MONTREAL, Nov. 1, 2022
/CNW/ - Aya Gold & Silver
Inc. (TSX: AYA) (OTCQX: AYASF) ("Aya" or the
"Corporation") is pleased to announce the launch of its 7,500-meter
drill exploration program at Zgounder Regional in the Kingdom of
Morocco. Additionally, the
Corporation is accelerating exploration at Boumadine through an
additional 4,000-meter drilling campaign.
Highlights
Zgounder Regional
- Receipt of final data from the airborne geophysics survey
(magnetic, VTEM and radiometric)
- Identification of five target areas with silver, copper, and
gold showings
- Mobilization of three drills on Zgounder Regional as part of
its 7,500-meter ("m") scheduled diamond drill hole ("DDH")
exploration program
- Results from August 2022 stream
sediment survey are expected shortly
Boumadine
- An additional 4,000m have been
added to the 2022 DDH program which now totals 17,500m to explore strike length extensions and
the Central zone at depth
- Receipt of final data for the airborne geophysics survey
(magnetic, VTEM and radiometric)
-
- Data indicates the presence of a conductive anomaly down to at
least 600m below surface along the
main Boumadine trend, suggesting at-depth extension of
mineralization
- New conductive anomalies identified south and west of the main
trend
Imiter bis
- Full results from the first phase of drilling at Imiter bis
returned new mineralized intersections on the north target
including:
-
- IM-DD22-041 intercepted 3.94 g/t Au over 5.0m
- IM-DD22-039 intercepted 1.46 g/t Au over 11.5m (including 2.42 g/t Au over
3.1m)
- Receipt of final data from the airborne geophysics survey
(magnetic, VTEM and radiometric)
Tijirit (Mauritania)
- Mobilization and launch of the 25,000m infill drilling program (part of the
feasibility study) with one reverse circulation ("RC") drill rig
turning as of mid-October 2022
"We are very excited by the recent VTEM data from Boumadine
suggesting continuity of the mineralized structure both south and
at depth, which follow last month's promising high-grade drill
exploration results on the property. The presence of new conductive
anomalies outside the main trend indicates the potential for new
mineralized zones adjacent to and along the Boumadine main trend,"
said Benoit La Salle, President
& CEO. "We are also encouraged by our early work within
Zgounder Regional properties, which suggests favourable geological
settings and the presence of mineralization."
Zgounder Regional
Currently, three DDH rigs are turning on Zgounder Regional
properties as part of the initial 7,500m drill exploration program (Figure 8). The
Corporation will be testing five different targets highlighted by
the spectral and prospecting campaign (Figure 1). The first test
area will be "Zgounder Far West": In addition to exhibiting the
same sedimentary units, similar alteration, and the same
lithological contact with rhyolite as Zgounder, the Far West area
returned anomalous values for silver and copper from grab samples
(Figure 2). Additional priority drill areas in 2023 include the
Tala and Izza Areas, both of which
returned high-grade grab samples in silver, copper and gold
associated with a very strong spectral alteration signature
(Figures 3 and 4).
Zgounder Regional Next Steps
In addition to the ongoing drill exploration program (Figure 4),
the objective at Zgounder Regional is to identify and
define new drill targets. Results from a sediment geochemistry
survey are expected shortly, which will be integrated with data
from the geophysics program and ongoing mapping and
prospecting.
Boumadine
The expanded drilling program announced previously is ongoing
with results pending. The Corporation has received the final data
from the airborne geophysics survey, which indicates the
presence of a conductive anomaly down to at least 600m below surface along the main Boumadine
trend. This suggests the extension of mineralization at depth
(Figure 5) with a slight shift toward east as the depth increases,
most likely due to a dip of the structure. The data also identified
new conductive anomalies south and west of the main trend.
Boumadine Next Steps
The Corporation has increased its 2022 drill program by
4,000m with the objective of
extending mineralization to the south and at depth in the Central
Area. The new geophysics data will help guide the infill drill
program and generate new targets for exploration along strike and
across the permit.
