VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 30, 2022 / Metallic Minerals (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company“) announces that, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has granted 1,590,000 stock options (each, an “Option”) to certain insiders, directors and employees of the Company in accordance with the Company’s Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan. Each Option is exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a “Share”) at a price of $0.41 per Share, being the closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on March 29, 2022, for a period of five years from the date of grant. The Options are subject to certain vesting requirements in accordance with the Company’s option plan.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a growth-stage exploration company, focused on high-grade silver, gold and copper projects in underexplored, brownfields mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to exploration in the Keno Hill silver district, La Plata silver-gold-copper district, and Klondike gold district through new discoveries and advancing resources to development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp’s operations, with nearly 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, exploration at the recently acquired La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado is targeting a silver and gold-enriched copper porphyry and adjacent high-grade silver and gold epithermal systems. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.
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.
ABOUT GRANITE CREEK COPPER Granite Creek Copper is a Canadian junior mining, exploration company focused on the advancement of its 100%-owned Stu Copper-Gold project located in the Yukon’s Minto Copper District. This 115-square-kilometer property is between, and on trend with, Pembridge Resources’ high-grade Minto Copper-Gold Mine and, to the south, the Carmacks Copper-Gold-Silver project held by Copper North of which Granite Creek holds a 30% interest. The Stu project has excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. Granite Creek Copper is one of top junior mining stocks and copper stocks 2021.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 29, 2022 / Metallic Minerals (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Scott Petsel as President of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Petsel has been Vice President of Exploration for Metallic Minerals since 2016 and will be supported in this key executive leadership position by Chairman and CEO, Greg Johnson.
Mr. Scott Petsel, MBA, P.Geo., has over 34 years of experience in all facets of mineral exploration with particular focus on large scale precious and base metals systems. In addition to having extensive international experience, he has spent more than 20 years working in the Yukon, Alaska and British Columbia on significant advanced exploration and development stage projects including the Galore copper-gold-silver project (Teck/Newmont), Donlin gold project (NovaGold/Barrick), Upper Kobuk copper-zinc-silver-gold projects (Trilogy/South 32), and the Kensington gold mine (Coeur) amongst others. Mr Petsel received his geology degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, near Metallic’s La Plata Project, and his MBA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His extensive experience in, and knowledge of, the jurisdictions where Metallic Minerals is active represents a great asset to the Company.
Scott Petsel, Metallic Minerals President, stated, “I look forward to this expanded role with Metallic Minerals, engaging with the shareholder base and broader investment community in collaboration with, Greg, and working with our strong technical teams to advance our exceptional portfolio of assets. It’s an exciting time in the precious and base metals markets for a dynamic exploration and development company like Metallic Minerals. We expect 2022 to be pivotal year for the Company and we have significant and substantive news to deliver over the ensuing weeks, including the Company’s inaugural resource estimate at La Plata and a robust and dynamic field exploration season on all three of the Company’s projects.”
Metallic Minerals Chairman & CEO, Greg Johnson, stated, “Through his successful career, Scott has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to recognize potential tier one quality deposits, efficiently advancing significant exploration projects through discovery, resource expansion, and subsequent engineering and de-risking to generate shareholder value. Scott is a leader and consensus builder with extensive ESG experience developed through his hands-on engagement with First Nations, Alaska Native Corporations and local communities. As the Company enters this next period of rapid development on multiple projects, I am confident that Scott will contribute significantly to Metallic Minerals in this expanded role going forward.”
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a growth-stage exploration company, focused on high-grade silver, gold and copper projects in underexplored, brownfields mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to exploration in the Keno Hill silver district, La Plata silver-gold-copper district, and Klondike gold district through new discoveries and advancing resources to development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp’s operations, with nearly 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, exploration at the recently acquired La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado is targeting a silver and gold-enriched copper porphyry and adjacent high-grade silver and gold epithermal systems. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.https://embed.fireplace.yahoo.com/embed?ctrl=Monalixa&m_id=monalixa&m_mode=document&site=sports&os=android&pageContext=%257B%2522ctopid%2522%253A%25221542500%253B1480989%253B1481489%253B1577000%253B1580500%2522%252C%2522hashtag%2522%253A%25221542500%253B1480989%253B1481489%253B1577000%253B1580500%2522%252C%2522wiki_topics%2522%253A%2522La_Plata%253BCompany%253BScotty_(Star_Trek)%253BMining_engineering%253BMineral%253BKlondike_Gold_Rush%253BExploration%253BBase_metal%2522%252C%2522lmsid%2522%253A%2522a077000000LnOyOAAV%2522%252C%2522revsp%2522%253A%2522accesswire.ca%2522%252C%2522lpstaid%2522%253A%252215bf794c-3e55-3efd-bd26-8a63306ab511%2522%252C%2522pageContentType%2522%253A%2522story%2522%257D
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfields assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon’s high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Group Ten Metals in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana, and Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon’s Minto copper district. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry’s leading explorer/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTC, and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2022 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate (the “2022 Resource Estimate”) for the Company’s 100%-owned Carmacks copper-gold-silver deposit (“Carmacks” or the “Deposit”) located in the Minto Copper District of central Yukon, Canada. The 2022 Resource Estimate represents a major increase in tonnage and contained metal at Carmacks compared to the previous resource estimate1,2, with over 8,200 m of infill and expansion drilling in 25 holes completed by Granite Creek since its acquisition in 2020. The project remains open to significant expansion within the resource area and to new discovery at the underexplored, yet highly prospective, Carmacks North target area.
Highlights
43% Increase in Contained Copper – The high grade Carmacks deposit now hosts 36.2 million tonnes (Mt) in Measured and Indicated categories (M&I), grading 1.07% CuEq (0.81% Cu, 0.26g/t Au, 3.23g/t Ag and 0.011% Mo) for a total of 651 million pounds (Mlbs) of contained M&I copper and an additional 38 Mlbs Cu Inferred (see table 1). The previous resource estimate published in 2018 defined 25.0 Mt M&I, grading 0.83% Cu, equating to 457 Mlbs of contained copper. (Figure1)
Expansion of Gold and Silver Resources – Contained gold (M&I) increased 24% from 243,000 ounces to 302,000 ounces and contained silver (M&I) increased 41% from 2,684,000 ounces to 3,790,000 ounces.
Addition of Molybdenum Resources – For the first time, molybdenum has been included in the resource estimate, with 8.5 Mlbs lbs in M&I.
93% of Resources in the M&I Categories – Only 7% of the 2022 resource remains in the Inferred category.
High Proportion of Resources Modeled in Three Conceptual Open Pits – 96% of the 2022 resources are contained within the conceptual pits. (Figure 2)
High Grade Copper-Gold in a Producing District – The 2022 Resource Estimate continues to advance the Carmacks project as one of the highest-grade resource-stage copper projects in North America.
Timothy Johnson, Granite Creek President & CEO, stated, “Since completing the acquisition the Carmacks deposit in November 2020, the Company has been successful in significantly growing copper, gold and silver resources through highly targeted drilling in 2020 and 2021. Our conceptual deposit model held up extremely well, with significant mineralized intercepts encountered in 22 of the 25 holes we drilled. The mineral resources contained within the conceptual pits will form the basis for an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) which the Company intends to initiate immediately. This study will assess the economics of processing both oxide and sulphide material as well as by product credits including gold, silver and molybdenum.”
“From an exploration perspective, there remains the opportunity continue increasing copper resources by continued step out drilling on existing zones, adding to this resource. There is also high potential for discovery of new zones by applying the Company’s increased understanding of the geological controls of mineralization and we remain committed to adding to this mineral inventory through continued exploration. “
Live Webinar
Granite Creek Copper will be hosting a live webinar on Thursday, March 17 at 10am PT (1pm ET), during which President & CEO, Timothy Johnson will be joined by Project Geologist, Dr Jacob Longridge, for a comprehensive update on the Company’s Carmacks copper-gold silver project, including Q&A.
