Bonterra Resources (TSXV:BTR) has announced the initial results of its 15,000-meter drilling program at the Desmaraisville South project. The company has deployed three diamond drill rigs to explore various new geological and geophysical targets, as well as historical gold mineralization near the surface along the edges of the O’Brien Syenite Intrusion.

Marc-André Pelletier, President and CEO, commented in a press release: “After entering into an earn-in and joint venture agreement with Osisko Mining Inc. in the Urban-Barry camp, our Company has redirected its exploration efforts to focus on our 100%-owned Desmaraisville projects, which is close to where the Bachelor Mill Complex is situated. The current 15,000 m drill program aims to explore new targets across our land package and validate our improved geological interpretation. The recent discovery of mineralized zones at Desmaraisville South supports our current understanding of the gold potential, indicating similarities to the Bachelor and Moroy deposits on the western side of the O’Brien Intrusive, located about 3 km from the Bachelor Mill. The ongoing drill program with three rigs, set to conclude this year, should provide valuable insights that will guide our future exploration strategy. It is to be noted that the nearby Bachelor Mine historically produced over 350,000 ounces of gold from two million tonnes at a grade of 5.0 g/t Au.”

The project, situated within three kilometres of the Bachelor Mill Complex, has seen drilling activities in three distinct areas: north, east, and south of the O’Brien Intrusive. The Southern Area, in particular, has revealed new drilling targets following a reevaluation of previously identified gold-bearing structures. This reevaluation utilized Bonterra’s drill hole database and historical 3D models of high-grade gold intercepts.

To date, 17 diamond drill holes, covering a distance of 4,332 meters, have been completed in the Southern Area. The drilling has uncovered several sub-parallel zones rich in hematite and silica, containing trace to 8% fine-grained and disseminated pyrite, which are hosting the gold mineralization. These mineralized zones vary in orientation and suggest a complex network of brittle zones with different orientations and plunges.

Bonterra has submitted 3,955 samples for assay, with many results still pending. The company also noted that a review of historical data indicated an absence of systematic sampling, with several gold mineralized intervals not sampled adequately. As a result, Bonterra plans to undertake a re-sampling program in early 2024.

Once all analytical data is received, the company intends to update its 3D model to include updated information on geology, alteration, structures, and mineralization. This update aims to enhance understanding and evaluation of the near-surface gold potential in the Southern Area.

Highlights from the results are as follows: 

• 10.97 g/t Au over 10.1 m, including 16.36 g/t Au over 4.7 m in hole BRDS-23-018
• 4.79 g/t Au over 6.3 m, including 9.03 g/t Au over 1.5 m in hole BRDS-23-016
• 2.65 g/t Au over 4.2 m in hole BRDS-23-016

Table 1: Drill Hole Locations – Desmaraisville South project, Quebec

UTM Coordinates, System: NAD83 Zone 18

Table 2: Significant Mineralized Intersections from Drilling on the Desmaraisville South project, South Area

1. The meterage represents the length of the drilled lengths.
2. The mineralized intervals shown above use a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade.
3. Gold results obtained above <0.5 g/t Au and with a Metal Factor above 5.

The above references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a licensed professional for investment advice. The author is not an insider or shareholder of any of the companies mentioned above.