AbraSilver (TSXV:ABRA) has announced promising diamond drill assay results from its ongoing Phase III exploration program at its fully-owned Diablillos project in Salta Province, Argentina. The drilling at the JAC zone continues to reveal high-grade silver oxide mineralization at shallow depths, accompanied by gold and underlying copper and silver mineralization in sulphides.
John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented in a press release: “Our drill results continue to encounter multiple thick intercepts of oxide silver in virtually every hole as we increase confidence and extend the size of the new high-grade JAC discovery. The JAC zone features a highly attractive combination of scale, grade and continuity, which is expected to significantly increase the economics of our Diablillos project. We look forward to additional drill results and incorporating all the data into an updated Mineral Resource estimate later this year.”
Dave O’Connor, Chief Geologist, also commented: “Today’s drill results further define and expand the high-grade core area of the new JAC zone. Additionally, the contact zone between the oxides and underlying sulphides continues to show substantial potential for an extensive zone of high-grade silver dominant mineralisation at the base of the oxide zone as well as for significant underlying copper sulphide mineralisation with associated precious metal content.”
Significant findings from the recent JAC zone drilling include:
- DDH 23-017, designed to examine the JAC zone’s southwest extension, discovered several silver mineralization zones in oxides, including a 12.0-meter section with 876.1 g/t Ag at a 92.0-meter downhole depth.
- DDH 23-020, aimed at the JAC zone’s northern margin, intersected multiple silver and gold mineralization zones in oxides, such as a 19-meter section with 149.5 g/t Ag and 0.78 g/t Au at a 127.0-meter downhole depth.
- DDH 23-021, located in the southeastern drill target area, encountered high-grade silver mineralization in oxides, including a 32.0-meter section with 530.8 g/t Ag and 0.60 g/t Au at a 161.5-meter downhole depth.
To date, AbraSilver has drilled around 20,000 meters in 85 holes, as part of the 22,000-meter Phase III program, mainly targeting the JAC zone. The exploration findings will form the basis for an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and will be included in a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Diablillos project, expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.
Additional exploration targets southwest of the Oculto MRE have been identified based on the recently completed detailed ground magnetic survey. Some of these targets, including the Fantasma and Alpaca targets, are expected to be drilled following the systematic drilling of the JAC zone.
The La Coipita project saw the completion of a deep hole reaching 1,242 meters. The company has finalized core splitting and sent final sample shipments to the lab. Assay results are anticipated around late June and will be reported upon receipt and interpretation.
The 80 km2 Diablillos property, acquired by AbraSilver from SSR Mining Inc. in 2016, is situated in the Argentine Puna region. The property hosts several known mineral zones, with the most advanced being the Oculto zone, where over 120,000 meters have been drilled to date.
Table 1 – Diablillos Drill Result Highlights in JAC Zone (Intercepts greater than 2,000 gram-metres AgEq shown in bold text):
Drill Hole | From (m) |
To (m) |
Type | Interval (m) |
Ag g/t | Au g/t | Cu % | AgEq1 g/t | ||
