Highlights include 46 m at 2.87 g/t Au in
drill hole HMP141
THUNDER BAY, ON, Dec. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines
Limited (TSX-PG) is pleased to provide results from the
remainder of the 2016 surface drilling program and metallurgical
test work completed on the Company's 100%-owned Hasaga Project (the
Property) in the Red Lake gold
mining district of Northwestern
Ontario. The program was primarily focused on the
in-fill drilling of near surface mineralization in key target areas
in advance of a maiden mineral resource estimate that is expected
to be released early in Q1 2017.
Premier's largest 2016 exploration program was completed at
Hasaga that included 50,000 metres of drilling. The resource
estimate that will focus on the open pit potential of the Hasaga,
Central and Buffalo Zones will also include an additional 60,000
metres of drilling that was completed in 2015.
Highlights from the final batch of the 2016 drill hole
results include the following:
- HMP141 intersected 2.87 g/t Au across 46.0 m beginning at
185.0 m, including 4.28 g/t Au across 28.0 m
- HMP145 intersected 1.67 g/t Au across 70.0 m beginning at
89.0 m
- HMP147 intersected 2.22 g/t Au across 42.0 m beginning at
142.0 m
- HLD073 intersected 3.88 g/t Au across 32.0 m beginning at
308.0 m, including 55.70 g/t Au across 2.0 m
- Metallurgical results demonstrate gold recoveries of between
94% and 97%
All abbreviations used in this press release are available by
following this link (click here).
The Hasaga Property (See Figure 1) is host to the past-producing
Hasaga, Buffalo and Gold Shore Mines and is being evaluated for the
potential for both lower grade open-pit mining scenarios and higher
grade mineralization that may occur at depth. Premier regards
Hasaga as having exploration potential similar to other historic
mining camps in Ontario, where
gold resources have been discovered at the site of past-producing
mines. Open pit mining has not made a significant contribution to
the Red Lake area's past
production however, Premier believes this is an opportunity that
has largely been overlooked.
"Having acquired the majority of the Hasaga land package through
an exchange of some non-core assets, the drilling has been able to
demonstrate a significant increase in value from organic growth in
our portfolio," commented Stephen
McGibbon, Premier's Executive Vice-President on the
Company's C-Suite Blog
(http://www.premiergoldmines.com/news/c-suite-blog). "These final
drill results are the culmination of an aggressive two year
exploration campaign at Hasaga and the maiden mineral resource
estimate is expected to reflect some of that value addition."
Central Zone
The drill hole intercepts of HLD069 through to HLD075 (See Table
1 and Figure 2) represent new results from the infill drill program
within the Central Zone that was undertaken to demonstrate
continuity of mineralization. The Central Zone is characterized by
widespread persistent mineralization associated with
silicification, weakly disseminated sulphides and variably
distributed quartz veinlets within the Dome Stock that begins at
surface and remains open at depth. The additional drilling
conducted at this target has validated results reported in earlier
campaigns and helped provide better understanding of the internal
variability of higher grade material and its continuity. The
Central Zone remains open at depth and west of the property
boundary.
During 2017, Premier may conduct a limited amount of additional
drilling on the margins of the deposit to further evaluate its
extent. Follow up drilling on the high grade intercept
of hole HLD073 and other holes will target intersecting structures
that also controlled the ore mined at Gold Shore
Mine.
