Following its initial release in September of this year, Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX:TMQ) has announced further results obtained from its summer exploration diamond drilling program at the Bornite Project in the Ambler mining district of Northwest Alaska.
The Bornite exploration program consisted of 9 drill holes, at 8,437 meters. The program was looking to target high-grade copper mineralization north and east of the already identified resources and figure out where the mineralized system stopped.
The results from the initial three drill holes were released in September, showing thick and continuous intervals of copper mineralization.
The remaining holes (minus two that had to be closed up due to weather; to be reopened next year) continued to show significant intervals of high-grade copper. Strong northwest and northeast mineralization has been discovered. The presence of copper within the remaining drill holes ranges from 0.73% copper to 1.36% copper.
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals said, “It was unfortunate that we could not complete two of the planned holes due to weather, but rest assured that we will complete these next year. The remaining four drill holes represent very large step outs from all previous drilling and demonstrate that the Bornite system continues to grow. We have essentially doubled the size of the mineralized footprint with an overall Bornite system now measuring 1500 meters by 2500 meters defined by a 50 Meter x % copper – that is 50 meters averaging at least 1% copper or better. In particular, the grade x thickness map suggests NE and NW oriented controls on higher grade mineralization. Structural studies are ongoing with the voluminous amount of 3D structural data collected over the course of the summer drill program. This work will be focused on defining preferred mineralized corridors as defined by vein and breccia orientations to develop a sense of ore and grade controls. In addition, we continue to see significant cobalt occurring as carrolite and cobaltiferous pyrite. Electron microprobe and metallurgical work will be conducted during the winter months with the objective of determining if the cobalt can be concentrated into a saleable product. If it is determined that it can, then cobalt will be added to the resource base as a potentially valuable metal which could enhance the value of Bornite.”
Van Nieuwenhuyse further said, “We are in the process of planning the 2018 program with an estimated US$10 million budget. One component of the program will include a seismic program to be completed in the spring time when the ground is still frozen and the daylight has returned. The balance of the program will be directed at further in-fill and expansion drilling. The bornite-chalcocite-chalcopyrite minerals at the Bornite Project lend themselves well to forming a high-quality copper concentrate with no deleterious materials.”
Featured Image: alaskajournal.com
