Message from the President
“Receiving our exploration permit for Swan is a big step toward advancing the Atsutla Gold Project. We now have the capability to be more aggressive with our exploration efforts in order to advance the Swan target.” – Daithi Mac Gearailt
Swan Target Description
The Swan target is located in the eastern Atsutla Gold Property area, in northern BC. Swan is a potential gold-silver-copper (Au-Ag-Cu) porphyry system, defined by a 900 m by 700 m Au-Ag-Cu-arsenic (As) – antimony (Sb) – molybdenum (Mo) – lead (Pb) soil geochemical anomaly along a gossanous ridge. The host setting is a leucogranite porphyry intrusion with argillic and phyllic alteration assemblages. Bedrock sampling by Trailbreaker in the centre of the soil anomaly has returned values up to 11.5 g/t Au and 16.8 g/t Ag.
Historic IP surveying around the Swan target took place in the valley west of the soil anomaly. This work focused on a molybdenum anomaly associated with a semi-circular chargeability high. This chargeability feature partially wraps around the soil anomaly, but the survey dimensions do not cover the entire anomaly. Additionally, IP surveying will be valuable in identifying potential chargeability highs, which may indicate high sulphide content and associated alteration zonation. As well, resistivity characteristics may help vector toward felsic intrusive centers and high-density quartz veining which would indicate the potassic core of a porphyry system.
Figure 1: Highlights of the Swan target include the strong Au geochemical anomaly, phyllic and argillic alteration zones, and the partial chargeability high ring feature defined from a historic IP survey.
About the Atsutla Gold Project
The Atsutla Gold project covers over 40,000 hectares of underexplored and prospective ground in northwestern BC. The project covers a portion of the Atsutla mountain range 70 km south of the BC-Yukon border. Placer gold was recorded in the area during the early 1900s, with very little subsequent mineral exploration.
The project is centered over the crustal-scale Teslin-Thibert fault system that marks the division between the Quesnel and Cache Creek terranes. Gold mineralization is associated with Mesozoic intrusive batholiths that are the predominant geological unit on the property. Trailbreaker has discovered five significant zones of gold mineralization across the property. These are:
About Trailbreaker Resources
Trailbreaker Resources is a mining exploration company focused primarily on mining-friendly British Columbia and Yukon Territory, Canada. Trailbreaker is committed to continuous exploration and research, allowing maintenance of a portfolio of quality mineral properties which in turn provides value for shareholders. The company has an experienced management team with a proven track record as explorers and developers throughout the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alaska and Nevada.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac Gearailt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
Other
For new information about the Company’s projects, please visit Trailbreaker’s website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreaker’s tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd, use the ‘Contact’ section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "understanding", "has agreed to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "would", "occur" or "be achieved". Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c66345bd-85aa-42bb-a466-fe24fe4ce990
Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) ("Trailbreaker" or "the Company") is pleased to report geochemical results from the 2023 surficial exploration program at their Castle Rock property on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC).
Highlights from the surficial exploration program include:
Message from the President
"Our grassroots exploration efforts at Castle Rock have continued to build upon a showing with limited previous exploration, and are quickly developing this into a compelling project with multiple targets. Castle Rock is a great testament to our tried-and-true exploration methodology which has proven to add value to our portfolio of early-stage exploration projects. We are excited to continue to advance Castle Rock, along with the rest of our portfolio." – Daithi Mac Gearailt
Figure 1: Soil geochemical anomalies and highlighted rock and moss-mat samples from the 2023 surface sampling program, overlain on interpretation of the regional airborne magnetic survey. Sampling defines a 3 km gold-in-soil trend which includes the Heart zone and newly defined Watchtower and Kokummi zones. Rock sampling has confirmed historic values at the Flan zone and defined an open gold-in-soil anomaly. Additionally, anomalous moss-mat samples in the southeast and eastern portions of the property have defined new areas of potential mineralization, leading to additional claim staking.
Heart, Watchtower, and Kokummi zones (3 km long soil trend)
Rock and soil geochemical sampling and prospecting successfully defined a three-kilometre gold-in-soil trend with multiple >30 ppb gold anomalies, centered on the previously known Heart showing. The Heart showing was discovered in 2012 and consists of a brecciated granodiorite dyke containing 5 to 10% pyrite-chalcopyrite. Historic chip sampling returned assays of 2.0 g/t Au over 30 metres 1 .
During the 2023 surface campaign, rock samples collected from an outcrop 175 m north-northwest of the Heart showing returned assay results up to 2.2 g/t Au. These samples were collected from a strongly oxidized granite, very similar to the main Heart zone showing. Additionally, gossanous basalt containing pyrite was sampled in outcrop 80 m east-northeast of the Heart showing, and returned assay results up to 2.2 g/t Au.
Soil sampling near the Heart showing expanded the continuous gold-in-soil anomaly, defining the Heart zone to approximately 1,150 m in strike length and up to 300 m in width.
A new multi-sample gold-in-soil anomaly, the Watchtower zone, was identified approximately 325 m to the southwest of the Heart showing. No previous sampling had been conducted in the area prior to 2023. The anomaly remains open to the south and west. This may represent an additional mineralization centre near the Heart zone.
A second newly identified gold-in-soil anomaly, the Kokummi zone, was defined to the south-southeast of the Heart zone. This anomaly is on strike of the Heart zone and is defined by gold-in-soil values >30 ppb along multiple soil sampling lines, defining a >600 m strike length.
Flan zone
Historic sampling at the Flan zone returned assays up to 135 g/t Au in boulders 2 . Sampling during 2023 was designed to confirm the presence of mineralization and to define a bedrock source. Gossanous float material sampled at the Flan zone confirmed high-grade gold mineralization, with assays up to 42.1 g/t Au and 1.93% Cu. As well, basalt-hosted semi-massive pyrite-chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite sampled in outcrop returned assays up to 3.1 g/t Au. It is believed that this outcrop-hosted mineralization is associated with the float samples, and that similar mineralization may occur under vegetative and/or till cover. The Flan zone lies at the intersection of two magnetic lineaments. This structural intersection may be an important control of gold mineralization.
The Flan zone occurs on the western extent of the soil geochemical grid. However, another gold-in-soil anomaly was defined from the 2023 sampling approximately 500 m north of the outcrop mineralization at the Flan zone. The anomaly is defined by >30 ppb gold-in-soil, and remains open to the west and north.
Reconnaissance sampling
To assess potential mineralization outside of the primary area covered by soil sampling, moss-mat sampling, targeting additional drainages on the property, was employed. Moss-mat sampling is used as a reconnaissance style sampling method, similar to stream sediment sampling, providing indications of metal content within a drainage and providing a vector for the location of mineralization.
Two areas returned multiple moss-mat samples with greater than 10 ppb gold. The first area is in the southeastern portion of the property, near the postulated contact of the Kokummi stock and the Karmutsen basalts. The second area is within a valley that drains from the eastern flank of Mt. Adam. This valley, which has not undergone any exploration work, is marked by magnetic lineaments, similar to those at the Heart-Kokummi soil trend. Additional claims were staked in this area to cover all drainages potentially causing these elevated moss-mat samples.
Future Work Recommendations
Future work at the Castle Rock property will be focussed toward continuing to define the extent of mineral potential on the property, as well as advancing individual targets toward initial drill testing. This work will include permitting to conduct advanced exploration activities, additional surface geochemical work, and geophysical surveying.
About the Castle Rock property
The Castle Rock property covers 3,108 hectares of land, approximately 70 km northwest of Campbell River, BC on northern Vancouver Island (Figure 1). It was acquired by Trailbreaker in 2022 and was recently consolidated through an option agreement with Cazador Resources Ltd. (see August 8, 2023 news release ). Trailbreaker conducted initial exploration assessment work in 2022 and followed up with a second surface exploration program in 2023 (results are contained in this news release).
The claims cover five BC Minfile occurrences on a district-scale structure that is >5 km-long, with newly identified gold ± copper-enriched intrusions. These Minfile occurrences are relatively new discoveries, mostly due to access created by recent logging activity.
