AuTECO Minerals Ltd (ASX:AUT) has intersected more high-grade gold while targeting the Tyson discovery at its Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario, Canada.
Step-out drilling along the Tyson veins continues to extend the gold footprint at Pickle Crow, with some of the best results including:
- 2.7 metres at 16.1 g/t gold from 309.6 metres downhole; and
- 2.3 metres at 16.4 g/t from 320.2 metres downhole.
AuTECO believes it’s looking at strong continuity — the latest gold hits are directly along strike from a previous hit of 7.8 metres at 16.7 g/t gold.
What’s more, the fresh intersections show the 2.2-million-ounce, 7.8 g/t inferred gold resource remains open in all directions.
Poised for an exciting 2023
AuTECO CEO Darren Cooke said: “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.
“We had two separate intersections in the hole, just slightly apart from each other, about 70 metres along strike from a previously reported high-grade intersection, demonstrating signs of continuity of mineralisation at Tyson.
“Today’s results are a great start to what promises to be an exciting year for AuTECO, which will see us build on the 2.23-million-ounce at 7.8 g/t inferred gold resource.
“With the continued regional drilling campaign, AuTECO is poised for an exciting 2023.”
Focus on regional drilling
With the Tyson drilling in the can, AuTECO has set its sights on a regional exploration program during Canada’s winter.
Thanks to firmer ground conditions, the explorer can access tenements that are harder to reach in the summer months.
Initially, AuTECO’s winter program will comprise follow-up work at the Talia discovery, where last year’s campaign unearthed results like 5.5 metres at 18 g/t.
The field team will also hone in on the Cohen-MacArthur prospect, home to assays up to 92 g/t gold.
Later in the season, the rigs will focus on drill testing the Tarp Lake Shear zone, a major regional gold-bearing structure with strong discovery potential.
Cooke continued: “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 program, such as the bonanza-grade intersection of 2.1 metres at 92 g/t at Cohen-MacArthur.”
What’s on the horizon?
AuTECO will progress its dual-track approach to drilling throughout 2023, targeting extensional in-mine resource growth drilling and regional exploration.
As site accessibility improves in winter, exploration through March will focus on regional exploration, as well as near-mine targets that are inaccessible during summer (such as parts of Tyson).
The first results from regional targeting at Cohen-MacArthur and Talia are expected towards the end of the current quarter.
AuTECO holds around 500 square kilometres of highly prospective exploration tenure at Pickle Crow, with just 5% previously drill tested by the company.
Ultimately, this represents an opportunity for further upside at the world-class Pickle Crow gold camp.