First Mining Identifies Multiple High-Grade Gold Zones in Duparquet Exploration Drilling
- Drill hole DUP24-024 returns multiple gold zones including 10.67 g/t Au over 5.3 m, 6.63 g/t Au over 9.0 m, 3.04 g/t Au over 33.5 m, and 5.97 g/t Au over 33.0 m
- Gold zones hosted in newly identified mafic volcanic units not previously modelled at Duparquet
- Demonstrates significant exploration growth potential at one of the largest gold deposits in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt
"The higher-grade zones at these exceptional widths at Duparquet clearly demonstrate the ongoing resource growth potential in what is already one of the largest established resources in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt," stated
The Phase 2B winter program concluded in
Three more holes were drilled within the Phase 2B winter program and these were strategic in targeting the North Zones' higher-grade trends along strike and down-plunge. These latest drill results have further validated the upside potential for the Project within the
Table 1: Selected Significant Drill Intercepts, 2024 Phase 2B Drill Program (Final Holes)
Hole ID |
|
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length (m) |
Grade (Au g/t) |
Target |
DUP24-022 |
|
598.45 |
605.58 |
7.13 |
2.47 |
|
DUP24-023 |
|
131.0 |
149.45 |
18.45 |
2.38 |
|
DUP24-023 |
inc. |
135.1 |
139.2 |
4.1 |
5.58 |
|
DUP24-023 |
|
170.82 |
173.6 |
2.78 |
4.43 |
|
DUP24-023 |
inc. |
171.6 |
172.3 |
0.7 |
9.80 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
9.0 |
12.0 |
3.0 |
2.15 |
|
DUP24-024 |
inc. |
10.0 |
11.0 |
1.0 |
4.25 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
40.4 |
52.55 |
12.15 |
0.95 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
106.2 |
113.23 |
7.03 |
1.61 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
362 |
365.25 |
3.25 |
2.11 |
|
DUP24-024 |
inc. |
364.5 |
365.25 |
0.75 |
6.05 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
448.4 |
453.7 |
5.3 |
10.67 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
464.0 |
470.0 |
6.0 |
1.05 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
476.0 |
485.0 |
9.0 |
6.63 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
488.5 |
522.0 |
33.5 |
3.04 |
|
DUP24-024 |
inc. |
503.0 |
507.0 |
4.0 |
4.42 |
|
DUP24-024 |
and inc. |
518.0 |
522.0 |
4.0 |
14.78 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
534.0 |
567.0 |
33.0 |
5.97 |
|
DUP24-024 |
inc. |
534.7 |
538.9 |
4.2 |
9.63 |
|
DUP24-024 |
and inc. |
547.0 |
553.0 |
6.0 |
14.43 |
|
DUP24-024 |
|
600.0 |
601.0 |
1.0 |
4.72 |
*Reported intervals are drilled core lengths (true widths are estimated at 15-45% of the core length interval, assay values are uncut) |
A plan map of the final Phase 2B winter exploration holes at the
First Mining's exploration targeting and vectoring has been focused on higher-grade trends believed to be within zones that are associated with a change in specific lithology. Consequently, there has been an increased focus in building up the target resolution through 3D modelling of the contact zones between the syenite-hosted gold mineralization and mafic volcanic stratigraphy, as these are more favourable, proximal settings for higher-grade mineralization owing to their geochemical and rheological attributes.
Since the Company started drilling at the Project in 2023 it has had success in targeting these contact zones and this has become one of the more favourable targeting strategies for higher-grade trends outside of the traditional Beattie syenite. A key factor contributing to these successes is the integration of multiple sources of geoscience data into the 3D modelling and target definition process, including geochemistry, geophysics, oriented core and magnetic susceptibility data.
Three additional drillholes were completed for a total of 1,527.4 m, all targeting the modelled sheared contact of the syenite and the mafic volcanics at the northern contact zone of the main resource ("North Zone Target").
Drill hole DUP24-022 (Figure 2) was drilled as a step-out hole along strike of the main mineralized shear zone at Duparquet, within an area identified with significant extensional resource growth potential. Historical drilling within the area largely occurred above the plunge of the main mineralization system, so this new hole targeted an extensional opportunity within the target area. Hole DUP24-022, as an initial hole successfully returned a significant assay intercept that correlated with the interpreted extension of the targeted main mineralized shear zone, with 2.47 g/t Au over 7.13 m from 598.45 m to 605.58 m. Mineralization within this interval is hosted within a strongly sheared and silica-altered basalt, with quartz carbonate veining representing up to 10% of the core and up to 10% disseminated pyrite mineralization locally. The mafic volcanic unit intercepted in DUP24-022 will be further refined in the upcoming geological model updates. As a successful step-out along strike within this initial vectoring hole, First Mining realizes an important opportunity for additional step-outs that could have a significant potential for resource growth. A series of drill holes are currently in the planning stage to further test the open mineralization along strike and down-plunge during the Phase 3 program.