Northern Vancouver Island is host to several large Cu-Au porphyry deposits, including Northisle's Hushamu deposit (Inferred Resource of 5.57 Moz AuEq) 3 , and BHP Billiton's past producing Island Copper porphyry copper deposit (produced >2.7 B lb Cu and >1.0 Moz Au) 3 .
At the Castle Rock property, gold is dominantly hosted in Jurassic granodiorite dykes which have been emplaced along a regional-scale fault zone separating Lower to Middle Triassic Daonella Bed sedimentary rocks from Upper Triassic Karmutsen Formation basalts.
About Trailbreaker Resources
Trailbreaker Resources is a project generator focused primarily on mining-friendly British Columbia and Yukon Territory, Canada. We are committed to continuous exploration and research, allowing us to maintain a portfolio of quality mineral properties which in turn provides value for our shareholders. The company has an experienced management team with a proven track record as project generators and developers throughout the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alaska and Nevada.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac Gearailt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
Other
For new information about the Company's projects, please visit Trailbreaker's website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreaker's tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd , use the ‘Contact' section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com .
References
1) https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092L%20%20399
2) https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092L%20%20396
3) https://cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/PublicationCatalogue/InformationCircular/BCGS_IC2014-04.pdf
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "understanding", "has agreed to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "would", "occur" or "be achieved". Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae9292a0-501f-4c65-93e1-4c863323130c
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) ("Trailbreaker" or "the Company") is pleased to provide a company update on exploration activities during the 2023 field season, and on our continued efforts to build shareholder value.
2023 was an active year for Trailbreaker, with work conducted across a wide array of our projects. Work included the filing of an NI 43-101 technical report on the Atsutla project, optioning out of a portion of the Eagle Lake property, drill testing on the Eakin Creek project, conducting surface exploration at the Golden Sable and Castle Rock projects, and conducting a site visit at the Sheldon project. As well, the technical team was bolstered by the appointment of a new position of Vice President of Exploration. Work towards permitting of projects in order to conduct drill testing is ongoing. As well, the technical team is actively engaged in conducting project generation to bring new highly prospective properties into the Trailbreaker portfolio. Trailbreaker intends to carry the momentum from this year's activities into 2024, and to continue to build on the 2023 exploration successes.
Message from the President
"Thank you to our base of loyal shareholders who have continued to believe in and support our exploration approach through a tough metals market. We are excited to be advancing numerous projects and are looking forward to an active 2024 exploration season. We are also excited about the ongoing target generation that our technical team has been engaging in, which we feel will continue to add highly prospective projects into our pipeline." – Daithi Mac Gearailt
2023 Exploration Activities
Click the hyperlinks below for more information on each project, news release, or presentation.
Atsutla : Prior to the start of the field season, Trailbreaker filed an NI 43-101 technical report for the Atsutla project, located in northwestern BC (see news release dated May 15, 2023 ). The technical report and accompanied structural geology report with drill recommendations, provide a geological framework and clear exploration methodology to advance the Atsutla project. There is strong potential both for intrusion-hosted auriferous quartz veins in the western portion of the property, where rock samples assayed up to 630 g/t gold (Au); and for porphyry copper-gold (Cu-Au) mineralization at the Swan zone, where rock samples returned up to 11.7 g/t Au.
Eagle Lake : Trailbreaker optioned out a portion of the Eagle Lake project, located in central BC, to Vizsla Copper. These four claims abut Vizsla Copper's Woodjam project (see news release dated June 12, 2023 ). Vizsla Copper has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the four optioned claims by issuing an aggregate of 400,000 common shares to Trailbreaker over three years. Trailbreaker and Teck Resources Ltd. retain a combined 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on these claims. Trailbreaker retains the prospective Moffat zone portion of the Eagle Lake project, where historic drill results returned grades up to 3.52 g/t Au over 9.9 m. Also at the Moffat zone, a 2022 MMI (mobile metal ion) soil survey defined an 850 x 700 m gold-copper-silver-molybdenum (Au-Cu-Ag-Mo) anomaly.
Eakin Creek : Trailbreaker's field season began with a successful diamond drill program at the Eakin Creek project, south-central BC (see news release dated September 5, 2023 ). Gold was intersected in all eleven drillholes, highlighted by intervals including: 1.0 m of 14.3 g/t Au in hole EC-23-02; 3.0 m of 2.42 g/t Au in hole EC-23-01; and 15.7 m of 0.32 g/t Au in hole EC-23-05. This drill program represented a successful and cost-effective first pass test of a highly prospective target, with 2,039 m of drilling completed for less than CAD$500k. Additional drilling is recommended to expand the known extent of mineralized zones.
Golden Sable : Surface work at the Golden Sable project, south-central BC, extended the gold-in-soil anomaly to 4 km in length (see news release dated September 14, 2023 ). The Golden Sable project was newly acquired by Trailbreaker (see news release dated May 29, 2023 ). The project was subsequently explored by Trailbreaker, focusing on a previously identified significant gold-in-soil anomaly. This anomaly is locally supported by 2018 drill results, including 24.0 m of 0.83 g/t Au, in turn including a sub-interval of 4.0 m of 2.4 g/t Au. Outcrop exposure on the property is limited, and no follow-up drilling along the gold-in-soil anomaly has occurred, leaving a majority of the highly prospective anomaly untested.
Sheldon : A site visit to the Sheldon project, central Yukon, confirmed historic gold-in-rock values, as well as numerous key geological features indicating a potential "reduced intrusion-related gold system" (RIRGS). Rock samples collected in an area hosting abundant sheeted quartz veins containing arsenopyrite and bismuthinite, near the contact of the Sheldon Stock granite and hornfels sedimentary rocks, returned assays up to 6.48 g/t Au. The site visit confirmed the geological model, presence of high-priority targets, and supported our exploration approach to be applied at the Sheldon property. An updated project presentation may be found on our website.
Castle Rock : Trailbreaker announced the acquisition of the Castle Rock property, northern Vancouver Island, BC, through a combination of claim staking and a partnership agreement with Cazador Resources (see news release dated January 20, 2023 ). The property was subsequently consolidated through a secondary agreement with Cazador Resources, giving Trailbreaker the option to gain a 100% interest in the property (see news release dated August 8, 2023 ). A surface exploration program, consisting of 497 soil samples, 50 rock samples, and geological mapping, was completed at Castle Rock. This program followed up on the 2022 gold-in-soil anomaly identified near the gold-rich Heart porphyry prospect, and on historic rock samples at the Flan zone (see news release dated September 25, 2023 ). Assay samples for this work are still outstanding and will be reported separately once received.
Vice President of Exploration : In addition to Trailbreaker's field exploration activities, Dillon Hume, M.Sc., P.Geo., joined the team as the Vice President of Exploration in July, 2023. Mr. Hume brings a wealth of mineral exploration experience to Trailbreaker, having been involved in significant discoveries, including the East Ridge Zone at the Red Chris Cu-Au porphyry mine, and the Krakatoa Zone at the Kudz Ze Kayah VHMS deposit. Mr. Hume completed an M.Sc. degree on the structural and mineralogical controls of gold mineralization at the Tajitos orogenic gold deposit in Sonora, Mexico, and is registered as a professional geoscientist in British Columbia. He brings a strong management and technical foundation to help propel Trailbreaker's exciting project portfolio.
Project Generation
Trailbreaker is continually conducting project generation, including reviewing projects that may add significant exploration potential and fit well within Trailbreaker's portfolio. Project generation is primarily focused on identifying underexplored and undervalued projects which the technical team feels have realistic potential for significant advancement. Project generation work is primarily focused on gold projects in British Columbia and Yukon.
Outlook for future work
Trailbreaker is preparing for another year of exploration across a suite of prospective projects. Surface work and geophysical surveys will be conducted at numerous properties to develop drill targets that could lead to significant discoveries. As well, the technical team is planning first-pass drill programs for several projects. Additional news on specific work programs can be expected through the winter and spring months, as these planning efforts solidify.
