Mr. Duncan Middlemiss reports
WESDOME DRILLING EXPANDS KIENA DEEP POTENTIAL TO 550 M LATERALLY AND HIRES VP OPERATIONS FOR QUEBEC
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. is providing an update of underground drilling progress at its 100-per-cent-owned Kiena mine complex in Val d'Or, Que.
Since the last update on Nov. 15, 2016, a fourth drill has been added on the 960-metre level, 29 drill holes have been completed and assay results have been received for 21 drill holes.
The new drilling continues to trace the Kiena Deep mineralized system along an altered and deformed north-northwest-trending basalt-komatiite contact zone. To date, it has been traced 550 metres north-northwest along strike and over a depth range of 400 metres. It remains open at depth and along trend.
Wesdome continues its accelerated drilling program with the goal of determining the extent, continuity and geometry of the Kiena Deep gold system.
Highlights (uncut and cut assay averages over core lengths (*))
Major stepout holes extending trend to a tested length of 550 m
- 6.63 grams per tonne gold over 11.0 m uncut (6.63 g/t cut) in hole 6146;
- 7.67 g/t gold over 8.2 m uncut (5.53 g/t cut) in hole 6147.
Assays received from visible gold occurrences reported Nov. 15, 2016
- 18.67 g/t gold over 9.8 m uncut (5.44 g/t cut) in hole 6134;
- 110.23 g/t gold over 4.1 m uncut (5.91 g/t cut) in hole 6155;
- 14.89 g/t gold over 2.0 m uncut (14.89 g/t cut) in hole 6155.
Additional new results
- 27.97 g/t gold over 1.0 m uncut (27.97 g/t cut) in hole 6134;
- 34.27 g/t gold over 8.4 m uncut (6.78 g/t cut) in hole 6137;
- 306.10 g/t gold over 0.6 m uncut (34.28 g/t cut) in hole 6142;
- 6.23 g/t gold over 10.5 m uncut (5.67 g/t cut) in hole 6142;
- 41.39 g/t gold over 2.4 m uncut (11.62 g/t cut) in hole 6142;
- 24.92 g/t gold over 5.2 m uncut (10.03 g/t cut) in hole 6142;
- 11.40 g/t gold over 3.6 m uncut (5.81 g/t cut) in hole 6143;
- 43.05 g/t gold over 14.0 m uncut (5.35 g/t cut) in hole 6143;
- 10.45 g/t gold over 8.0 m uncut (5.23 g/t cut) in hole 6144;
- 18.04 g/t gold over 2.7 m uncut (16.07 g/t cut) in hole 6144;
- 14.61 g/t gold over 15.4 m uncut (3.08 g/t cut) in hole 6145A;
- 37.71 g/t gold over 0.7 m uncut (34.28 g/t cut) in hole 6150;
- 4.68 g/t gold over 4.0 m uncut (4.68 g/t cut) in hole 6151;
- 29.52 g/t gold over 0.5 m uncut (29.52 g/t cut) in hole 6151;
- 9.11 g/t gold over 1.5 m uncut (9.11 g/t cut) in hole 6152;
- 8.75 g/t gold over 1.5 m uncut (8.75 g/t cut) in hole 6152;
- 3.47 g/t gold over 16.0 m uncut (3.47 g/t cut) in hole 6154;
- 124.98 g/t gold over 4.3 m uncut (13.98 g/t cut) in hole 6154;
- 44.85 g/t gold over 1.2 m uncut (34.28 g/t cut) in hole 6154;
- 28.00 g/t gold over 17.0 m uncut (2.84 g/t cut) in hole 6155;
- 50.14 g/t gold over 1.0 m uncut (34.28 g/t cut) in hole 6156;
- 41.89 g/t gold over 2.0 m uncut (18.53 g/t cut) in hole 6156;
- 20.28 g/t gold over 7.3 m uncut (10.2 g/t cut) in hole 6156;
- 27.25 g/t gold over 0.6 m uncut (27.25 g/t cut) in hole 6157A;
- 10.37 g/t gold over 4.8 m uncut (9.49 g/t cut) in hole 6157A.
(*) The geometry of these zones is not clearly understood at this point. Further drilling is required to interpret true widths. Assay intervals include values cut to an arbitrary, historic amount of one ounce/ton or 34.28 g/t.
