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Compelling New 2km-Long Target with Links to Known Outcropping Veins
- Presence of large Sinter Cap at Cerro Bayo indicates potential for an intact epithermal system and corresponding potential for silver and gold mineralisation
- Geophysics survey has supported potential presence of an extended mineralised system, defining over a dozen structural targets extending north from Sinter Hill with many of these corresponding to known surface veins
- New north-south trending structures also identified that demonstrate mineralisation potential over 2km of strike length
- The geophysical results link the target zone at Sinter Hill to the known outcropping veins of Aguila and Meseta with a 2km strike, under shallow cover and previously unexplored
- Only 15% of the Sinter Hill geophysics program completed with key targets of the Cascada trend and south of Sinter Hill yet to be surveyed
- Initial results from Sinter Hill and Pampa La Pera (see ASX release dated 13 February 2025) geophysics programs point to more large-scale targets under shallow cover
- Resource update remains on track for end of this month
Andean Chief Executive Tim Laneyrie said:“The geophysics program continues to show the huge exploration upside at the Cerro Bayo Project. We are rapidly developing a pipeline of strong targets to guide future drill programs and have three rigs currently working on the near mine Laguna Verde resource growth.
“The Sinter Hill feature forms a significant part of the upside potential that Andean saw in the Cerro Bayo Project and we are very excited by the initial results we have seen in the geophysical survey. It has validated the investment to date, and we look forward to seeing the area drilled in the next phase of greenfield exploration drilling.
“The imminent resource update will include Andean’s drilling results for the first time, including the Cristal and Pegaso 7 discoveries announced in 2024.
“The scale of the Cerro Bayo Project continues to grow with every mapping, drilling and geophysics campaign we have completed, which underpins our belief that Cerro Bayo has the potential to be a globally significant silver-gold asset”.
Sinter Hill Prospect
The Sinter Hill prospect is located in the southeast of the Cerro Bayo Project at an elevation of ~1,250mRL, approximately 2.5km south of known mineralisation at the Cascada Vein which sits at an elevation of approximately 850mRL and historically produced 4.23Moz AgEq from 2006-20081 (Figure 1).
The prospect is so-called due to the presence of a geological feature known as a ‘sinter cap’ (Figure 4), which refers to a paleo-surface layer of silica-rich rock formed at the discharge point of a hot spring in an epithermal system, essentially acting as a cap over an underlying mineralised zone. Sinter caps are classic indicators of the presence of an epithermal system due to their direct association with the rising hot, mineral-laden fluids that create the sinter through precipitation as they cool at surface.
An intact epithermal system indicates a high potential for valuable mineral deposits, particularly gold and silver, as the entire process of hydrothermal fluid circulation and mineral precipitation remains undisturbed, preserving the full concentration of precious metals within the system and leading to higher grade deposits.
Sinter Hill therefore represents a high priority prospect for exploration by Andean and the aim of the latest geophysics survey has been to identify potential intact epithermal mineralised zones below and/or extensive vein networks radiating from the Sinter Hill area. The zones identified will form the basis of future exploration and drilling programs, targeting potential significant scale discoveries of high-grade mineralisation which would expand the total resources at the Cerro Bayo Project.
Figure 1. Location of Sinter Hill prospect and Cascada historic underground mine in relation to Cerro Bayo and Laguna Verde silver districts of the Cerro Bayo Project.
Results of Geophysical Survey
The latest phase of the geophysical survey covered broad spaced lines (400m spacing) over the central zone of the northern mapped Aguila and Meseta veins through to the Sinter outcrop (Figures 2 and 3), with only 15% of the Sinter Hill portion of the program completed to date. Key targets at the Cascada trend and the zone to the south of Sinter Hill have yet to be surveyed.
Significant findings from the latest survey results:
- New north-south trending structures that demonstrate mineralisation potential identified by a coincident enhanced resistivity and chargeability high extending over 2km (Figures 3 and 4) of north-south striking veins at an elevation similar to the known Cascada deposit;
- Over a dozen structural targets defined extending north from Sinter Hill, with multiple subparallel enhanced resistivity anomalies stacked along the northern ridge representing both known and unknown veins (Figures 2, 3 and 4); and
- The expression of the eruption breccias at Sinter Hill at surface appears to expand at depth suggesting it is part of a larger, deeper system (shown in C to C’ in Figures 3 and 4).
