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Duran Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: DRV)

       Duran Ventures Inc. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration mining company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (ticker symbol DRV). The Company has come to our attention due, in part, to the exceptional opportunity afforded shareholders as DRV.V is advancing their 100% owned concessions located in Central Peru where geologists agree that Duran's Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit is part of a large porphyry cluster in a major mineral district actively taking shape, with Penoles and Duran Ventures holding key ground. Mining MarketWatch Journal has confirmed Penoles is now drilling on the edge of Duran Ventures' Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit. Duran Ventures possesses three key projects in the region:

• 100% owned Aguila copper-molybdenum deposit has yielded impressive grades in the order of 0.5 - .0.6% copper (ie.718m grading 0.555% Cu and 0.041% Mo = 1%+ copper equivalent ) and is host to a past producing open-pit mine. Drilling has expanded the deposit to the west, east and at depth, encountering higher grade porphyry than other companies in Peru (many the subject of buy-outs in the US$400M - 500M region), the deepest hole is over 600m from surface down and is still in copper mineralization. The dimensions of the porphyry are believed to be large and indications are positive for having big porphyry at depth. Results from recent exploration efforts are expected soon and will improve on the dimensions. Preliminary results from the IP-MAG geophysics conducted this Fall 2009 across the entire area indicate everything is connected. Aguila is believed to be part of a large porphyry cluster and would explain why Penoles is on Aguila's doorstep drilling.

• 100% owned Pasacancha (silver) project has yielded high grade silver values at past producing mine that focused on high grade silver veins. The main tunnel sampled over 384m grading of 2 ounces silver/tonne plus other metals. Pasacancha has potential for bulk tonnage resource and is understood to be part of the same system as Aguila.

• 100% owned Santa Rosa/Corongo gold project in close proximity to Aguila and Pasacancha is yielding values up to 7.8 g/t gold and 191 g/t silver at Santa Rosa and 14.6 g Au/t and 483.0 g Ag/t at Corongo.

Developments at the Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry and Pasacancha Silver-Lead-Zinc Project

Phenomenal grades • IP-MAG Geophysics • World class bulk tonnage potential • Penoles drilling off claim line

       The Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit and Pasacancha porphyry concession have been the subject of systematic exploration by Duran Ventures since 2003.

In the top left of the adjacent map is the drill proven copper-molybdenum porphyry zone at Aguila which is ~400m wide, approximately 300m to the east of the drilled Aguila porphyry is another cluster of copper mineralization in a region that has never been drilled -- DRV.V has drilled one hole that was in that direction and intersected copper at depth which ran very similar grades to what was sampled at surface in the region that was never yet drilled. It is believed the porphyry target is much larger and encompasses all that area. ~2km to the southeast, the high silver values found in the tunnels and adits at Pasacancha (tunnel sampled 384m of 2 ounces silver/tonne plus other metals) are believed to be all related to the same system that is producing everything seen across the map.

DRV.V is now analyzing data from the deep IP-MAG Geophysical survey (see November 2, 2009 release) which covers most of the El Halcon (A.K.A. Aguila) and Pasacancha 1 concessions -- preliminary results indicate the scope and size of the porphyry system is much larger than originally thought and confirm a very strong system that has very good potential for large resources. Results show the intrusive system is very large, the entire area is related, the system is ripe with sulfide minerals, and possesses large chargeability anomalies all across the property (see analysis section further below).

World class bulk tonnage Cu-Mo potential: Aguila copper-molybdenum deposit has yielded impressive grades in the order of 0.5 - 0.6% copper (ie.718m grading 0.555% Cu and 0.041% Mo = 1%+ copper equivalent ) and is host to a past producing open-pit mine. Drilling has expanded the deposit to the west, east and at depth, encountering higher grade porphyry than other companies in the region, the deepest hole is over 600m from surface down and is still in copper mineralization. Recent exploration work at Aguila has now outlined a much larger target, the dimensions of the porphyry are believed to be large and results from recent exploration efforts are expected soon and will improve on the dimensions. Indications are positive for having big porphyry at depth. There is strong potential for further expansion of the Aguila deposit through additional drilling. The deep induced polarization geophysical survey being analysed now will provide clarity and set the stage for taking DRV.V to the next level as Aguila and Pasacncha could conceivably rival other 200-300M tonne range porphyry deposits in the region.

