Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSX-V:KTN) told investors that it has completed the first four drill holes of the current phase of drilling at the Columba high-grade silver project in Mexico and is awaiting assays.
The company said the ongoing program, announced earlier this month, has been designed to step out along and beneath the known extents of the well-mineralized D-Vein and is expected to total 12-15 holes for approximately 3,000 meters (m).
Although it has yet to receive analyses, it said the logging geologists have reported visual confirmation of mineralization and veining typical of D-Vein in the holes to date where modeling predicted.
Veining and associated stockwork mineralization in drilled length in each hole was observed to measure approximately 5m vein/stockwork, 8.2m vein and 23m stockwork, 10m vein and 26m stockwork and 1m vein, 3m stockwork in holes CDH-23-136 through CDH-23-139 respectively. Stockwork refers to a complex system of small, irregular veins.
The four holes were drilled to target depth on the two westernmost sections of the planned campaign and represent 50m step-outs from known intercepts of D-Vein, one of the best mineralized veins encountered on the property so far.
“We are very pleased with the progress so far. I am encouraged to see the strongly mineralized D-Vein encountered as expected in these holes and significantly wide halos of stockwork mineralization that adds to the potential to increase known mineralization more quickly along this structure,” Kootenay president and CEO James McDonald said in a statement.
“We are awaiting assay results and will report on them when received and compiled.”
The company said the first 12 holes of the current program are designed to extend the D-Vein in preparation for a follow-up program aimed to achieve a maiden resource in late 2024.
In addition to the D Vein, the company said it maintains a priority list of new vein targets and known vein extensions all warranting drill testing.
Kootenay Silver is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com