Table 1 – 2022 Carmacks Copper Project Mineral Resources
Cu=copper, Au=gold, Mo=molybdenum, Ag=silver, Mt=millions of tonnes, Mlbs=millions of pounds, klbs=thousands of pounds, koz=thousands of ounces. Mineral Resources are reported using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards. Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual constraining pit shell that includes the following input parameters: Metal prices of $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo and pit slope angles that vary from 35° for overburden to 55°for granodiorite host, metal prices are in US$. Metallurgical recoveries reflective of prior test work that averages: 85% Cu, 85% Au, 65% Ag in the oxide domain and 90% Cu, 76% Au, 65% Ag in the sulphide domain. Mo recovery is assumed to be 70% in both oxide and sulphide domain. Tonnes are metric tonnes, with Cu and Mo grades as percentages and Au and Ag grades as gram per tonne units. Cu and Mo metal content is reported in lb and Au and Ag content is reported in troy oz. Totals and Metal content may not sum due to rounding and significant digits used in calculations. Cu Eq calculation is based on 100% recovery of all metals using the same metal prices used in the resource calculation: $3.60/lb Cu, $1,750/Au, $22/oz Ag, $14/lb Mo.
Grade Sensitivity
A copper and copper equivalent grade sensitivity analysis for both oxide and sulphide resources contained in the proposed pits is provided in Table 2 below, which demonstrates the variation in grade and tonnage in the deposit at these various cut-off grades. This sensitivity analysis is reflective of the discrete nature of the mineralized bodies. Comparing the cut-off grade of 0.30% Cu with a 0.25% Cu and a 0.35% Cu cut-off, show a <3% variation in contained copper and a ~5% variation in the tonnage.
Table 2 – Grade Sensitivity Table
Mineralization
Mineralization is constrained to discrete tabular bodies of schistose to gneissic metamorphic rock. These tabular bodies are enveloped in granodiorite that dominates the majority of the Carmacks project. The contact between these tabular metamorphic bodies and granodiorite is sharp, with little to no gradation between these units. This sharp contact creates a very distinct geochemical and geophysical pattern between the two rock types assisting in exploration vectoring.
Upon acquiring the Carmacks Deposit in 2020, Granite Creek immediately recognized the potential of the relatively untested sulphide portion that may significantly alter the scope and scale of the deposit. This conceptual understanding has been validated with the sulphide resources now roughly equal in size to the oxide resources and provides the case for an updated PEA, which will evaluate the economics of both the oxide and the sulphide portions of the resource.
Copper mineralization in the oxide domain is primarily malachite and azurite with copper sulphides accounting for up to 20% of the copper tenor in the form of chalcopyrite. A surface representing the boundary between the upper oxide and lower sulphide mineralization was interpolated based on drill hole intersections. The depth of transition between oxide to sulphide is variable in each zone. The boundary between the oxide and sulphide is defined by the solubility of copper in sulphuric acid, when >20% of total copper total tenor is soluble in sulphuric acid, the domain is classified as a copper oxide domain. Conversely, the sulphide domain is defined where <20% of the total copper is soluble in sulphuric acid, as per the previous resource. The previously defined ‘transitional zone’ is largely re-classified as part of the sulphide domain. The copper in the upper 200m of zone 1, is oxidized, whereas in zones 13 and 12, the oxidized zone can be as thin as 40m, zones 4 and 7 are primarily oxide (Figure 2). The copper sulphides in the sulphide domain consist primarily of course grained chalcopyrite, bornite and minor chalcocite and covellite.
Previous metallurgical testing has shown that the oxide copper is very amenable to leach extraction with recoveries of greater than 85% New metallurgical results from 2021 test work showed that a ~67% liberation of copper sulphide minerals is possible at 154um P80 primary grind, considering most two-product copper concentrations operate with 50-60% liberation in floatation feed, this is considered excellent and possibly coarser grinds may be sufficient in liberating copper. Flotation testing showed a 25% copper concentrate grade could be produced with recoveries of up to 95% of copper and 85% for gold, with gold reporting closely to the copper. Continuing metallurgical test work will include determining recoveries for silver and molybdenum as well as additional testing to confirm the copper and gold recoveries.
Figure 2 Oblique view of 2022 resources and proposed pits (total strike length of 2,950 m )
Estimation Methodology and Parameters
The classification of the current Mineral Resource Estimates into Measured, Indicated and Inferred are consistent with current 2014 CIM Definition Standards – For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate.
Completion of the 2022 Resource Estimate involved the assessment of a drill hole database, which included all data for surface drilling completed through the fall of 2021, as well as 3D mineral resource models, and available written reports. SGS used 489 surface drillholes and 56,679 meters of drill data from 1970 to 2021 to delineate three deposits (zones 147 combined, zone 2000S and zones 12 and 13 combined) in the 2022 resource estimate. Thirty-six holes (RC and diamond) totalling 9,413m completed by Granite Creek between October 2020 and October 2021 are included.
Composites of 2.0 metre used for the resource estimation procedure have been capped where appropriate. Grades for Cu (oxide, sulphide and total), Ag, Au and Mo for each deposit were interpolated into blocks 5m by 5m by 5m by the Inverse Distance Squared (ID2) calculation method. Appropriate interpolation parameters were generated for each deposit based on drill hole spacing, mineralization style and geometry.
All Resources are presented undiluted and in situ, constrained by continuous 3D wireframe models, and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. It is envisioned that parts of the Carmacks Project deposits may be mined using open pit mining methods. In- pit mineral resources are reported at a base-case cut-off grade of 0.30 % total copper(“Cu_T”) within conceptual pit shells. A pit slope of 55 degrees for rock and 35 degrees for overburden are used for the pit optimization. It is envisioned that parts of the Carmacks Project deposits may be mined using lower cost underground bulk mining methods. A selected base-case cut-off grade of 0.6 % Cu_T is used to determine the below pit resources.
Cut-off grades are based on metal prices of $3.60/lb Cu, $22.00/oz Ag, $1,750/oz Au and $14.00/lb for Mo, processing and G&A cost of $US23.00 per tonne milled, and variable mining costs including $US2.10 for open pit and $US25.00 for underground. The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, mining costs, processing costs etc.).
Metal recoveries used for pit optimization and calculation of base-case cut-off grades include: for oxide material 85% for copper, 65% for Ag, 85% for Au and 70% for Mo; for sulphide material, 90% for copper, 65% for Ag, 76% for Au and 70% for Mo. Fixed specific gravity values of 2.64 for oxide material and 2.71 – 2.78 (depending on deposit) were used to estimate the Mineral Resource tonnage from block model volumes. Waste in all areas was given a fixed density of 2.66.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The results from the pit optimization are used solely for the purpose of testing the “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” by an open pit and do not represent an attempt to estimate mineral reserves. There are no mineral reserves on the Carmacks Property. The results are used as a guide to assist in the preparation of a Mineral Resource statement and to select an appropriate resource reporting cut-off grade.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Quality assurance and quality control procedures for drilling completed by the Company and consultants to the Company include the systematic insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples, making up 12% of the sample stream. Drill core samples were sawn in half, labelled, placed in sealed bags and shipped directly to the Bureau Veritas preparation laboratory in Whitehorse. All geochemical analyses were performed by Bureau Veritas in Vancouver. Copper, molybdenum and silver analysis was performed by four-acid digestion with an ICP-ES finish. Non-sulphide copper was determined through a sulphuric acid leach with an AAS finish. Gold was analyzed by igniting a 15 g sample followed by an aqua regia digestion with an ICP-MS finish.
Qualified Persons
The Carmacks project 2022 Resource Estimate was prepared by Allan Armitage, P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services, an independent Qualified Person, in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) with an effective date of February 25, 2022. Armitage conducted a site visit to the property on November 9, 2021.
Ms. Debbie James, P.Geo., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure not pertaining to the resource estimate contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Senior Geologist with TruePoint Exploration and a Project Manager at Carmacks.
[1]PEA: “NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Carmacks Project, Yukon, Canada” Effective Date 12 October 2016. Report Date: 25 November 2016. SEDAR Filing Date: 9 February 2017
[2]News Release: “Copper North Expands Oxide Mineral resources at Carmacks” Published on SEDAR 9 April 2018.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 10, 2022 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSX.V:GCX | OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the final assay results from the Company’s Phase 2 Reverse circulation (“RC”) and Phase 3 diamond drill programs at the 100%-owned Carmacks project.