Imiter bis
The Corporation received the final assays from its initial drill
exploration program at Imiter bis, which included 24 DDH over
4,754m (Figure 6). The North Zone
returned some very encouraging results (Table 1), including
IM-DD22-041, which intercepted 3.94 g/t Au over
5.0m and IM-DD22-039, which
intercepted 1.46 g/t Au over 11.5m (including 2.42 g/t Au over
3.1m) (Figure 7). The mineralization
is materialized by stockwork of grayish quartz veinlets with traces
of sulphides; and the host rock is strongly silicified and
moderately bleached. The Corporation will evaluate the need for
further drilling in the coming months with the objective of
locating the "boiling zone", which could host higher grade
mineralization in this low-sulphidation epithermal system.
Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from 2022 Imiter bis Drill
Exploration Program
Hole
No.
|
Area
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Au
(g/t)
|
Ag
(g/t)
|
Length*
(m)
|
IM-DD21-030
|
South
|
49.0
|
52.3
|
0.92
|
4
|
3.3
|
including
|
50.0
|
51.8
|
1.33
|
4
|
1.8
|
IM-DD21-030
|
South
|
63.0
|
64.0
|
1.19
|
4
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-037
|
North-West
|
79.2
|
80.2
|
1.06
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-037
|
North-West
|
86.3
|
90.8
|
1.73
|
2
|
4.5
|
including
|
88.9
|
90.8
|
3.53
|
4
|
1.9
|
IM-DD22-038
|
North-West
|
109.2
|
111.9
|
2.05
|
1
|
2.7
|
including
|
109.2
|
109.8
|
7.78
|
1
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
159.0
|
160.8
|
1.02
|
1
|
1.8
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
194.7
|
206.2
|
1.46
|
2
|
11.5
|
including
|
194.7
|
197.8
|
2.42
|
4
|
3.1
|
including
|
200.0
|
202.0
|
2.68
|
3
|
2.0
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
279.9
|
281.0
|
1.01
|
4
|
1.1
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
160.8
|
161.8
|
1.22
|
3
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
208.0
|
211.7
|
1.22
|
2
|
3.7
|
including
|
209.5
|
210.5
|
3.39
|
4
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
215.8
|
220.8
|
3.94
|
1
|
5.0
|
including
|
220.3
|
220.8
|
35.4
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
85.0
|
85.5
|
4.09
|
1
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-043
|
Dilatation
|
42.6
|
45.0
|
0.91
|
25
|
2.4
|
IM-DD22-051
|
North-East
|
71.1
|
72.0
|
1.28
|
4
|
0.9
|
IM-DD22-053
|
North-East
|
40.0
|
41.8
|
0.93
|
3
|
1.8
|
* True width remains
undetermined at this stage; all values are uncut.
Tijirit (Mauritania)
Following government intervention, the Corporation was able to
regain unimpaired access to the Tijirit property. One RC rig is
currently operating at Tijirit as part of the 25,000m drilling program established for 2022. A
DDH rig is expected to be mobilized early November 2022, with the objective of completing
the program before end of January 2023.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this press
release have been reviewed by David
Lalonde, B. Sc, Head of Exploration, Qualified Person, 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 is focused on maximising shareholder value
by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its production,
resource, 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 "potential",
"could", "expected", "suggesting", "indicates", "additional' 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 and the conversion of Inferred Mineral
Resources into Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, future
opportunities for enhancing development at Zgounder, and timing for
the release of the Company's disclosure in connection with the
foregoing. 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 closing and timing of financing,
the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the
accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates
(including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade
estimates), silver price, 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 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 June 16, 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.
