AuTECO Minerals Ltd (ASX: AUT) has drilled further high- grade gold intersections at its Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario, Canada.
The company recorded exceptional drill results from step-out drilling at the Tyson discovery, with two separate high-grade intersections, 2.7m @16.1g/t and 2.3m @16.4g/t gold, just slightly apart from each other in hole AUDD0347.
These intersections are located ~70m along strike of the previously reported zone of 7.8m @16.7g/t gold, providing further evidence of broad-scale continuity of mineralization in the Tyson veins.
Furthermore, a new zone of banded iron hosted mineralization was encountered returning an intersection of 11.9m @3.5g/t gold from 432.4m downhole (AUDD0340), which remains open both along strike and at depth.
This style of mineralization has the potential to be extracted by bulk mining methods and is a key part of the AuTECO exploration focus.
Other high-grade mineralized intersections from the ongoing drill programme include:
o 5.7m @5.4g/t gold from 415.1m downhole AUDD0344 (Vein 19 Footwall vein – new structure)
o 0.4m @19.6g/t gold from 390.8m downhole AUDD0339 (Vein 5)
Winter drilling commences
Drilling has commenced on the regional winter exploration programme with two diamond drill rigs currently on site.
The firming of ground over winter provides the company with access to areas across its tenements that are harder to reach in warmer months.
The initial focus of the winter exploration programme will follow up significant drill intersections from last year’s seasonal campaign at the Talia discovery (5.5m @18.0g/t gold) and Cohen- MacArthur, where assays of up to 92g/t gold were returned.
Later in the season, the rigs will focus on drill testing the Tarp Lake Shear zone, a major regional gold bearing structure with strong potential for a significant discovery.
First assay results from the regional programme are expected before the end of the March quarter.
AuTECO intends to continue its dual focus on both in-mine expansion at Pickle Crow and regional exploration to test for further gold mineralisation on the company’s highly prospective 500sq. km of exploration claims to provide the next generation of Resource growth for the company.
“Our latest drilling has turned up some fantastic results, particularly from the Tyson area, which continues to deliver exceptional high-grade results over multiple drill sections,” CEO, Darren Cooke, said.
“We had two separate intersections in the hole, just slightly apart from each other, about 70m along strike from a previously reported high-grade intersection, demonstrating signs of continuity of mineralization at Tyson.
“Our focus now turns to regional drilling over the next three-months, as access to areas improves with the ground firming over the winter period.
“We look forward to following up some of the stellar results from last year’s winter drill programme, such as the bonanza-grade intersection of 2.1m @92g/t at Cohen MacArthur.
“Today’s results are a great start to what promises to be an exciting year for AuTECO, which will see us build on the 2.23Moz @7.8 g/t Inferred Gold Resource.
“With the continued regional drilling campaign, AuTECO is poised for an exciting 2023.”
The company intends to continue with a dual-track approach to drilling for the remainder of 2023, targeting extensional in-mine Resource growth drilling and regional exploration.
As site accessibility improves in winter, the exploration focus through March 2023 continues to be on regional exploration in addition to near mine targets that are in-accessable during summer, such as parts of Tyson. First results from regional targeting at Cohen-MacArthur and Talia are expected towards the end of the current quarter.
AuTECO holds ~500sq. km of highly prospective exploration tenure at Pickle Crow, with just 5% previously drill tested by the company, presenting an opportunity for further upside potential at the world-class high-grade gold project.
For further information please visit: https://www.autecominerals.com/
