Results Continue to Showcase Prospective Platform in Saskatchewan
DENVER, Dec. 13, 2021 /CNW/ - SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) (TSX: SSRM) (ASX: SSR) ("SSR Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive exploration results from the Amisk Property in Saskatchewan. Amisk is located approximately 140 kilometers southeast of the Seabee operation and Fisher properties and within the prolific Flin Flon mining district (Figure 1). Amisk has many analogous geological features to the Seabee/Fisher trend, and reinterpretation of historical data and field reconnaissance has identified a number of new prospects beyond the existing Amisk deposit. Field sampling and 10 widely spaced exploration diamond drill holes have confirmed the potential of the area with significant positive assay results, including:
BKD-21-001: 1.51 g/t Au over 6.59 meters from 72.00 meters and 0.84 g/t Au over 9.89 meters from 160.65 meters
BKD-21-002: 1.16 g/t Au over 6.45 meters from 112.39 meters and 6.15 g/t Au over 2.90 meters from 123.64 meters
Grab samples up to 83.98 g/t Au
Monarch
MON-21-002: 1.71 g/t Au over 11.36 meters from 143.03 meters including 6.81 g/t Au over 1.00 meters
MON-21-003: 1.27 g/t Au over 10.57 meters from 142.43 meters including 14.13 g/t over 0.74 meters
Grab samples up to 20.55 g/t Au
Regional Grab Sample Results
Raine-Walker: up to 67.15 g/t Au
TCA: up to 81.59 g/t Au
Oberon: up to 17.30 g/t Au
Victory: up to 138.80 g/t Au
Follow up drilling and field work is planned for 2022, as SSR Mining looks to better define and potentially expand on the prospective greenfield targets identified on the property to-date. Drill programs in 2022 will test new targets along the West Channel trend where prospecting and soil sampling has confirmed significant gold mineralization associated with quartz veins in outcrop. The Amisk team will also continue evaluating regional data to generate new targets for field investigation and potential drilling going forward.
The recently announced acquisition of Taiga Gold Corp., including the SAM project that expands the Amisk Property by 1,004 hectares, reinforces the Company's commitment to future exploration across the underexplored and highly prospective province of Saskatchewan.
The Amisk Property is 100% owned by SSR Mining. Early exploration at Amisk has been encouraging, with results highlighted below from six distinct targets outside of the existing Amisk deposit (Figures 2 and 3).
The Black Diamond Target is located along a folded shear zone northwest of the Amisk deposit (Figure 4). Drilling is aimed at testing the continuity at depth of broad gold mineralization identified on surface. Drill intercepts and grab samples at Black Diamond include:
BKD-21-001: 1.51 g/t Au over 6.59 meters from 72.00 meters and 0.84 g/t Au over 9.89 meters from 160.65 meters
BKD-21-002: 1.16 g/t Au over 6.45 meters from 112.39 meters and 6.15 g/t Au over 2.90 meters from 123.64 meters
Grab samples of 83.98 g/t, 41.87 g/t, 30.95 g/t, 21.81 g/t, 21.75 g/t, 20.47 g/t, and 19.03 g/t Au
The West Channel Trend comprises a shear corridor with a defined strike length of > 10 km that hosts several distinct target areas, including Monarch and Victory (Figure 5). The aim of this phase of exploration along the West Channel trend was to prove the continuity of mineralization along strike and to complete an initial phase of drill testing. Drill intercepts and grab samples along the West Channel include:
MON-21-001: 0.26 g/t Au over 3.48 meters from 247.71 meters
MON-21-002: 1.71 g/t Au over 11.36 meters from 143.03 meters including 6.81 g/t Au over 1.00 meters
MON-21-003: 1.27 g/t Au over 10.57 meters from 142.43 meters including 14.13 g/t over 0.74 meters
Grab samples of 20.55 g/t and 14.41 g/t Au from the Monarch target area
Grab samples of 138.80 g/t, 61.56 g/t, 41.15 g/t, 31.10 g/t, 29.39 g/t, 13.00 g/t, 12.85 g/t, 11.87 g/t Au from the Victory target area
In addition to the Black Diamond and West Channel trends, SSR Mining continues regional exploration to define and advance targets elsewhere on the property. Select highlights include:
Raine-Walker
Grab samples of 67.15 g/t, 37.54 g/t, and 11.70 g/t Au
TCA
Grab samples of 81.59 g/t and 12.21 g/t Au
Oberon
Grab samples of 17.30 g/t and 13.00 g/t Au
Amisk Property, Saskatchewan
During the summer exploration seasons of 2019, 2020 and 2021, SSR Mining executed geological mapping, prospecting and soil sampling programs at the Amisk Property located approximately 140 kilometers southeast of the Seabee operations and Fisher properties (Figure 1). Compilation of historical exploration results indicated the presence of regional-scale shear zones hosting under-explored lode-gold mineralization across the property.
