The Company reports updated drill results from its recently completed 2022 exploration drilling program at Minto North. Drill hole 22EXP045 cut 1.91% Copper ("Cu") over 34.59 metres ("m") including 4.80% Cu over 10.10 m drill width from 194.19 m downhole in follow-up, step-out drilling from drill hole 21EXP003 (see press release date
Additional Highlights (Figure 1):
Hole 22EXP044
- 1.71% Cu over 20.14 m including 2.43% Cu over 11.14 m from 200 m downhole;
Hole 22EXP047
- 0.45% Cu over 49.38 m including 1.18% Cu over 5.63 m from 223.74 m downhole; and
Hole 22EXP048
- 0.28% Cu over 60.46 m including 1.40% Cu over 1.99 m from 199.03 m downhole.
"We have a five-year plan with the objective to increase our mineral resource base. The ultimate goal is to achieve a 12 to 15 year life of mine at Minto. A 26,000-hectare underexplored land package in the historic Minto copper belt should allow us to develop new advanced exploration projects," commented
Assay and Drillhole Analysis
As of
Results reported today (Figures 3&4) were drilled as 50-metre step-outs from mineralization intersected in hole 21EXP003 (see
Mineralized host rocks (quartzo-feldspathic migmatite) and sulphide speciation (bornite and chalcopyrite) are consistent in all holes reported with a direct correlation between sulphide content and Cu grade. The results reported herein are well correlated with a moderate-strong chargeability anomaly (Figure 3) detected during a 2010 Orion 3D DC-IP survey performed by
Outlook
The Company completed 28,438 m from 53 drill holes of Exploration drilling in 2022. Currently, the Company is awaiting the QA/QC reports and final assay results from the assay lab for portions of 28 additional holes (4,832 samples submitted). These are expected and will be reported later in Q1 2023. Of particular interest are results at Minto East drilled during September – October. In Q1 2023, the Company expects a preliminary report from ALS Goldspot Discoveries that utilized the historical geoscience and engineering database and newly acquired geophysics from 2022. This report will include machine learning derived prospectivity heat-maps highlighting areas with a high probability for mineralization, prioritized drill targets and an updated 3D geological model. The Company is planning an aggressive resource growth and discovery drill program for 2023 and will provide guidance following Board approval in the coming weeks.
Table 1. Drill hole location information for the 2022 drilling is reported in this press release.
Note: Co-ordinate system: |
Table 2. Assays results reported in this press release.
Notes: |
True width is estimated to be 75 to 95% of drilled width. |
Drill composites include dilution of up to 2 metres at grades less than 0.05% Cu. |
g/t = grams per tonne. |
Qualified Person
The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of duplicate, blank and certified reference materials (CRM), making up 17% of the sampling stream. Drill core samples were sawn in half, labelled, placed in sealed, securitized bags and shipped directly to Bureau Veritas preparation laboratory in
About
Minto operates the producing Minto mine located within the traditional territory of the Selkirk First Nation in the Minto Copper Belt of the
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, but not limited to: expectations in connection with the Company's 2022 exploration program being met, the successful completion of development and exploration projects, planned expansions and other projects within the timelines anticipated and at anticipated production levels; interest and exchange rates; that required financing and permits will be obtained; general economic conditions; no labour disputes or disruptions, flooding, ground instability, geotechnical failure, fire, failure of plant; that equipment and processes continue to operate as anticipated and other risks of the mining industry will not be encountered; that contracted parties provide goods or services in a timely manner; that there is no material adverse change in the price of copper, gold or other metals; competitive conditions in the mining industry; title to mineral properties; costs; taxes; the retention of the Company's key personnel; no changes in-laws, and no material worsening of the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including rules and regulations applicable to Minto.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein. Some of the risks and other factors which could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, include, but are not limited to: changes in commodity prices, general economic conditions, mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates may change and may prove to be inaccurate; Minto has a limited operating history and is subject to risks associated with establishing new mining operations; sustained increases in costs, or decreases in the availability, of commodities consumed or otherwise used by the Company may adversely affect the Company; adverse geotechnical and geological conditions (including geotechnical failures) may result in operating delays and lower throughput or recovery, closures or damage to mine infrastructure; the Company's operations may encounter delays in or losses of production due to equipment delays or the availability of equipment; the Company's operations are subject to continuously evolving legislation, compliance with which may be difficult, uneconomic or require significant expenditures; the Company may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining key personnel; labour disruptions could adversely affect the Company's operations; risks related to the Company's use of contractors; the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of copper, gold and silver; the Company's operations are subject to environmental hazards and compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; the Company's operations and workforce are exposed to health and safety risks; the Company's title to exploration, development and mining interests can be uncertain and may be contested; the Company's properties may be subject to claims by various community stakeholders; risks related to limited access to infrastructure and water; the Company may not be able to secure additional financing when needed or on acceptable terms; the Company may be subject to litigation; and those risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual performance, results, or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, you are cautioned that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other factors that the Company has not identified. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in or incorporated by reference in, this news release if these beliefs, estimates, and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Neither the
Contact Information:
Director, Investor Relations
(604) 759 4666
E-mail: info@mintomine.com
SOURCE
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