Table 1: Highlight results from recent drilling at the
Central Zone target
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole
ID
|
Coordinates
(m)
|
Azimuth/Dip
|
Elevation
(m)
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Intercept
(m)
|
Au
(g/t)
|
Intercept
(ft)
|
Au
(oz/t)
|
Comment/
Zone
|
HLD069
|
440931 E / 5652000
N
|
-46 / 217
|
369
|
46.0
|
52.0
|
6.0
|
0.98
|
19.7
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
109.0
|
161.0
|
52.0
|
0.93
|
170.6
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
124.0
|
127.0
|
3.0
|
7.57
|
9.8
|
0.22
|
Including;
VG
|
HLD070
|
440931 E / 5652078
N
|
-81 / 217
|
369
|
59.0
|
149.0
|
90.0
|
0.70
|
295.2
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
119.0
|
149.0
|
30.0
|
1.01
|
98.4
|
0.03
|
Including
|
|
|
|
|
228.0
|
238.0
|
10.0
|
1.07
|
32.8
|
0.03
|
|
HLD071
|
441001 E / 5652156
N
|
-82 / 215
|
375
|
53.0
|
136.0
|
83.0
|
0.79
|
272.2
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
102.0
|
126.0
|
24.0
|
1.39
|
78.7
|
0.04
|
Including
|
|
|
|
|
202.0
|
227.0
|
25.0
|
0.76
|
82.0
|
0.02
|
|
HLD072
|
441146 E / 5652357
N
|
-75 / 207
|
366
|
227.0
|
309.0
|
82.0
|
0.94
|
269.0
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
228.0
|
231.0
|
3.0
|
5.32
|
9.8
|
0.16
|
Including;
VG
|
|
|
|
|
326.0
|
355.0
|
29.0
|
0.91
|
95.1
|
0.03
|
VG
|
HLD073
|
441137 E / 5652356
N
|
-46 / 91
|
366
|
308.0
|
340.0
|
32.0
|
3.88
|
105.0
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
318.0
|
320.0
|
2.0
|
55.70
|
6.6
|
1.63
|
Including;
VG
|
HLD074
|
441137 E / 5652356
N
|
-54 / 179
|
367
|
223.0
|
235.0
|
12.0
|
0.71
|
39.4
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
316.0
|
372.0
|
56.0
|
1.14
|
183.7
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
318.0
|
341.0
|
23.0
|
2.26
|
75.4
|
0.07
|
Including
|
HLD075
|
441216 E / 5652360
N
|
-46 / 209
|
367
|
122.0
|
131.0
|
9.0
|
2.17
|
29.5
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
491.0
|
564.0
|
73.0
|
1.25
|
239.4
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
528.0
|
531.0
|
3.0
|
11.99
|
9.8
|
0.35
|
Including;
VG
|
HLD076
|
441036 E / 5651931
N
|
-52 / 55
|
379
|
6.6
|
66.0
|
59.4
|
0.88
|
194.8
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.0
|
26.0
|
3.0
|
7.30
|
9.8
|
0.21
|
Including;
VG
|
|
|
|
|
132.0
|
145.0
|
13.0
|
1.14
|
42.6
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
233.0
|
241.0
|
8.0
|
1.41
|
26.2
|
0.04
|
|
HLD078
|
440810 E / 5652525
N
|
-64 / 150
|
360
|
315.0
|
321.0
|
6.0
|
0.70
|
19.7
|
0.02
|
|
HLD079
|
440721 E / 5652300
N
|
-66 / 152
|
367
|
361.0
|
364.0
|
3.0
|
1.89
|
9.8
|
0.06
|
|
HLD080
|
440817 E / 5652338
N
|
-60 / 153
|
359
|
148.0
|
196.0
|
48.0
|
0.84
|
157.4
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
235.0
|
238.0
|
3.0
|
3.00
|
9.8
|
0.09
|
|
HLD081
|
441173 E / 5651796
N
|
-36 / 29
|
378
|
62.0
|
63.0
|
1.0
|
5.97
|
3.3
|
0.17
|
|
HLD082
|
440933 E / 5652418
N
|
-66 / 152
|
366
|
150.0
|
188.0
|
38.0
|
1.22
|
124.6
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
200.0
|
308.0
|
108.0
|
0.80
|
354.2
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
203.0
|
207.0
|
4.0
|
4.29
|
13.1
|
0.13
|
Including
|
|
|
|
|
346.0
|
400.0
|
54.0
|
1.01
|
177.1
|
0.03
|
|
HLD084
|
441044 E / 5652505
N
|
-37 / 347
|
362
|
31.0
|
32.0
|
1.0
|
10.70
|
3.3
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
60.0
|
68.0
|
8.0
|
1.31
|
26.2
|
0.04
|
VG
|
|
|
|
|
101.0
|
122.0
|
21.0
|
0.80
|
68.9
|
0.02
|
|
HLD085
|
441269 E / 5651870
N
