MONTREAL, June 1, 2022
/CNW Telbec/ - Aya Gold &
Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (OTCQX: AYASF) ("Aya" or the
"Corporation") is pleased to announce high-grade silver results
from its step-out drilling program at the Zgounder Silver Mine in
the Kingdom of Morocco.
Key Highlights (all
intersections are in core lengths)
- Follow-up of mineralised slopes with DZG-SF-22-07 at the
1,975 level, which intercepted 1,748 grams per tonne ("g/t")
silver ("Ag") over 8.5 meters ("m") including
-
- 14,720 g/t Ag over 1.5m
- 6,480 g/t Ag over 1.5m
- 3,460 g/t Ag over 0.5m
- Hole T28-22-1975-01 located below current mine
galleries, intercepted 3,260 g/t Ag over 3.6m including
-
- 5,096 g/t Ag over 1.2m
- 4,525 g/t Ag over 1.2m
- Definition of near-surface mineralization to the east with
ZG-22-04, which intercepted 796 g/t Ag over 11m including
-
- 7,760 g/t Ag over 0.5m
- 3,760 g/t Ag over 0.5m
- Continued definition at the 1975m
level with T28-22-1975-803, which intercepted 1,896 g/t Ag
over 3.6m including
-
- 3,520 g/t Ag over 1.2m
- 1,948 g/t Ag over 1.2m
- Extension of the eastern strike by ZG-22-10, which also
intercepted 1,089 g/t Ag over 6m
including
-
- 2,720 g/t Ag over 1.5m
- 1,092 g/t Ag over 1.5m
"Today's step-out results confirm high-grade continuity below
current mine galleries and in the central portion of the mine.
Additionally, holes ZG-22-04 and ZG-22-10 intercepted
high-grade intervals that further define the eastern strike close
to surface. Overall, results continue to support Zgounder's
near-term expansion potential, providing additional support for our
updated resource statement later this year," said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO.
Included in this release are results for 82 holes , which
include 14 surface diamond drill holes ("DDH"), 6 underground DDH,
50 T28 and 12 YAK (T28 & YAK: percussion
drilling using an air-compressed hammer) holes.
For a full summary of today's results, refer to Appendixes 1
and 2.
Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from Drilling at Zgounder
(core lengths)
Hole
No.
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Length1
(m)
|
Ag2
(g/t)
|
Surface
|
ZG-22-04
|
5.50
|
8.50
|
3.00
|
130
|
19.00
|
30.00
|
11.00
|
796
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
1,026
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
7,760
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
3,760
|
33.50
|
36.00
|
2.50
|
121
|
46.50
|
49.00
|
2.50
|
425
|
51.50
|
52.50
|
1.00
|
888
|
56.00
|
60.50
|
4.50
|
208
|
69.50
|
70.00
|
0.50
|
156
|
76.00
|
77.00
|
1.00
|
192
|
98.50
|
99.00
|
0.50
|
188
|
121.50
|
123.00
|
1.50
|
324
|
167.00
|
172.00
|
5.00
|
651
|
5.50
|
8.50
|
3.00
|
130
|
ZG-22-10
|
4.50
|
10.50
|
6.00
|
90
|
16.50
|
22.50
|
6.00
|
1,089
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
2,720
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
1,092
|
Underground
|
DZG-SF-22-07
|
24.00
|
32.50
|
8.50
|
1,748
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
3,460
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
14,720
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
6,480
|
TD28-22-2125-058
|
2.40
|
10.80
|
8.40
|
527
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
2,184
|
TD28-22-2075-066
|
25.20
|
26.4
|
1.20
|
1,000
|
T28-22-1975-01
|
4.80
|
8.400
|
3.60
|
3,260
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
5,096
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
4,525
|
14.40
|
26.40
|
12.00
|
296
|
T28-22-1975-803
|
0.00
|
1.20
|
1.20
|
104
|
2.40
|
3.60
|
1.20
|
76
|
10.80
|
14.40
|
3.60
|
1,896
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,948
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
3,520
|
TD28-22-2125-047
|
4.80
|
7.2
|
2.40
|
1,028
|
TD28-22-2030-092
|
3.60
|
6.00
|
2.40
|
1,456
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
2,800
|
10.80
|
15.60
|
4.80
|
513
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,772
|
TD28-22-1975-110
|
0.00
|
3.60
|
3.60
|
1,492
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,804
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
2,550
|
YAKD-22-1975-010
|
16.80
|
19.20
|
2.40
|
1,761
|
YAKD-22-2000-024
|
13.20
|
15.60
|
2.40
|
1,100
|
YAKD-22-2000-026
|
3.60
|
13.20
|
9.60
|
412
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,940
|
YAK-22-2030-1
|
0.00
|
3.60
|
3.60
|
1,036
|
13.20
|
14.40
|
1.20
|
106
|
18.00
|
20.40
|
2.40
|
265
|
1
|
Holes were drilled at
various angles; true widths are not known at this time.
