Kootenay Silver Inc (TSX-V:KTN) announced promising results from the initial six drill holes targeting the eastern extension of the D-Vein at its Columba project in Mexico.
The findings extend the strike length of the high-grade silver vein and set the stage for more extensive drilling, according to a release from Kootenay.
Four of the first six holes were shallow, aimed at determining the vein's dip orientation, the company said in a statement.
These were followed by deeper holes, which were significant 200-meter step outs from previous intercepts, confirming the presence of high-grade silver below 1,750 meters elevation, a crucial depth for mineralization at Columba.
Drill holes expanded the strike length from 450 meters to 650 meters between previous intercepts and the new holes.
Highlights from the results include 435 grams per ton (g/t) silver over 11 meters, 3.52 meters estimated true width, and 920 g/t silver over 0.43 meters estimated true width.
Another hole intersected 347 g/t silver over 3.36 meters estimated true width.
"We increased the magnitude of step outs on the D-Vein with 100 to 300-meter step outs to great success on the first few holes,” James McDonald, CEO of Kootenay said in a statement.
“These large step outs along strike and down dip are rapidly building volume of mineralized vein. We are very excited to continue stepping out and are preparing to add a drill rig to test high-priority targets while one will remain dedicated to step out then infill drilling of D-Vein."
The current drilling program is designed to extend the strike length of D-Vein mineralization in preparation for a follow-up program of 20,000 meters, aimed at delineating a maiden resource by late 2024.
Additionally, Kootenay is prioritizing new vein targets and extensions for future testing.