Mr. Galen McNamara reports
SUMMA SILVER COMPLETES SOIL AND GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS ACROSS THE HIGH-GRADE SILVER-GOLD MOGOLLON PROJECT, NEW MEXICO
Summa Silver Corp. has released results from a geological mapping and soil geochemical survey at its 100-per-cent-owned high-grade silver-gold Mogollon project, New Mexico.
Key highlights:
- Coverage across the Mogollon vein field: 1,680 soil samples were taken across the Northern Fannie and South Deadwood targets, which are actively being tested in the company's current drill program (see the company's news release from Nov. 20, 2023).
- Discovery potential: These samples were collected across the Mogollon project and up to two kilometres along strike from the Consolidated target, which has yielded drill results including hole MOG22-05, which intersected 448 grams per tonne (g/t) silver equivalent (AgEq) over 31 m (129 g/t silver (Ag) and 3.88 g/t gold (Au)).
- Robust anomalies: Numerous multielement soil anomalies are defined by high concentrations of arsenic, copper and lead.
- Approach to discovery: Both geological mapping and soil geochemical surveys are techniques in the company's exploration method designed to pinpoint drill targets and maximize its discovery efficiency.
- Work just beginning: Targets along the Queen vein represents only 2.5 per cent of the total vein and structure length on the project.
- Fully financed: The company remains fully financed for its current drill program, with approximately $5-million in working capital.
Note: Silver equivalent is calculated using $20 (U.S.)/ounce (oz) Ag and $1,800 (U.S.)/oz Au, with metallurgical recoveries of 90 per cent for Ag and 95 per cent for Au. AgEq equals (Ag grade times Ag recovery) plus ((Au grade times Au recovery) times (Au price/Ag price)).
Galen McNamara, chief executive officer, stated: "The completion of our soil geochemistry survey, in conjunction with data from our geological mapping program, represent an important step towards target development. These programs highlight our systematic approach to discovery and are instrumental in demonstrating the full potential of the Mogollon project. For perspective, this project covers the most northern of the Mexican-style vein fields that have been so prolific in that country, going back in some cases 500 years. In our case, this project remains vastly under explored. Last year's drilling at the Consolidated target, along the Queen vein, proved that significant mineralization remains around the old mines of the Mogollon district. Our current drill program is actively testing these targets further to the south as we step out along a strike length of approximately two km and look to establish a sense of scale on the Queen vein."
Geological mapping program
A detailed geological mapping program was recently completed north of Mineral Creek across the northern extension of the Mogollon mining district. Mapping covered 16 square kilometres, and was aimed at providing further geological and structural context for high-grade rock-chip samples collected during a recent reconnaissance-style prospecting program (see the company's news release from July 19, 2023). Samples with grades up to 8,475 g/t silver equivalent (8,373 g/t Ag, 5.39 g/t Au and 4.43 per cent copper (Cu)) from the Silver Bar vein, 3,652 g/t silver equivalent (221 g/t Ag, 39.3 g/t Au and 0.83 per cent Cu) from the northern extension of the Queen vein and 3,046 g/t silver equivalent (812 g/t Ag, 3.80 g/t Au and 18.4 per cent Cu) from the northern extension of the Great Western vein system highlight the high-grade potential of the district north of Mineral Creek in an area lacking historic exploration and development. Based on these prospecting results it was considered a priority to refine the geological model for the extensive vein systems.
The historic USGS (United States Geological Survey) geological map was used for reference and many lithological contacts, faults and veins were refined, based on detailed and small-scale mapping. All mapped faults are locally associated with mineralized epithermal-related veining, stockworks or vein breccias, with alteration halos composed of quartz plus clay. Veins are generally steeply dipping, greater than 60 degrees, and the two dominant vein sets, Queen and Green Western, strike to the northeast. The intersection of these vein sets with northwest-oriented structures are considered priority targets, highlighted by boiling textures and potential blow-out structures. Importantly, the distribution and strike extents of many key veins north of Mineral Creek have been extended beyond the limits of past mapping. These areas represent compelling target areas for continued sampling, including detailed channel sampling of exposed veins. A ground-based geophysical survey (for example, CSAMT (controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics)) is also being planned to better define the subsurface potential of many of the exposed high-level veins as alteration intensity may increase with depth.
