Vancouver — Junior explorer
Recent efforts have focused on the 144 zone, where, in 1989, a deep hole was drilled along a high-angle structure known as the Reudy fault. The hole intersected 68 metres of low-grade gold mineralization, suggesting that the fault might be a branch of the Sterling feeder system.
Historically, mining and exploration have concentrated on a gently dipping horizon known as the Sterling thrust, from which were mined 200,000 oz. gold averaging 7 grams per tonne. The Sterling mine operated for 20 years as a low-production-rate heap-leach operation.
Imperial has drilled five reverse-circulation holes into the northeast-trending fault. Two of these holes, 7a and 9, intersected high-grade gold mineralization hosted in a north-dipping band of silty carbonates near the Reudy fault. Highlights are outlined below:
– Hole 7a, drilled toward the west at an angle of minus 66, cut 33 metres grading 5.28 grams gold per tonne, starting at a down-hole depth of 209 metres. This included a 3-metre section of 10.83 grams gold.
– Hole 9, drilled vertically, cut 13.5 metres grading 19.56 grams gold, starting at 222 metres down-hole. This included a 6.1-metre section that ran 35.41 grams gold and a 3-metre interval of 58.62 grams.
The Vancouver-based company believes the mineralized intervals are continuous since they lie at the same elevation and are 20 metres apart.
– Holes 10 and 12 stepped out from hole 7a, 90 metres to the southwest and 85 metres to the southeast, respectively. Although the holes hit the targeted stratigraphy, no mineralization was intersected. The mineralization appears to be closely associated with the Reudy fault.
– Hole 11, a 40-metre stepout northeast of hole 7a, was abandoned before it reached the targeted depth.
Drilling will next focus on the mineralized zone downdip and to the north, as well as the width of mineralization perpendicular to the fault. There are nearby underground workings from which exploration holes could be drilled if the results are good.
Imperial owns a 100% interest in the Sterling mine subject to a 2.25% net smelter return royalty. All samples were assayed by Bondar Clegg in North Vancouver.
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