Live Webinar
Granite Creek Copper will be hosting a live webinar on Thursday, March 17 at 10am PT (1pm ET), during which President & CEO, Timothy Johnson will be joined by Project Geologist, Jacob Longridge, for a comprehensive update on the Company’s Carmacks copper-gold silver project, including Q&A. To register, click here.
The objective of the Phase 2 RC program was early-stage evaluation of additional targets adjacent to known zones as well as step-out drilling at Carmacks Norths’ Zone A area. The program was successful in identifying mineralization in 13 of 20 holes with several areas prioritized for follow-up diamond drilling in the 2022 field season. The Phase 3 diamond program was targeted at confirming the geometry in Zone 2000S, complementing hole CRM21-011 which intercepted 105 m of 1.18% Copper Equivalent (“CuEq”) (0.96% Cu, 0.01% Mo, 0.18 g/t Au, and 4.06 g/t Ag) (see news release dated August 24, 2021). Additional drilling was conducted in the central portion of Zone 13 to further upgrade resources in this zone (Figure 1).
Granite Creek President & CEO, Tim Johnson, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the results of our 2021 exploration program which achieved all of our objectives and exceeded our expectations in several important respects. We expanded sulfide mineralization in three of the main zones at Carmacks which will be reflected in an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate, followed by a new mine plan which is being developed to incorporate both oxide and sulfide material. We anticipate the sulfide resources could make a significant difference to the mine life and economics of the Carmacks deposit and we look forward to further defining that potential.”
The results of Phase 3 have highlighted the predictable geometry of zone 2000S (see Figure 2). Both drillholes intersected mineralization well below the current sulphide resource1,2, with drill hole CRM21-023 intersecting mineralization approximately 120 meters below the base of the inferred sulphide resource and extending through to approximately 230 m below the base of the current inferred sulphide resource. Two holes drilled in Zone 13 continue to highlight the potential of this zone with CRM21-025 intercepting 120.65 m grading 0.76% Cu, 0.016% Mo, 0.14 g/t Au, 2.53g/t Ag or 0.94% CuEq. These 2021 drill campaign results will be incorporated into an updated National Instrument 43-101 resource estimate being prepared by SGS Canada.
Drillhole
From(m)
To(m)
Length*(m)
Cu(%)
Mo(%)
Au(g/t)
Ag(g/t)
CuEq** (%)
Zone
CRM21-022
233.70
302.00
68.3
0.51
0.009
0.13
2.30
0.66
2000S
CRM21-023
324.23
446.00
121.77
0.39
0.007
0.13
1.76
0.52
Including
330.00
382.75
52.75
0.63
0.009
0.21
2.74
0.84
CRM21-024
54.80
93.00
38.20
0.79
0.005
0.16
3.27
0.95
13
Including
64.00
77.00
13.00
1.47
0.006
0.23
5.85
1.71
CRM21-024
106.50
158.70
52.20
0.26
0.010
0.06
1.01
0.34
Including
134.00
149.00
15.00
0.36
0.021
0.08
1.28
0.51
CRM21-025
88.65
209.30
120.65
0.76
0.016
0.14
2.53
0.94
Including
106.00
155.40
49.40
1.08
0.015
0.20
3.41
1.31
CRM21-025
283.75
287.85
4.10
1.76
0.014
0.14
7.99
1.99
Table 1- Highlights from of 2021 Phase 3 Diamond Drilling
** Copper equivalent (Cu Eq) values assume Cu $3.35/lb, Au $1600/oz, Ag $24/oz, Mo $12/lb and 100% recovery. *Weighted average intercepts shown. Estimated true widths vary but, based on geological interpretation of cross-sections, are estimated to be typically 40-60% of the intersected widths.
Figure 1: Location of diamond and RC drilling in this release
Figure 2: Cross section through 2000S with deepest intercept (CRM21-023)
The phase 2 RC drilling was conducted in Zones 2, 5, 12 at Carmacks and Zone A at Carmacks North. The purpose of the program was to test zones peripheral to the deposit and find targets for follow up with the diamond drill. The program was most successful in Zone 5 where 4 of 4 holes intersected mineralization and, consequently, Zone 5 will be a priority for drilling in 2022. The program was also successful in Zone 12 where it was used to trace and test mineralization on the west side of the zone that is not included in the 2016 resource estimate. Six of seven holes in zone 12 intersected mineralization. At Zone 2, mineralization was intersected in 2 of 6 holes.
At Zone A, the drill was used to test geophysical targets, but the program was cut short due to drilling difficulties. One of the 3 holes intersected mineralization but the other two did not reach target depth due to difficult drilling conditions.
Table 1: Selected highlights from previously released 2020 and 2021 drillholes
Drillhole
From(m)
To(m)
Length*(m)
Cu(%)
Mo(%)
Au(g/t)
Ag(g/t)
CuEq** (%)
Zone
CRM21-004
323.50
367.00
43.50
1.12
0.028
0.20
3.41
1.40
1
Including
338.50
367.00
28.50
1.57
0.042
0.29
4.53
1.96
and including
352.00†
367.00
15.00
1.80
0.066
0.33
4.81
2.31
CRM21-014
355.70
423.45
67.75
0.93
0.009
0.26
5.16
1.20
Including
398.00
423.45
24.45
1.53
0.009
0.41
6.21
1.91
CRM21-019
277.95
345.30
67.35
0.93
0.011
0.31
4.23
1.23
Including
322.00
345.30
23.30
1.7
0.016
0.57
7.51
2.27
CRM21-005
137.05
179.80
43.24
0.74
0.047
0.16
3.82
1.06
2000S
Including
142.05
158.40
16.35
1.20
0.036
0.26
6.11
1.58
CRM21-006
194.40
278.20
83.80
0.64
0.012
0.13
3.23
0.81
Including
229.20
278.20
49.00
0.87
0.018
0.17
3.88
1.10
Including
248.76
266.20
17.44
1.21
0.033
0.22
5.11
1.53
CRM21-011
223.98
329.50
105.52
0.96
0.013
0.18
4.06
1.18
Including
223.98
245.20
21.22
2.17
0.010
0.36
9.13
2.56
and including
260.32
260.82
0.50
18.97
0.008
0.46
38.3
19.72
CRM20-001
102.85
230.12
127.27
0.61
0.028
0.131
2.14
0.85
13
Including
104.85
133.50
28.65
1.03
0.014
0.14
3.09
1.28
CRM21-021
132.15
229.00
96.85
0.62
0.014
0.20
3.04
0.84
Including
132.15
168.00
35.85
0.82
0.013
0.20
3.80
1.04
and including
207.65
229.00
21.35
0.80
0.021
0.43
3.51
1.21
[1] JDS Energy and Mining. Feb 9, 2017. NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Carmacks Project, Yukon, Canada. Contained metal based on 23.76 million tonnes of NI 43-101 compliant resources in the Measured and Indicated categories grading 0.85% Cu, 0.31 g/t Au, 3.14 g/t Ag.
[2] Arseneau Consulting Services, 2016 Independent Technical Report on the Carmacks Copper Project, Yukon, Canada.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Explorations Ltd, to the north and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
Ms. Debbie James, P.Geo., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Senior Geologist with TruePoint Exploration and the Project Manager for the Carmacks Project.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples, making up 12% of the sample stream. Drill core samples were sawn in half, labelled, placed in sealed bags and shipped directly to the Bureau Veritas preparation laboratory in Whitehorse. All geochemical analyses were performed by Bureau Veritas in Vancouver. Copper and silver analysis was performed by four-acid digestion with an ICP-ES finish. Non-sulphide copper was determined through a sulphuric acid leach with an AAS finish. Gold was analyzed by igniting a 15 g sample followed by an aqua regia digestion with an ICP-MS finish.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 7, 2022 / Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX.V:PGE; OTCQB:PGEZF; FSE:5D32) (the “Company” or “Group Ten”) today reports partial results from four drill holes in a second tranche of drill results from the 14-hole resource expansion campaign completed at the Company’s flagship Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project in Montana, USA.
Results continue to support the Company’s priority objective of expanding the October 2021 inaugural mineral resource estimates, with multiple wide and highly mineralized intervals returned in step-out drilling at three deposit areas that span seven kilometers of the 12-kilometer core project area (see Figure 1). Mineralization remains open to expansion along trend and at depth in all deposit areas.