Soil geochemical program
The phase 1 soil geochemical survey consisted of 1,680 samples across two grids, the northern Fanney grid and the southern Deadwood grid. Both grids comprise north-northeast-oriented lines spaced 100 m apart with samples spaced 50 m along the lines, as well as east-west-oriented lines spaced 100 m apart with samples spaced 25 m along the line. The later set of lines primarily covered the north-trending Queen vein and fault system. Samples were analyzed using a tailored portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) workflow to measure elemental concentrations from prepared sample mounts in the field. Samples were prepared and analyzed daily.
The goal of the phase 1 soil geochemical survey across parts of the Mogollon project were two-fold:
- Investigate the soil geochemical footprint of known veins. These new data reveal a strong spatial correlation between known high-grade Ag-Au, epithermal-related veins, and anomalous arsenic in overlying soils. The distribution of the known veins is primarily inferred from geological mapping of scattered outcrops, as well as mapping of vein exposures in historic surface disturbances (see the company's news release from Jan. 20, 2022). Rock geochemistry also suggests a strong correlation between precious metals and arsenic, suggesting that arsenic, as well as Cu, lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), are suitable pathfinders for silver and gold mineralization in the surficial environment. These elements are routinely measured with a pXRF. The Last Chance vein of the Deadwood grid is spatially associated with strong arsenic-in-soil anomalism. Zones of strongly anomalous soils across the Fanney grid broadly trend east-west and are locally spatially associated with the Johnson-Trilby, Independence-Anaconda, Fanney and Homestake veins. Most samples collected proximal to the dominant, north-trending Queen vein were also strongly anomalous in pathfinder elements. These results suggest that high-grade epithermal veins of the Mogollon district generate strongly anomalous and proximal arsenic-in-soil anomalies. This relationship can therefore be used to identify previously unknown and potentially concealed veins in areas lacking exposure, and historic exploration and sampling.
- Use the soil geochemical data to inform bedrock mapping below soil cover. Key trace element ratios, known to differentiate key volcanostratigraphic units at Mogollon based on whole-rock lithogeochemical data, in the soil samples highlight most lithological contacts across the sampled grids. The Ti/Zr (titanium/zirconium) ratio in soils specifically differentiates footwall and hanging wall volcanic units host to the Queen vein, near the Consolidated mine, the Fanney and Independence veins, and the Last Chance veins. This strong spatial relationship between soil geochemistry and mapped lithologies suggest that soils are relatively in situ, and that soil grids across areas lacking detailed bedrock can be used to assist with geological interpretation and vectoring to prospective rock units.
A project-scale soil geochemical grid has been planned to cover the rest of the Mogollon project, including the gaps in coverage south of Mineral Creek near the centre of the Mogollon mining district and most of the recently staked ground north of Mineral Creek. A selection of samples from key lines will also be submitted to the lab for low-detection ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) analyses to better define trends in key elements such as silver, gold and antimony. These data will be used to refine the exploration models and generate new drill targets.
Analytical and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures
Analysis of the soil samples was carried out using an Olympus Vanta portable XRF in geochem mode, running two beams for a total of 30 seconds each. Samples were hand-sieved and prepared using pressed mounts, and analyzed in the field via a portable workstation. Internal reference standards were analyzed systematically during each analytical run to monitor key elements such as arsenic (As), Cu, Zn and Pb.
Qualified person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. McNamara, PGeo, the chief executive officer of the company and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Corporate update
The company also announces that it has signed a contract with Triomphe Holdings Ltd., the parent company of Capital Analytica, for continuing social media consultation. The services provided by Capital Analytica will include press initiatives and social media consulting, as well as engagements with arm's-length parties for an aggregate gross expenditure of $60,000 over a six-month period, with the potential for a follow-on service contract. No stock-based compensation has been provided.
About Summa Silver Corp.
Summa Silver is a junior mineral exploration company. The company owns a 100-per-cent interest in the Hughes project located in central Nevada and the Mogollon project located in southwestern New Mexico. The high-grade past-producing Belmont mine, one of the most prolific silver producers in the United States between 1903 and 1929, is located on the Hughes project. The Mogollon project is the largest historic silver producer in New Mexico. Both projects have remained inactive since commercial production ceased and neither have seen modern exploration prior to the company's involvement.
We seek Safe Harbor.
© 2025 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.