Drill hole DUP23-023 (Figure 3) was drilled as a down-plunge, extensional follow-up opportunity to the significant intervals returned from DUP24-019 (3.07g/t Au over 10.32 m from 87.94 m to 98.26 m, including 9.19 g/t Au over 0.85 m from 87.94 m to 98.26 m, and 3.19 g/t Au over 4.53 m from 102.30 to 106.83 m, as reported on
An important highlight of the Phase 2B winter program was drill hole DUP23-024 (Figure 5), which was targeting multiple zones and included stepping out to the east of DUP24-018 and drill testing the extension of an interpreted shear-hosted zone within the syenite, as well as testing the continuity of the shear and higher- grade mineralization zone at the contact zones of the syenite and mafic volcanic units.
Drill hole DUP24-024 returned multiple intercepts of significant gold values, with the highlights from the main mineralized shear zone being 10.67 g/t Au over 5.3 m from 448.4 m to 453.7 m, hosted within a 5.3 m wide brecciated quartz-carbonate vein with up to 5% pyrite mineralization that is emplaced along a syenite-basalt contact (Figure 5). A second zone of significant mineralization was intercepted within a strongly sheared and brecciated rhyolite unit with up to 3% disseminated pyrite, which returned 6.63 g/t Au over 9.0 m from 476.0 m to 485.0 m. A third zone, and the second syenite-basalt contact unit within this hole, was intercepted which returned 3.04 g/t Au over 33.5 m from 488.5 m to 522.0 m (including 4.42 g/t Au over 4.0 m and 14.78 g/t Au over 4.0 m), and for this zone strongly brecciated, silica-altered syenite and basalt units with up to 10% localized area of quartz veining and up to 15% disseminated pyrite mineralization were intercepted (Figure 5). The fourth significant interval in this hole was hosted within a localized sheared and brecciated silica-altered basalt unit, with up to 10% quartz vein flooding and up to 3% disseminated pyrite mineralization, and this zone returned 5.97 g/t Au over 33.0 m from 534.0 m to 567.0 m (including 9.63 g/t Au over 4.2 m, and 14.43 g/t Au over 6.0 m). A favourable setting is recognized with the newly identified mineralized basalt units at this locality (Figure 6), and further refinement of the geological model, followed up by extensional drill testing will be a priority in the upcoming Phase 3 program.
"Our geoscience teams have created exceptional momentum and continue to deliver strong results with additional drilling", stated
Exploration activities will be advancing at the Duparquet project through 2024 with continued focus on drilling, regional field work programs that commenced early this spring, and integrating the data from recently acquired airborne geophysical magnetic and LiDAR surveys. A property-wide expanded 3D geological and target model is also in development and the ongoing integration and leveraging of layered datasets supports the targeting based on an integrated geoscience exploration strategy.
Table 2: Final Phase 2B Winter Program Drill Results
Hole ID |
|
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length (m) |
Grade ( Au g/t) |
DUP24-022 |
|
598.45 |
605.58 |
7.13 |
2.47 |
DUP24-022 |
|
637.00 |
638.00 |
1.00 |
0.42 |
DUP24-023 |
|
16.00 |
18.00 |
2.00 |
0.58 |
DUP24-023 |
|
35.52 |
36.45 |
0.93 |
0.62 |
DUP24-023 |
|
48.83 |
49.60 |
0.77 |
1.54 |
DUP24-023 |
|
80.00 |
81.00 |
1.00 |
0.44 |
DUP24-023 |
|
87.33 |
87.88 |
0.55 |
0.99 |
DUP24-023 |
|
96.00 |
97.00 |
1.00 |
0.42 |
DUP24-023 |
|
101.41 |
105.00 |
3.59 |
0.68 |
DUP24-023 |
|
131.00 |
149.45 |
18.45 |
2.38 |
DUP24-023 |
incl. |
135.10 |
139.20 |
4.10 |
5.58 |