2021 Drill Highlights:
IM2021-04 returned 115 meters of 0.37% Nickel Equivalent (“NiEq”), or 0.98 g/t Palladium Equivalent (“PdEq”) in a step-out hole to the south of the HGR deposit area at Iron Mountain. Mineralization starts at surface and runs the entire length that has been assayed to date, returning 369 meters at 0.22% NiEq (0.60 g/t PdEq). Assays are pending from the bottom 53 meters of the 422-meter hole. As shown in Table 1, successive contained higher-grade intervals include:
9.8 meters of 1.43 g/t 3E (Pd+Pt+Au) plus Ni, Cu, and Co values for total mineralization of 0.74% NiEq, or 1.98 g/t PdEq, and;
4.8 meters of 1.35% NiEq (equal to 3.60 g/t PdEq) as 0.74% Ni, 0.65% Cu, 0.07% Co, and 0.24 g/t 3E.
CM2021-03 returned 0.24% NiEq (0.63 g/t PdEq) across its entire 428-meter length in step-out drilling in the DR and Hybrid deposit area, including contained intervals at higher grades:
30.3 meters of 0.99 g/t 3E plus Ni, Cu, and Co values for a total of 0.51% NiEq, or 1.36 g/t PdEq;
0.50% NiEq, or 1.34 g/t PdEq, over 9.2 meters, and;
0.50% NiEq, or 1.34 g/t PdEq over 7.2 meters in a separate, lower interval.
CM2021-02 returned top-to-bottom mineralization with 333 meters at 0.23% NiEq, or 0.61 g/t PdEq, and successive higher-grade intervals including 17.0 meters of 0.51% NiEq (1.35 g/t PdEq).
These results, in addition to results released December 20, 2021, demonstrate significant potential to expand the October 2021 mineral resource estimates with multiple long intervals at grades well above the 0.20% NiEq cut-off grade used in that study. Moreover, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, these results provide important intercepts in step-out drill holes located up to several hundred meters from three of the five deposits modeled in the 2021 resource estimate:
CM2021-02 and -03 are two of six holes drilled in 2021 in the DR and Hybrid deposit area to step out from high-grade nickel sulphide-PGE mineralization identified in hole CM2020-04. In addition, these holes also returned potentially significant extensions of hybrid-type mineralization. Hole CM2021-01, reported December 20, 2021, was drilled south from the same pad as CM2021-02 and returned 728 meters of continuous sulphide mineralization at 0.27% NiEq, or 0.73 g/t PdEq, with multiple contained intervals at successively higher grades;
CZ2021-02 is one of two holes drilled in 2021 to step-out to the south of the CZ deposit in the area of wide, high-grade mineralization returned in hole CZ2019-01. Hole CZ2021-01, reported December 20, 2021, returned the widest high-grade intercept to date on the project being 63.7 meters of 0.92% NiEq (2.46 g/t PdEq) in this area;
IM2021-04 is one of six holes drilled in the HGR deposit area with the objective of expanding on wide intervals of high-grade mineralization returned in hole IM2019-03 which returned 272 meters at 0.43% NiEq (1.16 g/t PdEq) including 26.8 meters at 1.24 g/t 4E, 0.34% Ni, 0.15% Cu, and 0.019% Co, for 0.96% NiEq (2.55 g/t PdEq).
Assay results remain pending from eight holes, in addition to rhodium assay results on the majority of mineralized intervals reported to date.
Michael Rowley, President and CEO, commented, “The Stillwater Igneous Complex has been a large-scale American source of critical minerals for many decades, from chromium mined in the 1940s and 1950s to palladium and platinum that became essential in the 1980s. Our “Platreef-in-Montana” model is well-timed for what we believe will be the next phase of the Stillwater district’s contribution to critical mineral supply and commodity independence in the USA; world-class nickel and copper sulphide deposits, enriched in palladium, platinum, rhodium, gold, and cobalt and hosted in the lower Stillwater complex at Stillwater West.”
“This second tranche of drill results from our resource expansion campaign builds nicely upon the first results and continues to advance us towards expanded resource estimates in three of the five deposit areas on a priority basis. We continue to see demonstrations of a large mineralized system with an impressive endowment of eight of the commodities listed as critical by the US government in numerous holes across the 12-kilometer core project area. In addition, we continue to see good optionality on possible mining methods with successively higher-grade intervals contained within wider intervals of hundreds of meters of lower grade mineralization. We look forward to reporting additional drill results, exploration plans for 2022, and other news in the near term.”
Table 1 – Highlight Results from 2021 Expansion Drill Campaigns at the DR, Hybrid, CZ, and HGR Deposit Areas
Assays pending for rhodium and certain intervals denoted by *. Highlighted significant intercepts with grade-thickness values over 20 gram-meter PdEq are presented above, except as noted. Grade thickness values cover significant mineralized intervals with total palladium and nickel equivalent grade-thickness determined by multiplying the thickness of continuous mineralization (in meters) by the palladium equivalent grade (in grams/tonne) to provide gram-meter values (g-m) or by multiplying the nickel equivalent grade (in percent) to provide percent-meter values as shown. Total nickel and palladium equivalent calculations reflect total gross metal content using metals prices as follows (all USD): $7.00/lb nickel (Ni), $3.50/lb copper (Cu), $20.00/lb cobalt (Co), $1,000/oz platinum (Pt), $1,800/oz palladium (Pd), and $1,600/oz gold (Au). Equivalent values have not been adjusted to reflect metallurgical recoveries. Total metal equivalent values include both base and precious metals. In terms of dollar value, 0.20% nickel equates to a copper value of 0.40%, or a palladium value of 0.53 g/t, using the above metal values. Intervals are reported as drilled widths and are believed to be representative of the actual width of mineralization.
Upcoming News and Events
Jeffrey Christian, Managing Director of CPM Group, will join Group Ten CEO Michael Rowley for a live webinar on March 8, 2022, at 10:00 am PT (1:00 pm ET) for a concise overview and update on the Company and the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co+Au project with in-depth discussion on the global macro-economic picture, trends and implications for the broader commodities sector and critical minerals, in particular.
This will be an interactive event with participants encouraged to submit questions and comments throughout.
Group Ten is rapidly advancing the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project towards becoming a world-class source of low-carbon, sulphide-hosted nickel, copper, and cobalt, critical to the electrification movement, as well as key catalytic metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium used in catalytic converters, fuel cells, and the production of green hydrogen. Stillwater West positions Group Ten as the second-largest landholder in the Stillwater Complex, with a 100%-owned position adjoining and adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s PGE mines in south-central Montana, USA1. The Stillwater Complex is recognized as one of the top regions in the world for PGE-Ni-Cu-Co mineralization, alongside the Bushveld Complex and Great Dyke in southern Africa, which are similar layered intrusions. The J-M Reef, and other PGE-enriched sulphide horizons in the Stillwater Complex, share many similarities with the highly prolific Merensky and UG2 Reefs in the Bushveld Complex. Group Ten’s work in the lower Stillwater Complex has demonstrated the presence of large-scale disseminated and high-sulphide battery metals and PGE mineralization, similar to the Platreef in the Bushveld Complex2. Drill campaigns by the Company, complemented by a substantial historic drill database, have delineated five deposits of Platreef-style mineralization across a core 12-kilometer span of the project, all of which are open for expansion into adjacent targets. Multiple earlier-stage Platreef-style and reef-type targets are also being advanced across the remainder of the 32-kilometer length of the project based on strong correlations seen in soil and rock geochemistry, geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, and drilling.
About Group Ten Metals Inc.
Group Ten Metals Inc. is a TSX-V-listed Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the development of high-quality platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold exploration assets in top North American mining jurisdictions. The Company’s core asset is the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s high-grade PGE mines in Montana, USA. Group Ten also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals’ development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfield assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon’s high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Group Ten Metals in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana, and Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon’s Minto copper district. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry’s leading explorers/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTC, and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
Note 1: References to adjoining properties are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the exploration potential, extent or nature of mineralization or potential future results of the Company’s projects.
Note 2: Magmatic Ore Deposits in Layered Intrusions-Descriptive Model for Reef-Type PGE and Contact-Type Cu-Ni-PGE Deposits, Michael Zientek, USGS Open-File Report 2012-1010.