SSR Mining mapped 1,460 hectares during the field programs at a scale of 1:5,000, focusing primarily on the historical gold occurrences associated with regional shear zones. These targets, such as Black Diamond and West Channel, often measure in the tens of kilometers in length and are major structural features. SSR Mining collected 4,253 soil samples at a regional spacing of 100 x 25 meters, with more advanced targets receiving detailed (25 x 10 meters) follow up. SSR Mining prospected and rock sampled along the length of the West Channel and Black Diamond trends resulting in the discovery of dozens of historical trenches and adits dating back to the 1930s.
Soil samples collected in 2020 and 2021 have identified new gold-in-soil anomalies at the TCA target and extended existing anomalies along the Black Diamond and West Channel trends. The combined soil data delineates a pronounced gold-in-soil anomaly at Black Diamond measuring 1,400 by 300 meters with peak values of 945 ppb Au. Along the West Channel the data defines a near continuous gold-in-soil trend between Monarch and Victory that extends 2,600 meters along strike and is up to 450 meters wide with peak values of 13,580 ppb Au. At the TCA target, a gold-in-soil anomaly measuring 750 by 100 meters has been identified with peak values of 1,490 ppb Au.
The most impressive vein system discovered during fieldwork occurs at the Raine-Walker target area. The field teams traced a visible-gold bearing quartz vein with true widths up to 4.5 meters for approximately 400 meters along strike. Assays from grab samples of this vein peaked with 67.2 g/t and 37.5 g/t gold, with other anomalous results from samples occurring along the length of the trend. The Raine-Walker area has seen minimal historical drilling and no drill holes proximal to the high-grade gold occurrences.
SSR Mining initiated its first-ever diamond drill program at the Amisk Property in June 2021 (Table 1). The Black Diamond, Raine-Walker, and Monarch targets were tested by 10 widely spaced, shallow holes totaling 2,250 meters.
Table 1. Select significant mineralized drill hole gold intercepts from the Amisk Property.
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Gold (g/t)
EOH Depth (m)
Zone
BKD-21-001
72.00
78.59
6.59
1.51
339.00
Black Diamond
And
160.65
170.54
9.89
0.84
339.00
Black Diamond
BKD-21-002
112.39
118.84
6.45
1.16
282.00
Black Diamond
And
123.64
126.54
2.90
6.15
282.00
Black Diamond
MON-21-002
143.03
154.39
11.36
1.71
225.00
Monarch
Including
149.89
150.89
1.00
6.81
225.00
Monarch
MON-21-003
142.43
153.00
10.57
1.27
318.00
Monarch
Including
146.26
147.00
0.74
14.13
318.00
Monarch
Notes: Intercepts are reported at a cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au with maximum internal dilution of 2.5 meters and a minimum drilled width of 2.5 meters. Internal high-grade intervals are reported without a minimum drilled width. Width in meters represents downhole intersected length, which may or may not be a true thickness of the mineralization. For complete drillhole results for Amisk targets during the exploration period, see Appendix Table 2.
Amisk Overview of Mineralization Style
The West Channel and Black Diamond trends occur along regional-scale ductile shear zones that range from 5 to 50 meters in orthogonal width. Intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks core much of these trends with lesser meta-volcanic, meta-sedimentary and gabbro packages occurring in proximity to the high-strain corridors. Alteration assemblages of sericite, iron-carbonate and silicification dominate the regional shear zones. Localized chlorite and diaspore occurrences are diagnostic and associated with auriferous quartz veins at the Monarch target area. Arsenopyrite is the most common sulfide mineral associated with this vein-hosted gold mineralization. Pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite are also present, but generally to a lesser degree. Based on visual observations, Sulfide content related to gold mineralization can range from 1%-15%, with most zones hosting 3-5% total sulfide. Coarse visible gold is relatively uncommon on the property and is presently identified at the Raine-Walker, TCA and Black Diamond targets to-date.