Previous geophysics survey results by Andean at Cerro Bayo highlighted the effectiveness of the geophysical technique to map out zones of enhanced resistivity and chargeability, which correlate with known outcropping and buried vein trends (refer ASX release dated 13 February 2025). The results identified potential depth extensions to known mineralisation at the Raul prospect and Cerro Bayo resource area, and a new target under shallow cover at the Pampa La Pera area to the west and sub- parallel of the Claudia area.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Andean Silver, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Drilling Continues to Expand Known Mineralisation Ahead of Resource Update
- Latest drilling has identified new areas of mineralisation at the Coyita North, Pegaso 7 and Cristal discoveries within Cerro Bayo
- Outstanding results from all three areas, with grades up to 1,457g/t Silver Equivalent
- Imminent resource update planned for late this quarter will include, for the first time, a host of exceptional results from Andean’s past year of drilling at Cerro Bayo for the first time
- Three rigs now drilling to grow the resource at Cerro Bayo amid an increasingly favourable supply-demand outlook for silver
Latest assays:
- Coyita North drilling intercepted the main structure up to 100m below historic drilling; Significant intercept of:
- 1.5m @ 513g/t AgEq (360g/t Ag & 1.8g/t Au) (6.2g/t AuEq) CBD171
- Pegaso 7 resource potential continues to expand with multiple high-grade shoots defined within the main structure; Significant intercepts include:
- 1.9m @ 596g/t AgEq (329g/t Ag & 3.2g/t Au) (7.2g/t AuEq) CBD169;
- 3.0m @ 456g/t AgEq (56g/t Ag & 4.8g/t Au) (5.5g/t AuEq) CBD176;
- 1.7m @ 322g/t AgEq (19g/t Ag & 3.7g/t Au (3.9g/t AuEq) CBD176 ; and
- 0.5m @ 1,306g/t AgEq (1,078g/t Ag & 2.8g/t Au) (15.7g/t AuEq) CBD169
- At Cristal, drilling and structural mapping has defined an extensive central main shoot over 500m strike enveloped by multiple subsidiary veins; Significant intercepts include:
- 1.4m @ 1,457g/t AgEq (632g/t Ag & 9.9g/t Au) (17.6g/t AuEq) CBD170;
- 3.1m @ 206g/t AgEq (138g/t Ag & 0.8g/t Au) (2.5g/t AuEq) CBD175;
- 1.0m @ 794g/t AgEq (174g/t Ag & 7.5g/t Au) (9.6g/t AuEq) CBD170; and
- 38m @ 93g/t AgEq (50g/t Ag & 0.5g/t Au) (1.1g/t AuEq) CBD170, including:
- 1.2m @ 3.5g/t AgEq (176g/t Ag & 1.4g/t Au) (3.5g/t AuEq);
- 1.1m @ 433g/t AgEq (238g/t Ag & 2.3g/t Au) (5.2g/t AuEq); and
- 1.6m @ 263g/t AgEq (182g/t Ag & 1g/t Au) (3.2g/t AuEq)
- Similarities between the broad stockwork zones at Cristal and the historic Taitao open pit show potential for future base load mill sources
Andean Chief Executive Tim Laneyrie said:“Every round of drilling continues to grow the mineralised footprint at Cerro Bayo and there is still so much highly prospective ground we are yet to drill.
“We have generated a wealth of outstanding assays since we started drilling a year ago and these will underpin next month’s resource update.
“To be able to advance from discovery to definition drilling and into a planned maiden resource for both Cristal and Pegaso 7 in such a short period highlights the compelling exploration potential we have at Cerro Bayo.
“Given the amount of drilling we are doing, the open nature of the known mineralisation and the prospective ground we have identified through sampling and mapping, we are very confident about the next 6-12 months at Cerro Bayo”.
