TIDMNUS
Drilling Report
FOR: NAUTILUS MINERALS INC.
TSX, AIM SYMBOL: NUS
May 27, 2009
Exploration Success Continues for Nautilus Minerals
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 27, 2009) - Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX:NUS)(AIM:NUS) (the "Company" or
"Nautilus") announces that it has successfully completed the first phase of its 2009 target generation program
in Tonga on 100% owned Nautilus prospecting licences (Figure 1). Hand-held XRF analysis indicates the high-
grade of the Seafloor Massive Sulphide ("SMS") systems sampled, with results up to 9.1% Cu and 34.9% Zn.
Nautilus is rapidly advancing its ability to acquire and interpret water column data, in collaboration with
ocean chemistry expert Gary Massoth and other marine scientific researchers. Preliminary interpretation of
water column survey data, gathered in Tongan waters last month has identified twelve anomalies in total. All
water column anomalies(1) identified have signatures considered analogous with hydrothermal vent systems.
Follow up video-tow and small dredge sampling were attempted over three of the anomalies. Sulphide
mineralisation was recovered from two sites (named Tahi Moana 7 and FRSC02). The collaborative research program
with Australian National University ("ANU"), from RV Southern Surveyor included multibeam swath mapping and
water column surveys over key target areas identified by the exploration team. Eight of the water column
anomalies are completely new discoveries. Three of the anomalies were identified following interpretation of
previous NOAA ("National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, of the United States of America") voyage data,
and FRSC02 is coincident with an area reported by KORDI ("Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, of
the Republic of Korea"). Laboratory assay results are pending and further work is required at each of the
twelve sites.
Stephen Rogers, Nautilus' CEO, commented: "The delineation of a further twelve anomalies highlights the
prospectivity of our large land package in Tonga. The recovery of sulphide mineralisation from two of the three
sampling attempts confirms our high exploration hit ratio. We look forward to receiving the assay results from
the two sampled systems, and the results of the second phase of the program, due to start this week."
Tahi Moana 7 is located on the NE Lau Spreading Centre, in water depths between 1880 to 1940 m and is
approximately 14 km NNE of Nautilus' 2008 exploration partner Teck Resources' ("Teck") 2008 Maka SMS discovery
(www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Media-NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=319379). A video camera tow following up the water
column anomaly identified on the NEL5a survey line (Figure 2), defined an approximately 150 m long traverse
containing features interpreted as sulphide outcrops, and other indicators associated with hydrothermal
activity. A subsequent 170 m small dredge sampling line, focused on the area of the interpreted sulphide
outcrops, recovered approximately 150 kg of sample containing a mixture of massive and semi-massive sulphide
(25.5 kg) and volcanic rock (the remainder). The sulphide samples were subsequently tested using a Nitron XL3t-
500 handheld XRF unit (see Table 1 for results).
Site FRSC02 is located in the Fonualei Rifts area, in water depths between 1640 to 1820 m, and 140 km south-
southwest of Teck's 2008 Maka SMS discovery (Figure 2), the nearest known SMS system
(www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Media-NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=319379). A 600 g sample of massive sulphide was
recovered from the camera frame, following one of two video camera tows implemented over a water column anomaly
identified on survey line NEL11a. Two subsequent short small dredge sampling lines did not return further
sulphide samples.
Nautilus' 2009 Tongan exploration program is being undertaken in collaboration with ANU and the Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ("CSIRO"), onboard the Marine National Facility research vessel
Southern Surveyor (Figure 3). Work is being completed under the supervision of ANU's Professor Richard Arculus,
with input from CSIRO, ANU and Nautilus. The voyage mobilised from Lautoka, Fiji on April, 23 2009. The first
phase of the program focused on Nautilus' granted Tongan tenements in the NE Lau Basin and was completed in
Nuku' alofa, on May 18, 2009. Phase 2 will be undertaken from May 29 to June 25, 2009 and will focus on
Nautilus' granted Tongan tenements in the Southern and Central Lau basin (Figure 1).