2021 drill core samples were analyzed by ACT Labs in Vancouver, B.C. Sample preparation: crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize (mild steel) to 95% passing 105 µm included cleaner sand. Gold, platinum, and palladium were analyzed by fire assay (1C-OES) with ICP finish. Selected major and trace elements were analyzed by peroxide fusion with 8-Peroxide ICP-OES finish to insure complete dissolution of resistate minerals. Following industry QA/QC standards, blanks, duplicate samples, and certified standards were also assayed.
Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Group Ten believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 17, 2022 / Metallic Minerals (TSX.V:MMG | US OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals“, or the “Company“) is pleased to announce drill results from the Central Keno target area, which intercepted high-grade silver mineralization within broad, bulk tonnage intervals akin to those recently discovered at East Keno but previously unknown in this part of Keno Hill. The Caribou target, in particular, is a top priority for resource definition and the Company is currently updating its 3D model based on drilling to date in anticipation of a robust 2022 campaign.
A total of 2,965 meters in 37 reverse circulation (“RC”) holes were completed throughout the Central Keno target areas out of 53 holes in the 6,200 meter (“m”) total 2021 Keno Silver program, along with 20.3 line-kilometers of deep-penetrating IP geophysical surveys. Results from the 26 holes from East and West Keno drilling remain pending.
Central Keno Highlights
32 of the 37 Central Keno RC holes intersected intervals of silver mineralization, with two holes lost short of target depth due to challenging ground conditions.
Multiple high-grade silver intervals were intersected, often within broader, silver-bearing, bulk-tonnage mineralized intervals representing a new target style not previously identified in Central Keno.
In addition to high-grade, vein-hosted silver typical of the Keno Hill district, significant, stacked regional scale thrust faults and associated high-grade epithermal systems have been identified as an additional host for silver mineralization, providing a major expansion of the district’s overall scale potential.
Caribou Target Highlights
Drilling at the advanced-stage Caribou target successfully extended high-grade silver mineralization to the north and 400 meters along strike to the south of the previously known extent of the Caribou structure.
A down-dip intersection, along the northern extent of the Caribou vein, returned some of the highest grades to date and validated the continuity of the high-grade structure at depth, with a 50-meter step out from previously confirmed mineralization.
Hole KS21-47 intersected 27.4 meters of 146.0 g/t silver equivalent1 (“AgEq”), including a high-grade interval of 3.05 meters (“m”) at 1150.8 g/t AgEq (562.06 g/t Ag, 1.48 g/t Au, 3.0% Pb, 6.96%Zn).
Hole KS21-55 intersected 19.8 m grading 119.1 g/t AgEq, including a high-grade interval of 1.52 m at 1009.8 g/t AgEq. (147 g/t Ag, 3.24% Au, 0.99% Pb, 10.90% Zn).
KS21-57 intersected 21.3 m of 147.3 g/t AgEq, including a high-grade interval of 3.05m at 694.9 g/t AgEq (476.35 g/t Ag, 0.40 g/t Au, 4.23% Pb, 0.37% Zn)
Hole KS21-63 intersected 15.2 m grading 97.2 g/t AgEq, including a high-grade interval of 1.52 m at 627 g/t AgEq (500 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 2.35% Pb, 0.45% Zn).
Metallic Minerals Chairman & CEO, Greg Johnson, stated, “We are very encouraged by the results from our work in 2021 which has brought major new insights into the mineralizing controls across the Keno District, particularly at Central and East Keno. Our team has identified significant structural features indicative of regional scale thrust faults that appear to form important permeable zones for hosting high-tenor epithermal-style silver mineralization throughout the central and eastern parts of the Keno District. Work planned for 2022 will follow up on the confluence of these newly identified zones of thrust-associated high-grade epithermal-style silver mineralization with the main phase of Keno-style mineralization and its potential to host high-grade and bulk-tonnage resources.”
“Central Keno continues to show exceptional resource potential through the continued expansion of areas of known high-grade Keno-style silver mineralization, along with this newly recognized epithermal silver mineralization. Drilling in 2021 extended the Caribou target a further 400 meters along strike to the south as well as to the north and down dip, making it, along with the Formo target, a top priority for resource definition of significant scale. Drilling and surface sampling has similarly extended the Homestake target by more than a kilometer along strike, making this historic producer another focus for the 2022 program. Both the advanced-stage, historically productive Caribou and Homestake targets are host to well-defined areas with bonanza grades. Additional results from targets at East and West Keno are anticipated to be reported in the coming weeks, preceded by key updates with respect to our La Plata project in Colorado.”
Figure 1 – Keno Silver District Geology and Deposits
Central Keno Hill Silver District
The central part of the Keno Hill Silver District is host to over 100 million ounces of past production and current Indicated resources in shallow deposits that to date have not previously seen systematic exploration to depth or along strike. Central Keno was one of the original discovery areas in the region and hosted the historic producing Keno Hill mine, along with 8 other high-grade deposits including those on Metallic Minerals land holdings. Metallic Minerals’ work to date in this area shows the presence of a major structural corridor that is comparable in surface expression and structural setting to the +150 million-ounce Bermingham-Calumet system in the more extensively explored western part of the district.
Caribou Target Area
The Caribou target in the central part of the district is one of the most advanced individual targets at the Keno Silver Project. The Caribou deposit historically produced very high-grade material grading more than 1,000 g/t silver from near surface and is interpreted to be a significant connecting structure between the main shear structures in the Keno Summit structural corridor. The Caribou deposit spatially occurs within a high-level silver-in-soil anomaly of over 10 g/t AgEq that extends over 2.5 km long by 1.5 km in width and that remains open to expansion.
As part of the exploration program in 2021, Metallic Minerals completed the first-ever application of deep-sensing IP geophysics on the Keno Silver project using Simcoe Geoscience’s Alpha IPTM system. Two deep-looking IP lines were completed across the Central Keno area, which identified significant conductive features that spatially correspond with the newly mapped regional scale thrust fault structures and associated epithermal style silver mineralization. This IP survey in combination with the drilling and detailed mapping has allowed the Metallic Minerals technical team to identify major conductive features that are spatially associated with kilometer-scale soil and magnetic anomalies and significant silver mineralization. This combination of utilizing drilling, geophysics and soil sampling is a highly effective tool set for targeting mineralization across the Keno Hill silver district.
Figure 2 – Caribou Vein Long Section
Drilling in 2021 returned significant step out extensions of mineralization from the main Caribou deposit to the north, south and down dip. Eight of these holes intersected continuous mineralized zones from 15 to 64 m width including a 400-meter step out that encountered 15.2 m grading 97.2 g/t AgEq with 1.5 m grading 628 g/t AgEq (500 g/t Ag, 0.13 g/t Au, 2.35% Pb, 0.45% Zn). This zone appears to be spatially associated with the location of one of the newly mapped regional thrust faults that can host high-grade epithermal silver mineralization. The high-level silver-in-soil anomaly continues for another 1.5 km to the south along strike from this southernmost drill hole at Caribou.
In addition, holes KS21-46 and -47 tested extension of the Caribou deposit to the north and downdip. These holes both confirmed the continuation of strong silver tenor both on strike to the north and at depth with KS21-47 returning one of the highest-grade down dip holes drilled to date intersecting 1597 g/t AgEq over 1.5 meters within a mineralized zone of 27.4 m width grading 146 g/t AgEq.