In addition to field work for 2024, the Trailbreaker team will be attending conferences over the winter months, including but not limited to: the AMEBC RoundUp conference from January 22-25, 2024 in Vancouver; the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference from March 3-6, 2024 in Toronto; and the Kamloops Exploration Group Conference from April 9-10, 2024 in Kamloops.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac Gearailt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
Other
For new information about the Company's projects, please visit Trailbreaker's website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreaker's tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd , use the ‘Contact' section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com .
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "understanding", "has agreed to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "would", "occur" or "be achieved". Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Telephone: 604 681 1820
Facsimile: 604 681 1864
https://www.TrailbreakerResources.com
https://twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd.
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) ("Trailbreaker" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a surficial exploration program at its Castle Rock property on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC).
The program consisted of the collection of 497 soil samples, 50 prospecting grab samples, and geological mapping. It was primarily designed to follow up on the channel sample and associated 400 m x 50 m gold-in-soil anomaly defined as the Heart zone in 2022.
Daithi Mac Gearailt, CEO of Trailbreaker, commented: "The program provided excellent coverage of the already robust gold anomaly at the Heart zone. This is a very recent discovery in an underexplored area of the Island. With the results in hand, we will have a more complete picture of the strike length of the anomaly and whether there are additional geochemical trends."
All assays for the program remain pending.
About the Castle Rock property
The Castle Rock property covers 3,108 hectares on Northern Vancouver Island, approximately 70 km northwest of Campbell River, BC (Figure 1). It was acquired by Trailbreaker in 2022 and was recently consolidated through an option agreement (see August 8, 2023 news release ).
The claims cover five BC Minfile occurrences along a district-scale structure that is >5 km long, with newly identified gold ± copper-enriched intrusions. These Minfile occurrences are relatively new discoveries, mostly due to access created by recent logging activity.
Northern Vancouver Island is host to several large copper-gold (Cu-Au) porphyry deposits including Northisle's Hushamu deposit (Inferred Resource of 5.57 Moz AuEq) 1 , and BHP Billiton's past producing Island Copper porphyry copper deposit (has produced >2.7 B lb Cu and >1.0 Moz Au) 1 .
At the Castle Rock property, gold is dominantly hosted in Jurassic granodiorite dykes emplaced along a regional-scale fault zone separating Lower to Middle Triassic Daonella Bed sedimentary rocks from Upper Triassic Karmutsen Formation basalts.
Figure 1: Location of the Castle Rock property on Vancouver Island 1 .
2023 exploration at the Heart and Flan zones
The Heart zone was the primary focus of the 2023 exploration program. The Heart showing (upon which the zone is centered) was discovered in 2012 and consists of a brecciated granodiorite dyke containing 5% to 10% combined pyrite and chalcopyrite. Historic chip sampling returned assays of 2.0 g/t Au over 30 metres 2 .
During 2022, Trailbreaker completed a channel sampling program at the Heart showing which returned values up to 0.68 g/t Au over 13.11 m, including a subinterval of 1.85 g/t Au over 2.92 m. A small soil geochemical survey outlined a 400 m x 50 m, northwest-southeast trending gold-in-soil anomaly. This is interpreted to represent the surface footprint of the gold-bearing dyke exposed at the Heart showing. Soil values up to 5.44 g/t Au were returned, and the anomaly remains open. This area is referred to as the Heart zone.
During the 2023 program, the exploration team expanded the soil grid, now covering 3.2 km x 1.5 km with 497 soil samples (see Figure 2). Additional prospecting was also done along trend of the Heart zone to explore for similar mineralization to that of the main Heart showing.
The soil survey was also extended to cover the Flan zone, located approximately 1.5 km west of the Heart zone. The zone was originally discovered in 2000 and comprises numerous high-grade boulders assaying up to 135 g/t Au 3 . Prospecting at the Flan zone during the 2023 program uncovered significant pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite mineralization hosted in a mafic volcanic unit. While the boulders were originally interpreted as sourced from the Heart zone, the mineralized volcanic rocks may represent a recently exposed bedrock source discovered in 2023 within 200 metres of the historic location of the boulders.
Figure 2: 2023 sample locations at the Castle Rock property with inset showing 2022 results at the Heart zone.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac Gearailt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
Other
For new information about the Company's projects, please visit Trailbreaker's website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreaker's tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd , use the ‘Contact' section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com .
References
1) https://cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/PublicationCatalogue/InformationCircular/BCGS_IC2014-04.pdf
2) https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092L%20%20399
3) https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=092L%20%20396
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "understanding", "has agreed to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "would", "occur" or "be achieved". Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
| Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. | ||
| 650 W. Georgia Street, #2110 | ||
| Vancouver, British Columbia | ||
| Canada, V6B 4N9 | ||
| Telephone: | 604 681 1820 | |
| Facsimile: | 604 681 1864 | |
| https://www.TrailbreakerResources.com | ||
| https://twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd. | ||
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea60c3c3-fb49-43ce-9748-506837f96ee2
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c68c91f3-5231-4a07-886b-40a96e0c9392
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) ("Trailbreaker" or "the Company") is pleased to announce results from its 2023 surficial exploration program at the Golden Sable property in south-central British Columbia (BC). Efforts were focused on investigating a historic 3-kilometre-long gold-in-soil anomaly. The program was successful in extending the anomaly a further 1 kilometre to the southeast, where it remains open.
Daithi Mac Gearailt, CEO of Trailbreaker, commented: "This was an excellent first-pass evaluation of a property with known gold mineralization. There is a very significant gold-in-soil trend here, with historic drilling to verify the presence of gold mineralization in bedrock."
About the Golden Sable property
The 2,852-hectare Golden Sable property is located 75 km northeast of Kamloops, BC, and 20 km south of Bridge Lake, BC. It is easily accessible via Highway 24 and the Bonaparte Forest Service Road. Golden Sable comprises two main areas, Golden Sable (GS) East and GS West, which are contiguous (see Figure 1 and May 29, 2023 news release ).
The Golden Sable property covers an intrusion-related gold target. The claims lie within the Quesnel tectonic terrane that hosts many of British Columbia's active and past-producing gold mines. Middle to Upper Triassic Nicola Group volcanics and sedimentary rocks comprise the majority of the underlying bedrock geology. The property also straddles the margins of a large, early Jurassic hornblende-biotite granodiorite pluton with prevalent younger mafic and andesitic dikes.
From 2006 to 2013 Amarc Resources delineated the 3-kilometre-long soil anomaly on the GS West block, which was subsequently drill tested by Sable Resources in 2018.
The inaugural, 1,339-metre drill program conducted by Sable Resources on the GS West block encountered gold mineralization in 5 of 7 drill holes. Results include an intersection of 0.83 g/t gold (Au) over 24.0m, including 2.4 g/t gold over 4.0m. Gold mineralization was found to be associated with mafic and intermediate dike swarms trending northwest – southeast along the granitic contacts.
No follow-up drilling has been conducted to date, and the majority of the gold-in-soil anomaly remains untested.
Figure 1: Location of Trailbreaker's Golden Sable property.
Trailbreaker's 2023 exploration program
The 2023 surficial exploration program was designed to evaluate the quality of the historic soil sample locations, locate the historic drill holes, map and prospect available outcrops, and continue soil sampling to the southeast of the GS West historic gold-in-soil trend.
The program was successful in extending the GS West gold-in-soil anomaly 1 km farther to the southeast, where it remains open. Assaying of the soil samples within this trend returned values up to 242 ppb Au (see Figure 2).
A tightly-spaced soil sample grid was also performed over historic soil samples in the area of drilling to evaluate the consistency and quality of previous results. Assay results within this grid returned values up to 601 ppb Au and displayed a similar anomalous signature to that of the historic soil sampling, confirming the validity of the historic anomaly.
Geological mapping revealed outcrops of granite and andesitic dikes within the gold-in-soil trend. Significant pyrite mineralization occurs in the area of the historic drilling.
Figure 2: 2023 exploration at Golden Sable West.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac Gearailt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
OTHER
For new information about the Company's projects, please visit Trailbreaker's website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreaker's tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd , use the ‘Contact' section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com .