|
-38 / 48
|
372
|
42.0
|
45.0
|
3.0
|
6.94
|
9.8
|
0.20
|
VG
|
HLD086
|
441039 E / 5652502
N
|
-35 / 89
|
362
|
20.0
|
25.0
|
5.0
|
0.90
|
16.4
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
133.0
|
136.0
|
3.0
|
4.52
|
9.8
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
248.0
|
249.0
|
1.0
|
10.20
|
3.3
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
453.0
|
469.0
|
16.0
|
0.70
|
52.5
|
0.02
|
|
HLD087
|
441254 E / 5651818
N
|
-35 /
91
|
379
|
48.0
|
50.0
|
2.0
|
27.53
|
6.6
|
0.80
|
VG
|
HLD088
|
440811 E / 5652525
N
|
-35 / 274
|
360
|
233.0
|
238.0
|
5.0
|
4.04
|
16.4
|
0.12
|
VG
|
HLD089
|
441221 E / 5652366
N
|
-35 / 48
|
367
|
294.0
|
302.0
|
8.0
|
0.81
|
26.2
|
0.02
|
|
HLD090
|
440857 E / 5652421
N
|
-66 /
154
|
362
|
384.0
|
418.0
|
34.0
|
1.18
|
111.5
|
0.03
|
|
HLD091
|
441219 E / 5652363
N
|
-36 / 137
|
367
|
186.0
|
196.0
|
10.0
|
1.27
|
32.8
|
0.04
|
|
HLD092
|
441143 E / 5652354
N
|
-37 / 42
|
366
|
256.0
|
260.0
|
4.0
|
2.60
|
13.1
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
366.0
|
374.0
|
8.0
|
0.99
|
26.2
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
606.0
|
609.0
|
3.0
|
3.83
|
9.8
|
0.11
|
|
HLD093
|
440801 E / 5652262
N
|
-60 / 152
|
368
|
158.0
|
160.0
|
2.0
|
18.49
|
6.6
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
187.0
|
240.0
|
53.0
|
1.13
|
173.8
|
0.03
|
VG
|
|
|
|
|
313.0
|
325.0
|
12.0
|
3.03
|
39.4
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
397.0
|
424.0
|
27.0
|
0.82
|
88.6
|
0.02
|
|
HLD094
|
440934 E / 5652418
N
|
-35 /
333
|
366
|
287.0
|
290.0
|
3.0
|
18.71
|
9.8
|
0.55
|
VG
|
HLD095
|
440933 E / 5652417
N
|
-35 / 3
|
366
|
206.0
|
212.0
|
6.0
|
1.68
|
19.7
|
0.05
|
VG
|
HLD096
|
441263 E / 5651848
N
|
-35 / 80
|
374
|
268.0
|
285.0
|
17.0
|
0.97
|
55.8
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
297.0
|
306.0
|
9.0
|
0.77
|
29.5
|
0.02
|
|
UTM NAD83, Zone 15, -
True widths are estimated to be 35 to 60% of core length
|
Buffalo Zone
The Buffalo Mine target occurs within the Dome Stock at surface
and remains open at depth. The Buffalo Zone characterized by
widespread persistent mineralization associated with
silicification, weakly disseminated sulphides and variably
distributed quartz veinlets containing tourmaline and visible gold.
Drilling conducted at this target has validated historic results
and helped provide better understanding of the internal variability
of higher grade material and its continuity. Hole HMP 141, which
returned 46.0 metres of 2.87 g/t Au, was the deepest planned hole
that confirms mineralization is open at a depth exceeding 200
metres down plunge. Figure 3 is plan view of the
Buffalo Zone showing the new intercepts. The geology on
Figure 3 is simplified and does not show the complexity of mafic
volcanics-granodiorite contact.
During 1980-82, Wilanour Resources completed 6,600 metres of
surface drilling at Buffalo and processed a bulk sample consisting
of some 29,000 tonnes (31,986 short tons) of mineralization from an
open pit and underground ramp that graded 2.19 g/t Au (0.064 oz/ton
Au). The Buffalo Mine area has largely remained idle since the
Wilanour exploration and development campaign, which was limited in
scope. Premier believes the evaluation of this target area remains
incomplete.
During the upcoming 2017 exploration campaign, Premier
anticipates further evaluation of the Buffalo target area as well
as drilling at depth on the Hasaga Porphyry target, which occurs to
the northeast of the Buffalo area (see Figure 1).
