A total of 1,930 meters of drilling was completed in 11 drill holes focused on testing the Ellis Main prospect ('Ellis') and the Whiskey target. In addition to the drilling campaign, the Company completed a surface sampling program from outcrops in the Whiskey area.
Highlights
Inaugural drilling across the 44km x 7km basin tested two initial targets on opposite ends of the basin, with 10 of 11 holes intersecting copper mineralization, underscoring the robustness of the system
At Whiskey located 25km east of Ellis, 3 holes showed pinching of the grey bed with narrower mineralization including:
Additionally, encouraging sampling of outcrops south of drilling in the Whiskey area showed additional emerging copper trends on the eastern portion of the basin with 17 samples grading higher than 0.5% Cu and up to 2.44% Cu
Camp was winterized prior to demobilization and a drill remains on site for a potential winter program
2023 Adeline Drilling Program
The Company's 2023 Adeline drill program was designed to test both the extents of the mineralized grey beds at Ellis at depth and along strike as well as a potential blowout of the copper mineralization interpreted from the model of historical IP carried out on the project. In the first 3 holes it became clear that the grey bed mineralization observed on surface and in historical drill core, had disappeared and appeared to be replaced by a mafic sill. The top surface of the mafic sill was mineralized with copper oxide and native copper.
Copper mineralization was intersected in the tops of mafic flows in veined and brecciated rocks. This prompted the Company to adjust the angle of the last two holes at the target and approach the mineralization from a new perspective. Hole ELS-23-007 intersected a relatively wide zone of copper oxide mineralization which extended beyond fractures as observed in the initial holes. This was thought to potentially be the top of a flow breccia. Hole ELS-23-008 was an attempt to follow this mineralization to the south along the structure and towards historic conductors but deviated to the north and hit the edge of the oxide/sulfide zone, intercepting native copper in quartz veins.
Additionally, the copper zone identified in drilling was not consistent with the IP anomaly identified by Noranda from the 90's. The Company is currently carrying out physical properties on the core, especially the rocks above the copper zone, to identify potential alternative sources of the chargeability response shown in the IP survey. There is extensive hematite mineralization and this may be responsible for the large target area shown in the chargeability response.
Next Steps
The Company is undertaking a number of exploration activities to extract further value from both recent drilling and historical data. Additional analytical work is underway to examine the role of hydrocarbons within the sedimentary rocks in triggering the accumulation of copper mineralization. Analysis of non-carbonate sources of carbon is the initial step and will be followed by a hyperspectral analysis of historical holes for the presence of hydrocarbons across the property. Hydrocarbons in the sediments would be part of a favourable copper mineralization setting and open the opportunity to scan the entire property for new target areas with satellite data. The Company anticipates undertaking an advanced hyperspectral study using shortwave infrared channels to map favourable rocks and to bring new target areas across the property forward.
Currently, the field team is carrying out a physical property study on
Additionally, interpretation of the data from a DIGHEM airborne EM survey flown in 1992 for Noranda Exploration is underway. The survey identified numerous weak and moderate conductors and Sterling is modelling the conductors, which is expected to allow the team to characterize and rank each conductor. The team will prioritize conductors along favourable regional structures, within ideal host rocks and where copper occurrences have been identified nearby. This study will lead to sites which should be visited in the next exploration campaign for groundwork in 2024.
About the
Comprised of roughly 30,000 hectares and a 44 km strike of copper-silver-rich terrain, Adeline covers the youngest middle Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequences, known as the
While sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits are widespread, economically significant occurrences are infrequent. These deposits contribute to roughly 20 percent of global copper production and known reserves. Supergiant and giant deposits are formed in basins that experienced extended periods of fluid flow, where specific conditions facilitated the accumulation of substantial quantities of metal-rich fluid, ample reduced sulfur, and significant amounts of reductants.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control - Sampling Procedures
All drill holes are diamond drill core with NQ diameter. Drill core is delivered by helicopter to the
For samples not containing native copper:
Preparation for these samples involves crushing them until 70% successfully pass through a 2mm sieve, followed by the generation of a 250-gram sub-sample split using a riffle splitter. The remaining material is further processed to achieve an 85% passing rate through a 75-microm sieve. Subsequently, the samples undergo analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), which provides a comprehensive understanding of sample composition with a suite of 48 elements included in the ICP package. Sample digestion is carried out using a specialized 4-acid mixture, with a 0.4g aliquot. This method allows for the measurement of copper concentrations of up to 100,000 ppm and silver concentrations of up to 200 ppm, which would prompt overlimit analysis.
For samples containing native copper
Preparation for these samples involves crushing them until 70% successfully pass through a 2mm sieve, followed by the generation of a 1,000-gram sub-sample split using a riffle splitter. Subsequently, the entire 1,000-gram sub-sample undergoes screen metallic copper analysis. The minus fraction is then sent for ICP analysis to determine the full suite of 48-element concentrations.
A crushed marble blank, a certified OREAS copper standard, and a core duplicate are systematically inserted into the sample analysis process. Furthermore, an extra blank sample is included immediately after any native copper samples. Analysis of the QAQC results is performed upon receipt from the laboratory, along with analysis of ALS's internal QAQC results, including pulp and reject duplicates.
About
Contact:
Tel: (416) 643-3887
Email: info@sterlingmetals.ca
Web: www.sterlingmetals.ca
This news release contains certain 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as 'plan', 'expect', 'project', 'intend', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'would', 'potential', 'proposed' and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions 'may' or 'will' occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
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