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "understanding", "has agreed to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "would", "occur" or "be achieved". Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Telephone: 604 681 1820
Facsimile: 604 681 1864
https://www.TrailbreakerResources.com
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Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1)("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional results from the 2024 drill program at the 100% owned Ana Paula project in Guerrero, Mexico. The Company is drilling 2,600 metres in phase one of the program and will follow-up the best results with a second phase of 2,400 metres.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, "Despite regularly seeing wide, high-grade gold intercepts, Ana Paula continues to surprise us with its gold grades within the deposit. These holes grow the High Grade Panel to the north and down-dip, increase resource confidence and locally improve gold grades compared to the resource model. The current drilling program is defining the boundaries of the High Grade Panel and is attempting to convert inferred mineralization into the higher confidence indicated and measured categories. Last year the grade of the indicated resource update increased by 36%. This year's results suggest conversion of inferred resource to indicated and measured can also result in increased gold grades."
Drill Results
The focus of the holes reported today was to expand the High Grade Panel. Holes AP-24-315 and AP-24-316 are on the same cross-section building out confidence in the northern boundary of the High Grade Panel and extending it to depth.
Hole AP-24-315 intersected a long run of high-grade gold mineralization on the north side of the panel returning 125.9 metres grading 4.02 g/t gold from 104.5 metres downhole. Hole AP-24-316 intercepted 61.5 metres grading 5.04 g/t gold from 168.3 metres, beneath the High Grade Panel. This has the potential to add over 20 metres of gold mineralization beneath the High Grade Panel on this section.
Hole AP-24-316 also intersected a deeper zone of gold mineralization 100 metres below the High Grade Panel which returned a broad intercept of 115.35 metres grading 2.69 g/t gold from 246.8 metres downhole including 12.0 metres at 9.68 g/t gold.
To the west of these holes AP-24-317 was drilled with the same plan of defining the northern margin of the High Grade Panel and extending it down-dip. It returned a spectacular interval of 87.8 metres grading 16.0 g/t gold from 141.0 metres downhole. Further downhole a second intercept of 5.90 metres grading 9.55 g/t gold from 284.6 metres is interpreted to be a 25-metre extension of the High Grade Panel beneath previous drilling.
To date, eight holes have been completed for a total of 2,860.1 meters. The focus of drilling will pivot to geotechnical and water testing of potential tailings facility locations before a return to resource drilling in 2025.
Photo 1: Abundant visible gold in hole AP-24-317.
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Figure 1: A cross section through the deposit showing drill intercepts with today's results highlighted.
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Figure 2: A cross section with the resource model from 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate highlighting the High Grade Panel (clipped to greater than 2 g/t gold resource blocks). New results are highlighted, completed holes pending assays are in green and planned holes are shown in black.
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Drilling Results and Coordinates Tables
Table 1: Significant Drill Intersections
| HoleID | From (metres) | To (metres) | Interval (metres) | Au (g/t) | Topcut Au (to 67 g/t) | Comment |
| AP-24-315 | 104.5 | 230.35 | 125.85 | 4.02 | - | North side of HGP |
| including | 157.45 | 181.0 | 23.55 | 12.5 | - | |
| AP-24-316 | 112.5 | 116.8 | 4.3 | 2.27 | - | |
| and | 129.2 | 136.85 | 7.65 | 6.74 | - | |
| and | 168.3 | 229.8 | 61.5 | 5.04 | - | Down-dip of HGP |
| including | 197.3 | 223.5 | 26.2 | 10.4 | 7.31 | |
| and | 246.8 | 362.15 | 115.35 | 2.69 | - | Deeper Zone |
| including | 274.0 | 277.7 | 3.7 | 12.2 | - | |
| and including | 289.0 | 301.0 | 12.0 | 9.68 | - | |
| AP-24-317 | 141.0 | 228.8 | 87.8 | 16.0 | 9.37 | North side of HGP |
| including | 176.9 | 193.0 | 16.1 | 71.8 | 35.7 | |
| and | 284.6 | 290.5 | 5.9 | 9.55 | - | Down-dip of HGP |
Table 2: Drill Hole Details
| Hole ID | Northing (WGS84 Zone 14N) | Easting (WGS84 Zone 14N) | Elevation (metres) | Azimuth (°) | Inclination (°) | Length (metres) |
| AP-24-315 | 410,145 | 1,998,094 | 924.0 | 180 | -60 | 329.0 |
| AP-24-316 | 410,144 | 1,998,115 | 924.2 | 180 | -60 | 398.0 |
| AP-24-317 | 410,125 | 1,998,142 | 929.5 | 180 | -55 | 409.8 |
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas and Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The Zacatecas, Hermosillo and North Vancouver ALS facilities are ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish and overlimits were analysed by 30-gram fire assay with gravimetric finish.
Control samples comprising certified reference and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol.
Statement of Qualified Person
Stewart Harris, P.Geo., a Qualified Person, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Harris is employed as Exploration Manager of the Company.
About Heliostar Metals Ltd.
Heliostar aims to grow to become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company is focused on developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico and has recently entered into an agreement to acquire a portfolio of production and development assets in Mexico.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Charles Funk
President and Chief Executive Officer
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: charles.funk@heliostarmetals.com
Phone: +1 844-753-0045
Rob Grey
Investor Relations Manager
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: rob.grey@heliostarmetals.com
Phone: +1 844-753-0045
Neither 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.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things, This year's results suggest conversion of inferred resource to indicated and measured can also result in increased gold grades and these holes grow the High Grade Panel to the north and down-dip, increase resource confidence and locally improve gold grades compared to the resource model .
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to the terms and completion of the Facility, any future mineral production, liquidity, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of necessary approvals, price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises or ongoing military conflicts; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; and the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.
These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
Sitka Gold Corp. (TSXV: SIG) (FSE: 1RF) (OTCQB: SITKF) ("Sitka" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that assays from surface rock samples obtained during a regional sampling program have returned up to 31.7 g/t gold at the May-Qu target, located in the south-east of the RC Gold Project ("RC Gold" or the "Project") in Yukon. The May-Qu is a reduced intrusion-related gold deposit target located 22 kms east of the Blackjack Gold Deposit. Regional sampling also returned up to 11.05 g/t gold at the Mahtin target, another reduced intrusion-related gold deposit target located 17 kilometres north of May-Qu (see Figures 1, 2 and 4). The Company is currently awaiting assay results from the last six diamond drill holes of the 2024 exploration program at RC Gold totalling 2,774 metres, with two holes from the Pukelman target and four holes from the Blackjack target areas.
Figure 1. A map of the RC Property showing the reduced intrusion-related gold systems at May-Qu and confirmed gold mineralization at Mahtin. Surface exploration results at the Alp target area suggest an undiscovered, buried Tombstone Suite intrusion may be present.
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"We are very encouraged by the significant results generated from our systematic regional exploration efforts at RC Gold this season which culminated in the identification of another large reduced intrusion-related gold system at May-Qu and newly defined drill targets at both May-Qu and Mahtin, located on the eastern portion of our 431 square kilometres claim block at RC Gold", commented Cor Coe, CEO, Director and Founder of Sitka. "Results from surface sampling of sheeted quartz veins at May-Qu returned strong gold values of up to 31.7 g/t gold and extended this zone of sheeted quartz veins to over 400 metres wide, further highlighting the scale and fertility of this district-scale land package. While our focus has primarily been within the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex and the Blackjack gold deposit area, approximately 22 kilometres to the northwest, the positive results of this regional exploration program indicate impressive, widespread gold mineralization is present across this largely-underexplored property, where 11 intrusions with associated gold mineralization have been identified to date. We look forward to additional follow-up at these targets as part of our largest ever work program at RC Gold, where up to 30,000 metres of diamond drilling are planned for 2025."
The rock samples were collected as part of targeted prospecting, mapping, and soil sampling program completed during the 2024 exploration program that covered prospective geology located on the eastern half of the 431 square kilometre contiguous RC Gold property. This work followed up on a significant amount of historical early stage exploration work completed over the last 40 years, including 4,177 line kilometres of airborne geophysical surveying, 277 line kilometres of LiDAR surveying, various small ground geophysical surveys and the collection of 18,180 soil samples and limited exploratory drilling.