Duncan Middlemiss, president and chief executive officer, commented: "Drilling results have been accelerated with the goal of delineating and defining this significant new find as quickly and efficiently as possible. This set of Kiena Deep drill results continues to deliver grades substantially higher than the historic production grade profile at Kiena of 4.5 g/t. We are also very encouraged by stepout holes confirming mineralization now tested along 550 metres of strike length, indicating a potential large new gold system. Furthermore, in the company's efforts to accelerate our advanced exploration at Kiena, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Marc-Andre Pelletier as vice-president of Quebec operations, who will be based full-time at the Kiena complex. Marc-Andre has over 20 years experience in underground gold mining in Canada and will be working closely with our geologic team to evaluate ramp development. On behalf of management and the board, I would like to welcome him to the Wesdome team."
Geological context
Drilling continues to identify two styles of mineralization spatially related to a basalt-komatiite (ultramafic) contact zone that trends north-northwest.
- High-grade extensional quartz veins in basalt (Upper quartz vein zone);
- Albitized stockwork and vein breccia systems in sheared and altered zones (Lower stockwork zone).
There are likely multiple zones which remain only partially defined and are open. The full extent of the mineralized system has not been delineated. It has been traced 550 m along the contact area trend between depths of 1,000 and 1,400 m and remains open. Stepout holes 6146 and 6147 are of significant interest as these holes have intersected quality grade over wide widths about 150 metres north and 250 metres south along trend of the known mineralized system, which remains open.
Drilling progress
Four drills are operating on levels 670 m, 770 m, 910 m and 960 m. Challenging drilling conditions in the deformed and altered contact area have been addressed with a combination of bits, drill assemblies and specialized drilling reagents. The experience obtained in these conditions and the additional drill added to the 960 m level have resulted in improved success in attaining the desired targets. Shorter holes with better attack angles will continue to accelerate results.
Scope and purpose
The accelerated drilling is designed to delineate the potential size of the Kiena Deep gold system and define its internal geometry as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Confidence in internal grade and continuity will derisk a decision to initiate ramp development to provide definition drilling and access to Kiena Deep as soon as possible.
The company intends to continue the drilling campaign with four underground drills. Continuing evaluation for the requirement of enhanced drill platforms will determine the timing of underground ramp development, as the location of this infrastructure is dependent upon drilling results currently being generated.
Management appointment
The company is very encouraged by the continued exploration results at Kiena and the potential to re-establish production at this fully permitted facility. As a result, the company is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Pelletier as Wesdome's vice-president of operations for Quebec in charge of the Kiena mine advanced exploration program. Mr. Pelletier is an experienced professional mining engineer who was most recently vice-president of operations at St. Andrew Goldfields Ltd. Prior to Mr. Pelletier's tenure at St. Andrew, he was employed by Barrick Gold Corp. from 2001 to 2009 elevating to the position of mine superintendent at Barrick's Williams mine. Prior to his Barrick experience Mr. Pelletier worked extensively in Quebec in progressive technical roles. Throughout his career Mr. Pelletier has dedicated himself to achieving safety, production and cost targets. He is a graduate of Laval University in mining engineering and is a resident of Rouyn-Noranda, Que.
The Kiena complex
The Kiena mine complex is a fully permitted, integrated mining and milling infrastructure which includes a 930-metre production shaft and 2,000-tonne-per-day-capacity mill. From 1981 to 2013, the mine produced 1.75 million ounces of gold from 12.5 million tonnes at a grade of 4.5 g/t. The bulk of this production came from the S-50 zone between depths of 100 and 1,000 metres. In 2013, operations were suspended due to a combination of declining gold prices and lack of developed reserves. The infrastructure has been well preserved on care and maintenance status.
Technical disclosure
The technical and scientific disclosure in this press release has been prepared and approved by Marc Ducharme, PGeo, chief exploration geologist of Wesdome and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Analytical work was performed by Techni-Lab (ActLabs) of Ste-Germaine-Boule (Quebec), a certified commercial laboratory (SCC-accredited lab No. 707). Sample preparation was done at Techni-Lab (ActLabs) in Val d'Or (Quebec) and assaying was done by fire assay methods at Techni-Lab (ActLabs) laboratory in Ste-Germaine-Boule (Quebec). In addition to laboratory internal duplicates, standards and blanks, the geology department inserts blind duplicates, standards and blanks into the sample stream at a frequency of one in 20 to monitor quality control.