Table 1- Highlight 2021 Drill Results from the Caribou Target
Hole
From (m)
To (m)
Width (m)
AgEq (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Au (g/t)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
KS21-46
42.67
44.2
1.53
71.6
1.5
0.73
0.01
0.00
79.25
94.49
15.24
81.9
18.7
0.04
0.17
1.11
incl
79.25
88.39
9.14
85.6
24.0
0.03
0.23
1.05
incl
80.77
82.3
1.53
448.7
125.0
0.13
1.29
5.51
incl
92.96
94.49
1.53
260.4
31.0
0.20
0.22
4.29
KS21-47
92.96
120.4
27.44
146.0
70.6
0.18
0.40
0.88
incl
109.73
112.78
3.05
1150.8
562.1
1.48
3.00
6.96
incl
109.73
111.25
1.52
1597.1
850.0
1.05
2.57
11.46
KS21-52
0
62.48
62.48
35.3
21.9
0.01
0.23
0.07
incl
1.52
25.91
24.39
79.7
51.9
0.02
0.55
0.09
incl
7.62
12.19
4.57
297.0
191.3
0.09
2.16
0.26
incl
9.14
10.67
1.53
500.6
340.0
0.22
2.94
0.49
KS21-54
16.76
42.67
25.91
53.4
35.2
0.01
0.30
0.11
incl
21.34
36.58
15.24
83.8
57.4
0.01
0.50
0.12
incl
22.86
24.38
1.52
517.0
387.0
0.07
2.74
0.30
KS21-55
44.2
76.2
32
75.6
14.8
0.19
0.09
0.82
incl
44.2
64.01
19.81
119.1
22.7
0.30
0.15
1.30
incl
50.29
60.96
10.67
210.8
37.1
0.55
0.26
2.34
incl
50.29
54.86
4.57
467.2
75.8
1.29
0.58
5.21
incl
51.82
53.34
1.52
1009.8
147.0
3.24
0.99
10.90
KS21-57
33.53
54.86
21.33
147.3
100.4
0.07
0.93
0.09
incl
33.53
42.67
9.14
332.4
227.7
0.16
2.15
0.15
incl
35.05
41.15
6.1
486.9
335.2
0.23
3.12
0.20
incl
35.05
38.1
3.05
694. 9
476.4
0.40
4.23
0.37
KS21-61
33.53
77.72
44.19
24.9
11.0
0.01
0.04
0.23
incl
50.29
59.44
9.15
102.6
47.7
0.05
0.16
0.92
incl
51.82
53.34
1.52
337.1
170.0
0.21
0.30
2.83
KS21-63
30.48
45.72
15.24
97.2
75.2
0.02
0.40
0.08
incl
30.48
38.1
7.62
160.1
125.2
0.03
0.65
0.12
incl
33.53
35.05
1.52
627.8
500.0
0.13
2.35
0.45
1Silver equivalent (Ag Eq) values assume Ag $19/oz, Pb $1.05/lb, Zn $1.30/lb, Au $1,800/oz and 100% metallurgical recovery. Sample intervals are based on measured drill intercept lengths.
Exploration to date has hit more than 70 mineralized intersections on the Caribou system over a strike distance of 700 m and down to 100 m depth. The Caribou deposit remains open to expansion to the south, north and down dip making it a top priority for resource focused drilling efforts in 2022. The highlighted results in Table 1 above build upon prior diamond drilling on the Caribou target by Metallic Minerals, results of which can be found here.
Metallic will look to follow up the 2021 success with diamond drilling in 2022 with intent to establish an initial resource at Caribou. Additional diamond drilling will be planned to test the newly extended southern strike and provide context for its association with the thrust structure. Importantly, 2021 drilling encountered ultra-high-grade, Keno-style vein intersects within much broader, bulk tonnage intervals similar to those discovered previously at East Keno in 2020.
Homestake
The historically productive Homestake target is located south of the Keno Summit target area along a parallel structural corridor. The style of the Homestake structure is comparable to those seen at the Keno Summit and in the more developed Western Keno areas. Homestake is comprised of two parallel vein structures within a broad structural corridor over 200 meters wide that has a demonstrated strike length of over 1 km in the host Keno Hill quartzite. Homestake #1 vein shows classic Keno-style, high-grade silver-lead-zinc mineralization, while the #2 vein can also show high gold grades with silver, which is characteristic of some structures in the larger deposits within the Keno Hill Silver District. The highest grades to date include assays of 4,027 g/t silver from drilling and 4,717 g/t silver from trenching on the Homestake #1 vein, and 22.1 g/t gold with 332 g/t silver from trenching on the Homestake #2 vein Prior drill results from Homestake can be found here.
To date there are 21 drilled vein intersections grading more than 600 g/t silver equivalent on the Homestake structures, including five that exceed 10 g/t gold on the Homestake #2 structure. Work in 2021 at Homestake focused on wide-spaced reconnaissance drilling along the main trends as well as extension of the open-ended soil anomalies. The soil sampling work expanded the high-level silver-in-soil anomaly associated with the Homestake mineralized system to 3 km in length by 1.5 km in width with the anomalies still open to further expansion. Intersections of anomalous silver over significant widths indicate a strike length of 1.5 km for the Homestake system. The next phase of systematic testing of these structures will be designed to delineate areas of the high-grade and bulk-tonnage toward development of an initial resource at Homestake.
About the Keno Silver Project
Exploration by Metallic Minerals at the Keno Silver project continues to systematically build on the Company’s 3D geologic database covering the east, central and western portions of the prolific Keno Hill silver district. The project includes eight high-grade, shallow past-producing mines that have yet to be subjected to modern exploration due to previously unconsolidated land ownership. Along the known, historically productive trends in the central and western parts of the district, the Company has advanced three targets towards an initial resource estimate along with identifying 12 priority multi-kilometer-scale early-stage targets in the under-explored eastern and southern parts of the district where initial drilling has returned significant high-grade Keno-style mineralization as well as bulk-tonnage style silver mineralization.
About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a growth-stage exploration company, focused on high-grade silver and gold projects in underexplored, brownfields mining districts of North America. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to exploration in the Keno Hill silver district, La Plata silver-gold-copper district, and Klondike gold district through new discoveries and advancing resources to development. Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada’s Yukon Territory, directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp’s operations, with nearly 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. In addition, exploration at the recently acquired La Plata silver-gold-copper project in southwestern Colorado is targeting a silver and gold-enriched copper porphyry and adjacent high-grade silver and gold epithermal systems. The Company also continues to add new production royalty leases on its holdings in the Klondike gold district in the Yukon. All three districts have seen significant mineral production and have existing infrastructure, including power and road access. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise.
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfields assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon’s high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Group Ten Metals in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana, and Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon’s Minto copper district. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry’s leading explorer/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTC, and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – February 15, 2022) – GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) (OTCQX: SPOFF) (“GoldSpot” or the “Company“), a leading technology services company leveraging machine learning to transform the mineral discovery process, is pleased to announce it has completed work on Granite Creek Copper Ltd.’s(TSXV: GCX) (OTCQB: GCXXF) (“Granite Creek”) Carmacks deposit and Carmacks North target areas, located in the high-grade Carmacks Copper Belt of Canada’s Yukon Territory.
GoldSpot and Granite Creek collaborated to create prioritized exploration and drill targets on the 176 km2 Carmacks copper-gold property. The approaches taken during this collaboration include:
Re-interpretation of geophysical data using GoldSpot’s GeoFEZ software;
Supervised learning of various combinations of geophysical, topographic and surface geochemical data;
Detailed statistical analysis of multi-element geochemical data;
Map-based prospectivity analysis and exploration target generation;
Generation of a revamped 3D geological model; and
Initial test study of company core logging compared with historic imagery, using GoldSpot’s LithoLens.
Proof of concept was achieved when GoldSpot identified several grass-roots target areas previously identified by the Granite Creek team, but not shared with the GoldSpot team. Additional regional targets are new to the Granite Creek team and will be evaluated in the coming field season.
GoldSpot’s collaboration with Granite Creek produced several potential new targets for 2022 exploration and resource expansion, including sub-parallel raft-like domains of possible mineralization adjacent to zones 147, 2000S and 13 at the Carmacks deposit. These were initially hinted at through data mining of the drill hole database. Follow-up geochemical analysis and 3D models suggest a previously unrecognized relationship between geochemistry and mineralized zones, specifically a tell-tale halo around mineralization. These halos indicate several areas for follow-up drill testing. New regional targets have also been produced at Carmacks North using multiple geophysical techniques, including aeromagnetic and induced polarity (IP) surveys.
Vincent Dubé-Bourgeois Chief Executive Officer for GoldSpot commented, “The technologies developed by GoldSpot to provide its innovative technology to partners such as Granite Creek and provided excellent results. The targets generated by GoldSpot AI showed the exploration potential on the Carmacks project.”