|
2
|
All assay results are
above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.
|
Quality Assurance
For core drilling, all individual samples represent
approximately one metre in length of core, which is halved. Half of
the core is kept on site for reference, and its counterpart is sent
for preparation and assaying to African Laboratory for Mining and
Environment ("Afrilab") in Marrakech, Morocco. All samples are analyzed for silver,
copper, iron, lead, and zinc using Aqua regia and finished by
atomic absorption spectroscopy ("AAS"). Samples grading above 200
g/t Ag are reanalyzed using fire assaying.
For definition drilling using T28 drilling equipment, all
individual samples represent 1.2m in
length. Samples are assayed at either the Zgounder Mine Laboratory
("ZMSM") or at Afrilab. At Afrilab, all samples are analyzed for
silver, copper, iron, lead, and zinc using Aqua regia and finished
by AAS. Samples grading above 200 g/t Ag are reanalyzed using fire
assaying. At ZMSM, all samples are analyzed for silver only using
Aqua regia and finished by AAS. Rigorous quality controls (QaQc)
are applied at both locations.
Marc-Antoine Audet, Ph.D. P. Geo,
Geological Consultant, is Aya Gold
& Silver's Qualified Person and has reviewed this press release
for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.
About Aya
Gold & Silver Inc.
Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a
rapidly growing, Canada-based
silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the
high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and is exploring its properties
along the prospective South-Atlas Fault, several of which have
hosted past-producing mines and historical resources. Aya's
Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit Gold Project
in Mauritania, which is being
advanced to feasibility.
Aya's management team has been focused on maximising shareholder
value by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its operations,
governance, and financial growth plans.
For additional information, please visit Aya's website at
www.ayagoldsilver.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that constitute
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable
securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which reflects
management's expectations regarding Aya's future growth and
business prospects (including the timing and development of new
deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other
opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "confirm",
"de-risk", "expect", "demonstrate", "continuity",
"potential", "continue", "expand", "seems", and similar expressions
or statements that certain actions, events or results "may",
"could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken,
occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such
forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in
this press release include, but are not limited to, statements and
information with respect to the exploration and development
potential of Zgounder, the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources
into Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and future
opportunities for enhancing development at Zgounder. Although the
forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect
management's current beliefs based upon information currently
available to management and based upon what management believes to
be reasonable assumptions, Aya cannot be certain that actual
results will be consistent with such forward-looking information.
Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions,
opinions and analysis made by management in light of its
experience, current conditions, and its expectations of future
developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant
but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include,
among other things, the ability to obtain any requisite
governmental approvals, the presence of artisanal miners, obtaining
regulatory permits for on site work, importing goods and machinery
and employment permits, the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource Estimates (including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and
ore grade estimates), the price of silver, the price of gold,
exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions,
anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of
action. Aya cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such
forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking
statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in
exploration and development of mineral properties, including
government approvals and permitting, changes in economic
conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver gold and other
key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to,
throughput and recoveries being affected by metallurgical
characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution
delays, many of which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as
other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in
Aya's 2021 Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022, and in other filings of Aya with
securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Aya does not undertake any obligation to update
forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these
plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change.
Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to
sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All
references to Aya include its subsidiaries unless the context
requires otherwise.
Appendix 1 - Mineral Intercepts from Surface Drilling at
Zgounder (core lengths)
Hole
No.
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Length1
(m)
|
Ag2
(g/t)
|
DZG-21-28
|
81.50
|
83.00
|
1.50
|
743
|
234.00
|
235.00
|
1.00
|
76
|
238.50
|
239.50
|
1.00
|
350
|
251.00
|
251.50
|
0.50
|
109
|
268.00
|
272.00
|
4.00
|
247
|
278.00
|
283.00
|
5.00
|
255
|
291.00
|
292.00
|
1.00
|
710
|
ZG-22-03
|
221.50
|
223.00
|
1.50
|
89
|
229.50
|
231.00
|
1.50
|
851
|
ZG-22-04
|
5.50
|
8.50
|
3.00
|
130
|
19.00
|
30.00
|
11.00
|
796
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
1,026
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
7,760
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
3,760
|
33.50
|
36.00
|
2.50
|
121
|
46.50
|
49.00
|
2.50
|
425
|
51.50
|
52.50
|
1.00
|
888
|
56.00
|
60.50
|
4.50
|
208
|
69.50
|
70.00
|
0.50
|
156
|
76.00
|
77.00
|
1.00
|
192
|
98.50
|
99.00
|
0.50
|
188
|
121.50
|
123.00
|
1.50
|
324
|
167.00
|
172.00
|
5.00
|
651
|
ZG-22-06
|
7.50
|
10.50
|
3.00
|
142
|
262.00
|
263.00
|
1.00
|
96
|
386.00
|
387.50
|
1.50
|
167
|
ZG-22-07
|
26.00
|
27.50
|
1.50
|
495
|
30.50
|
32.00
|
1.50
|
77
|
ZG-22-09
|
31.00
|
36.50
|
5.50
|
389
|
56.00
|
57.00
|
1.00
|
108
|
63.00
|
64.00
|
1.00
|
100
|
65.50
|
66.50
|
1.00
|
84
|
ZG-22-10
|
4.50
|
10.50
|
6.00
|
90
|
16.50
|
22.50
|
6.00
|
1,089
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
2,720
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
1,092
|
ZG-22-11
|
7.50
|
16.50
|
9.00
|
495
|
31.50
|
37.50
|
6.00
|
326
|
42.00
|
46.50
|
4.50
|
536
|
136.00
|
142.00
|
6.00
|
304
|
144.50
|
150.50
|
6.00
|
163
|
ZG-22-12
|
72.00
|
77.00
|
5.00
|
570
|
ZG-22-13
|
311.00
|
312.50
|
1.50
|
232
|
315.50
|
317.00
|
1.50
|
80
|
ZG-22-14
|
184.00
|
185.50
|
1.50
|
194
|
ZG-22-15
|
17.50
|
19.50
|
2.00
|
394
|
33.00
|
36.00
|
3.00
|
256
|
ZG-22-16
|
174.50
|
176.50
|
2.00
|
598
|
ZG-22-22
|
174.50
|
177.50
|
3.00
|
186
|
184.00
|
186.00
|
2.00
|
403
|
212.00
|
213.50
|
1.50
|
187
|
1
|
Holes were drilled at
various angles, true widths are not known at this time.
|
2
|
All assay results are
above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.
|
Appendix 2 - Mineral Intercepts from Underground Drilling at
Zgounder (core lengths)
Hole
No.
