Hemis explores for gold near Cook Inlet

Hemis Corp., an international resource company, said it has completed the first phase of a gold exploration program in Alaska. The Anchor Gold project in the Cook Inlet of Alaska is a venture between Las Vegas-based Hemis and Aspen Exploration Corp.

Hemis said the emphasis of the Anchor Gold project is exploring for gold in offshore deposits along the eastern margin of Cook Inlet. Previous work by Aspen Exploration documented offshore aeromagnetic anomalies in addition to confirming the presence of gold along the active beaches.

Due to the size of the project area, Hemis said the Anchor Gold project could have great potential.

The company said permits were issued by federal and State of Alaska agencies to allow for exploration in September and early October. Two exploration programs were run concurrently. A geophysical survey consisting of a fathometer, side-scan sonar and a sparker survey was conducted by Watson Geophysics. The goal of the sparker survey was to image the shallow subsurface sediments. Concurrently, a shallow coring program was conducted by Kinnetic Labs using a Vibracore (R) drill rig. The Vibracore system uses a vibrating drill head to penetrate through unconsolidated sediments. Vessels for both programs were provided by Ocean Explorers.

Both programs were planned to coincide with low tides that occurred near the end of September, Hemis said. While the geophysical survey was completed during this window, high seas thwarted the Vibracore drilling. The drilling program was delayed for a week and resumed during the next low tide cycle in October. Ultimately, cores were recovered from 11 of the 15 target areas.

"I have nothing but good things to say about all of our consultants and contractors that enabled this program to happen," said Douglas Oliver, chief geologist at Hemis. "Cook Inlet is a difficult place to work at any time of the year and autumn can be especially tricky. The professionalism that was shown by all of the parties involved was the primary reason for this program's success."

Gravels made up the basal sediments in 9 of the 11 cores recovered.

Hemis: gravel encouraging

Oliver said the first samples have been recovered from the offshore magnetic anomalies. "Some of us have been wondering for over 20 years what we would discover down there. Finding gravel is encouraging as gold particles are typically associated with coarse sediments in placer deposits."

The samples will undergo size sorting analysis and heavy mineral separation at Alaska Assay Labs in Fairbanks, Alaska. The heavy mineral fraction will undergo visual examination for gold particles as well as fire assay. The results will be used to determine the course of future exploration, the company said.

Hemis, a precious metals exploration company, is incorporated in Nevada, but has a head office in Zurich, Switzerland.

Denver-based Aspen Exploration is primarily focused on natural gas exploration and production activities in northern California, but the company says it has engaged in successful projects in the past, involving gold in Alaska, uranium in Wyoming, and oil and gas in the Rocky Mountain states and Texas.