Granite Creek President and CEO Tim Johnson stated, “The prospectivity of the Carmacks project has been confirmed and expanded on by the excellent work completed by GoldSpot. The number of new targets combined with the existing targets developed from historical data continues to support our assertion that there is a lot of discovery yet to be made on the property. GoldSpot’s work has advanced our understanding of the property and will become an integral part in our planning for our 2022 exploration program. We look forward to discussing our plans for the upcoming field season and we are on track to deliver a significant update to the existing NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in Q1, as expected.”
About GoldSpot Discoveries Corp.
GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) (OTCQX: SPOFF) is a technology company using artificial intelligence to revolutionize the future of global mineral exploration with a full suite of data and knowledge-driven SaaS tools and services. GoldSpot works with industry leaders across all commodity and deposit types to identify new exploration targets, develop cutting-edge technologies and to strategically invest in mineral exploration companies. Our leading team of expert scientist’s merge geoscience and data science to deliver bespoke solutions that save time, reduce costs and produce far more accurate results than ever before possible.
For further information please contact: Vincent Dubé-Bourgeois CEO and Director GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. Tel: 819-592-1195 Email: investors@goldspot.ca
About Granite Creek Copper Ltd.
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
For further information please contact:
Timothy Johnson, President and CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll-Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 Email: info@gcxcopper.com
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains forward-looking information which involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements regarding exploration results and exploration plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2022 / Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSX.V:GCX | OTCQB:GCXXF) (“Granite Creek” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSX.V: SPOT) (“GoldSpot”) has completed work for Granite Creek Copper’s Carmacks project. GoldSpot was engaged to apply their proprietary machine learning technology and geoscience expertise on the Company’s Carmacks deposit and Carmacks North target area, located in the high-grade Minto copper belt of Canada ‘s Yukon Territory.
GoldSpot is a mining-focused technology company that is working with some of the leading exploration and mining names in the industry to apply cutting edge Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) algorithms to significantly increase the efficiency and success rate of mineral exploration. Recent successes by GoldSpot with leading projects in exploration, development, and production-phases have demonstrated the potential to expand resources and make new discoveries using their advanced analytical technology.
Highlights of the Granite Creek-GoldSpot collaboration include:
Re-interpretation of geophysical data, and the use of GoldSpot’s in-house image processing approach GeoFEZ™, to produce new priority exploration targets
Statistical analysis of multi-element geochemical data to develop geochemical signatures of ‘mineralized lenses (rafts)’
Development of Machine Learning products to help vector towards previously unidentified mineralized horizons (rafts)
Generation of a revamped 3D geological model on the Carmacks deposit
Preliminary analysis of historic drill-core photos using GoldSpot’s LithoLens
Granite Creek’s collaboration with GoldSpot produced several potential new targets (see figure 1), including sub- parallel zones adjacent to zones 147, 2000S and 13 at the Carmacks deposit identified by an analysis of the drillhole database. The spatial relationship between the geochemical signature of mineralization and associated depleted areas haloing mineralization identifies targets areas where a depletion halo occurs with no known associated mineralization. In addition to the target areas in and around the Carmacks deposit, new targets were developed in the Carmacks North area, based on a review of multiple geophysical techniques, including aeromagnetic surveys and induced polarity surveys with the interplay between the survey types generating and confirming the anomalies.
The outcome of this high-quality work provides the technical team at Granite Creek Copper with extremely valuable and necessary tools to assist in drill hole targeting for the 2022 campaign, including resource expansion, early-stage prospects, and exploratory targets on the highly prospective 176 square kilometer Carmacks copper-gold project.
Granite Creek President & CEO, Tim Johnson, stated, “The prospectively of the Carmacks project has been confirmed and expanded on by the excellent work completed by Goldspot. The number of new targets combined with the existing targets developed from historical data continues to support our assertion that there is a lot of discovery yet to be made on the property. Goldspot’s work has advanced our understanding of the property and will become an integral part in our planning for our 2022 exploration program. We look forward to discussing our plans for the upcoming field season and we are on track to deliver a significant update to the existing NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate in Q1, as expected.
Figure 1: Carmacks Project with GoldSpot defined target areas and excising targets and zones
Figure 2: Granite Creek geologist’s review core with Goldspot team at Carmacks Project
Options
Granite Creek also wises to announce that, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, it has granted 1,100,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company, under its long-term incentive plan. The options are exercisable for up to five years, expiring on February 14th, 2027, and each option will allow the holder to purchase one common share of the company at a price of $0.20 per share.
Shares for Debt
Further to its news release of December 23, 2021, the Company has completed the settlement of $86,162 of outstanding debt through the issuance of a total of 344,648 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.25 per share. The shares issued are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, under applicable Canadian securities laws.
About Granite Creek Copper
Granite Creek, a member of the Metallic Group of Companies, is a Canadian exploration company focused on the 176 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada’s Yukon Territory. The project is on trend with the high-grade Minto copper-gold mine, operated by Minto Metals Corp., to the north, and features excellent access to infrastructure with the nearby paved Yukon Highway 2, along with grid power within 12 km. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.gcxcopper.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Timothy Johnson, President & CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll-Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com
Ms. Debbie James, P.Geo., a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 2, 2022 / Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the “Company” or “Group Ten”) reports results from the Induced Polarization geophysical (“IP”) survey completed in 2021 at its 100%-owned Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project in Montana, USA. The 2021 survey was completed as an expansion off the west end of the 2020 survey, covering the area between the Hybrid and DR deposits at Chrome Mountain and drill-defined high-grade gold mineralization at the Pine target area (see Figure 1). The size and strength of the resulting geophysical signatures demonstrate additional potential for large bodies of sulphide mineralization.
2021 Survey Highlights:
High-level geophysical anomalies, measured and modeled in 3D to 800 meters depth, extend the combined model from 9.2 kilometers (“km”) to 12km in length in the center of the 32-kilometer-long Stillwater West project.
The five deposits defined by the Company’s inaugural NI43-101 mineral resource estimate* are set in similar anomalies in the 2020 IP survey and show strong spatial correlations with IP results, demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique in targeting desirable Platreef-style sulphide mineralization in the lower Stillwater complex.
Results of the combined IP surveys suggest significant expansion potential for drill-defined sulphide mineralization in the 2021 mineral resource estimates which delineated a total of 1.1Blbs of nickel, copper, and cobalt, plus 2.4Moz of palladium, platinum, rhodium and gold1.
The expanded survey included the Pine target area with the objective of finalizing drill targets and advancing drill-defined high-grade gold mineralization towards definition of a formal mineral resource.
Very high chargeability readings of over 180 mV/V were returned in the Pegmatoid Ridge target area, coincident with a strong kilometer-scale gold-in-soil anomaly that is contiguous with drill-defined high-grade gold at the Pine target, two kilometers to the southeast. Anomalous palladium, platinum, nickel and copper are also seen in soils in this area.
IP geophysics has proven to be an effective tool for identifying high-grade sulphide mineralization in the lower Stillwater Igneous Complex, guiding Group Ten’s 2020 and 2021 drill campaigns to the discovery of multiple new high-grade magmatic horizons of Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide mineralization, with palladium, platinum, rhodium, gold, and cobalt.
* The Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project 2021 Resource estimate was prepared by Allan Armitage, P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services, an independent Qualified Person, in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) with an effective date of October 7, 2021. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources Reporting. The constrained Mineral Resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 0.20% NiEq. Cut-off grades are based on metal prices of $7.00/lb Ni, $3.50/lb Cu, $20.00/lb Co, $900/oz Pt, $1,800/oz Pd and $1,600/oz Au, with assumed metal recoveries of 80% for Ni, 85% for copper, 80% for Co, Pt, Pd and Au, a mining cost of US$2.20/t rock, and processing and G&A cost of US$12.75/t mineralized material. Rhodium was modeled but not included in equivalency calculations. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate. The current Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this Mineral Resource Estimate are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, based on the current knowledge of the deposits, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
Michael Rowley, President and CEO, commented, “Results from the 2021 IP geophysical survey expanded our model of the core project area by 30% in length and advanced very high-quality targets with some of the highest chargeability readings to date. 3D models developed from the combined survey – and the strong correlation with drill-defined mineralization that is demonstrated across the core 12-kilometer span of the project – highlight the remarkable scale and potential of the mineralized system at Stillwater West and provide important information on structure and geometry for our predictive geologic model to guide future drill campaigns. Near-term, we are looking forward to announcing additional assay results from the 14 resource expansion holes drilled in 2021. Those results will allow us to finalize our exploration plans for 2022 which will focus on resource expansion drilling in priority deposit areas in addition to other high priority targets within the now expanded 12km core project area.”