Links
Figure 1: www.nautilusminerals.com/i/misc/Figure1_TongaSS.pdf
Figure 2(ii): www.nautilusminerals.com/i/misc/Figure2_TongaSS.pdf
Figure 3: www.nautilusminerals.com/i/photos/southern_surveyor_5.jpg #
Table 1: www.nautilusminerals.com/i/misc/Table1_TongaSS.pdf
# Photo courtesy of CSIRO
(1)Water Column Anomalies
A water column anomaly is defined herein as an "elevated response" of certain properties such as Nephelometric
Turbidity Units ("NTU"), Eh and pH, which are commonly associated with hydrothermal systems. One of the main
sensors used during this program is a Nephelometer, which measures the presence of suspended particulates in
the water column, using a reflecting light source (see Figure 2 insets). Particle density is a function of the
light reflected into the detector from the particles in the water, and is generally measured in NTU.
Water column anomalies, such as those defined during phase 1 of the program, are commonly associated with
active hydrothermal systems and SMS systems (www.nautilusminerals.com/i/pdf/PDACMarch2009.pdf). The results can
be affected by ocean currents and other physical factors.
Dredge Sampling
Dredge sampling involves deploying a small (less than 1 m diameter), metal framed, steel net and 1 tonne
depressor weight from the vessel using a cable to drag the dredge across the target zone. The metal frame
"skips" slowly along the seabed, intermittently collecting fist sized samples as it goes.
Note on Results of Indicative Analyses from Hand-held XRF, Niton XL3t-500 Instrument(ii)
A hand-held XRF instrument (NitonXL3t-500) operated by NREA Australia Pty Ltd was used to obtain indications of
the grade of materials recovered from the seafloor. The instrument used for this application does not provide
the accuracy required to report assays. These analyses are the mean of 10 point measurements on unprepared
surfaces of each of the samples reported. The instrument is not calibrated using certified standards and the
samples have not been crushed and prepared to minimise matrix effects which may affect the accuracy of the
analysis. However, previous comparison of XRF results with laboratory assay data indicate the XRF tool is a
reliable method for providing indicative results of the tenor of mineralisation.
Measurements by hand-held XRF are not assay results and do not measure gold or silver. Samples will be formally
assayed by the ALS Group in Brisbane, and results reported when available.
Qualified Person
The exploration results reported in this announcement have been compiled under the supervision of Michael
Johnston, Vice President Strategic Development of Nautilus Minerals. Mr. Johnston is a member of the
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has over 25 years experience in mining and exploration
geology, and is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He consents to his name being used
in this release.
About Nautilus Minerals Inc.
Nautilus is the first company to commercially explore the ocean floor for gold and copper seafloor massive
sulphide deposits and is currently developing its first project. The Company's main focus is the Solwara 1
Project, which is located in the territorial waters of Papua New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean. Nautilus
is listed on the TSX and AIM stock exchanges, and has among its largest shareholders two of the world's leading
international resource companies, Teck Resources (6.8%) and Anglo American (11.1%). Metalloinvest, one of the
largest and fastest growing mining and metallurgical holding companies in Russia, beneficially owns 21.0% of
its shares through Gazmetall Holding (Cyprus) Limited.
-30-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Nautilus Minerals Inc. (Toronto)
Investor Relations
+1 (416) 551 1100
investor@nautilusminerals.com
www.nautilusminerals.com
OR
Nautilus Minerals Inc.
Australian Project Office
+61 (7) 3318 5555
OR
Numis Securities Limited
John Harrison
Nominated adviser
+ 44(0) 20 7260 1000
OR
Numis Securities Limited
James Black
Corporate broking
+ 44(0) 20 7260 1000
Neither the TSX nor the London Stock Exchange accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press
release.
Nautilus Minerals Inc.
|