Quentin Yarie, MacDonald’s President and CEO commented: “We’ve identified the Oxide Sands at our Wawa-Holdsworth Project as a near-term exploitation target. As we prepare to initiate our sampling program, Golder’s input will ensure that the results obtained are suitable for the preparation of a 43-101 Inferred Resource estimate.”
Golder will use the MacDonald’s data, the exploration level NI 43-101 Technical Report completed in December 20161, and sample spacing data from other similar mineral sand-hosted deposits to compile its recommendation. Golder’s study is expected to be completed by mid-May.
Wawa-Holdsworth Project Highlights
- Approximately 285 hectares, 20 kilometres northeast of the town of Wawa
- 18 fee simple absolute patented claims, includes surface and mining rights
- Neighbouring Argonaut’s Magino Gold Project2 & Richmont’s Island Gold Mine3
- Numerous gold showings with diversified mineralization styles occurring in a 500 metres-wide deformation corridor
- Year-long road access and easy access to rail, road, electrical power, labour force and suppliers
Overview of the Wawa-Holdsworth Project
Historic work by previous operators defined three gold targets on the Wawa-Holdsworth Project:
- Greenstone-hosted quartz-carbonate vein deposit (Soocana Vein System);
- BIF-hosted gold deposits (gold-bearing pyrite zones in an Algoma-type iron formation);
- Gold-bearing Oxide Sands developed from the weathering of the auriferous Pyrite Zones.
MacDonald Mines has identified the Oxide Sands as a short-term target for gold production. The Oxide Sands are interpreted to be derived from the weathering of an auriferous and pyritized Algoma-type iron formation that, so far, has been traced on the property over a 2 km-long strike length. The mineralized sands appear to reach a depth of at least 8 metres.
In 2002, a detailed and systematic sampling of the Oxide Sands was conducted over a strike length of 332.5 metres. A composite of 23 panels over the 332.5 metres returned an average gold grade of 3.45 g/t and an average silver grade of 29.99 g/t4. Preliminary metallurgical testing conducted by previous operators on composite samples recovered, without crushing, between 69% and 98.7 % gold.
Earlier this year, MacDonald Mines launched a trenching program to map and confirm the Oxide Sands’ strike length and thickness. The Company also initiated a bulk sampling program and commenced metallurgical testing of the Oxide Sands to achieve the highest possible gold and silver recovery.
The soft and relatively unconsolidated oxide sands material appears to be amenable to being extracted like an aggregate. The area’s shallow overburden, the proximity to labour and equipment and the easy access to the site should result in very inexpensive mining costs should the Company delineate a large enough deposit.
Following spring breakup, the Company will ramp up its sampling program to better define the Oxide Sands and will continue to prepare for their potential extraction. The near-term exploitation of the Oxide Sands will provide the Company with good cash flow to further advance exploration of the other gold targets on the property.
Qualified Person
Quentin Yarie, P Geo. is the qualified person responsible for preparing, supervising and approving the scientific and technical content of this news release.
1 Technical Report on the Holdsworth Project, Holdsworth Property, Wawa, Ontario, Canada, Q. Yarie, Dec. 20, 2016.
2 Magino Gold Project – Indicated Gold Resources (inclusive of Reserves): 4.07M oz; Inferred Gold Resources: 1.06 Moz (http://www.argonautgold.com/gold_operations/magino/)
3 Island Gold Mine – Proven and Probable Gold Reserves: 752,200 oz; Measured and Indicated Gold Resources (exclusive of Reserves): 91,450 oz; Inferred Gold Resources : 995,700 oz (https://www.richmont-mines.com/English/operations/production/island-gold-mine/default.aspx)
4 Report on the Holdsworth Gold Prospect, Wawa Area, Ontario, Seymour M. Sears P.Geo., October 2002.
About MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. - MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. is a mineral exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Previously focused on Copper and Zinc (VMS), and Nickel exploration in the Ring of Fire area of the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario, the company recently acquired the Charlevoix Silica Property in Quebec and entered into an option and joint venture agreement with Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. to advance exploration on Noble's Wawa-Holdsworth Gold and Silver Project in Ontario.
Highlights of the Wawa-Holdsworth Project:
- Approximately 285 hectares, 20 kilometres northeast of the town of Wawa
- Neighbouring Argonaut's >6Moz gold Magino Deposit & Richmont's >1Moz gold Island Gold Mine
- Numerous gold showings with diversified mineralization styles occurring in a 500 metre-wide deformation corridor
- Year-long road access and easy access to rail, road, electrical power, labour force and suppliers.
The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BMK".
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