DDH-23-015 | 103.0 | 118.0 | Oxides | 15.0 | 84.1 | – | – | 84.1 | ||
DDH-23-016 | 61.0 | 88.0 | Oxides | 27.0 | 46.2 | 0.01 | – | 47.0 | ||
DDH-23-017 | 92.0 | 104.0 | Oxides | 12.0 | 876.1 | – | – | 876.1 | ||
DDH-23-017 | Includes | 94.0 | 96.0 | Oxides | 2.0 | 4,968.4 | 0.14 | – | 4,979.9 | |
DDH-23-017 | 110.0 | 113.0 | Oxides | 3.0 | 72.4 | – | – | 72.4 | ||
DDH-23-017 | 132.0 | 134.0 | Oxides | 2.0 | 77.0 | – | – | 77.0 | ||
DDH-23-018 | 108.0 | 130.0 | Oxides | 22.0 | 51.8 | – | 51.8 | |||
DDH-23-018 | 151.0 | 160.5 | Sulphides | 9.5 | 47.2 | – | 0.67 | 47.2 | ||
DDH-23-018 | 171.0 | 175.5 | Sulphides | 4.5 | 65.8 | – | 0.46 | 65.8 | ||
DDH-23-020 | 79.5 | 89.5 | Oxides | 10.0 | 161.5 | – | – | 161.5 | ||
DDH-23-020 | 92.5 | 99.0 | Oxides | 6.5 | 47.2 | 0.02 | – | 48.8 | ||
DDH-23-020 | 104.0 | 122.0 | Oxides | 18.0 | 66.7 | 0.12 | – | 76.5 | ||
DDH-23-020 | 127.0 | 146.0 | Oxides | 19.0 | 149.5 | 0.78 | – | 213.4 | ||
DDH-23-020 | 148.0 | 151.0 | Oxides | 3.0 | 79.7 | 0.13 | – | 90.3 | ||
DDH-23-021 | 137.0 | 143.0 | Oxides | 6.0 | 63.1 | 0.03 | – | 65.6 | ||
DDH-23-021 | 156.0 | 157.0 | Oxides | 1.0 | 49.2 | 0.82 | – | 116.4 | ||
DDH-23-021 | 161.5 | 193.5 | Oxides | 32.0 | 530.8 | 0.60 | – | 579.9 | ||
DDH-23-021 | 193.5 | 199.5 | Sulphides | 6.0 | 52.6 | – | 1.32 | 52.6 | ||
DDH-23-022 | 53.5 | 79.0 | Oxides | 25.5 | 58.6 | 0.01 | – | 59.4 | ||
DDH-23-023 | 50.5 | 110.0 | Oxides | 59.5 | 103.4 | 0.05 | – | 107.5 | ||
DDH-23-023 | 143.0 | 147.0 | Oxides | 4.0 | 86.8 | – | – | 86.8 |
Note: All results in this news release are rounded. Assays are uncut and undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are estimated to be approximately 80% of the interval widths.
1AgEq based on 81.9(Ag):1(Au) calculated using long-term prices of US$25.00/oz Ag and US$1,750/oz Au, and 73.5% process recovery for Ag, and 86.0% process recovery for Au as demonstrated in the Company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment in respect of Diablillos dated January 13, 2022, using formula: AgEq g/t = Ag g/t + Au g/t x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery).
Collar Data
Hole Number | UTM Coordinates | Elevation | Azimuth | Dip | Depth (m) | |
DDH 23-015 | E719591 | N7198755 | 4,159 | 315 | -60 | 179 |
DDH 23-016 | E719552 | N7198754 | 4,156 | 315 | -60 | 170 |
DDH 23-017 | E719505 | N7198680 | 4,151 | 0 | -60 | 170 |
DDH 23-018 | E719427 | N7198634 | 4,145 | 315 | -60 | 203 |
DDH 23-020 | E719705 | N7198845 | 4,169 | 0 | -60 | 211 |
DDH 23-021 | E719765 | N7198755 | 4,175 | 0 | -60 | 215 |
DDH 23-022 | E719570 | N7198766 | 4,160 | 0 | -60 | 161 |
DDH 23-023 | E719686 | N7198866 | 4,168 | 315 | -60 | 170 |
Table 2 – Oculto Mineral Resource Estimate – As of October 31, 2022
Category | Tonnage (000 t) |
Ag (g/t) | Au (g/t) | Contained Ag (000 oz Ag) |
Contained Au (000 oz Au) |
Measured | 19,336 | 98 | 0.88 | 60,634 | 544 |
Indicated | 31,978 | 47 | 0.73 | 48,737 | 752 |
Measured & Indicated | 51,314 | 66 | 0.79 | 109,370 | 1,297 |
Inferred | 2,216 | 30 | 0.51 | 2,114 | 37 |
Notes: Effective October 31, 2022. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The Mineral Resource estimate is N.I. 43-101 compliant and was prepared by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP(Geo), Independent Consultant. The mineralization estimated in the Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit methods. For additional information please see Technical Report on the Diablillos Project, Salta Province, Argentina, dated November 28, 2022, completed by Mining Plus, and available on www.SEDAR.com.
Comments are closed.