Aftermath Silver (TSX-V:AAG) Ltd told investors that its drill program at the Berenguela silver-copper-manganese project in southern Peru continues to progress well, with 28 diamond core holes completed for a total of 2,580 metres of drilling.
In an update, the explorer said core recoveries at Berenguela continue to be excellent, averaging approximately 94%-95%.
“Thirteen holes have been completed at HQ (half core) diameter for resource infill and possible expansion, and fifteen holes have been completed at PQ (quarter core) diameter,” Aftermath said in a statement.
“The PQ holes have served two purposes, firstly as metallurgical holes for metallurgical test work which is being supervised by Ausenco, and secondly to maximise recovery in areas that are known to present difficult drilling conditions.”
READ: Aftermath Silver reports that drill program at Berenguela project in Peru is 'progressing well’
Aftermath said the program will continue to be drilled such that the results of previous drilling - including reverse circulation (RC) holes and assay results - are checked and confirmed in key parts of the mineralisation.
Cutting and sampling of core is underway and reference samples - made from mineralized rock from Berenguela - have now arrived from Ore Research and Exploration in Australia for the analytical QA/QC (quality assurance) program and it can now proceed with submitting the sample batches to the laboratory for analysis, the company added.
Additionally, it said it has acquired WorldView-3 16-band multispectral data over an area of 184 square kilometres, which encompasses all the entire Berenguela project concession package. The imagery will be processed to attempt to highlight alteration phases associated with mineralization and to map lithology.
The high spatial resolution of the Worldview-3 satellite should allow the mapping of alteration and lithology in detail which eventually will guide exploration for extensions to the known mineralisation and also assist in evaluating the total concession package of over 6,500 hectares, it added.
Aftermath has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the project through a binding agreement with SSR Mining. The Berenguela project is located in the Department of Puno, in southern Peru. Aftermath plans to advance the project through a pre-feasibility study.
Aftermath Silver (TSX-V:AAG) is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver, which aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver projects in stable jurisdictions.
Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com