Most of the historical work within the east portion of the Project focused on skarn-style mineralization on the periphery of two intrusions, the Sprague Creek and Bos stocks (the Mahtin and May-Qu zones respectively), both averaging about 5 square kilometres in size. This historical work returned grab rock samples containing gold values ranging from detection limit up to 9.2 g/t gold, but less attention was paid to the significant potential for reduced intrusion-related gold mineralization within the stocks themselves. Analysis of the historical data by the Sitka Gold technical team has resulted in the identification of drill targets at the Mahtin and May-Qu zones as well as at least 16 other highly prospective exploration targets to follow up on (see Figure 1).
The 2024 exploration work on the eastern Project area consisted of the collection of 845 soil samples from two separate grids (May-Qu and Alp) and the collection of 55 rock samples from the May-Qu, Mahtin and Alp target areas (see Figures 1 - 5).
Overall, individual samples ranged from trace to 31.7 g/t Au with 7 of the 55 samples returning values over 1 g/t gold. Several samples from the target areas also had variably enriched silver (up to 585 g/t Ag), copper (up to 0.82% Cu), and/or base metal values (>1% Pb and/or Zn).
May-Qu
This summer, geologic mapping and prospecting were conducted on the MayQu target area with a primary purpose of evaluating the Bos Stock for the potential to host RIRG style mineralization and assess areas of anomalous gold in soils on the western margin of the intrusion. A total of 36 samples were collected with results ranging from trace to 31.7 g/t gold (see Figure 2.); the most significant samples were collected along a NE trending ridgeline on the SE margin of the Bos Stock. Six samples over a 480 metre area along the ridgeline returned 0.372 - 31.7 g/t Au with three samples returning >1 g/t gold. The mineralization occurs with steeply dipping E-W to NNE trending zones of sheeted quartz veins (see Figure 3) with disseminated pyrite - arsenopyrite - chalcopyrite mineralization within a granodiorite intrusion, and is associated with strongly elevated As, Bi, Cu, & Te. Additional zones of sheeted veining were noted approximately 1500 metres north and within / adjacent to the Bos Stock and two samples returned anomalous values of 1.08 and 0.94 g/t gold.
Figure 2. A map showing the location of 2024 rock samples from the May-Qu area including samples up to 31.7 g/t Au.
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Figure 3. Images from the May-Qu target at the Bos Stock showing a) sheeted limonite+arsenopyrite fractures/veinlets (up slope from sample ST215311: 31.7 g/t Au), b) sheeted quartz+arsenopyrite veins (sample ST215312: 6.23 g/t Au), c) Sheeted quartz-arsenopyrite veins and limonite coated fractures (up slope from sample ST215311: 31.7 g/t Au), d) sheeted quartz+arsenopyrite veins within the quartz monzonite of the Bos Stock (up slope from sample ST215311: 31.7 g/t Au). This zone of sheeted quartz veins has now been extended to over 400 metres in width.
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Mahtin
During 2024, mapping and prospecting were conducted on the Mahtin target area with a primary purpose of evaluating the Sprague Stock for the potential to host RIRG style mineralization and assess areas of anomalous gold in soils on un/under explored portions of the system. A total of 12 samples were collected and returned values from trace to 11.05 g/t gold (see Figure 4). In general, alteration and mineralization consisted of small calc-silicate skarn occurrences on the margins of the intrusion and only minor zones of sheeted quartz veining / fracturing were noted within the intrusion. Two samples returned anomalous values. One consisted of a subcrop of calc-silicate skarn with disseminated pyrite-chalcopyrite-arsenopyrite that returned 11.05 g/t gold, and the second was from a boulder with iron-oxide rich fractures and a 4 cm quartz vein in granodiorite that returned 0.38 g/t gold.
Figure 4. A map showing the location of the 2024 rock samples from the Mahtin area including samples up to 11.05 g/t Au.
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Alp Target
Geologic mapping and prospecting were conducted in the Alp target area during 2024 with a primary purpose of assessing areas of anomalous gold in soils. A total of 7 rock samples were collected and returned values from trace to 0.13 g/t Au.
A total of 298 grid soil samples were also collected in the area to infill a gap within the historical grid (see Figure 5). Individual soil samples returned from trace to 148.2 ppb Au with 12 samples returning >30 ppb Au. The gold in soils is coincident with strongly anomalous arsenic, bismuth, and tellurium, which is typical of intrusion-related gold systems, and forms a NW trending zone over 850 m in length. Analysis of this soil sampling, coupled with geological mapping and prospecting results, suggest that the area may be host to an as yet undiscovered, buried Tombstone Suite intrusion.
Figure 5. A map showing the location and results of 2024 rock and soil samples from the Alp target area. Analysis of the soil sampling, coupled with geological mapping and prospecting results, suggest that the area may be host to an as yet undiscovered, buried Tombstone Suite intrusion.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Soil samples were prepared at Bureau Veritas preparation facility in Whitehorse using the SS80 preparation method. Prepared samples were shipped to the Bureau Veritas facility in Vancouver and analyzed by the AQ201+U method.
Rock samples were prepared at the ALS Global analytical facility in Whitehorse analyzed using the PREP31 method. Prepared material was shipped to the ALS facility in North Vancouver and analyzed by the ME-ICP41 and the Au-ICP22 methods. Rock samples were "Grab Samples" and thus do not imply any thickness or areal extent of mineralization.
Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Global are ISO 17025:2005 certified facilities that employ rigorous internal QA-QC procedures.
About the flagship RC Gold Project
The RC Gold Project consists of a 431 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City, which has a 5,000 foot paved runway, and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway which is usable year-round and is an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson City. It is the largest consolidated land package strategically positioned mid-way between the Eagle Gold Mine and the past producing Brewery Creek Gold Mine.
On January 19, 2023 Sitka Gold announced an Initial Mineral Resource Estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") guidelines for the RC Gold Property of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1). The road accessible, pit constrained Mineral Resource is classified as inferred and is contained in two zones: The Blackjack and Eiger deposits with 900,000 ounces of gold grading 0.83 g/t and 440,000 ounces of gold grading 0.68 g/t respectively. Both of these deposits are at/near surface, are potentially open pit minable and amenable to heap leaching, with initial bottle roll tests indicating that the gold is not refractory and has high gold recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release July 13, 2022). The Mineral Resource estimate is presented in the following table at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au:
RC Gold Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate
| COG g/t Au | Blackjack Zone | Eiger Zone | Combined | ||||||||
| Tonnes 000's | Au g/t | 0z Au 000's | Tonnes 000's | Au g/t | 0z Au 000's | Tonnes 000's | Au g/t | 0z Au 000's | |||
| 0.20 | 35,798 | 0.80 | 921 | 32,523 | 0.45 | 471 | 68,321 | 0.63 | 1,391 | ||
| 0.25 | 33,743 | 0.83 | 900 | 27,362 | 0.50 | 440 | 61,105 | 0.68 | 1,340 | ||
| 0.30 | 31,282 | 0.88 | 885 | 22,253 | 0.55 | 393 | 53,535 | 0.74 | 1,279 | ||
| 0.35 | 29,065 | 0.92 | 860 | 17,817 | 0.60 | 344 | 46,882 | 0.80 | 1,203 | ||
| 0.40 | 26,975 | 0.96 | 833 | 14,506 | 0.66 | 308 | 41,481 | 0.86 | 1,140 |
Notes
1. Mineral resource estimate prepared by Ronald G. Simpson of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 19, 2023. Mineral Resources are classified using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards.
2. The cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au is believed to provide a reasonable margin over operating and sustaining costs for open-pit mining and processing.
3. Mineral resources are constrained by an optimised pit shell using the following assumptions: US$1800/oz Au price; a 45° pit slope; assumed metallurgical recovery of 85%; mining costs of US$2.00 per tonne; processing costs of US$8.00 per tonne; G&A of US$1.50/t.
4. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
5. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
To date, 72 diamond drill holes have been drilled into this system by the Company for a total of approximately 25,136 metres. The initial resource was based on 11,630 m of drilling in 34 holes with 22 holes totaling 7,492 m in the Blackjack deposit. Drilling since the initial resource release has focused on expanding the Blackjack resource with an additional 12-holes totaling 5,212 drilled in 2023 and 15-holes totaling 7162 m to date in 2024. Other targets drilled to date include the Saddle zone, Josephine zone and the Rhosgobel zone. The resource expansion drilling in 2023 at Blackjack produced results of up to 219.0 m of 1.34 g/t gold including 124.8 m of 2.01 g/t gold and 55.0 m of 3.11 g/t gold in drill hole DDRCCC-23-047 (see news release dated September 26, 2023) and in 2024 results of up to 678.1 metres of 1.04 g/t gold starting from surface in DDRCCC-24-068, including 409.5 metres of 1.36 g/t gold, 93.0 metres of 2.57 g/t gold and 5.5 metres of 17.59 g/t gold (see news release dated October 21, 2024).
(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory
RC Gold Deposit Model
Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is within the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the Florin Gold deposit with a current Inferred Mineral Resource of 170.99 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t (2.47 million ounces; Simpson 2021)(4); the AurMac Project with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 347.49 million tonnes grading 0.63 gram per tonne gold (7.00 million ounces)(5) and the Valley Deposit, with a current Indicated Mineral Resource of 4.05 million oz gold at 1.66 g/t and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.26 million oz at 1.25 g/t gold(6).
(1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads...
(2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_202...
(3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020.
https://minedocs.com/22/Brewery-Creek-PEA-01182022...
(4) Simpson R. Florin Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report. Geosim Services Inc. April 21, 2021.
https://sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&i... d=4984158
(5) Thornton T., Jutras M., Malhotra D. Technical Report Aurmac Property Mayo Mining District, Yukon Territory, Canada. JDS Energy and Mining Inc. February 6, 2024. https://banyangold.com/site/assets/files/5251/bany...
(6) Burrell H., Redmond D.J., Haggarty P., Rogue Gold Project: NI43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate, Yukon Territory, Canada. Snowline Gold Corp. May 15, 2024. https://snowlinegold.com
Upcoming Events
Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events*:
*All events are subject to change.
About Sitka Gold Corp.
Sitka Gold Corp. is a well-funded mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada with over $15 million in its treasury and no debt. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka is currently advancing its 100% owned, 431 square kilometre flagship RC Gold Project located within the Tombstone Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory. The Company is also advancing the Alpha Gold Project in Nevada and currently has drill permits for its Burro Creek Gold and Silver Project in Arizona and the Coppermine River Project in Nunavut.
In January 2023, the Company announced an NI 43-101 compliant initial inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1) beginning at surface and grading 0.68 g/t at its RC Gold Project in Yukon (see news release dated January 19, 2023).
(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory
*For more detailed information on the Company's properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com.
The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cor Coe, P.Geo., Director and CEO of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
SITKA GOLD CORP.
"Donald Penner"
President and Director
For more information contact:
Donald Penner
President & Director
778-212-1950
dpenner@sitkagoldcorp.com
or
Cor Coe
CEO & Director
604-817-4753
ccoe@sitkagoldcorp.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-Looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward‐looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions and the Company's anticipated work programs.
These forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market uncertainty and the results of the Company's anticipated work programs.
Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") announces that it is closely monitoring a strike that began on November 29, 2024, by certain employees at the Company's Fekola Mine in Mali. Under the notice provided to the Company by the Fekola workers union, the strike commenced on November 29, 2024 with a seven day duration ending on December 5, 2024. The Company is continuing to operate the Fekola mill at full throughput capacity during this period and still expects to be toward the lower end of its annual production guidance for the Fekola Mine of between 420,000 and 450,000 ounces of gold in 2024.
The health, safety and security of B2Gold employees remains the Company's foremost priority. During the seven-day strike period, the Company is continuing to operate critical infrastructure and the mill on a reduced roster, maintaining the expected gold production profile during the period. It is important to note that under Malian legislation, employees are authorized to provide minimum service, and participation in strikes is not compulsory for employees who elect to continue to work.
The Company believes that the labour action is primarily in response to the action B2Gold has taken against a small number of Fekola employees that previously engaged in illegal activities detrimental to productivity at the Fekola Mine, including "go slow" actions by the mining employees and an illegal sit in at the Fekola management office in August 2024. During this period, B2Gold urged all Fekola employees to avoid involvement in these illegal activities and, in line with Malian law, Fekola's current union agreements and the B2Gold employee code of conduct, has commenced the disciplinary process for those employees who chose to engage in the illegal activities.
B2Gold remains ready and willing to participate in meetings with the Fekola workers union to reach a resolution, and will continue to adhere to legal procedures, respecting the rights of all its employees, inviting the union to engage in a constructive dialogue, and providing the authorities with all requested information. Fekola has well-documented and recognized procedures for raising any form of grievance, as well as established engagement platforms in place with union representatives, to engage on issues concerning B2Gold's employees. B2Gold is committed to the highest standards for integrity and transparency and will continue to focus on safe and sustainable mining at Fekola, which brings great benefits to the workforce, the surrounding communities and the State of Mali.
In addition, the Company continues to make progress with the State of Mali on their respective deliverables and implementation of the necessary steps under the Memorandum of Agreement signed in September 2024, including the issuance of the necessary permits to commence exploitation at Fekola Regional (located 25 kilometers north of the Fekola Mine). Upon issuance of the exploitation permit for Fekola Regional, mining operations will begin with initial gold production expected to commence in early 2025, with the potential to generate approximately 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of additional gold production on an annualized basis from Fekola Regional sources through the trucking of open pit ore to the Fekola mill. B2Gold continues to have a strong working relationship with the Malian Government.
About B2Gold
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines, the Goose Project under construction in northern Canada and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia and Finland. B2Gold forecasts total consolidated gold production of between 800,000 and 870,000 ounces in 2024.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
"Clive T. Johnson"
President and Chief Executive Officer
Source: B2Gold Corp.
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.
Production results and production guidance presented in this news release reflect total production at the mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our Annual Information Form dated March 14, 2024, for a discussion of our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining) and operating costs, including projected cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets on a consolidated and mine by mine basis; future or estimated mine life, metal price assumptions, ore grades or sources, gold recovery rates, stripping ratios, throughput, ore processing; statements regarding anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction, permitting and other activities or achievements of B2Gold; and including, without limitation: remaining well positioned for continued strong operational and financial performance in 2024; projected gold production, cash operating costs and AISC on a consolidated and mine by mine basis in 2024; total consolidated gold production of between 800,000 and 870,000 ounces (including 20,000 attributable ounces from Calibre) in 2024; trucking of selective higher-grade saprolite material from Fekola Regional to the Fekola mill having the potential to generate approximately 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of additional gold production per year from Fekola Regional sources; and the receipt of the exploitation permit for Fekola Regional and Fekola Regional production expected to commence in early 2025. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.
Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to: the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates; actual production, development plans and costs differing materially from the estimates in B2Gold's feasibility and other studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and climate change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia, the Philippines and Colombia and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure; fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; community support for B2Gold's operations, including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems or information security threats; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures; social media and B2Gold's reputation; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to B2Gold's ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact: Michael McDonald VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development +1 604-681-8371 investor@b2gold.com Cherry DeGeer Director, Corporate Communications +1 604-681-8371 investor@b2gold.com
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
HIGHLIGHTS:
Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional results from the 2024 drill program at the 100% owned Ana Paula project in Guerrero, Mexico. The Company is drilling 2,600 metres in phase one of the program and will follow-up the best results with a second phase of 2,400 metres.
Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, "Despite regularly seeing wide, high-grade gold intercepts, Ana Paula continues to surprise us with its gold grades within the deposit. These holes grow the High Grade Panel to the north and down-dip, increase resource confidence and locally improve gold grades compared to the resource model. The current drilling program is defining the boundaries of the High Grade Panel and is attempting to convert inferred mineralization into the higher confidence indicated and measured categories. Last year the grade of the indicated resource update increased by 36%. This year's results suggest conversion of inferred resource to indicated and measured can also result in increased gold grades."