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Length1
(m)
|
Ag2
(g/t)
|
DZG-SF-22-06
|
9.00
|
11.00
|
2.00
|
199
|
DZG-SF-22-07
|
24.00
|
32.50
|
8.50
|
1,748
|
|
including
|
0.50
|
3,460
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
14,720
|
|
including
|
1.50
|
6,480
|
DZG-SF-22-32
|
29.50
|
34.00
|
4.50
|
792
|
84.00
|
85.50
|
1.50
|
96
|
DZG-SF-22-35
|
38.00
|
41.00
|
3.00
|
378
|
47.00
|
52.00
|
5.00
|
674
|
56.50
|
58.50
|
2.00
|
86
|
89.00
|
90.50
|
1.50
|
344
|
95.00
|
98.50
|
3.50
|
275
|
DZG-SF-22-37
|
18.00
|
19.00
|
1.00
|
136
|
DZG-SF-22-41
|
25.50
|
31.00
|
5.50
|
81
|
T28 Drilling
|
T28-22-2075-808
|
14.40
|
15.60
|
1.20
|
212
|
22.80
|
24.00
|
1.20
|
84
|
T28-22-2075-809
|
0.00
|
1.20
|
1.20
|
192
|
12.00
|
13.20
|
1.20
|
92
|
T28-22-2075-811
|
4.80
|
8.40
|
3.60
|
79
|
T28-22-2075-812
|
2.40
|
3.60
|
1.20
|
84
|
T28-22-2075-814
|
14.40
|
20.40
|
6.00
|
384
|
T28-22-2075-815
|
14.40
|
21.60
|
7.20
|
478
|
T28-22-2075-817
|
12
|
15.60
|
3.60
|
158
|
T28-22-2075-818
|
2.4
|
6.00
|
3.60
|
149
|
T28-22-2075-819
|
13.2
|
14.40
|
1.20
|
448
|
TD28-22-2125-037
|
2.40
|
6.00
|
3.60
|
187
|
TD28-22-2125-038
|
15.60
|
20.40
|
4.80
|
319
|
TD28-22-2125-039
|
7.20
|
9.60
|
2.40
|
95
|
TD28-22-2125-056
|
2.40
|
9.60
|
7.20
|
455
|
TD28-22-2125-058
|
2.40
|
10.80
|
8.40
|
527
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
2,184
|
TD28-22-2075-064
|
4.80
|
7.20
|
2.40
|
308
|
TD28-22-2075-065
|
0.00
|
2.40
|
2.40
|
158
|
21.60
|
25.20
|
3.60
|
529
|
TD28-22-2075-066
|
25.20
|
26.40
|
1.20
|
1,000
|
TD28-22-2075-067
|
0.00
|
2.40
|
2.40
|
146
|
4.80
|
9.60
|
4.80
|
104
|
TD28-22-2075-070
|
15.60
|
25.20
|
9.60
|
150
|
TD28-22-2075-071
|
14.40
|
15.60
|
1.20
|
84
|
19.20
|
20.40
|
1.20
|
76
|
TD28-22-2075-072
|
12.00
|
13.20
|
1.20
|
792
|
22.80
|
24.00
|
1.20
|
492
|
TD28-22-2075-073
|
21.60
|
22.80
|
1.20
|
99
|
T28-22-1975-01
|
4.80
|
8.400
|
3.60
|
3,260
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
5,096
|
|
|
1.20
|
4,525
|
14.40
|
26.40
|
12.00
|
296
|
T28-22-1975-800
|
8.40
|
9.60
|
1.20
|
664
|
T28-22-1975-801
|
6.00
|
7.20
|
1.20
|
108
|
T28-22-1975-803
|
0.00
|
1.20
|
1.20
|
104
|
2.40
|
3.60
|
1.20
|
76
|
10.80
|
14.40
|
3.60
|
1,896
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,948
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
3,520
|
T28-22-1975-804
|
8.40
|
10.80
|
2.40
|
140
|
T28-22-1975-807
|
19.20
|
20.40
|
1.20
|
208
|
TD28-22-2125-044
|
12.00
|
13.20
|
1.20
|
500
|
TD28-22-2125-047
|
4.80
|
7.20
|
2.40
|
1,028
|
TD28-22-2125-048
|
0.00
|
2.40
|
