Drilling Indicates Lateral & Vertical Expansion with Increasing Grade for Resources at Gibraltar


 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549
 
 
FORM 6-K
 
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
CIK # 878518
 
 
as at September 11, 2006
 
TASEKO MINES LIMITED
800 West Pender Street, Suite 1020
Vancouver , British Columbia
Canada V6C 2V6
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F...X.... Form 40-F.........
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ____
 
 
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ____
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes ..... No .....
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
 
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
By: /s/ Jeffrey R. Mason
Director and Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: September 11, 2006
 
Print the name and title of the signing officer under his signature.
-------------------

                        TKO ANNOUNCES                                                                                                                TKO ANNOUNCES

  TASEKO MINES LIMITED
1020-800 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6
Tel: 604-684-6365
Fax: 604-684-8092
Toll Free: 1-800-667-2114
www.tasekomines.com


DRILLING INDICATES LATERAL & VERTICAL EXPANSION
WITH INCREASING GRADE FOR RESOURCES AT GIBRALTAR

September 11, 2006, Vancouver, BC - Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; AMEX: TGB) ("Taseko" or the "Company") announces promising results from its recent drilling program at the Gibraltar Mine, located near the City of Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia.

In late 2005, a detailed geological review of the existing resources at Gibraltar was completed, indicating the potential to expand the mine's reserves. A $2 million drilling program was initiated in the spring of 2006, with two main objectives:

(1)    Explore and delineate the mineralization adjacent to the walls of the existing open pits; and
(2)    Test for mineralization deeper than 700 feet from surface, which had historically defined the bottom of the open pits, to test the depth potential of the present ore zones.

Both of these objectives have been successfully met. In addition to confirming significant new volumes of mineralization adjacent to the open pits, the deep holes have encountered copper and molybdenum grades that are significantly higher than the average grades that have previously been mined, indicating that the grade is increasing with depth.

President and CEO Russell Hallbauer said:

"We are very excited with the results of the 2006 drilling program. With a new geological interpretation and modelling, and a willingness to invest in a focused drill program, we are finding that we could, after 30 years of production, be on the verge of a major change to Gibraltar's reserve profile in terms of tonnage and grade. These new mineralized zones - below, adjacent and between the existing pits - will significantly increase the size and grade of the Gibraltar ore body. "

Sixty-seven drill holes have been completed and assays for the first 39 holes have been received. A Table of Assay Results is attached and highlights are tabulated below. A Drill Hole Plan and Cross Section are available on the Company's website www.tasekomines.com.
The copper and molybdenum grades and copper equivalent values shown in the highlight table are significantly higher than the average 0.30% copper and 0.008% molybdenum grades (0.34% copper equivalent) mined over the past ten years of operation at the Gibraltar Mine.


Drill Hole
Number

From
(metres)

To
(metres)

From
(feet)

To
(feet)

Intercept
(feet)

Intercept
(metres)

Cu
(%)

Mo
(%)

CuEQ1
(%)

06-007

 

173.7

271.3

570

890

320

97.6

0.37

0.008

0.41

06-024

 

173.7

289.6

570

950

380

115.9

0.39

0.010

0.44

06-027

 

268.2

353.6

880

1160

280

85.4

0.67

0.036

0.85

06-027

Incl.

301.8

350.5

990

1150

160

48.7

1.00

0.058

1.27

06-028

 

237.7

356.6

780

1170

390

118.9

0.52

0.017

0.60

06-028

Incl.

283.5

344.4

930

1130

200

60.9

0.66

0.019

0.76

06-032

 

189.0

289.6

620

950

330

100.6

0.32

0.019

0.41

06-035

 

195.1

303.9

640

997

357

108.8

0.61

0.018

0.70

06-035

Incl.

207.3

231.7

680

760

80

24.4

0.88

0.011

0.93

06-037

 

179.8

334.4

590

1097

507

154.6

0.33

0.004

0.35

1 Copper equivalent calculations use metal prices of US $1.25/lb for copper and US $6.00/lb for molybdenum.
   CuEQ = Cu % + (Mo % x 6.00/1.25)

As a consequence of these positive results additional drilling has been initiated, targeting those areas below and between the Granite Lake and Pollyanna Pits.

Ian Thompson, P.Eng., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, is supervising the drilling program and quality assurance and quality control ("QAQC") programs on behalf of Taseko Mines Limited. Samples from the Gibraltar exploration project are stored at a secure facility at the Gibraltar Mine prior to being shipped to Vancouver laboratories for preparation and analysis. Assayers Canada prepared and analyzed 80% of the samples and ALS Chemex prepared and analyzed 20% of the samples. Sample preparation consisted of weighing, drying and crushing the entire sample to >70% passing -2mm and then pulverizing a 250 g split to >85% passing 75 microns. Total copper and molybdenum determinations are by HNO 3/KClO 3 + AlCl 3/HCl digestion followed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) is monitored using assay standards and blanks submitted by Taseko, and duplicate samples submitted to Acme Analytical Laboratories in Vancouver.

For further details on Taseko and its properties, please visit the Company's website at www.tasekomines.com or contact Investor Services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114.