Looking at the drill results (see overview section of Aguila further below), some are sitting at over 700m of Cu-Mo ore with .6% copper and .045% molybdenum content which equates to way over 1% copper equivalent with those intersections. Jeffrey Reeder, P.Geo., CEO of Duran Ventures Inc. was contacted by Mining MarketWatch Journal in conducting research for this article. Jeffrey Reeder explained how Duran Ventures is only ~10,000m in drilling from issuing a first estimate, a number their geologists feel will be significant and market moving as from the results to date and from what they can see geologically Aguila has serious potential to be world class.

Penoles drilling off Duran Ventures' claim line: The major Mexican mining company Penoles has moved drills onto the edge of Duran Ventures' Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry system/claim line. The significance of Penoles only a couple thousand meters to the south of Aguila's main pit is huge as this is Penoles' only project they are drilling in Peru and have found reason to call up two additional rigs to now four. Duran Ventures and Penoles are hold key ground in this mineral district, both have about the same amount of ground. Penoles is not motivated by projects with small scope/potential; the large porphyry clusters Duran and Penoles are targeting are what big miners seek to produce and generate multi million dollar revenues and make the bottom line. These porphyry-type deposits typically amount to large bulk tonnage ore bodies of systems and account for most of the copper production in the world, and also represent significant sources of gold, silver, and other base metals. The presence of Penoles adding value to the area and the fact they have pulled up along side Duran is extremely beneficial to DRV.V shareholders and the inherent value of Duran's project.

Potential catalysts on several key fronts make DRV.V an undervalued and exceptional risk-reward scenario. Each project offers major discovery potential and are all located in mining friendly politically stable Peru. Mining Marketwatch provides insight into each of these, the first three are 100% owned Duran Ventures projects: #1) Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry, #2) Pasacancha Porphyry, #3) Santa Rosa and Corongo Area Gold Project, #4) Double Jack Lock-up

100% ownership note: Duran Ventures Inc. has 100% ownership of all its Peruvian properties with no underlying royalties. Originally Duran (under the name Duran Resources ULC) had a 50% interest and MacMillian Gold was the originator of the project, MacMillian and Duran merged to form Duran Ventures Inc.

1) Aguila copper-molybdenum porphyry  - Central Peru - 100% Owned

       Duran Ventures has been active at the El Halcon concession Aguila project since 2003 and has now consolidated 100 percent ownership. Originally comprising 100 hectares of property area, the project includes the past producing Aguila open-pit copper mine. The historic resources consist of a near surface porphyry structure bearing copper and molybdenum, from which a low volume mining operation had been active in the 1970s.
 
Duran Ventures was able to add surrounding property acquisitions to its holdings to gain control of the area immediately adjacent to the historic deposit. As preliminary exploration work was completed a larger area of interest was identified. Additional property area was also acquired elsewhere in the district on the premise that other porphyry structures may be awaiting discovery in a nearby targets that bear a similar geological setting.
 
Exploration work at Aguila has now outlined a much larger target with the discovery of a contact zone on the eastern edge of the porphyry. Lower grade copper mineralized zones were also encountered to the west, which could represent a halo around the original porphyry discovery, significantly expanding the total target tonnage and improving the potential pit design for the deposit.

In 2008 a total of 14 drill holes were completed which have demonstrated a large tonnage of continuous mineralization, and the deposit remains open laterally and to depth. The first 8 drill holes were to investigate the potential around the historic workings of a past producing open pit mine. Another 7 holes were completed in a second drill fence to step out the original discovery zone and expand the limits of the known deposit. High grade and consistent lateral extension have been reported in assay results; see June 3, 2008 release 'MacMillan & Duran Report Entire 718.1 Metre Hole 6 Averages 0.555% Cu and 0.041% Mo') and July 14, 2008 release 'Duran Ventures And MacMillan Gold Report Over 1% Copper Equivalence Averages' -- these demonstrate the existence of a near surface, copper-molybdenum porphyry structure with significant tonnage.

New drill results (see Jan 13, 2010 release “Duran Ventures Drills 223.6 Metres of 0.51% Copper and 0.021% Molybdenum at Aguila”) affirm significant copper and molybdenum mineralization occurs not only in the host diorite intrusive, but also well into the host sedimentary units. Also the tonnage potential of the Aguila area may be much greater than previously thought.

