Kootenay Silver Inc (TSX-V:KTN) announced that it has started a new drill program at the Columba silver project in Chihuahua, Mexico.
The 15 to 17-hole, 5,000-meter drill program is following up on previous intercepts from the highly prospective D-Vein target, a silver-bearing quartz-calcite-barite vein structure which hosts the highest grades and widths seen at the project to date.
The exploration company said the program is designed to extend the D-Vein ahead of a follow-up program, likely 15,000 meters, which will be used to support a maiden resource.
The maiden resource is expected in late 2024, depending on additional drilling beyond the 5,000-meter program and the required financing.
“The initial holes of this program will be shallow to confirm dip and then will transition into large step outs along strike of around 100 meters,” Kootenay Silver CEO James McDonald commented.
“This is to quickly determine and demonstrate the overall size of the D Vein shoot along strike."
Final assay results from the drill program are expected in four to six weeks.
Since 2019, Kootenay Silver has completed more than 30,000 meters of drilling in 147 holes at the Columba project which has intercepted several veins with high silver grades and widths.
The company’s management believes the project could be a newly recognized vein district that is nearly entirely preserved from erosion.