Apoquindo starts 40,000m drill program at Zafranal - Peru

Apoquindo Minerals (TSX-V, Lima: AQM) reported its Peruvian subsidiary Minera KoriTambo has received final exploration permits for 2010 drilling at the Zafranal copper-gold project from Peru's energy and mines ministry and has begun work.

Zafranal is earmarked for 40,000m of drilling in 2010, including confirmation of historic drill holes by Teck (TSX: TCK) at the Zafranal main zone, infill and step-out drilling at the main zone and exploratory drilling on satellite targets.

A resource estimate on the Zafranal main zone is targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2010, Apoquindo said in a statement.

Previous work by Teck subsidiary Teck Cominco Perú identified the core area of mineralization on the property, the company said.

"Apoquindo's drill program will focus on confirming the thickness and grade of the enriched supergene layer, expanding the deposit along strike and testing the potential at depth for primary mineralization," said Apoquindo president Bruce Turner.

Work by Teck totaled 11,805m in 36 holes, with results including 70m grading 1.08% copper and 0.25g/t gold, 77m of 1.80% copper and 0.21g/t gold, and 110m grading 1.22% copper.