Emperor Metals (CSE: AUOZ; US-OTC: EMAUF) upgraded its Duquesne West gold project in Quebec’s Abitibi region with a bonanza‐grade discovery that could reshape the deposit’s potential.
A reanalysis of historical core samples from hole DQ24-12, first reported on Jan. 8, returned a 21.7‐metre interval averaging 35.2 grams gold per tonne from 275.4 metres depth, Emperor said Tuesday. It reclassified an included interval previously reported as 2.5 metres at 57.8 grams gold to a bonanza 301.1 grams gold. The result exposes significant visible gold that traditional assays had underestimated, according to the company.
“The discovery of high-grade gold lenses, which contain visible gold and were previously thought to be lower grade, is a highly significant development for the economics of this deposit and strengthens the potential of the project,” CEO John Florek said in a press release.
The Abitibi Greenstone Belt, which straddles northwestern Quebec and northeastern Ontario, has produced over 200 million oz. gold since 1901. It continues to attract exploration dollars and deliver discoveries nearly a century later.
Emperor Metals’ Duquesne West gold project in Quebec’s Abitibi region. Credit: Emperor Metals
Emperor’s 2024 campaign drilled 8,166 meters across 19 holes. It also re-assayed almost 8,000 meters of historical core. This work confirmed visible gold lenses, enhancing the open-pit model.
A recent renewal option for the Duquesne West property, which included a $500,000 cash payment and the issuance of 3.67 million shares, shows Emperor’s commitment. This move aims to push the project toward a resource update by March.
Emperor’s Toronto-traded shares are up 147% since the start of the year, having closed at 18.5¢ Tuesday. They have ranged in value between 6.5¢ and 18.75¢ over the past 12 months. Emperor’s market capitalization is $20.7 million.
High-tech exploration
Due to the visible gold in the DQ24-12 intersection and gaps in the initial results, the company wanted a better method for a more accurate assay. This opens the opportunity to add more high-grade zones within a large gold system, Florek said.
Emperor re-assayed the interval using a larger, more representative sample and a screened metallics fire assay for greater accuracy. This special technique measures gold in samples with large particles, called the nugget effect. Traditional assays often miss the true amount.
Emperor is using a large drilling database with over 103,000 meters of core from 327 holes. It’s also using artificial intelligence to create 3D geological models, which help geologists find new priority targets. This AI‐driven approach is expected to unlock more ounces beyond the historical inferred resource of 727,000 oz. at 5.42 grams gold per tonne.
Rewriting the rulebook
In a report published last May, Couloir Capital analyst Ron Wortel said that using AI with a large historical dataset could help Emperor discover hidden high-grade zones. This could lead to major resource growth in a well-developed mining district.
“Emperor Metals is rewriting the rulebook in the Abitibi,” Wortel wrote.
A conceptual open-pit model focuses on near-surface, lower-grade bulk tonnage areas at Duquesne West. Empreror says these zones become economic at about 0.3 grams gold per tonne. The approach aims to quickly increase gold ounces beyond the high-grade underground zones.
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