Troilus Gold Corp (TSX:TLG, OTCQX:CHXMF) has reported assay results from Zone X22 at its Troilus project in north central Quebec as part of an ongoing 7,800-metre drill campaign designed to define and expand the mineralization of the zone that was initially identified in late 2022.
Since its discovery, the strike length of this zone has expanded to 1 kilometre, originating at the western border of the formerly mined Z87 pit and extending southwest into the Gap Zone, the Montreal-based junior mining company said.
The latest results have confirmed mineral continuity between previously drilled and reported holes in this zone, which continue to return higher-than-average grades over large thicknesses. All results reported herein lie entirely outside of the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) pit shells and will be included in the upcoming Feasibility Study, Troilus said.
“Drilling at X22 only began in late 2022, and results to date have consistently attested to this shallow zone’s strong potential to positively impact the grade profile of Troilus in early years of the mine life,” Troilus CEO Justin Reid said in a statement.
“Today’s results have bridged existing gaps between previously drilled intercepts and provide an increased level of confidence in the continuity of mineralization at higher grades across X22. We look forward to releasing the remaining results of incoming assays in the coming weeks and believe they will build on today’s positive results," he added.
Zone X22 drill intercept highlights:
- Hole X22-23-021
- Intersected 1.36 grams per tonne (g/t) gold equivalent (AuEq) over 18 metres (m) and 3.62 g/t AuEq over 3m within a broader intersection of 0.94 g/t AuEq over 32m, extending down-dip mineralization by 50m beyond previously reported hole X22-23-024, which intersected 1.49 g/t AuEq over 34.5m.
- Hole X22-23-023
- Confirmed 100m of up-dip mineralization with at-surface intersections of 2.07 g/t AuEq over 4 metres, including 6.10 g/t AuEq over 1m (31- 35m downhole), demonstrating mineral continuity from previously reported hole 87-22-446 which intersected 1.79 g/t AuEq over 8m, incl. 7.57 g/t over 1m and 4.31 g/t over 1m; and
- Intersected 2.62 g/t AuEq over 11 metres within a broader intersection of 1.46 g/t AuEq over 30m, from 151 to 181 metres downhole, confirming an additional mineral extension by 100 metres up-dip beyond previously reported hole 87-22-446, which intersected 1.52 g/t AuEq over 12m, incl. 10.51 g/t AuEq over 1m.
Troilus noted that the latest results demonstrate significant grade thicknesses, which are consistent with the higher-than-average grade results obtained since drilling began at X22 in late 2022. Drilling has aimed to define and expand the northeast-southwest mineralized deformation corridor from the west limit of the formerly mined Z87 pit to the southwest and has successfully extended its initial 300m strike length to 1 kilometre. Further drilling will now infill the previously drilled step-out holes to further define the body of mineralization at X22.
The initial 6,000-metre X22 delineation program was expanded by an additional 1,300m following the positive results announced recently, including 10.83 g/t AuEq over 6m within a broader interval of 2.72g/t AuEq over 34m.
This additional drilling is focused on defining high-grade trends in the southernmost extent of the X22 Zone and will also aim to delineate at-surface mineralization near the Z87 pit. Current drill spacing will be evaluated as assays are received, which may warrant further drilling to better define X22’s high-grade near-surface mineralization for inclusion in the upcoming Feasibility Study, Troilus said.
The company said the X22 delineation program is nearing completion, however, over 4,000 metres of assays are pending and will be reported as they become available, it added.
Troilus Gold is a Canada-based junior mining company focused on the systematic advancement and de-risking of the former gold and copper Troilus Mine towards production. From 1996 to 2010, the Troilus Mine produced 2 million-plus ounces of gold and nearly 70,000 tonnes of copper.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com