DUP24-023 |
|
170.82 |
173.60 |
2.78 |
4.43 |
DUP24-023 |
incl. |
171.60 |
172.30 |
0.70 |
9.80 |
DUP24-024 |
|
9.00 |
12.00 |
3.00 |
2.15 |
DUP24-024 |
incl. |
10.00 |
11.00 |
1.00 |
4.25 |
DUP24-024 |
|
15.00 |
15.97 |
0.97 |
0.44 |
DUP24-024 |
|
19.00 |
20.00 |
1.00 |
0.42 |
DUP24-024 |
|
40.40 |
52.55 |
12.15 |
0.95 |
DUP24-024 |
|
73.00 |
74.00 |
1.00 |
0.76 |
DUP24-024 |
|
106.20 |
113.23 |
7.03 |
1.61 |
DUP24-024 |
|
122.21 |
123.29 |
1.08 |
1.07 |
DUP24-024 |
|
126.83 |
127.65 |
0.82 |
0.99 |
DUP24-024 |
|
136.13 |
137.00 |
0.87 |
1.84 |
DUP24-024 |
|
161.65 |
163.48 |
1.83 |
1.03 |
DUP24-024 |
|
171.00 |
173.00 |
2.00 |
0.88 |
DUP24-024 |
|
182.00 |
183.00 |
1.00 |
0.49 |
DUP24-024 |
|
191.09 |
192.04 |
0.95 |
0.43 |
DUP24-024 |
|
196.00 |
197.00 |
1.00 |
0.71 |
DUP24-024 |
|
210.20 |
210.90 |
0.70 |
0.51 |
DUP24-024 |
|
230.00 |
231.00 |
1.00 |
0.66 |
DUP24-024 |
|
245.00 |
246.00 |
1.00 |
0.65 |
DUP24-024 |
|
266.70 |
267.45 |
0.75 |
1.08 |
DUP24-024 |
|
346.00 |
348.00 |
2.00 |
0.47 |
DUP24-024 |
|
351.00 |
356.00 |
5.00 |
0.92 |
DUP24-024 |
|
362.00 |
365.25 |
3.25 |
2.11 |
DUP24-024 |
incl. |
364.50 |
365.25 |
0.75 |
6.05 |
DUP24-024 |
|
431.10 |
431.60 |
0.50 |
0.48 |
DUP24-024 |
|
437.00 |
437.50 |
0.50 |
0.47 |
DUP24-024 |
|
438.80 |
440.50 |
1.70 |
0.68 |
DUP24-024 |
|
448.40 |
453.70 |
5.30 |
10.67 |
DUP24-024 |
|
455.00 |
455.60 |
0.60 |
0.67 |
DUP24-024 |
|
458.00 |
460.00 |
2.00 |
1.30 |
DUP24-024 |
|
464.00 |
470.00 |
6.00 |
1.05 |
DUP24-024 |
|
476.00 |
485.00 |
9.00 |
6.63 |
DUP24-024 |
|
488.50 |
522.00 |
33.50 |
3.04 |
DUP24-024 |
incl. |
503.00 |
507.00 |
4.00 |
4.42 |
DUP24-024 |
and incl. |
518.00 |
522.00 |
4.00 |
14.78 |
DUP24-024 |
|
527.00 |
528.00 |
1.00 |
4.04 |
DUP24-024 |
|
534.00 |
567.00 |
33.00 |
5.97 |
DUP24-024 |
incl |
534.70 |
538.90 |
4.20 |
9.63 |
DUP24-024 |
and incl. |
547.00 |
553.00 |
6.00 |
14.43 |
DUP24-024 |
|
570.00 |
570.50 |
0.50 |
0.48 |
DUP24-024 |
|
582.70 |
584.20 |
1.50 |
1.34 |
DUP24-024 |
|
587.20 |
590.00 |
2.80 |
0.42 |
DUP24-024 |
|
600.00 |
601.00 |
1.00 |
4.72 |
DUP24-024 |
|
604.00 |
604.70 |
0.70 |
1.63 |
*Reported intervals are drilled core lengths (true widths are estimated at 15-45% of the core length interval; assay values are uncut) |
Table 3: Final Phase 2B Winter Drill Hole Locations,
Hole ID |
Azimuth (°) |
Dip (°) |
Length (m) |
Easting |
Northing |
DUP24-022 |
160 |
-65 |
642.0 |
632280 |
5374770 |
DUP24-023 |
15 |
-60 |
264.0 |
631538 |
5374500 |
DUP24-024 |
358 |
-66 |
621.3 |
632071 |
5374355 |
Note: Collar coordinates in UTM NAD 83 z17 |
1
Further details on the Duparquet PEA can be found in the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report: Preliminary Economic Assessment, |
All sampling completed by First Mining within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Core samples from the 2023 drilling program at
Louis Martin,
First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in
First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr.
ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.
Chief Executive Officer and Director
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the
First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.
The Company is a "foreign private issuer" as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is eligible to rely upon the
Technical disclosure contained in this news release has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements of
NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning the issuer's material mineral projects.
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