Drill Results
The focus of the holes reported today was to expand the High Grade Panel. Holes AP-24-315 and AP-24-316 are on the same cross-section building out confidence in the northern boundary of the High Grade Panel and extending it to depth.
Hole AP-24-315 intersected a long run of high-grade gold mineralization on the north side of the panel returning 125.9 metres grading 4.02 g/t gold from 104.5 metres downhole. Hole AP-24-316 intercepted 61.5 metres grading 5.04 g/t gold from 168.3 metres, beneath the High Grade Panel. This has the potential to add over 20 metres of gold mineralization beneath the High Grade Panel on this section.
Hole AP-24-316 also intersected a deeper zone of gold mineralization 100 metres below the High Grade Panel which returned a broad intercept of 115.35 metres grading 2.69 g/t gold from 246.8 metres downhole including 12.0 metres at 9.68 g/t gold.
To the west of these holes AP-24-317 was drilled with the same plan of defining the northern margin of the High Grade Panel and extending it down-dip. It returned a spectacular interval of 87.8 metres grading 16.0 g/t gold from 141.0 metres downhole. Further downhole a second intercept of 5.90 metres grading 9.55 g/t gold from 284.6 metres is interpreted to be a 25-metre extension of the High Grade Panel beneath previous drilling.
To date, eight holes have been completed for a total of 2,860.1 meters. The focus of drilling will pivot to geotechnical and water testing of potential tailings facility locations before a return to resource drilling in 2025.
Photo 1: Abundant visible gold in hole AP-24-317.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/232074_bfbf426894753a00_003full.jpg
Figure 1: A cross section through the deposit showing drill intercepts with today's results highlighted.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/232074_bfbf426894753a00_004full.jpg
Figure 2: A cross section with the resource model from 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate highlighting the High Grade Panel (clipped to greater than 2 g/t gold resource blocks). New results are highlighted, completed holes pending assays are in green and planned holes are shown in black.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/232074_bfbf426894753a00_005full.jpg
Drilling Results and Coordinates Tables
Table 1: Significant Drill Intersections
| HoleID | From (metres) | To (metres) | Interval (metres) | Au (g/t) | Topcut Au (to 67 g/t) | Comment |
| AP-24-315 | 104.5 | 230.35 | 125.85 | 4.02 | - | North side of HGP |
| including | 157.45 | 181.0 | 23.55 | 12.5 | - | |
| AP-24-316 | 112.5 | 116.8 | 4.3 | 2.27 | - | |
| and | 129.2 | 136.85 | 7.65 | 6.74 | - | |
| and | 168.3 | 229.8 | 61.5 | 5.04 | - | Down-dip of HGP |
| including | 197.3 | 223.5 | 26.2 | 10.4 | 7.31 | |
| and | 246.8 | 362.15 | 115.35 | 2.69 | - | Deeper Zone |
| including | 274.0 | 277.7 | 3.7 | 12.2 | - | |
| and including | 289.0 | 301.0 | 12.0 | 9.68 | - | |
| AP-24-317 | 141.0 | 228.8 | 87.8 | 16.0 | 9.37 | North side of HGP |
| including | 176.9 | 193.0 | 16.1 | 71.8 | 35.7 | |
| and | 284.6 | 290.5 | 5.9 | 9.55 | - | Down-dip of HGP |
Table 2: Drill Hole Details
| Hole ID | Northing (WGS84 Zone 14N) | Easting (WGS84 Zone 14N) | Elevation (metres) | Azimuth (°) | Inclination (°) | Length (metres) |
| AP-24-315 | 410,145 | 1,998,094 | 924.0 | 180 | -60 | 329.0 |
| AP-24-316 | 410,144 | 1,998,115 | 924.2 | 180 | -60 | 398.0 |
| AP-24-317 | 410,125 | 1,998,142 | 929.5 | 180 | -55 | 409.8 |
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Core samples were shipped to ALS Limited in Zacatecas, Zacatecas and Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico for sample preparation and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The Zacatecas, Hermosillo and North Vancouver ALS facilities are ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was assayed by 30-gram fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish and overlimits were analysed by 30-gram fire assay with gravimetric finish.
Control samples comprising certified reference and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol.
Statement of Qualified Person
Stewart Harris, P.Geo., a Qualified Person, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Harris is employed as Exploration Manager of the Company.
About Heliostar Metals Ltd.
Heliostar aims to grow to become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company is focused on developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico and has recently entered into an agreement to acquire a portfolio of production and development assets in Mexico.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Charles Funk
President and Chief Executive Officer
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: charles.funk@heliostarmetals.com
Phone: +1 844-753-0045
Rob Grey
Investor Relations Manager
Heliostar Metals Limited
Email: rob.grey@heliostarmetals.com
Phone: +1 844-753-0045
Neither 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.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things, This year's results suggest conversion of inferred resource to indicated and measured can also result in increased gold grades and these holes grow the High Grade Panel to the north and down-dip, increase resource confidence and locally improve gold grades compared to the resource model .
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to the terms and completion of the Facility, any future mineral production, liquidity, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of necessary approvals, price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises or ongoing military conflicts; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; and the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.
These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232074
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HIGHLIGHTS
The Company is now conducting deeper investigations across all four projects into historical exploration, building databases, reinterpreting historical and new results, and designing further work programs to test the multiple, prospective contextualized targets.
The Company’s exploration efforts over the last five months have developed from basic target generation to revealing new areas of mineralization. This has also included efforts to unlock additional areas of mineralisation based on these new and historical results.
In recent months, the Company has achieved a considerable amount, including:
1) In early July RMX identified of key structural targets across the region of underdeveloped Meen- Dempster Greenstone Belt which lies adjacent to the more developed Pickle Lake Greenstone Belt, host to numerous gold deposits. It pegged four clusters of claims covering 37.9km2, namely the Flicka Lake, Relyea Porphyry, Fry Lake Stock and the Fry-McVean Shear. The four projects are based on structural targets, reported alteration, proximity to banded iron, reported gold occurrences and porphyry intrusions, all key elements. (Refer ASX announcement: 2 July 2024)
2) In mid-July, key targets within the Flicka Lake claims were discriminated and a sampling program designed around these key elements. The targeting focused on the mapped faults, shear zones, reported areas of basement alteration and extensions of know zones of interest Identified by past explorers. (Refer ASX announcement: 22 July 2024)
3) In Late July, RMX appointed local geological specialist contractors, Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation, to conduct the maiden sampling program which involve a series of 100m spaced traverses along the target areas collecting rock chip and soil samples at regular intervals, with bias to areas of alteration or visible mineralisation. Included in the program was due diligence sampling of the Flick Lake gold bearing quartz veins. (Refer ASX announcement: 31 July 2024)
4) Late August Red Mountain mobilised to site and collected 283 soil and 91 rock samples across the target areas including the due diligence sampling. The samples were analysed by AGAT laboratories in Thunder Bay by Fire assay for gold and Aqua Regia (soils) and four acid digest (rock) base metal suite. (Refer ASX announcement: 28 August 2024)
5) In early November initial results were announced from the 91-rock chip samples. The due diligence rock samples validated the Flicka Zone gold endowed vein system with Vein #2 returning 24.2g/t and 19.4g/t Au while Vein#3 returned a peak value of 9.35g/t Au. These results confirmed the high- grade nature of the gold mineralisation in the area. A rock sample of a pyrite vein 800m WSW of the Flicka Zone and along strike of the main ENE shear produced a 0.514g/t Au highlighted the potential for an extension of the mineralised system. (Refer ASX announcement: 6 November 2024)
6) In Mid-November the soil sample results highlighted two new areas of mineralisation. In the north of the project area three samples with 800m returned 17.8g/t, 6.32g/t and 1.11g/t Au, also locally within the area anomalous copper up to 2,420ppm was identified in the soils. In the northwest of the tenement a soil sample returned 0.816g/t Au, highlighted another area for gold mineralisation. (Refer ASX announcement: 19 November 2024)
Following the considerable success of exploration activities to date, the Company is in the process of designing a follow-up program to target these anomalous soil and rock areas with high density rock and soil samples of sufficient density to define potential drill targets.