Drilling and Exploration Update
The drilling campaign continues to progress at the Laguna Verde Project area with three rigs aimed at expanding and infilling the existing resources at Coyita North (Figure 1) and continuing to define deeper mineralised shoots within the Pegaso 7 discovery.
Figure 1. Coyita North drill platform testing the northern shoot.
Geophysics campaign
As announced on 13 February 2025, the geophysics campaign is currently ~30% complete and has defined extensive new enhanced resistivity corridors within the broader Pampa La Perra and Cerro Bayo trends. The campaign has progressed to the Sinter Hill/Cascada areas (Figure 2) with the aim of defining the mapped veins of Meseta (Figure 3) and Mallines at depth and further along strike as well as the undercover zones below the Sinter Hill.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Andean Silver, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Blackrock Silver Steps Out and Hits Multiple +1 kg/t AgEq Intercepts in First Assays from Resource Expansion Program at Tonopah West
Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) ("Blackrock" or the "Company") announces the first set of results from its exploration drill program (the "Resource Expansion Program") that is targeting expansion potential across a one kilometre trend of vein corridor linking the Denver-Paymaster ("DP") and Bermuda -Merten ("Bermuda) vein groups (collectively "DPB") and the Northwest ("NW") Step Out resource areas on its 100% owned Tonopah West project ("Tonopah West") located in Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nevada, United States.
RESOURCE EXPANSION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- TXC25-123 returned assays up to 23.47 g/t Au and 2,223 g/t Ag for 4,335 g/t AgEq over 0.31 metres within a 3.05 metre zone grading 225 g/t Ag and 2.41 g/t Au for 442 g/t AgEq;
- TXC24-113 yielded 7.14 g/t Au and 614 g/t Ag for 1,257 g/t AgEq over 0.31 metres, and 1.68 metres of 364 g/t Ag and 0.03 g/t Au for 367 g/t AgEq;
- TXC25-124 returned 8.06 metres grading 1.23 g/t Au and 122 g/t Ag for 233 g/t AgEq, including 0.76 metres of 779 g/t Ag and 7.85 g/t Au for 1,486 g/t AgEq;
- Multiple high-grade vein intercepts in drillholes TXC24-113, TXC25-123 and TXC25-124 returning multi-kilogram AgEq assays;
- The NW Step Out target shows potential to add an additional 30 to 50% of new resource to Tonopah West, allowing for the capture and inclusion of the NW resource (1.0M tonnes containing an inferred 6.4M ozs Ag and 63k ozs Au or 12.1M ozs AgEq)1 into a future updated preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West; and
- Seven additional core holes are planned to reduce the spacing to 50-metre drill centres along a 450 metre portion of the trend.
The first assays from the Resource Expansion Program targeting the extension of the Tonopah West vein system returned results that confirm the Company's geologic model and will be followed up on over the coming months in an expanded program. The initial Resource Expansion Program consisted of nine core holes with reverse circulation (RC) pre-collars and two core holes drilled from the surface. A total of 6,548 metres (21,484 feet) of drilling was completed.
The assay results show the extension of the silver and gold system continues to the northwest from the DPB resource area across the 1-kilometre vein corridor with each drillhole intersecting multiple mineralized quartz veins. A follow-up drill program is being planned that will reduce the drill spacing for over 450-metres of strike to 50 to 75-metre centers along the silver-gold trend that will be included in a future updated resource estimate. The NW Step Out zone is also open to the northwest and down dip, and connection with the DPB resource looks promising.
The mineralized quartz veins returned significant gold and silver values with gold (Au) up to 23.467 grams per tonne (g/t) Au and silver (Ag) values at 2,223 g/t Ag. In addition, drill thickness shows significant potential with vein intercepts exceeding 8 metres in TXC25-124. The NW Step Out target shows potential to add an additional 30 to 50% of new resource Tonopah West, connecting the zone to DPB, allowing for the capture and inclusion of the existing NW resource (1.0 million (M) tonnes containing an inferred 6.4 M ounces (ozs) Ag and 63k ozs Au or 12.1M ozs silver equivalent (AgEq))1 into a future updated preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West.