The potential to build a significant resource is strong To the northeast of the drilled section shown in Figure 5 are numerous surface intrusive rocks in areas not yet drilled. Duran can show now the copper mineralization extends from the drilled area about 400m to the northeast -- if that is the case and we know in the drilled section Duran intersected in the order of .5 - .6% copper and the deepest drill hole was over 600m projected from the surface down and was still in copper mineralization -- if Duran can expand that to the east several hundred meters from the known area, the target area will be sizeable. When comparing Duran's potential to established Cu-Mo deposits in the region such as Norsemont Mining it is important to note that the grades at Duran's Aguila porphyry are higher. Norsemont Mining has a defined resource of ~300+M tonnes, a market cap nearing $200 million and is a buy out candidate at a level significantly above that -- Duran has phenomenal grades and everything points to the fact Duran has potential for similar size porphyry and a correspondingly significant upside move in valuation. Transactions over the last couple of years involving copper deposits similar to what Duran Ventures is targeting in Peru have seen multiple deals made in the $400M - $800M range.

Preliminary results from the IP-MAG geophysics

------ ------ ------

While there is strong potential for further expansion of the Aguila deposit through additional drilling, the exploration has also focused on other areas of interest in close proximity to Aguila and with strong geological similarities, in effort to increase the magnitude of the overall resources. Only a limited amount of work has been completed to date to test these high priority targets that have been outlined from surface work and may lead to significant new copper-molybdenum deposits that would improve the overall economic outlook for the entire project.

Infrastructure, & Region - stable, mining friendly region

The properties are located ~3,100 to 4,400 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the Western Cordillera of North Central Peru. The projects are ~100km in from the coast and are all road accessible. Power to the property is provided by an active power line traversing the Pasacancha 1 concession and is connected to the national grid. Nearby town are Sihuas and Pasacancha.

Peru is unanimously agreed in the mining community to be a stable, mining friendly region. Ranking within the Fraser Institute's Annual Survey of Mining Companies released this March 2009 may be viewed here. The mining claim and permitting process is highly transparent and clearly laid out.

2) Pasacancha Silver-Lead-Zinc Project - Central Peru - 100% Owned

High silver values • Past producing • Significant bulk tonnage potential  • Silver-Gold-Lead-Zinc target

Peru was the top silver producing country in the world, responsible for a recorded 118.30 million ounces in 2008 (source Market Equities Research Group). Miners know ‘the best place to find a new resource is amidst the workings of an old mine’ -- The Pasacancha concession is host to the past producing Pasacancha mine, where historical production focused on high grade silver veins that have been mapped across a large part of the property.
 
The Pasacancha mine workings are situated at the top of a hill above a town with the same name. Several tunnels have been identified which access the vein deposits at various elevations. The combined workings have been mapped for several kilometers and this extensive underground infrastructure serves as evidence of the intensity of mineralization throughout the area. The historic mining activity was concentrated on the highest grade veins and the project geologists have begun work to search for deposit areas of interest that were overlooked by the previous mine operator.
 
Early stage exploration work at this target included soil sampling and trenching programs that covered a much wider zone surrounding the old mine workings. The results from this work indicated the potential for a large area of alteration bearing lower grades of silver and gold, along with the presence of significant lead and zinc values. This has been interpreted to suggest that a potential bulk tonnage poly-metallic deposit of disseminated alteration may exist at Pasacancha.
 

3) Santa Rosa and Corongo Area Gold Project  - Central Peru - 100% Owned

Santa Rosa/Corongo is a block of claims ~6km - 10km to the northwest of Aquila.  Santa Rosa was identified in 1998 through fieldwork completed by Rio Tinto, a prior operator of the property as part of a joint-venture exploration program. Historic small-scale mining in the area produced gold, copper, and silver from vein and manto systems that outcropped near surface. Rio Tinto completed a preliminary series of drill holes along across a widely spaced grid in search of a potential bulk tonnage mineralized system. The results included several encouraging gold intervals that appeared to be related to feeder vein structures, however lacking the continuity necessary to meet the criteria for a larger system, Rio Tinto did not do any follow up work. As is often the case with Rio Tinto 'walk-aways', they were not given the attention necessary and Mining MarketWatch Journal has seen numerous prized assets develop from Rio Tinot walk-aways. Duran Ventures is turning up high values; see February 23, 2009 release "Duran Reports Up To 7.8 g Gold/t, 191.0 g Silver/t, and 9.1% Copper from Prioritizing Precious Mineral Exploration in Peru" and May 5, 2009 release "Duran Ventures Reports Up to 14.6 g Au/t and 483.0 g Ag/t from The 100% Owned Corongo Properties".

