Benchmark Metals Inc (CVE:BNCH) (OTCQB:CYRTF) has unveiled more encouraging drill results from its flagship Lawyers gold-silver project in British Columbia, showing that the AGB Zone could become a potential open-pit mine.
Last year, 79 holes were sunk at the zone, for over 15,000 metres (m) and the results showed both bulk-tonnage and high grade mineralization, while the entire area is open in all directions. Results included an intercept of 69.45m (starting from a depth of just 3.55m) at 1.76 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 119.46 g/t silver. Another assay showed 0.88, starting from 12.12m depth of 15.55 g/t gold and 3,490 g/t silver.
READ: Benchmark Metals excited about discovery at Marmot zone, which could be a Cliffs Creek look-alike
"Results at AGB are providing indications for bulk-tonnage mining, yielding higher grade gold and silver compared to the neighbouring Cliffs Creek and Dukes Ridge zones," said John Williamson, Benchmark's chief executive in a statement.
"The majority of drilling to date has encountered significant near-surface, shallow gold-silver mineralization that remains open in all directions for expansion. This zone saw a small amount of underground mining +30 years ago, but the new results are showing potential for an open-pit mining scenario."
The company noted that drilling had expanded the gold-silver mineralization to more than 650m of strike length and at least 270m vertical depth.
Notably, one hole hit a new zone of high-grade mineralization 50m below the early 2020 modelled $1,600 optimized pit shell, which continues to expand the mineralized dimensions of the AGB zone.
The last year has been punctuated with positive drilling results from the Lawyers asset, which sits in the prolific Golden Horseshoe of northern British Columbia.
Earlier this month, Benchmark said five diamond drill holes had been sunk at the Marmot zone, just one area at the 140 square kilometre project, showing a new precious metal system. Four of the five returned significant near-surface gold and silver mineralization including an interval of 101.00m showing 0.82 g/t gold-equivalent.
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