Announcement • Jul 16
TomaGold Reports Assay Results From Extension Of Drill Hole TOM-25-009EXT At Berrigan Mine Project
TomaGold Corporation announced assay results from the extension of drill hole TOM-25-009 (TOM-25-009EXT), completed as part of Phase 2 of its drilling program at the Berrigan Mine Project, located in the Chibougamau Mining Camp, Québec. Drill hole TOM-25-009EXT intersected multiple zinc, gold, silver and copper-rich mineralized intervals at depths between 389.35 m and 530.35 m. The mineralized intersections include 29.90 m grading 2.24% ZnEq (0.52 g/t AuEq) from 469.25 m to 499.15 m, including 1.75 m at 8.03% ZnEq, 2.60 m at 7.32% ZnEq, and 1.55 m at 6.45% ZnEq; 13.75 m grading 1.83% ZnEq (0.43 g/t AuEq) from 395.20 m to 408.95 m, including 1.00 m at 6.18% ZnEq; and 4.35 m grading 2.46% ZnEq (0.58 g/t AuEq) from 526.00 m to 530.35 m, including 0.90 m at 8.87% ZnEq. Drill hole TOM-25-009EXT fills a strategic gap between discovery hole TOM-25-015 (5.08% ZnEq over 98.50 m) and the recently reported TOM-25-011EXT (2.05% ZnEq over 204.25 m), confirming the lateral continuity of the Berrigan Deep zone over more than 250 metres. Mineralization has been consistently observed in the drill core recovered from all three other extension holes, with assay results still pending. The extension of drill hole TOM-25-009 (TOM-25-009EXT), extended to a final depth of 621 m, successfully intersected the upper portion of the modeled conductive plate. These results confirm the three-dimensional accuracy of the geological model. The drill hole was specifically designed to test the upper portion of the conductive plate modeled at depth. Originally terminated at 276 m during Phase 1, the hole was extended by an additional 345 m to a final depth of 621 m. It intersected a lithological sequence dominated by altered pyroxenites and peridotites, confirming the presence of a significant polymetallic hydrothermal system. The data from the extension of drill hole TOM-25-009 further support the model of a large hydrothermal system extending at depth. The mineralized intersection cuts an ultramafic to mafic sequence consisting of alternating pyroxenites and peridotites, lithologies that have proven to be excellent hosts for mineralization at Berrigan. From 389.35 m to 530.35 m, the mineralization is characterized by lenses and clusters of sulphides (locally reaching up to 50%, dominated by pyrrhotite and sphalerite, with chalcopyrite also present). Notably, these sulphides are closely associated with an intense system of blue quartz and carbonate veins and veinlets, indicating high-temperature hydrothermal fluid circulation. Mineralization is preferentially concentrated within sheared and brecciated zones that served as conduits for hydrothermal fluids. This strong structural permeability is accompanied by intense and pervasive alteration (carbonatization, chloritization and talc alteration), demonstrating the persistence and intensity of the Berrigan Deep hydrothermal system. The reported widths represent core lengths. True width is estimated to be approximately 80-85% of the core length, depending on the deviation angles. ZnEq and AuEq are calculated using the Company’s standard parameters. AuEq calculation was based on USD 4,150/oz Au, USD 51.34/oz Ag, USD 5.023/lb Cu and USD 1.392/lb Zn. AuEq = Au g/t + (Ag g/t × 0.01237) + (Cu ppm × 0.000083) + (Zn ppm × 0.000023), applying metallurgical recovery factors of 95% for zinc, 85% for gold and silver, and 90% for copper, based on a metallurgical report on Berrigan Mine zinc material prepared by Process Research Associates Ltd. in February 2002 and on recoveries from nearby deposits for gold, silver and copper. ZnEq calculation was based on USD 4,047/oz Au, USD 50.22/oz Ag, USD 4.796/lb Cu and USD 1.390/lb Zn. ZnEq = Zn ppm + (Ag g/t × 527) + (Au g/t x 42466) + (Cu ppm × 3.45) /10,000, applying metallurgical recovery factors of 95% for zinc, 85% for gold and silver, and 90% for copper, based on a metallurgical report on Berrigan Mine zinc material prepared by Process Research Associates Ltd. in February 2002 and on recoveries from nearby deposits for gold, silver and copper The property has been the subject of more than one historical estimate. Met-Chem Canada Inc. prepared the most recent of these in April 2001 in a report titled: “Pre-feasibility study: Etude Conceptuelle, Projects Berrigan and Tortigny” by Chuinard et al. In the report, a resource estimate completed using polygonal estimation techniques stated 1.39 Mt grading 3.17% Zn and 1.77 g/t Au on the main Berrigan Mine zone. No resource classifications were given for the resource (GM61359). The mineral resource estimate presented above is historical in nature and was not prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 standards. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to rely on this estimate, as the Company is not treating the estimate as a current mineral resource. The qualified person has not done sufficient work to make the resource current. Substantial data compilation, verification, and, potentially, additional drilling and resampling would be required by a qualified person before the historical estimate could be classified as a current mineral resource. There can be no assurance that any portion of the historical mineral resource will ultimately be confirmed or demonstrated to be economically viable. The drilling program was managed by Explo-Logik of Val-d’Or, Québec. Drill core was split in half, with one half submitted to AGAT Laboratories at Val-d’Or for analysis. Gold was analyzed by fire assay (50 g) with atomic absorption finish, while base metals were analyzed by four-acid digestion with ICP-OES finish. Samples with gold grades greater than 10 g/t are reprocessed using metallic screening with a 106 µm cutoff. The processed material is split and analyzed by fire assay with ICP-OES finish to extinction. A separate split is prepared to independently analyze mineralized intervals with a target grade greater than 1.00% Cu-Zn using a Na2O2 fusion with ICP-OES or ICP-MS finish. Sample preparation duplicates, certified reference standards, and blanks are inserted into the sample stream. The technical content of this press release has been reviewed by Jean Lafleur, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration of the Company, and Suzie Tremblay, P.Geo., Vice President of Operations at Explo-Logik Inc. and a consultant to TomaGold, each of whom is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.