Figure 9. Geology Map Corongo Project Click Here to enlarge and expand [PDF]

4) Double Jack Lock-up  - Central Peru

Synopsis: The 'Double Jack Lock-up' is an opportunity that will be presented to shareholders in about a year to vote on the acquisition of a host of projects owned by Double Jack (A.K.A. Hatum Minas SAC) to be transferred to Duran Ventures Inc. in consideration (in the end) for about 5% of the float outstanding. The related September 1, 2009 news release regarding the acquisition is located here. It is the opinion of Mining MarketWatch Journal that the aforementioned nominal end price is a good deal for Duran as the four properties DRV.V gains in the transaction are well worth it and the deal frees up Jeffrey Reeder, the CEO of Duran Ventures to focus 100% on Duran Ventures alone. When Jeffrey Reeder was asked to take the job as CEO for Duran he wanted to be solely dedicated and not have to compete for time. The properties that Duran gains can be vended off individually for a significant price, much more than the sum of the whole it is being acquired for. Alternately the projects can nurtured along where possible and have a partner take on the risk of development. Additionally, Duran Ventures gets an expanded base of dedicated and motivated shareholders when Jeffrey Reeder took the position as CEO.

It is important to note that Jeffery Reeder, P. Geo. is an expert on copper porphyry systems. Early in his career he worked for Hunter-Dickenson for five years and took numerous porphyry systems through from exploration to advanced stage development/production -- he learnt about what it takes to develop these things, he learnt what the value of these things are worth eventually when they are proved up -- to have a person of this caliber solely dedicated to Duran Ventures is important for shareholders as their flagship assets are his expertise.  Jeffery has worked for the last 15 years in Peru on porphyry systems and is fluent in Spanish. Mining MarketWatch notes Mr. Reeder currently has ~510K shares of Duran Ventures, has an option of buying 500K more, plus 400K warrants = ~1.4M shares. If shareholders vote on double jack approval he will add ~2M shares to his position. In the opinion of Mining MarketWatch Journal the process of Jeffery Reeder presenting the properties at the next AGM and allowing the shareholders of Duran Ventures to accept or reject the offer appears to be an above board, transparent, and unselfish way of vending in the transaction.

The Panteria Porphyry Copper prospect is the most advanced of the lot and was acquired by Jeffrey Reeder, P. Geo. in a closed bidding auction when it came open for staking in Peru. The property was highly coveted in the auction process by a number of participants and has many similarities to Duran's Aguila Porphyry - just not as advanced.

Summary of the 4 properties Duran Ventures will gain in consideration:

1) The Panteria Porphyry Copper prospect is located in the Department of Ica in south-central Peru. It consists of one main block totalling 1,700 hectares and another 400 hectare concession two kilometres to the east. Rio Tinto Zinc operated this project in the early 2000’s, and Hatum acquired the concession in 2007. Rio Tinto conducted a very limited exploration program comprising of two or three diamond drill holes. The information from Rio Tinto’s work program is currently unpublished, however the company will inquire about obtaining the data. Hatum’s initial sampling program at Panteria confirmed widespread anomalous copper, gold, and silver over an 800 by 250 metre zone, with local quartz-sulfide stockworks and veining in porphyritic intrusive rocks. There are abundant copper oxides and carbonates on surface with indications of strong surface leaching of copper and iron sulfide minerals. Panteria has all the hallmarks of a significant supergene copper deposit with an underlying hypogene porphyry copper system.

See related December 11, 2009 release "Duran Ventures Begins Exploration Program on Double Jack Properties".

2) The Santa Rita and Coricancha South Properties (1,737.88 hectares) are located 75 kilometres from Lima in the San Mateo District in Central Peru, in an area of active and past producing silver-lead-zinc mines. The Coricancha South Property is located immediately south-southwest of Gold Hawk Resources’s Coricancha Mine. Hatum’s mine dump and rock chip sampling returned ten out of twenty-eight samples with greater than 100 grams silver per tonne, with the highest value of 1,280 grams silver per tonne. Ten samples returned over 1% lead, and seven samples with over 1% zinc. Gold, copper, and molybdenum values are strongly anomalous, with up to 2.2 grams gold per tonne, 8.8% copper, and 0.1% molybdenum.

