Aurion Resources (TSX-V:AU) Ltd has reported that a two rig winter drill program had kicked off at the Helmi discovery on its joint venture (JV) with B2Gold in Finland as it posted the results from the remaining seven holes from last year's maiden drill program.
The latest assays showed continued gold intercepts and the aim of this year's work, which has a preliminary budget of around C$10 million and includes 12,000 metres (m) of drilling, is to test the extension of mineralized zones at Helmi and other new targets.
The joint venture, in which the company has a 30% stake, with operator B2Gold owning 70%, covers around 331 square kilometers (sq km) along the Sirkka Shear Zone in the Central Lapland greenstone belt and includes a number of discoveries such as Helmi, Kutuvuoma, Soretiavuoma and Kettukuusikko.
"Helmi has evolved rapidly to become a significant discovery. It was a blind target selected because of its proximity to Rupert Resources' 3.95-million-ounce Ikkari discovery," noted Matti Talikka, Aurion's CEO in a statement.
READ: Aurion Resources reveals positive results from Risti exploration, plans for 2022 at the Finland project
"Sequential discoveries, each informed by evidence from prior, are the hallmark of the early stages of an emerging gold camp."
Talikka added that he looked forward to "intensifying exploration efforts at Helmi in 2022".
"We are also excited about the implications of Helmi and how it may inform further discovery opportunities within the JV area and within Aurion's 100% owned properties," he added.
Highlight assays from the seven holes included 1.11 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 45.8m from 139m depth in one hole and 11.39 g/t gold over 2.04m from 323.96m depth in another.
The maiden drill program last year comprised 20 holes (17 hit gold mineralization) and identified broad zones of near surface gold mineralization over a 1.3 km strike length.
Aurion Resources (TSX-V:AU) is a Canadian explorer that acquires early-stage precious metals opportunities. Its current focus is exploring on its Flagship Risti and Launi projects, as well as advancing its joint venture properties with B2Gold and Kinross in Finland
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com