AuMEGA Metals Ltd has received positive signs from a high-resolution airborne magnetic geophysical survey over the Hermitage Gold-Antimony Project in south-central Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Results from the survey covering about 234 square kilometres and consisting of 4,756 line-kilometres demonstrate significant geological complexity across the entire 27-kilometre strike length.
Encouragingly, several second-order and third-order faults were revealed throughout the project area.
Large geological structures at Hermitage align with previous high-grade prospecting samples that included 7.31 g/t gold, 193 g/t silver and 2,044 ppm stibnite (antimony).
Highly prospective
AuMEGA’s managing director and CEO Sam Pazuki said: “Our Hermitage Gold-Antimony Project is a highly prospective opportunity on a massive land package along the second largest known gold structure in Newfoundland.
“It is geologically akin to the geology of some of the largest gold deposits globally including Bendigo and Fosterville in Victoria, Australia, Golden Mile in Kalgoorlie, Australia and Windfall in Quebec, Canada.
“The exploration activities at Hermitage to date have been limited, however despite this, the results are highly encouraging with multi-gram outcropping gold samples collected (up to 7.31 g/t) to go along with silver (up to 193 g/t) and antimony (up to 2,044 ppm).
“The latest results from the high-resolution airborne magnetic survey highlight several major structures throughout the project area. Of particular note is the structural complexity near the centre of the property where we have the highest-grade gold sample collected to date.”
About the survey
The geophysical survey was completed before the end of 2024 by SHA Geophysics with data acquired at 50-metre line spacing with a sensor height of 30 metres.
Results from the Hermitage high-resolution airborne magnetic survey.
Imagery from the airborne geophysical survey has revealed major structural boundaries and broad-scale deformation features further confirming Hermitage as a high-priority greenfields target for the company.
The project area is structurally unique within the geological framework of the province trending, northwest-southeast along the Hermitage flexure compared with most other structures oriented in the exact opposite direction.
Geophysics demonstrate that the Hermitage structural domain is favourable to host large dilation zones permitting mineralising fluids in a favourable geological host, as demonstrated along this same provincial suture zone northeast at Newfound Gold’s Queensway Project.
Gold, antimony and silver
Anomalous to high-grade gold-antimony-silver mineralisation has been identified in quartz and quartz-carbonate veins hosted in a mix of sediments and volcanics across 27 kilometres of the project.
AuMEGA had previously prospected the central area of Hermitage along stream beds as there is limited outcrop and these where most of the high-grade samples have been collected.
This work yielded numerous gold values with peak samples grading up to 7.31 g/t gold, 2,044 ppm stibnite and 193 g/t silver.
Primary targets
The company has identified key areas as primary targets for follow-up diamond drilling and additional prospecting with the stream beds also appearing to be highlighted in the magnetic geophysical response as northeast-southwest trending faults to the overall stratigraphy. Many highlights encountered in this area display multiple phases of deformation and veining events.
Given the limited exposure and early success with minimal field time, the prospectivity of additional mineralisation hiding under cover is very encouraging.
AuMEGA is undertaking a comprehensive review of the geophysical data received, coupled with previous results.
Toward diamond drilling
This will form the basis of geological mapping and prospecting in the near future as the company works toward an inaugural diamond drill program in the second half of 2025.
The amount of drilling will be based on results and can be scaled up or down and will also be weather dependent given additional logistical support required for the project.
“We will continue to proceed with comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the new geophysics data and couple that with the previous results to determine specific areas of interest, including specific targets that we plan on drilling in 2025,” Pazuki said.
“This inaugural drill program is expected for later in the year and will comprise of up to 3,000 metres of drilling.”
Winter drilling program
Meantime, the company’s upcoming winter drill program in Canada is progressing well. Conditions have been generally favourable despite a rainfall event for two days in the middle of January which delayed site development and equipment mobilisation.
Winter camps are being constructed and these are expected to be operational by the end of the first week of February.
Drilling is expected to begin in the near term and AuMEGA expects to drill between 10,000 and 12,000 metres in the current quarter at Bunker Hill.