Andrew Pollard, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer stated: "Initial assay results from our Resource Expansion Program have validated our geologic model, confirming multiple +1k g/t AgEq intercepts on the extension of the system across a host of veins over a 500-metre span of our one-kilometre gap. These results strengthen our confidence in adding both significant ounces and mine life at Tonopah West. Drilling has successfully connected high-grade mineralization within the southern portion of a one-kilometer gap within the vein corridor, linking the DPB resource area and mine plan to the 12-million-ounce AgEq NW Step Out deposit-excluded from our 2024 preliminary economic assessment. Initial results have successfully traced mineralized structures along a 500-metre extension of this zone, suggesting the potential to increase our existing mineral inventory by 30% to 50% and integrate the orphaned NW Step Out deposit. With our model becoming more robust, we are increasing expansion drilling with the goal of fully integrating the one-kilometre trend into our next preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West, with an updated mineral resource estimate on Tonopah West planned in both Q3, 2025, in addition to a further updated mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West scheduled for completion in Q2 2026."
Table 1: Tonopah West Assay Intercepts using 150 g/t AgEq cut off
| Drillhole ID | Program | From (m) | To (m) | Drillhole Interval (m) | Ag g/t | Au g/t | AgEq g/t |
| TXC24-113 | Expansion | 478.08 | 478.39 | 0.31 | 614.0 | 7.140 | 1,256.7 |
| TXC24-113 | Expansion | 503.13 | 504.66 | 1.52 | 116.8 | 0.904 | 198.2 |
| TXC24-113 | Expansion | 538.43 | 540.11 | 1.68 | 364.0 | 0.033 | 367.0 |
| TXC24-114 | Expansion | 394.08 | 395.63 | 1.55 | 93.9 | 1.553 | 233.7 |
| Including | 394.08 | 394.41 | 0.34 | 288.0 | 5.270 | 762.4 | |
| TXC25-123 | Expansion | 436.87 | 437.54 | 0.67 | 182.0 | 1.690 | 334.1 |
| TXC25-123 | Expansion | 471.83 | 474.88 | 3.05 | 225.4 | 2.412 | 442.5 |
| Including | 471.83 | 472.14 | 0.31 | 2,223.0 | 23.467 | 4,335.3 | |
| TXC25-124 | Expansion | 370.03 | 378.62 | 8.60 | 121.6 | 1.233 | 232.6 |
| Including | 371.55 | 372.31 | 0.76 | 778.6 | 7.854 | 1,485.6 | |
| TXC25-124 | Expansion | 407.40 | 410.26 | 2.87 | 176.8 | 1.785 | 337.5 |
| Including | 407.40 | 407.76 | 0.37 | 1,344.0 | 13.500 | 2,559.2 | |
| AgEq gpt=(Au gpt*90)+Ag gpt; True thickness unknown at this time; NSV=No values above cut off; Cut-off grade is 150 gpt AgEq; RC/Core = RC pre-collar with core tail; Core is core from the surface. |
Drillholes TXC24-106, -109, -110, and -111, drilled on the northern portion of the trend were too far east to reach the mineralized structures. Drillhole TXC24-108 cut multiple veins, but returned values below the cut-off grade (0.31 metres grading 117 g/t Ag, 0.165 g/t Au for 132 g/t AgEq; 0.67 metres grading 73 g/t Ag, 0.263 g/t Au for 96 g/t AgEq; and 0.64 metres yielding 50 g/t Ag, 0.24 g/t Au for 72 g/t AgEq starting at 578m, 590m and 631m respectively). TXC24-112 was drilled in a northwesterly direction and deviated to the northwest thereby paralleling the main structural grain. One drillhole, TXC24-107, which was cored from surface was lost before reaching the target depth.
With drillholes TXC24-113, -114 and TXC25-123 and -124 cutting multiple high-grade veins, the exploration group has a better understanding of the geometry of the NW Step Out structures that will be used for refined targeting of our expanded Resource Expansion Program.