3) The Ichuña Copper-Silver Project (1,000 hectares) is located 120 kilometres northeast of Arequipa in the Department of Moquegua in Southern Peru. A past producer from Spanish colonial times, Hatum sampling returned strong copper and silver values with anomalous  arsenic, barium, and antimony. Mineralization is controlled by north-south trending structures related to altered intrusive bodies. Copper values range as high as 12.75% and silver up to 8.2 ounces silver per tonne. These copper-silver bearing structures may be indications of porphyry copper mineralization.

4) The Don Pancho Silver-Lead-Zinc Project (600 hectares) is located in the Lima Department and is currently optioned to a third party, Jantar Resources Ltd (“Jantar”). Jantar may earn a 100% interest for property option payments of $375,000 in cash and 400,000 common shares over four years. Jantar are also required to spend $1,500,000 on the property. Double Jack would then revert to a 2% Net Smelter Return interest which Jantar may reduce to 1% by issuing 200,000 additional shares.

Jeffrey J. Reeder, P. Geo., has a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta and since 1992 has been registered as a professional geologist with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. Mr. Reeder is the geologist that originally identified and acquired the Aguila copper-moly project in Peru for Duran Resources ULC (formerly MacMillan Gold Corp.). Mr. Reeder has 15 years of experience in Peru and is fluent in Spanish. Mr. Reeder's experiences prior to joining MacMillan Gold included working with Noranda Exploration and the Hunter-Dickenson Group of Companies. Mr. Reeder was also responsible for identifying the Pinaya Copper-Gold project currently being explored by Acero-Martin Exploration.
 

John P. Thompson, P. Eng., Director
Mr. John P. Thompson, P. Eng. has a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. from Acadia University in Nova Scotia. Mr. Thompson has been a director since June 2006. Mr. Thompson has over 35 years of mineral exploration, advanced property evaluation, ore reserve estimation and mining experience and is currently a consultant to the industry and President of John P Thompson and Associates.

  
Joseph Del Campo, CMA, Director
Mr. Joseph Del Campo, CMA, is a graduate of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto and has been a director and audit chairman since July 2006. Mr. Del Campo is the Chief Financial Officer of First Nickel Inc. and is the Chief Financial Officer and a director of Unigold Inc.

Daniel Hamilton, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Hamilton has 25 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance roles. Mr. Hamilton has completed a bachelor of commerce and bachelor of administration at the University of Ottawa. Mr. Hamilton worked for several chartered accounting firms, including Stern Cohen, Clarkson Gordon and Arthur Young of Australia. Mr. Hamilton's many years of mining and exploration experience were accumulated from working for Noranda Minerals Inc., Noranda Inc., Agra Monenco Inc., AMEC Inc. and Chrystallex International. Mr. Hamilton is experienced at performing public reporting for junior resource companies such as Cuervo Resources Inc. and Amerix Precious Metals Corp.

Carmen Yuen, B.Com, Secretary and Treasurer
Ms. Yuen is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelors of Commerce specialized in finance. Ms. Yuen has also successfully completed her exams to qualify as a Certified Public Accountant and awaits her certification. Ms. Yuen's experience includes work as a Tax Analyst with an international tax firm.

Juan Jose Ari Huanca, General Manager Peru
Dr. Juan Jose Ari Huanca studied law at the Faculty of Law at the Universidad Nacional San Andres in Arequipa, graduating with an undergraduate degree in 1996, and acquired the title of Professional Lawyer in the same year. His academic level was formally recognized as 'Brilliant', one of only three students in the history of this legal faculty to achieve that standing. He is the founder and General Manager of Ari and Associates Legal Firm in Arequipa. He held various positions with Canper Exploraciones S.A.C., operators of the Pinaya mineral exploration project in Puno, Peru. Positions included legal advisor, administrative manager, and general manager from 2004 to 2008. During this time, he was instrumental in negotiating the original property option with the local owners, the negotiation and removal of informal gold miners, and surface rights agreements with local landholders. His superior ability with strategy, planning, management, community relations, and legal analyses is a tremendous asset to Duran Ventures' operations in Peru.

For more information contact Duran Ventures Inc.'s head office at: Ph (416)867.1101
 

E-mail: info@duranventuresinc.com   Company's web site: www.duranventuresinc.com

SEDAR Filings: URL