NV Gold Corporation (TSX-V:NVX, OTC:NVGLF) said it has identified five new mercury vapor anomalies at its 100%-owned Slumber gold project in Humboldt County, Nevada, all outside the known mineralized gold zone.
Vancouver-based NV Gold said its 2019-2022 exploration program encountered significant thicknesses of near-surface, low-grade-oxide gold at the Slumber site.
Notable drill intercepts included 0.52 grams per ton (g/t) of gold at 18.3 meters (m) in hole SL-11, and 0.14 g/t gold at 134.2m in hole SL-14, according to NV Gold, adding that most holes bottomed in gold mineralization.
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The company said this demonstrates that Slumber hosts a low-grade bulk-tonnage, oxide-gold system, open in multiple directions, adding there are reasonable expectations of locating zones of potentially higher grade mineralization.
A recently conducted mercury vapor survey shows the potential for concealed gold mineralization under gravel cover, according to the company.
NV Gold VP exploration Thomas Klein said the company has detected five outstanding mercury vapor anomalies with values over 100 nanograms outside the zone of known gold mineralization.
“Knowing that mercury vapor can be the oxidation product of concealed gold mineralization at depth, the company is planning to test some of the anomalies to prove the concept. I have evaluated this technique during my time as exploration geologists on the Carlin Trend, and I can confirm that this is a proven technique to uncover concealed gold systems," Klein said in a statement.
According to NV Gold, the Quicksilver Systems technique uses mercury vapor to detect blind mineralization. Exploration for Carlin-type deposits shows this approach is effective through 100 to 200 feet of post-mineral volcaniclastic sediments, and 300 to 1,500 feet of pre-mineral but unaltered sedimentary lithologies.
The technique collects mercury from oxidizing mineralization on a silver strip. These collectors are analyzed, and the results are mapped. Mercury vapor values exceeding the local background of mercury indicates mineralization at depth. These anomalous areas are used to target drilling for concealed gold mineralization, according to NV Gold.
NV Gold is focused on delivering value through mineral discoveries in Nevada, USA.
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