Generates Over 8 km of Strike Length at Five
Drill Target Areas
VANCOUVER, BC, May 31, 2022
/CNW/ - KORE Mining Ltd. (TSXV: KORE) (OTCQX: KOREF) ("KORE"
or the "Company") is pleased to announce completion of
a highly productive 2021-2022 winter exploration field season and
provides a summary of the western drill targets of the Imperial
Gold Project ("Imperial"). This release summarizes the
geologic context for the five western targets: Ogilby, Powerline
Discovery Outcrop, Ironwood, Smoketree, and East Mesquite
(Figure 1), which are in the western exploration target area
between the Imperial deposit and the Mesquite gold mine (operated
by Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX)). The western target areas include
five targets covering over 2,400 acres across 8.3 kilometers of
strike length.
Western Area Target
Highlights:
Target Area
|
Area (acres)
|
Strike Length (km)
|
Width (km)
|
Gold Assay Highlights
|
Ogilby
|
635
|
1.8
|
0.8
|
1.4 g/t ss, 0.7 g/t
ss
|
Powerline
|
350
|
2.4
|
0.8
|
9.98 g/t ss
|
Ironwood
|
80
|
1.0
|
0.5
|
Anomalous
|
Smoketree
|
15
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
Anomalous
|
East
Mesquite
|
1,350
|
2.6
|
1.1
|
0.08 g/t rc, 0.07 g/t
ss
|
ss = stream sediment sample rc = rock
chip sample g/t = grams per tonne
There are a total of nine drill target areas identified in the
overall Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District ("District") that
captures a 28 kilometers ("km") trend. Refer to
KORE's April 26, 2022 news release
for exploration targets identified on the eastern portion of the
District.
KORE's Executive Chairman, James
Hynes, commented, "KORE had a great field season on the
Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho trend. While the area is still not
fully covered with field mapping and sampling, KORE field tested
all satellite alteration and historic known gold anomalies and
outcrops aligned with the regional geophysical trend from the
Mesquite mine through Imperial towards the closed Picacho
mine. We have a large number of drill targets in inventory
and must now prioritize for additional drill permit applications
."
Over 100 additional rock chip and stream sediment assays are
pending from the winter exploration program and any significant
results will be released. Refer to KORE's May 17, 2022 news release for assays released on
the Powerline and Ogilby target areas.
KORE is committed to operating within
the stringent environmental and labour standards of
California. Exploration drilling
is designed to avoid any sensitive areas and all land disturbances
will be rehabilitated.
Figure 2 shows the georeferenced ground resistivity
sections intersecting the western area targets and mentioned
subsurface anomalies.
Figures 3-5 shows three photo compilations of the western
area prospects Ogilby, Powerline/Smoketree/Ironwood, and East
Mesquite.
Ogilby Target Area
Ground resistivity and induced polarization ("IP") surveys
provide strong evidence that the primary mineralizing structure at
the Imperial deposit is continuous across the 3 km of strike length
to the Ogilby target area. This data indicates two anomalous trends
(Figure 2) which completed reconnaissance scale mapping and
sampling in February 2022. Assay
results have confirmed the presence of gold near the surface trace
of these anomalies, including highlights of 1.4 g/t gold ("Au") and
0.8 g/t Au stream sediment samples (Figure 1). To date, a
total of 19 strongly anomalous samples have been collected along
the 2 km strike length of this WNW-ESE structural corridor.
The Ogilby target area is covered by a thin veneer of young
volcanic flows, which are steeply incised by seasonal stream
channels ("arroyos") that expose the underlying Bear Canyon conglomerate. This unit is a
significant alluvial sandstone conglomerate that covers the
majority of the property. Proximal to known gold occurrences, the
Bear Canyon often displays iron
oxide alteration and quartz + calcite veining (Figure
3). Over nine acres of this type of altered bear canyon
has been documented in the Ogilby target area, which yielded
strongly anomalous assays and suggests that the mineralizing system
is strong and near surface.
Powerline Target Area
The Powerline target area contains the largest and highest-grade
surface expression of gold mineralization west of the Imperial
Deposit. The Powerline area spans over 1300 acres and contains the
highest-grade assay on the property at 9.98 g/t Au. Powerline also
contains all known gneiss exposures west of the Imperial deposit
(Figure 1). The mineralized trend of Powerline remains open and
untested along strike for 3 km to the east, towards the Ogilby
target area.
