NorthWest Copper Corp (TSX-V:NWST) has announced further long intercepts of copper and gold mineralization from diamond drilling targeting the northern lobe of Kwanika Deposit's Central Zone located in the prolific Quesnel Terrane in British Columbia.
"These holes confirm that strong copper and gold mineralization continue in the northern portion of Kwanika Central Zone," said Northwest Copper president and CEO Peter Bell in a statement.
"These holes demonstrate that the Kwanika system contains a cluster of deposits over 3 kilometers, from South Zone to these recent holes in the north of the Kwanika Central Zone. Further drilling results are expected from the South Zone at Kwanika as well as our other projects in the coming weeks," he added.
READ: NorthWest Copper reports long intercept of high grade at Kwanika
The company said the latest drill holes K-22-237, 238, and 246 were designed to target structurally controlled higher-grade mineralization in the northern portion of the Central Zone, and the results collectively demonstrate the continuity of grade within the currently defined resource.
All three holes hit mineralization that is relatively shallow with overburden cover ranging from 27.8 to 43.5 metres downhole.
NorthWest has now released results from 20 of the 30 drill holes completed at Kwanika this year, and it expects to publish the remainder of the results from the 2022 program before the end of the year.
The company added that the northern portion of the Central Zone has now been drilled more than 450 metres in strike length, with results showing that mineralization continues to the north of the conceptual open pit.
Breaking down the results
NorthWest said K-22-237 has the longest intercept with 364.2 metres of 0.27% copper equivalent (CuEq). This intersection is on the same section as K-22-236 that was reported at 179.60 metres with 0.33% CuEq, and the two holes demonstrate continuity of grade on this section. K-22-237 also intersected mineralization below the current conceptual open pit and could add value to the project in the future.
K-22-238 was drilled on a section approximately 90 metres to the north of K-22-237. It intersected 167.9 metres grading 0.32% CuEq and is on the same section as K-22-241 that was previously reported at 305.8 metres with 0.29% CuEq. Again, these two holes show grade continuity in the conceptual open pit area.
K-22-246 was drilled in the northern extent of the conceptual open pit area and returned 145.7 metres of 0.20% CuEq, including 64.6 metres of 0.28% CuEq with most of this intersection sitting outside of the current conceptual open pit volume. Results from this hole further demonstrate that the mineralized system is present and is potentially open to the north of the current proposed open pit.
K-22-247 was drilled approximately 600 metres north-northwest of the conceptual open pit and tested a geophysical induced polarization anomaly. The drill did not intersect significant mineralization but it did intersect geology that explains the anomaly, as well as faults that validate the current structural geology model.
NorthWest Copper is a new copper-gold explorer and developer with an exciting pipeline of projects in British Columbia. With a robust portfolio in a Tier-1 jurisdiction, it is well-positioned to participate fully in a strengthening global copper market.
The company is committed to responsible mineral exploration, which involves working collaboratively with First Nations to ensure future development incorporates stewardship best practices and traditional land use.
Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com