Table 2: Highlight results from recent drilling at the
Buffalo Zone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hole
ID
|
Coordinates
(m)
|
Azimuth/Dip
|
Elevation
(m)
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Intercept
(m)
|
Au
(g/t)
|
Intercept
(ft)
|
Au
(oz/t)
|
Comment/
Zone
|
HMP141
|
439925 E / 5650714
N
|
-70 / 330
|
367
|
185.0
|
231.0
|
46.0
|
2.87
|
150.9
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
192.0
|
220.0
|
28.0
|
4.28
|
91.8
|
0.12
|
Including;
VG
|
HMP142
|
439883 E / 5650770
N
|
-35 / 0
|
364
|
43.0
|
86.0
|
43.0
|
1.20
|
141.0
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
64.0
|
66.0
|
2.0
|
12.6
|
6.6
|
0.37
|
Including;
VG
|
HMP143
|
439830 E / 5650798
N
|
-35 / 0
|
364
|
45.0
|
74.0
|
29.0
|
2.23
|
95.1
|
0.07
|
|
HMP144
|
439799 E / 5650754
N
|
-62 / 16
|
360
|
152.0
|
162.0
|
10.0
|
1.02
|
32.8
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
169.0
|
174.0
|
5.0
|
1.35
|
16.4
|
0.04
|
|
HMP145
|
439799 E / 5650754
N
|
-51 / 21
|
360
|
89.0
|
159.0
|
70.0
|
1.67
|
229.6
|
0.05
|
VG
|
HMP146
|
439840 E / 5650718
N
|
-45 / 25
|
360
|
106.0
|
154.0
|
48.0
|
1.44
|
157.4
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
167.0
|
178.0
|
11.0
|
5.05
|
36.1
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
196.0
|
204.0
|
8.0
|
0.81
|
26.2
|
0.02
|
|
HMP147
|
439840 E / 5650718
N
|
-60 / 26
|
360
|
142.0
|
184.0
|
42.0
|
2.22
|
137.8
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
166.0
|
170.0
|
4.0
|
10.26
|
13.1
|
0.30
|
Including;
VG
|
HMP149
|
439762 E / 5650784
N
|
-76 / 12
|
363
|
13.0
|
25.0
|
12.0
|
0.83
|
39.4
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
39.0
|
50.0
|
11.0
|
0.99
|
36.1
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
63.0
|
67.0
|
4.0
|
1.41
|
13.1
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
142.0
|
159.0
|
17.0
|
1.21
|
55.8
|
0.04
|
|
HMP150
|
439925 E / 5650713
N
|
-76 / 18
|
367
|
178.0
|
179.0
|
1.0
|
3.09
|
3.3
|
0.09
|
|
UTM NAD83, Zone 15, -
True widths are estimated to be 35 to 60% of core length
|
Metallurgical Results
Premier has recently completed a metallurgical scoping program
on samples from the Hasaga, Central and Buffalo Zones with the
intent to characterize the lithological and mineralization domains
of the project areas, and to complement the planned mineral
resource estimates. Although bottle roll tests utilizing coarser
crush sample composites (¼", ½", ¾" crush sizes) does not
support the potential for heap leach processing, the baseline
bottle roll cyanidation study indicated very good recoveries for
all grade ranges (See Table 4) with metallurgical results of
between 94% and 97% when grinding to 80% passing 200 mesh. The
three zones sampled also appear to be amenable to gravity recovery
with results ranging from 21.7% to 77.3%. Table 3 summarizes
the sampling conditions for the bottle roll tests. Coarse crush
cyanidation tests returned less than 50% recovery rates.
