so well today? Is there news due or something ?? I have no idea ??????

Yeah check their announcements about a drill hole with visible gold 1mm wide through drill hole cross section

I hope punters aren't reading too much into this as it is only one drill hole. Though it does prove up the strike length of the gold bearing lode apparently. Company has been sitting on the info waiting for the new issue to be finalised.

New drill samples show visible gold up to 1.5mm in width.

I like this stock...

I like this stock alot :)

Company appears to be looking serious now; with gold prices at all time record highs.

Quarterly says that SML are getting a THIRD drill rig onsite in March 2008 Qtr.

Don't forget the outstanding assay results from Sunnyside 040 hole are due any day.

IMO with this ann re: 3rd drill rig, the company will not only be focused in significantly increasing the mineralised area; but increasing their intial JORC of 55,000oz.

I've been holding these for yonks now... anyone else hold's these?
I'm not sure if there is soon to be upsite.. but the company has been very quite and viotile...

Does anyone see the way forward for this stock, recent gold price should have had some impact on SML value. Is it management, exploration costs or regulatory action:confused: holding up this stock advancing.