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MoroccoIntroduction
Sanu's Morocco Exploration program targets Tunisian-style diapir-related lead-zinc sulfide mineralization in the Rif geologic province of northern Morocco. Although the major known lead-zinc deposits in Morocco include the Lower Jurassic-hosted Touissite district near the Algerian border, numerous small high-grade calamine (zinc oxide) deposits in the Atlas Mountains, and Hercynian (Carboniferous) volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the Marrakesh area, Sanu feels that the Rif presents an underexplored exploration opportunity. Reconnaissance sampling of several prospects has already yielded anomalous values of Zn and Pb in rock chip and soil samples (>1000ppm).
Location
The Rif is located in northern Morocco, and stretches from Tangier to the Algerian border. Sanu licenses and applications lie in the central part of the area.
Ownership
Sanu has been granted two licenses (16 sq km each), and has pending applications for five additional licenses.
Geology/Mineralization
The Rif consists of a sequence of Triassic-Miocene sedimentary rocks which have been deformed by evaporitic diapirs and Miocene deformation. Published geologic maps indicate that the diapirs originated as Triassic evaporite horizons. Outcrops of gypsum, Triassic red sandstone, and mafic intrusions mark the diapirs on the surface ; these diapirs in most cases occur as both irregular bodies and elongate zones coincident with tight anticlines and thrust faults. Unconformities and facies changes within the post-evaporite layers suggest that diapirism was most active between Late Cretaceous and Miocene time. Published geologic maps show lead-zinc mineralization occurring in Jurassic through Miocene rocks adjacent to the diapirs which served as structural traps for mineralizing fluids.
Exploration
Sanu's 2008 exploration program will attempt to define extensions of known prospects by soil sampling, rock chip sampling and geologic mapping.
Current Activity
Sanu has recently begun soil and rock chip sampling of the two licenses acquired to date. Further work will depend on results of this sampling.
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