Table 3: Bottle roll test sampling conditions
Parameter
|
Value
|
Target Grind -
P80
|
74μm
|
Slurry
Density
|
40% solids
w/w
|
Slurry pH
|
10.5 to
11.0
|
NaCN
concentration
|
0.5 g/l
|
Total Leach
Duration
|
48 hours
|
Sampling
Periods
|
2,8,24,32 & 48
hours
|
Table 4: Detailed Metallurgical results (48 hour Leach
time)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comp
|
Zone
|
Feed Size
P80, μm
|
Head Grade
(g/t)
|
Residue
(g/t)
|
Au % Recovery
CN (Unit)
|
Reagent
Consumption
Kg/t of CN Feed
|
Calc
|
Direct
|
48
h
|
NaCN
|
CaO
|
1
|
Hasaga
|
72.0
|
0.90
|
0.76
|
0.07
|
92.8
|
0.64
|
0.28
|
2
|
Hasaga
|
76.0
|
1.38
|
1.42
|
0.06
|
95.8
|
0.64
|
0.29
|
3
|
Hasaga
|
72.0
|
0.65
|
0.96
|
0.04
|
93.8
|
0.63
|
0.24
|
4
|
Hasaga
|
80.0
|
1.54
|
1.45
|
0.11
|
93.2
|
0.55
|
0.28
|
5
|
Hasaga
|
70.0
|
1.07
|
1.19
|
0.03
|
97.7
|
0.68
|
0.27
|
6
|
Hasaga
|
75.0
|
0.99
|
1.08
|
0.10
|
89.5
|
0.72
|
0.30
|
Averages
|
Hasaga
|
74.2
|
1.09
|
1.14
|
0.07
|
93.8
|
0.64
|
0.28
|
7
|
Central
|
71.0
|
4.59
|
2.95
|
0.05
|
98.9
|
0.68
|
0.21
|
8
|
Central
|
72.0
|
1.86
|
1.66
|
0.06
|
96.8
|
0.71
|
0.25
|
9
|
Central
|
76.0
|
3.03
|
3.13
|
0.20
|
93.4
|
0.09
|
0.32
|
10
|
Central
|
72.0
|
0.49
|
0.60
|
0.02
|
95.9
|
0.62
|
0.21
|
11
|
Central
|
71.0
|
1.48
|
2.31
|
0.07
|
95.3
|
0.7
|
0.19
|
12
|
Central
|
74.0
|
0.55
|
0.61
|
0.02
|
96.4
|
0.55
|
0.19
|
13
|
Central
|
79.0
|
1.10
|
1.54
|
0.05
|
95.8
|
0.64
|
0.27
|
14
|
Central
|
74.0
|
1.08
|
1.05
|
0.06
|
94.8
|
0.61
|
0.41
|
15
|
Central
|
77.0
|
0.31
|
0.25
|
0.04
|
87.5
|
0.58
|
0.24
|
16
|
Central
|
78.0
|
1.02
|
0.97
|
0.05
|
94.7
|
0.69
|
0.27
|
Averages
|
Central
|
74.4
|
1.55
|
1.51
|
0.06
|
95.0
|
0.59
|
0.26
|
17
|
Buffalo
|
73.0
|
2.51
|
2.16
|
0.09
|
96.2
|
0.38
|
0.39
|
Premier remains focused on building its mining business towards
mid-tier gold producer status. In addition to its two
producing mines, South Arturo and Mercedes, the Company is
beginning to plan for future operations with a potential
underground plan for the 100%-owned McCoy-Cove Property in
Nevada and the ongoing permitting
for future development at Hardrock in Ontario (Trans-Canada JV). Premier also
remains focused on organic growth initiatives in the company and is
actively exploring several prospective projects.
Stephen McGibbon, P. Geo., is the
Qualified Person for the information contained in this press
release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National
Instrument 43-101. Assay results are from core samples sent
to either Accurassay Laboratories or Activation Labs, both
accredited mineral analysis laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario, for preparation and
analysis utilizing both fire assay and screen metallic
methods. Metallurgical results are from core samples sent to
SGS Minerals Services in Lakefield, accredited to the requirements of
ISO/IEC 17025 for specific tests including Mineralogical Tests for
QEMSCAN, XRD and Precious Metal Studies, Diamond and Indicator
Mineral Studies as listed in their scope of accreditation.
Premier Gold Mines Limited is a gold producer and
respected exploration and development company with a high-quality
pipeline of precious metal projects in proven, accessible and safe
mining jurisdictions in Canada,
the United States, and
Mexico.
This Press Release contains certain information that may
constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian
securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but
is not limited to, statements about the completion of the
Financing, strategic plans, including future operations, future
work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of
minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of
geological reports and corporate and technical objectives..
Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of
assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause
the actual results and future events to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information,
including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse
economic and market developments and the risks identified in
Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors".
There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such information.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking information. All forward-looking information
contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and
is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and
information available to management as at the date hereof.
Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law.
SOURCE Premier Gold Mines Limited