Sampling and Analytical Procedures
All drill and surface samples from the Amisk Property were analyzed at TSL Laboratories Inc. ("TSL") in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Duplicate check assays were conducted at TSL and the Saskatchewan Research Council, which are independent from SSR Mining. Mean results of the spot checks were consistent with those reported. Sampling interval was established by minimum or maximum sampling lengths and geological or structural criteria.
TSL prepares a minus-150 mesh pulp (95% passing) weighing 250 grams from a minus 10 mesh coarse crush reject. Fire assay with Atomic Absorption finish was completed on a 30-gram aliquot to produce gold analytical results with a 0.005 g/t gold detection limit. Fire assay with gravimetric finish was prepared on those samples with greater than 3 g/t gold.
External review of data and processes relating to Amisk exploration data has been completed by independent consultant Mr. Ron Konst. There were no adverse material results detected and the Quality Assurance/Quality Control indicates the information collected is acceptable and can be used for further studies.
Qualified Persons
The exploration results disclosed in this document were prepared under the supervision and approved by Dr. Cengiz Y. Demirci, AIPG Registered Member and a CPG (Certified Professional Geologist), and VP Exploration at SSR Mining. Dr. Demirci has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and is a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").
The qualified persons have verified the information disclosed herein, including the sampling, preparation, security and analytical procedures underlying such information, and are not aware of any significant risks and uncertainties that could be expected to affect the reliability or confidence in the information discussed herein.
About SSR Mining
SSR Mining Inc. is a leading, free cash flow focused intermediate gold company with four producing assets located in the USA, Turkey, Canada, and Argentina, combined with a global pipeline of high-quality development and exploration assets in the USA, Turkey, Mexico, Peru, and Canada. In 2020, the four operating assets produced approximately 711,000 gold-equivalent ounces. SSR Mining is listed under the ticker symbol SSRM on the NASDAQ and the TSX, and SSR on the ASX.
SSR Mining Contacts
F. Edward Farid, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Development Officer Alex Hunchak, Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
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All references to "$" in this press release are to U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
This press release includes Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources classification terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada and the Mineral Reserves, and the Mineral Resources estimates are made in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC set out in the SEC rules that are applicable to domestic United States reporting companies. Consequently, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources information included in this press release may not be comparable to similar information that would generally be disclosed by domestic U.S. reporting companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.
Table 2. All reported drill holes completed at the Amisk Property during the exploration period.
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Gold (g/t)
Zone
EOH Depth (m)
BKD-21-001
55.89
61.86
5.97
0.33
Black Diamond
339.00
And
72.00
78.59
6.59
1.51
Black Diamond
339.00
And
107.19
112.00
4.81
0.53
Black Diamond
339.00
And
149.36
155.28
5.92
0.29
Black Diamond
339.00
And
160.65
170.54
9.89
0.84
Black Diamond
339.00
BKD-21-002
81.50
88.35
6.85
0.77
Black Diamond
282.00
And
93.87
97.45
3.58
0.57
Black Diamond
282.00
And
112.39
118.84
6.45
1.16
Black Diamond
282.00
And
123.64
126.54
2.90
6.15
Black Diamond
282.00
And
149.60
153.40
3.80
1.74
Black Diamond
282.00
BKD-21-003
NSI
204.00
BKD-21-004
NSI
186.00
RNW-21-001
NSI
156.00
RNW-21-002
NSI
114.00
RNW-21-003
NSI
135.00
MON-21-001
247.71
251.19
3.48
0.26
Monarch
291.00
MON-21-002
91.64
97.56
5.92
0.50
Monarch
225.00
And
143.03
154.39
11.36
1.71
Monarch
225.00
Including
149.89
150.89
1.00
6.81
Monarch
225.00
MON-21-003
142.43
153.00
10.57
1.27
Monarch
318.00
Including
146.26
147.00
0.74
14.13
Monarch
318.00
Notes: Intercepts are reported at a cut-off of 0.3 g/t Au with maximum internal dilution of 2.5 meters and a minimum drilled width of 2.5 meters. Internal high-grade intervals are reported without a minimum drilled width. Width in meters represents downhole intersected length, which may or may not be a true thickness of the mineralization.
NSI – No significant intercept
Table 3. Supporting drill collar coordinates for surface drill holes at the Amisk Property. Coordinates are displayed in NAD83 UTM Zone 13N.
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