Figure 1: Mapped geology of the Meen -Dempster Greenstone Belt and the Fry Lake properties.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Red Mountain Mining, 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.
Far Northern Resources is well-placed to capitalize on Australia's resource opportunities and deliver sustainable returns to its shareholders as it pursues strategic exploration across its assets in some of Australia’s most prolific mining jurisdictions.
Far Northern Resources (ASX:FNR) is a newly listed Australian explorer focused on gold and base metals. The company debuted on the ASX on April 12, 2024, after finalizing its IPO, during which it secured AU$4 million in funding. The company has three exploration projects – two based in Northern Queensland (Empire and Rocks Reef) and one in the Northern Territories (Bridge Creek).
In the 2022-23 fiscal year, mining played a pivotal role in Australia's economy by generating a record $455 billion in export revenue, accounting for nearly 66 percent of the total exports. This underscores the industry's significant contribution to the nation's economic stability, government revenues, and the creation of employment opportunities in regional areas.
According to the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2023, Australia is one of the most attractive regions for mining. Fraser Institute ranks the Northern Territories and Queensland as the 6th and 13th most attractive destinations for mining investment.
During 2023, Queensland's mines yielded 12.6 tons of gold, positioning it as the fourth most prolific state in Australia for this precious metal. Its output falls slightly below that of the Northern Territory (13.9 tons).
Its presence in relatively attractive mining jurisdictions positions the company to capitalize on opportunities in Australia's resource sector and deliver sustainable returns to its shareholders. The IPO funds of AU$4 million have provided sufficient funding to the company to advance its exploration projects. Overall, Far Northern is planning a 20,000-meter drilling program over the next two years, which will consist: of over 5,000 meters for Empire; 2,500 to 5,000 meters for Bridge Creek; and 2,500 meters planned at Rocks Reef in the China Wall prospect.
The Empire Project, situated 34 km west of the mining town of Chillagoe in North Queensland which had a mill for treating locally mined ore. The project covers an expansive 252 hectares on a granted mining lease. The tenement boasts a rich exploration history, marked by substantial drilling conducted across various phases. This culminated in the determination of a 2019 mineral resource estimate of 22,505 oz of gold on the Empire Stockworks gold deposit.
More than 7,460 meters of RC drilling and 750 meters of diamond core drilling have been carried out by Far Northern Resources, resulting in multiple intersections of copper, gold and silver. Rock chip assays yielded noteworthy grades, with results showing up to 12.64 percent copper (FNRRCS24001) and 4.12 grams per ton (g/t) gold (FNRRCS24002). Further surface sampling unveiled copper grades ranging from 2.61 percent to 11.89 percent and gold grades from 0.70 g/t to 2.16 g/t.
The rock chip assays extended the strike of known mineralization at the Empire Stockworks prospect by a further 750 meters and management believes it could be part of a bigger porphyry-style target.
The company is in the process of updating its current resource and block model before returning to site in 2025 to continue exploration.
Several targets have already been identified on the Empire tenement:
Empire Stockworks Prospect: Located close to the northern Breccia zone, this is the most advanced Far Northern target, in respect of exploration progress.
FNR has completed an RC drilling program at the Empire Gold Deposit designed to update and infill the 2020 resource model drilling program at the Empire Mining Lease. The program confirmed the presence of a zone in the primary vein at the northern end of the Empire Stockworks consisting of a high-grade gold zone within the greater Empire Stockworks gold system, with mineralisation open at depth and along strike. Assays from all six drill holes intercepted the high-grade quartz veins that formed the basis of the previous modeling. These results will provide further data on the known resources at the Empire Stockwork that will enable FNR to update the resource and economic modelling at the current gold prices, to move into future feasibility studies.
United Empire: Situated south of the Empire Stockworks prospect and adjacent to the Pinnacles breccia zone, this anomaly exhibits copper/gold characteristics, as revealed by previous exploration efforts conducted by entities other than Far Northern.
Copper Pit: It is also located south of the Empire Stockworks prospect and close to Pinnacles breccia. The analysis of the minor mullock heaps in the vicinity suggests the area holds promise for copper and gold prospects.
Pinnacles Prospect: It is situated in the Pinnacles breccia zone to the south of the Empire Stockworks Prospect. Far Northern has done very minimal exploration work so far on this prospect.
The project is located 150 km south of Darwin in the Northern Territories. It comprises three mining leases situated within the Pine Creek Geosyncline. The project is in the historical mining area of Cosmos Howley – Pine Creek which has produced over 2 million oz of gold. It covers a sector of the axis of the Howley Anticline, approximately 12 km along strike north from the Cosmopolitan Howley gold mine currently owned by Kirkland Lake Gold.
A mineral resource estimate was completed in 2022 containing 70,560 oz of inferred gold resources.
Far Northern is looking to accelerate its exploration activity at Bridge Creek, with a planned 2,500 to 5,000-meter drilling program in 2025, aiming to move the inferred resources to indicated status, as well as extend the mineralization both along the strike and at depth.
The Rocks Reef Project is located 52 km west of Chillagoe and comprises exploration permit 26473, which covers the Georgetown Tectonic Province. It is situated along a northeast structural trend spanning over 20 kilometers, within a large quartz-veined and altered porphyry formation. Geochemical sampling has revealed anomalous gold and silver veins within a 3-km by 1-km area.
The Rock Reefs property presents a prospective upside for Far Northern with historical exploration confirming the presence of a mineralized vein system at the China Wall prospect. The project shows early-stage promise for gold and copper deposits. Far Northern has completed an extensive early exploration program and results are expected over the coming months.
FNR has already identified targets for the tenement:
China Wall: Situated north of the tenement, this represents the most advanced target in terms of exploration progress within Rocks Reef. The previous operator had drilled a total of 155 air track holes along major and minor epithermal veins and structures, reporting precious metal mineralization. Subsequently, Far Northern conducted rock chip and soil analyses as part of follow-up investigations. Management is now planning a 2,500-meter drill program at the China Wall prospect.
Savannah Way and Single Peak: It is located about 1.3 km north of the China Wall. Far Northern has undertaken a rock chip and soil sampling program.
Roadside Copper: The target is located about 4.5 km from the China Wall Prospect. It saw little exploration work when it was held by the previous owner. Far Northern has conducted preliminary exploration including the analysis of rock chips and soils, which revealed the presence of gold, copper and associated minerals in the area.
North Drift Breccia and South Drift: Here again, the rock chip and soil samples have returned positive results indicating potential for mineralization.
Cameron Woodrow has over two decades of experience in the financial and mining industries, both domestically and internationally. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the company in collaboration with FNR's geologist. Woodrow's professional background commenced in the investment banking sector in Europe and Australia, where he held positions as a corporate advisor and sales trader at Paterson Securities and the Stonebridge Group. Earlier in his career, he served in various roles at Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse in London.
Mattew Bashford has nearly 28 years of experience serving as CFO and company secretary at various public and private firms. Bashford has played a crucial role in the success of Far Northern Resources since its inception, contributing to its structuring, all capital raises to date, and accounting/tax compliance. He has been serving as a director of Far Northern since May 17, 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland and is also a chartered accountant.
Catriona Glover is a qualified lawyer with over two decades of experience in corporate and commercial law, specializing in corporate governance and providing company secretarial advice to both listed and unlisted entities. She has offered legal counsel, corporate governance expertise, and company secretarial services to numerous companies across diverse industries such as biopharma, financial services, mining, stockbroking, education, manufacturing, software and not-for-profit organizations. Glover has been the company secretary for several listed and unlisted companies, including Far East Gold, Maronan Metals, VGI Health Technology (NSX:VGI), Aeramentum Resources, and Invictus Biopharma.
With more than two decades of experience, Michael Stephenson has served as an exploration project manager for prominent companies such as Hancock Prospecting, Murchison Metals and Great Central Mines. He has extensive expertise in exploration project management, accumulated over 20 years of professional practice. Stephenson has played a pivotal role at Far Northern, overseeing all exploration activities, including structural mapping, rock chipping and soil sampling. Notably, he played a crucial role in enhancing the JORC Resource at Empire by executing the drilling program in 2020.