Figure 1 – 2021 Mineral resource estimates (yellow) show strong correlation with 3D model results of the combined 2020 and 2021 IP survey across the expanded 12km core project area. Very large-scale chargeability and conductivity anomalies, shown in pink and blue respectively, indicate potential for additional large bodies of sulphide mineralization in the lower Stillwater complex.
Upcoming News and Events
Group Ten is pleased to confirm that it will participate in the AME Roundup trade show at booth #302 on Wednesday February 2nd, and Thursday February 3rd, under the Metallic Group of Companies. Core samples will be available for viewing at the booth.
The 2021 Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical survey by Group Ten and Simcoe Geoscience expanded the 2020 survey with an additional 11 lines and 25 line-km of coverage for a new total of 102 line-km of combined coverage spanning the 12km core area of the Stillwater West project.
The combined survey is the largest ever completed in the Stillwater district, successfully imaging the Basal, Ultramafic Series, and basement rocks of the lower Stillwater complex and returning very large-scale anomalies with remarkable continuity, including the highly prospective peridotite zone and basal series that host the 2021 mineral resource estimates. The strength and continuity of the results enabled 3D inversion modeling to a depth of 800 meters, even after the application of high-level cut-offs of >45 mV/V and ≤100 ohm-meter to the chargeability and conductivity datasets, respectively.
As shown in Figure 1, the 2021 expansion survey included one in-fill line at the western edge of the DR and Hybrid deposits in the area of high-grade nickel sulphide mineralization intercepted in hole CM2020-04 (reported March 3, 2021). Completed as part of the Company’s priority on expanding high-grade, and high tenor, nickel sulphides in this area, data from this portion of the survey will inform the 2022 expansion drill campaign.
A second priority of the 2021 expansion IP survey was to detail the area between the DR and Hybrid deposits at Chrome Mountain and drill-defined high-grade precious metals mineralization at the Pine target, in the Wild West target area. Multiple large-scale, contiguous, strong anomalies were identified in this area in the 2021 survey, with many anomalies open past the modeled depth of 800 meters and the majority correlating with soil geochemistry anomalies identified in earlier campaigns. Many of the newly identified chargeability anomalies (>45 mV/V) are extremely large (up to 1,000m by 800m in section), and the correlation with demonstrated mineralization in soil surveys is an indicator of a potential large-scale mineralized system that makes these targets a priority for follow-up work.
Very high-level chargeability values of over 180 mV/V, some of the highest recorded to data on the project, were returned in a near-surface anomaly at the Pegmatoid Ridge target area, which is compelling because of a correlated kilometer-scale soil anomaly with elevated palladium, platinum, nickel and copper, and very high gold results of up to 500 ppb Au. Large-scale geophysical and metal-in-soil anomalies in this area are contiguous with similar anomalies at drill-defined high-grade gold at the Pine target, approximately two kilometers southeast of Pegmatoid Ridge, making these two areas a priority for follow-up exploration by the Company in 2022.
As shown in Figure 1, these very large and high-level anomalies demonstrate an exceptionally strong correlation with the 2021 Mineral Resource Estimates, and the adjacent robust IP anomalies are priority targets for resource expansion drilling in 2022.
Strong spatial correlations are also noted with historic drill results outside of the main target areas, and with other datasets including past geophysical surveys, and soil and rock geochemistry, demonstrating additional potential for expansion of sulphide mineralization at earlier stage targets more broadly across the 32-kilometer length of the project.
Results also demonstrate good correlation with 3D Magnetic Vector Inversion (“MVI”) modeling, completed on earlier geophysical survey data. MVI modeling has been instrumental in a number of large discoveries in recent years, including the expansion of Ivanhoe’s Platreef mine in similar geology in South Africa. As previously announced by Group Ten June 4, 2019, MVI results at Stillwater West indicate significant thickening of the magmatic package under the most advanced target areas relative to other parts of the Stillwater complex, highlighting the potential that the magmatic horizons that host known mineralization may also extend to several kilometers in depth, starting from surface. This is consistent with the adjacent high-grade J-M Reef deposit where mining by Sibanye-Stillwater has extended mineralized horizons to over 2 km depth from surface.
Option Grant
Group Ten further announces it has granted 1,400,000 incentive stock options (the “Options”) to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company Exchange under the Company’s Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). The Options are exercisable for up to five years, expiring on February 2, 2027, and each Option will allow the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.36 per share, being the closing price of the previous trading day. The Options are subject to certain vesting requirements in accordance with the Company’s LTIP and the Options grant is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
About Stillwater West
Group Ten is rapidly advancing the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project towards becoming a world-class source of low-carbon, sulphide-hosted nickel, copper, and cobalt, critical to the electrification movement, as well as key catalytic metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium used in catalytic converters, fuel cells, and the production of green hydrogen. Stillwater West positions Group Ten as the second-largest landholder in the Stillwater Complex, with a 100%-owned position adjoining and adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s PGE mines in south-central Montana, USA1. The Stillwater Complex is recognized as one of the top regions in the world for PGE-Ni-Cu-Co mineralization, alongside the Bushveld Complex and Great Dyke in southern Africa, which are similar layered intrusions. The J-M Reef, and other PGE-enriched sulphide horizons in the Stillwater Complex, share many similarities with the highly prolific Merensky and UG2 Reefs in the Bushveld Complex. Group Ten’s work in the lower Stillwater Complex has demonstrated the presence of large-scale disseminated and high-sulphide battery metals and PGE mineralization, similar to the Platreef in the Bushveld Complex2. Drill campaigns by the Company, complemented by a substantial historic drill database, have delineated five deposits of Platreef-style mineralization across a core 9-kilometer span of the project, all of which are open for expansion into adjacent targets. Multiple earlier-stage Platreef-style and reef-type targets are also being advanced across the remainder of the 32-kilometer length of the project based on strong correlations seen in soil and rock geochemistry, geophysical surveys, geologic mapping, and drilling.
About Group Ten Metals Inc.
Group Ten Metals Inc. is a TSX-V-listed Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the development of high-quality platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold exploration assets in top North American mining jurisdictions. The Company’s core asset is the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater’s high-grade PGE mines in Montana, USA. Group Ten also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project, adjacent to Treasury Metals’ development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, which is currently under an earn-in agreement with an option to joint venture whereby Heritage Mining may earn up to a 90% interest in the project by completing payments and work on the project. The Company also holds the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum‘s Wellgreen deposit in Canada‘s Yukon Territory.
About the Metallic Group of Companies
The Metallic Group is a collaboration of leading precious and base metals exploration companies, with a portfolio of large, brownfield assets in established mining districts adjacent to some of the industry’s highest-grade producers of silver and gold, platinum and palladium, and copper. Member companies include Metallic Minerals in the Yukon’s high-grade Keno Hill silver district and La Plata silver-gold-copper district of Colorado, Group Ten Metals in the Stillwater PGM-nickel-copper district of Montana, and Granite Creek Copper in the Yukon’s Minto copper district. The founders and team members of the Metallic Group include highly successful explorationists formerly with some of the industry’s leading explorers/developers and major producers. With this expertise, the companies are undertaking a systematic approach to exploration using new models and technologies to facilitate discoveries in these proven, but under-explored, mining districts. The Metallic Group is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and its member companies are listed on the Toronto Venture, US OTC, and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
1: See October 21, 2021, news release and Group Ten Metals Technical Report titled “Technical Report on the 2021 Mineral Resource. Estimates for the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au Project, Montana, USA” as filed Dec 6, 2021, with an effective date of Oct 7, 2021.
2: References to adjoining properties are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the exploration potential, extent or nature of mineralization or potential future results of the Company’s projects.
3: Magmatic Ore Deposits in Layered Intrusions-Descriptive Model for Reef-Type PGE and Contact-Type Cu-Ni-PGE Deposits, Michael Zientek, USGS Open-File Report 2012-1010.
Mr. Mike Ostenson, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure outside of the 2021 Resource estimate that is contained in this news release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Group Ten believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.