Ground IP and resistivity survey data indicate two distinct
anomalous structural trends that persist across the strike length
of the Powerline target area (Figure 2). Along these trends, ground
observations have confirmed the presence of these structural
corridors which have assayed strongly anomalous for gold.
Powerline currently contains three named prospect areas: the
Powerline Discovery Outcrop, the Ironwood Prospect, and the
Smoketree Prospect.
The Powerline Discovery outcrop consists of two distinct,
strongly brecciated and altered gneiss exposures that are
interpreted as stacked thrust sheets. These regional scale faults
bring crystalline basement host rock closer to surface. In 2021,
KORE commissioned a multispectral satellite alteration survey,
which highlighted the Powerline discovery area as being strongly
anomalous for chlorite alteration. Other types of alteration
observed at the outcrop include sericite, local silicification and
quartz veining, and strong iron oxide staining (Figure 4).
This is consistent with the alteration assemblage of the Imperial
deposit, which was used to "tune" or fingerprint the signature
associated with gold mineralization.
Similar to the Powerline Discovery Outcrop, the Ironwood
Prospect contains two structurally dismembered gneiss outcrops
which are strongly folded, brecciated, and altered (Figure
4). Ironwood was first identified as an area of interest by the
multispectral satellite data. The Ironwood outcrop is the largest
gneiss exposure west of the Imperial deposit and forms a cliff
approximately 25 feet tall. Ironwood is interpreted to have been
formed via the same thrust fault architecture which causes the
exposure of the Powerline discovery outcrops 2.5 km to the
northwest.
The Smoketree Prospect is a low grade subcrop of gneiss with an
associated anomalous gold trend detected downstream. Smoketree is
overlain by a thin veneer of Bear
Canyon conglomerate that appears to be moderately altered
and veined. The poor exposure of Smoketree makes it a priority
target for the fully permitted person-portable drilling system,
which produces BQ sized core at depths up to 30 feet.
East Mesquite Target
Area
The East Mesquite segment boundary is located only 2 km to the
southeast from the operating Mesquite Mine's Vista pit. Geophysical
survey data indicates a strong anomaly that is directly on strike
with the mineralized trend of the Vista pit. A small gneiss
exposure referred to as the "Predator Hill outcrop" has been
observed along this trend and provides strong evidence of
structural continuity (Figure 5).
Adjacent to the segment boundary in the southeast is a
turtleback feature similar in character to the Powerline target
area, which contains the highest-grade gold assays on site. Follow
up reconnaissance sampling is ongoing in this area.
About the Imperial
Gold Project
KORE owns 100% of the Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District which
consists approximately 31,000 acres of claims
capturing the entire
28-km trend from the operating
Mesquite mine (Equinox Gold - TSX:EQX)
to the closed
Picacho mine and including KORE's
Imperial project. In the
District, gold is hosted in local fault
structures related to a series of regional faults
connecting the known District deposits.
Those three District deposits (Mesquite,
Imperial and Picacho) were discovered in exposed outcrops and
from placer workings. The rest of the District is covered by
alluvium and has never been systematically explored.
The Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District centers on KORE's
Imperial project. Imperial is a structurally controlled orogenic
gold deposit. The 100% oxide gold deposit is currently defined at
2.44 km long and up to 0.75 km wide and is open both along strike
and down dip. It is hosted in a shallowly
southwest dipping, amphibolite grade metamorphic rock suite along a west-
northwest trending low-angle regional thrust fault system
which controls the regional geometry of mineralization. East-west
striking, post-mineralization normal faults control the property
scale geometry of mineralization. Geophysical characterization
of the deposit and regional controlling structures is an essential
component of exploration for additional resources.
Imperial has a mineral resource
estimate and a positive preliminary economic assessment effective April 6, 2020
with the following highlights:
- Robust economics: US$ 343 million
NPV5% post-tax with 44% IRR at US$
1,450 per ounce gold
- Low capital intensity project with only US$ 143 million pre-production capital cost
- Average 146,000 ounces gold per year over 8 years for 1.2
million ounces total production
- Technically simple project: shallow open pit, run-of-mine heap
leach with existing infrastructure
- Value enhancement through Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District
exploration and resource expansion
The Company's NI 43-101 compliant resource and
preliminary economic assessment is titled "Preliminary
Economic Assessment – Technical Report Imperial Gold Project"
effective as of April 6, 2020 and
revised and amended on June 10, 2021, prepared by
Terre Lane and Todd Harvey of Global Resource Engineering and
Glen Cole of SRK Consulting
(Canada) Inc. can be found under
the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's
website.