2.40
|
102
|
4.80
|
7.20
|
2.40
|
682
|
10.80
|
13.20
|
2.40
|
740
|
TD28-22-2125-049
|
0.00
|
3.60
|
3.60
|
641
|
8.40
|
10.80
|
2.40
|
178
|
19.20
|
20.40
|
1.20
|
88
|
TD28-22-2125-050
|
7.20
|
9.60
|
2.40
|
94
|
TD28-22-2030-090
|
2.40
|
3.60
|
1.20
|
356
|
TD28-22-2030-092
|
3.60
|
6.00
|
2.40
|
1,456
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
2,800
|
10.80
|
15.60
|
4.80
|
513
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,772
|
TD28-22-2030-093
|
3.60
|
4.80
|
1.20
|
772
|
7.20
|
12.00
|
4.80
|
175
|
TD28-22-2030-094
|
4.80
|
9.60
|
4.80
|
88
|
TD28-22-2030-095
|
4.80
|
6.00
|
1.20
|
88
|
TD28-22-2030-097
|
7.20
|
10.80
|
3.6
|
137
|
18.00
|
19.20
|
1.2
|
88
|
TD28-22-1975-110
|
0.00
|
3.60
|
3.60
|
1,492
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,804
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
2,550
|
TD28-22-1975-111
|
1.20
|
2.40
|
1.20
|
488
|
TD28-22-1975-112
|
15.60
|
18.00
|
2.40
|
223
|
TD28-22-1975-113
|
15.60
|
16.80
|
1.20
|
150
|
22.80
|
24.00
|
1.20
|
76
|
TD28-22-1975-115
|
0.00
|
4.80
|
4.80
|
158
|
7.20
|
8.40
|
1.20
|
116
|
10.80
|
12.00
|
1.20
|
148
|
18.00
|
19.20
|
1.20
|
268
|
TD28-22-1975-117
|
0.00
|
6.00
|
6.00
|
285
|
14.40
|
15.60
|
1.20
|
112
|
18.00
|
19.20
|
1.20
|
80
|
TD28-22-1975-118
|
0.00
|
2.40
|
2.40
|
628
|
TD28-22-1975-119
|
14.40
|
16.80
|
2.40
|
142
|
TD28-22-1975-101
|
0.00
|
2.40
|
2.40
|
144
|
8.40
|
9.60
|
1.20
|
208
|
TD28-22-1975-104
|
8.40
|
9.60
|
1.20
|
76
|
TD28-22-1975-108
|
4.80
|
6.00
|
1.20
|
92
|
YAK Drilling
|
YAKD-22-1975-009
|
18.00
|
21.60
|
3.60
|
175
|
YAKD-22-1975-010
|
16.80
|
19.20
|
2.40
|
1,761
|
YAKD-22-1975-012
|
24.00
|
25.20
|
1.20
|
220
|
YAKD-22-1975-013
|
2.40
|
3.60
|
1.20
|
116
|
YAKD-22-2075-017
|
10.80
|
13.20
|
2.40
|
372
|
YAKD-22-2075-018
|
10.80
|
14.40
|
3.60
|
736
|
16.80
|
18.00
|
1.20
|
109
|
48.00
|
50.40
|
2.40
|
576
|
YAKD-22-2075-020
|
22.80
|
27.60
|
4.80
|
229
|
39.60
|
46.80
|
7.20
|
654
|
YAKD-22-2000-024
|
13.20
|
15.60
|
2.40
|
1,100
|
YAKD-22-2000-026
|
3.60
|
13.20
|
9.60
|
412
|
|
including
|
1.20
|
1,940
|
YAK-22-2030-1
|
0.00
|
3.60
|
3.60
|
1,036
|
13.20
|
14.40
|
1.20
|
106
|
18.00
|
20.40
|
2.40
|
265
|
YAK-22-2030-3
|
8.40
|
10.80
|
2.40
|
741
|
15.60
|
18.00
|
2.40
|
301
|
YAK-22-2030-3bis
|
6.20
|
9.20
|
3.00
|
180
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Holes were drilled at
various angles, true widths are not known at this time.
|
2
|
All assay results are
above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.
|
SOURCE Aya Gold & Silver
Inc