AbraSilver Resource Corp. announced assay results from four initial reconnaissance drill holes at the porphyry complex, located approximately 3.5 km northeast of the Oculto deposit, on its wholly-owned Diablillos project in Salta province.
By Panorama Minero
Results indicate that drilling has tested the upper part of a major porphyry system that is estimated to span up to approximately 3 km in length and 2 km in width, hosting zones of gold, silver and copper, including some high-grade intervals. The porphyry mineralisation appears to have a high-grade gold epithermal overprint. Key highlights from the latest assay results include:
Cerro Viejo:
Initial reconnaissance drilling at the Cerro Viejo target in the Diablillos porphyry complex, included three holes confirming widespread gold mineralization. Notably, hole DDH 24-056 showcases a high-sulphidation overprint over a porphyry system. Significant drill intercepts included:
- Hole DDH 24-056 intersected 36.0 m at 1.91 g/t Au, starting at a downhole depth of only 87 m, with a higher-grade interval of 5.0 m at 7.22 g/t Au. This intercept highlights a shallow, high-grade gold zone easily accessible for future exploration. Surface chip/channel samples further revealed enriched gold values.
- Hole DDH 24-059, located 450 m north of hole 24-056, intersected broad zones of lower-grade gold and copper mineralization with 81.0 m grading 0.25 g/t Au and 0.01% Cu from a downhole depth of 130 m. Together with hole DDH 24-071 and the epithermal overprint, this appears to demonstrate the upper part of a robust porphyry system.
- Hole DDH 24-071, located 500 m south of hole 24-056, intersected multiple zones of gold, copper and silver mineralization, including a broad intercept of 106.0 m grading 0.15 g/t Au starting at a down-hole depth of 104 m. Porphyry style gold mineralization is shown by drilling to extend over a distance of more than 1 km north-south.
Cerro Blanco:
- Due to rugged terrain, drilling in Cerro Blanco was limited to one hole, DDH 24-081, which was not ideally positioned and intercepted only short intervals of gold and copper mineralization. However, historical and recent surface sampling revealed high-grade zones with copper-rich intervals, offering promising targets for future exploration.
John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, “Our initial drill results unveil the significant potential of the Cerro Viejo area to host a new high-sulphidation epithermal system. We are particularly encouraged by the shallow, high-grade gold mineralization identified in hole DDH 24-056. Ongoing exploration efforts are currently being planned to help further define this promising new target.”
Dave O’Connor, Chief Geologist, commented, “The widespread gold mineralization, along with associated copper identified in this initial drilling program indicates an overprinting of epithermal mineralization on the upper portion of a porphyry system. All drill holes encountered porphyry-style alterations with well-developed stockwork veining and abundant sulphides. The high-sulphidation overprint suggests potential for a shallow, high-grade epithermal gold resource, as demonstrated by the 36 m interval grading 1.91 g/t Au in hole DDH 24-056. Additionally, the initial reconnaissance drill hole at Cerro Blanco highlights a likely up faulted portion of the porphyry system, where mineralization is expected to be closer to the surface. These findings are further supported by nearby surface chip/channel sampling, and, as a result, additional exploration is certainly warranted in this area.”