About KORE Mining
KORE Mining is focused on responsibly creating value from its
portfolio of gold assets in California,
USA. The Company is advancing the Imperial project towards
development while continuing to explore across both district-scale
gold assets. Management and Board, along with strategic investor,
Eric Sprott (26% owner), are aligned
with all KORE shareholders with the goal of creating per share
value.
Further information on Imperial and KORE can be found on
the Company's website at http://www.koremining.com/ or by
contacting us as info@koremining.com or by telephone at (888)
407-5450.
On behalf of KORE Mining Ltd
"Scott
Trebilcock"
Chief Executive Officer
(888) 407-5450
Technical information with respect to the
District and Imperial Gold Project contained
in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
Marc Leduc, P.Eng, who is KORE's
Senior Technical Consultant and former COO, and is the qualified
person under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the
technical matters of this news release.
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.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating
to the future operations of the Company and other statements that
are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often
identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate",
"expects", "intends", "indicates" and similar expressions. All
statements other than statements of historical fact, included in
this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding
the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward- looking
statements.
Forward‐looking statements in this news release include, but are
not limited to, statements with respect to: the nature and
implication of sample assay results, the potential of target areas,
the highly prospective nature of the project; the strategy,
process, timing and grant of a permit for regional exploration
drilling in the 28-kilometer Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District
("Regional Exploration Drilling"); potential actions,
behavior or position of the
Bureau of Land Management (the "BLM");
the underexplored and prospective nature of the Imperial Regional
Exploration Drilling area; the results of the preliminary economic
assessments for the Imperial Project, including future project
opportunities, the projected NPV, permit timelines, the current
mineral resource estimate, and the ability to obtain the requisite
permits; the market and future price of and demand for gold; the
opportunities of expansion at the Imperial Project; and the ability
to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including all levels of
government. Such forward‐looking statements, and any assumptions
upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our
current judgment regarding the direction of our business. In
connection with the forward‐looking information contained in this
presentation, the Company has made numerous assumptions, including,
among others: there being no significant change to current
geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical
conditions at the Imperial Project; exploration, permitting, and
development of the Imperial Project being consistent with current
expectations and planning; the geological, permitting and economic
advice that the Company has received is reliable and is based upon
practices and methodologies which are consistent with industry
standards; and other planning assumptions. While the Company
considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies.
Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward‐looking information. Known risk
factors include, among others: the outcome of BLM's review
processes for permitting, including the final
outcome(s) of BLM's mineral claim validity examination(s) and
administrative review process(es) with respect to the Imperial
Zone, including a change to the findings from the mineral claim
validity examination conducted in 2002 for the mill
sites at the Imperial Zone, resulting in the Company having to
move its future Imperial Zone project
support facilities to areas that are not within the Indian Pass mineral
withdrawal area; the possibility that BLM may require and/or
conduct further mineral claim validity examinations with respect to
the Imperial project, and the outcome and final determination
of such examination could, among other things, invalidate one or
more mining claims; the possibility that BLM or other governmental
authority review of the Regional Exploration Drilling program,
delays or changes the Company's plan for Regional
Exploration Drilling permitting, which could result, among other
things, in delays, additional project requirements, additional
costs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones;
the exploration drill program may not be
completed as planned; the need to obtain additional
financing; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of
future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or
development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program
milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and
other government approvals.
Additional risks and uncertainties are described in the "Risks"
sections of (i) the Company's Annual Information Form for the year
ended December 31, 2020 prepared as
of April 29, 2021, and (ii) the
Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the nine months
ended September 30, 2021, both
available under the Company's issuer profile on www.sedar.com.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the
date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation
to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or results, except as may be
required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance
that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource
will be converted into mineral reserve. Itis
uncertain if further exploration will allow improving the
classification of the Indicated or Inferred mineral resource.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
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SOURCE Kore Mining