Russell Hallbauer
President and CEO
 
                                            No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.
 
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, lack of continuity of mineralization, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the Company's home jurisdiction filings at www.sedar.com.

                                                                         GIBRALTAR MINE - TABLE OF ASSAY RESULTS

Drill Hole
Number

From
(metres)

To
(metres)

From
(feet)

To
(feet)

Intercept
(feet)

Intercept
(metres)

Cu
(%)

Mo
(%)

CuEQ1
(%)

06-003

 

222.5

265.2

730

870

140

42.7

0.20

0.008

0.24

06-004

 

6.1

18.3

20

60

40

12.2

0.23

0.003

0.25

06-004

 

42.7

51.8

140

170

30

9.1

0.40

0.008

0.44

06-004

 

167.6

289.6

550

950

400

122.0

0.31

0.005

0.34

06-005

 

222.5

234.7

730

770

40

12.2

0.22

0.024

0.34

06-006

 

82.3

216.4

270

710

440

134.1

0.22

0.006

0.25

06-006

 

246.9

259.1

810

850

40

12.2

0.43

0.012

0.49

06-006

 

295.7

338.3

970

1110

140

42.6

0.24

0.015

0.31

06-007

 

24.4

33.5

80

110

30

9.1

0.31

0.004

0.33

06-007

 

173.7

271.3

570

890

320

97.6

0.37

0.008

0.41

06-008

 

97.5

109.7

320

360

40

12.2

0.39

0.016

0.47

06-009

 

149.4

237.7

490

780

290

88.3

0.27

0.003

0.28

06-009

 

265.2

277.4

870

910

40

12.2

0.26

0.008

0.29

06-010

 

265.2

283.5

870

930

60

18.3

0.30

0.003

0.31

06-012

 

121.9

131.1

400

430

30

9.2

0.30

0.002

0.32

06-012

 

198.1

313.9

650

1030

380

115.8

0.27

0.010

0.32

06-015

 

61.0

134.1

200

440

240

73.1

0.22

0.022

0.32

06-016

 

201.2

210.3

660

690

30

9.1

0.57

0.042

0.78

06-016

 

259.1

268.2

850

880

30

9.1

0.24

0.005

0.27

06-017

 

155.5

179.8

510

590

80

24.3

0.28

0.020

0.38

06-019

 

18.3

64.0

60

210

150

45.7

0.24

0.007

0.28

06-019

 

88.4

100.6

290

330

40

12.2

0.26

0.012

0.32

06-019

 

121.9

140.2

400

460

60

18.3

0.27

0.016

0.35

06-020

 

48.8

61.0

160

200

40

12.2

0.27

0.006

0.30

06-020

 

167.6

189.0

550

620

70

21.4

0.25

0.007

0.29

06-021

 

164.6

249.9

540

820

280

85.3

0.36

0.010

0.41

06-022

 

24.4

42.7

80

140

60

18.3

0.36

0.008

0.41

06-024

 

173.7

289.6

570

950

380

115.9

0.39

0.010

0.44

06-025

 

109.7

134.1

360

440

80

24.4

0.22

0.058

0.49

06-026

 

301.8

359.7

990

1180

190

57.9

0.50

0.017

0.58

06-027

 

268.2

353.6

880

1160

280

85.4

0.67

0.036

0.85

06-027

Incl.

301.8

350.5

990

1150

160

48.7

1.00

0.058

1.27

06-028

 

237.7

356.6

780

1170

390

118.9

0.52

0.017

0.60

06-028

Incl.

283.5

344.4

930

1130

200

60.9

0.66

0.019

0.76

06-030

 

51.8

61.0

170

200

30

9.2

0.45

0.000

0.46

06-030

 

225.6

329.2

740

1080

340

103.6

0.31

0.009

0.35

06-031

 

326.1

339.9

1070

1115

45

13.8

0.56

0.005

0.58

06-032

 

109.7

125.0

360

410

50

15.3

0.23

0.001

0.24

06-032

 

164.6

179.8

540

590

50

15.2

0.29

0.009

0.33

06-032

 

189.0

289.6

620

950

330

100.6

0.32

0.019

0.41

06-034

 

164.6

228.6

540

750

210

64.0

0.32

0.011

0.37

06-034

 

243.8

292.6

800

960

160

48.8

0.32

0.009

0.36

06-035

 

195.1

303.9

640

997

357

108.8

0.61

0.018

0.70

06-035

Incl.

207.3

231.7

680

760

80

24.4

0.88

0.011

0.93

06-036

 

61.0

85.3

200

280

80

24.3

0.27

0.008

0.31

06-037

 

179.8

334.4

590

1097

507

154.6

0.33

0.004

0.35

06-038

 

246.9

289.6

810

950

140

42.7

0.30

0.004

0.32

06-039

 

189.0

228.6

620

750

130

39.6

0.48

0.007

0.51

1 Copper equivalent calculations use metal prices of US $1.25/lb for copper and US $6.00/lb for molybdenum.
CuEQ = Cu % + (Mo % x 6.001.25
No significant results in holes 1,2,11,13,14,18,29,33