About Wesdome
Gold Mines Ltd.
Wesdome Gold Mines is 100 per cent Canadian focused with a pipeline of projects in various stages of development. The Eagle River complex in Wawa, Ont., is currently producing gold from two mines, the Eagle River underground mine and the Mishi open pit, from a central mill. Wesdome is actively exploring its brownfields asset, the Kiena complex in Val d'Or, Que. The company has further upside at its Moss Lake gold deposit, located 100 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ont., which is being explored and evaluated to be developed in the appropriate gold price environment.
KIENA DEEP DRILLING RESULTS COMPILATION
Hole No. From To Core length Au Cut grade*
(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t Au)
6134 440.00 441.00 1.00 27.97 27.97
797.00 806.80 9.80 18.67 5.44
Incl. 797.00 799.40 2.40 69.86 15.82
822.00 834.00 12.00 1.24 1.24
6135 381.50 382.40 0.90 1.21 1.21
6136 620.70 622.70 2.00 1.04 1.04
627.10 628.10 1.00 1.26 1.26
6137 444.10 452.50 8.40 34.27 6.78
Incl. 444.10 445.90 1.80 151.88 23.59
6138 Target not attained
6139 399.70 401.60 1.90 1.73 1.73
6140 Results pending
6141 Results pending
6142 435.00 437.00 2.00 1.32 1.32
438.70 439.30 0.60 306.10 34.28
475.50 486.00 10.50 6.23 5.67
581.30 583.70 2.40 41.39 11.62
591.60 594.00 2.40 3.35 3.35
598.80 604.00 5.20 24.92 10.03
Incl. 598.80 601.00 2.20 55.92 20.74
6143 489.40 493.00 3.60 11.40 5.81
Incl. 489.40 490.00 0.60 67.83 34.28
504.00 518.00 14.00 43.05 5.35
Incl. 504.00 504.90 0.90 171.33 34.28
6143 537.10 546.30 9.20 1.29 1.29
6144 569.20 570.20 1.00 3.19 3.19
583.00 585.20 2.20 5.40 5.40
609.00 617.00 8.00 10.45 5.23
Incl. 609.00 611.00 2.00 37.94 17.04
629.00 631.70 2.70 18.04 16.07
Incl. 631.00 631.70 0.70 41.88 34.28
6145 Target not attained
6145A 408.80 424.20 15.40 14.61 3.08
Incl. 414.40 418.20 3.80 56.86 10.14
6146 377.50 388.50 11.00 6.63 6.63
6147 393.00 430.00 37.00 1.69 1.69
490.00 498.20 8.20 7.67 5.53
6148 Target not attained
6150 418.70 419.40 0.70 37.71 34.28
6151 170.00 174.00 4.00 4.68 4.68
245.50 250.50 5.00 2.51 2.51
385.50 386.00 0.50 29.52 29.52
6152 271.50 273.00 1.50 1.57 1.57
383.10 386.00 2.90 1.88 1.88
393.00 394.50 1.50 9.11 9.11
400.50 403.50 3.00 5.06 5.06
457.10 458.60 1.50 8.75 8.75
6153 Target not attained
6153A Target not attained
6154 335.00 351.00 16.00 3.47 3.47
Incl. 338.00 346.90 8.90 4.97 4.97
405.70 410.00 4.30 124.98 13.98
447.50 448.70 1.20 44.85 34.28
6155 388.50 405.50 17.00 28.00 2.84
Incl. 401.40 405.50 4.10 110.23 5.91
421.40 423.40 2.00 14.89 14.89
6156 274.00 275.00 1.00 50.14 34.28
412.00 414.00 2.00 41.89 18.53
437.00 444.30 7.30 20.28 10.20
Incl. 441.00 444.00 3.00 44.08 21.77
6157 Target not attained
6157A 477.00 477.60 0.60 27.25 27.25
516.5 521.3 4.80 10.37 9.49
* Assay intervals include values cut to an arbitrary, historic
amount of one ounce per ton or 34.28 g/t Au.
We seek Safe Harbor.
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