Table 2: Tonopah West Drillhole Location Coordinates (based on GPS readings in the field, Datum UTM, NAD 1927, Zone 11)
| Drillhole ID | Area | Type | UTM_NAD27 E | UTM_NAD27 N | Elevation (m) | Depth (m) | Azimuth | Incline |
| TXC24-106 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 476887.1 | 4214846.1 | 1746.6 | 770.5 | 270 | -80 |
| TXC24-107 | NW Step Out | Lost | 476889.2 | 4214843.0 | 1746.9 | 118.0 | 230 | -65 |
| TXC24-108 | NW Step Out | Core | 476891.5 | 4214844.8 | 1747.3 | 713.4 | 230 | -65 |
| TXC24-109 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 476911.1 | 4214747.8 | 1748.0 | 657.5 | 270 | -80 |
| TXC24-110 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 476925.9 | 4214639.9 | 1744.1 | 657.5 | 270 | -80 |
| TXC24-111 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 477058.8 | 4214642.7 | 1747.6 | 708.7 | 230 | -65 |
| TXC24-112 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 477316.7 | 4214181.8 | 1751.9 | 737.0 | 290 | -65 |
| TXC24-113 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 477311.2 | 4214181.0 | 1751.7 | 540.1 | 220 | -75 |
| TXC24-114 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 477403.8 | 4214041.9 | 1757.9 | 618.1 | 220 | -75 |
| TXC25-123 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 477508.7 | 4214018.0 | 1767.1 | 502.3 | 180 | -65 |
| TXC25-124 | NW Step Out | RC/Core | 477647.0 | 4213941.2 | 1763.5 | 525.5 | 180 | -60 |
Figure 1 is a plan map showing the location of all the drillholes in the Resource Expansion Program and highlighting those mentioned in this news release.
Figure 1: Drillhole location map of the Resource Expansion Program showing drillholes mentioned in this news release.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/676/241966_2d02b911645078a6_001full.jpg
Quality Assurance/ Quality Control
All sampling is conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists, and a strict chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility is implemented and monitored. The RC and core samples are hauled from the project site to a secure and fenced facility in Tonopah, Nevada, where they are loaded on to American Assay Laboratory's (AAL) flat-bed truck and delivered to AAL's facility in Sparks, Nevada. A sample submittal sheet is delivered to AAL personnel who organize and process the sample intervals pursuant to the Company's instructions.
The RC samples are lined out at the lab and logged in to AAL's system. The core samples are cut using core saws and personnel at AAL's facility in Sparks, Nevada according to the Company's instructions delivered with each core hole.
All samples are dried, crushed to 85% passing 10 mesh (2mm) and a 250-gram sub-sample split is collected and pulverized to 200 mesh (74 micron) in a ring and puck pulverizer. Then the pulverized material is digested and analyzed for gold using fire assay fusion and an Induced Coupled Plasma (ICP) finish on a 30-gram assay split (FA-PB30-ICP). Silver is determined using five-acid digestion and ICP analysis (ICP-5AM48). Over limits for gold and silver are determined using a gravimetric finish (GRAVAU30 and GRAVAG30). Data verification of the assay and analytical results are completed to ensure accurate and verifiable results. Blackrock personnel insert a blind prep blank, lab blank or a certified reference material approximately every 15th to 20th sample.
Qualified Persons
Blackrock's exploration activities at Tonopah West are conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
About Blackrock Silver Corp.
Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.
Additional information on Blackrock can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the Company's strategic plans; the intention to expand the Resource Expansion Program; the timing of completion of the Company's drill program at Tonopah West and the anticipated objectives and results therefrom; the interpretation of the assay results from the Resource Expansion Program; the potential to add an additional 30 to 50% of new resource Tonopah West, connecting the zone to DPB, allowing for the capture and inclusion of the existing NW resource; the timing of completion of updated mineral resource estimates and updated preliminary economic assessments on Tonopah West; the Company's de-risking initiatives at Tonopah West; estimates of mineral resource quantities and qualities; estimates of mineralization from drilling; geological information projected from sampling results; and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones.
These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company's operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption "Risks Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form.
Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For Further Information, Contact:
Andrew Pollard
President and Chief Executive Officer
(604) 817-6044
info@blackrocksilver.com