Announcement • Apr 08
Winshear Metals Reports Additional Soil Sampling Results, Presenting Numerous Large Gold Targets from the 2025 Exploration Program at the Thunder Bay Project
Winshear Metals reported results from the follow-up soil sampling program over the 360km2 Thunder Bay Project, Ontario, which has identified several large gold targets. A total of 272 reconnaissance till samples were collected. Till sample results clearly identified the Inflection and El Dorado targets as well as a number of secondary targets in the central and northern parts of the project area. All till samples were analyzed for multi-element using aqua regia digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with an optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) finish and Fire Assay with an Atomic Absorption finish (FA AA) for gold, with initial results reported September 2025. A total of 565 B horizon soil samples were subsequently collected in more detailed sampling density over the Inflection and El Dorado targets in Third Quarter and Fourth Quarter, 2025. These were analyzed with the same analytical package as the till samples. Soil sample results clearly show large gold-in-soil anomalies at both Inflection and El Dorado. The Inflection gold target is focused in a structurally complex area at the intersection of the southeast trending Shebandowan and Gold Hill Faults and the NE trending Loon Lake and Thunder Bay Faults. The El Dorado Target is located at the intersection of the Loon Lake /Thunder Bay Faults with the east-west trending El Dorado Fault. This target is open in all directions. Subsequent to the field season, the Company decided to re-analyse all till and soil samples for gold using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) to exploit this technique’s lower detection limit. While there was some discrepancy between the FA AA and INAA analytical techniques, the results largely correlate spatially, apart from a 3rd strong anomaly identified in MacGregor Township in the INAA results. The ~10km long anomaly, named the MacGregor Target is located between the Inflection and El Dorado targets, where the MacGregor Fault intersects the Loon Lake Fault (120 ppb Au in Till). Finally, a secondary and intriguing target named Kingfisher, was located along the Kingfisher Fault in the northern part of the project area. The Company has expanded its land potion to cover more of this prospective fault. INAA gold results for the soil samples clearly show the strength of the Inflection Target, with assays up to 299 ppb Au. The Company will conduct a number of detailed infill soil sampling grids as soon as weather conditions permit, followed by airborne magnetics to refine the gold targets for prospecting and drill target definition. Till samples were collected by using pickaxes and shovels to excavate a hole deep enough to expose unweathered material and determine if it was basal till before an approximately 3kg sample was collected. Samples were stored at the contractor‘s secure warehouse facility before being transported by the contractor staff to the Actlabs laboratoy in Ancaster, Ontario. B horizon soil samples were collected at individual stations using a hand auger. At each site, surface organic material (O/A horizons) was removed. Where present, a B-horizon soil sample was collected from the first well-developed, oxidized horizon beneath the organics (typically ~15–40 cm depth, depending on local conditions). Approximately 0.5 kg of fine material (avoiding large clasts, roots, and obvious contamination) was placed into labeled sample bags and sealed. Sample ID, UTM coordinates (NAD83 Zone 16), sample medium/type, and site notes were recorded in the field. Samples were transported to Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Thunder Bay, Ontario for preparation. Gold was analysed using a 30g sample and FA AA (Fire Assay with an Atomic Absorption finish) with a detection limit of 5ppp. Multi-element analysis was conducted using Actlabs‘ 1E3 method – ICP-OES (inductively couple plasma optical emission spectroscopy finish), providing results for 38 elements, including silver, arsenic, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, lead, antimony and zinc. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) analysis was also conducted by Actlabs. Samples are encapsulated and irradiated in a nuclear reactor. After a suitable decay, samples are measured for the emitted gamma ray fingerprint. INAA is considered to be a very good technique for Au analysis with a detection limit of 1ppb.