Annex 1 - Full Results from 2022 Imiter bis Drill
Program*
Hole
No.
|
Area
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Au
(g/t)
|
Ag
(g/t)
|
Length*
(m)
|
IM-DD21-028
|
South
|
69.0
|
72.8
|
0.16
|
4
|
3.8
|
IM-DD21-029
|
South
|
66.2
|
69.8
|
0.35
|
2
|
3.6
|
IM-DD21-029
|
South
|
83.6
|
84.3
|
0.36
|
4
|
0.7
|
IM-DD21-029
|
South
|
87.3
|
98.0
|
0.38
|
4
|
10.7
|
IM-DD21-030
|
South
|
49.0
|
52.3
|
0.92
|
4
|
3.3
|
including
|
50.0
|
51.8
|
1.33
|
4
|
1.8
|
IM-DD21-030
|
South
|
63.0
|
64.0
|
1.19
|
4
|
1.0
|
IM-DD21-030
|
South
|
75.6
|
76.7
|
0.84
|
4
|
1.1
|
IM-DD21-031
|
South
|
76.3
|
78.8
|
0.35
|
3
|
2.5
|
IM-DD21-031
|
South
|
85.6
|
85.9
|
0.54
|
4
|
0.3
|
IM-DD21-031
|
South
|
90.2
|
91.2
|
0.62
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD21-031
|
South
|
102.4
|
103.3
|
0.30
|
1
|
0.9
|
IM-DD21-032
|
South
|
128.1
|
129.0
|
0.46
|
4
|
0.9
|
IM-DD21-033
|
South
|
60.2
|
62.2
|
0.35
|
3
|
2.0
|
IM-DD22-034
|
Daoud
|
68.5
|
70.5
|
0.33
|
1
|
2.0
|
IM-DD22-034
|
Daoud
|
125.0
|
126.0
|
0.32
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-035
|
Daoud
|
0.0
|
494.6
|
NSR
|
IM-DD22-036
|
Daoud
|
55.5
|
56.1
|
0.22
|
60
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-036
|
Daoud
|
62.6
|
64.1
|
0.65
|
1
|
1.5
|
IM-DD22-036
|
Daoud
|
100.5
|
101.5
|
0.56
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-036
|
Daoud
|
329.1
|
330.1
|
0.11
|
21
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-036
|
Daoud
|
359.0
|
359.5
|
0.45
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-037
|
North-West
|
79.2
|
80.2
|
1.06
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-037
|
North-West
|
82.2
|
83.4
|
0.37
|
1
|
1.2
|
IM-DD22-037
|
North-West
|
86.3
|
90.8
|
1.73
|
2
|
4.5
|
including
|
88.9
|
90.8
|
3.53
|
4
|
1.9
|
IM-DD22-038
|
North-West
|
101.7
|
102.3
|
0.86
|
1
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-038
|
North-West
|
109.2
|
111.9
|
2.05
|
1
|
2.7
|
including
|
109.2
|
109.8
|
7.78
|
1
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-038
|
North-West
|
130.8
|
131.4
|
1.23
|
4
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-038
|
North-West
|
231.9
|
232.5
|
0.49
|
1
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
97.7
|
98.4
|
0.67
|
4
|
0.7
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
138.3
|
138.9
|
0.88
|
1
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
151.1
|
151.8
|
0.96
|
1
|
0.7
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
154.8
|
155.6
|
0.44
|
1
|
0.8
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
159.0
|
160.8
|
1.02
|
1
|
1.8
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
183.9
|
186.8
|
0.67
|
2
|
2.9
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
194.7
|
206.2
|
1.46
|
2
|
11.5
|
including
|
194.7
|
197.8
|
2.42
|
4
|
3.1
|
including
|
200.0
|
202.0
|
2.68
|
3
|
2.0
|
IM-DD22-039
|
North-West
|
209.6
|
213.6
|
0.51
|
4
|
4.0
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
139.6
|
144.1
|
0.48
|
2
|
4.5
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
216.1
|
217.2
|
0.62
|
4
|
1.1
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
227.5
|
228.5
|
0.44
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
249.2
|
250.5
|
0.50
|
1
|
1.3
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
279.9
|
281.0
|
1.01
|
4
|
1.1
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
287.2
|
287.9
|
0.46
|
4
|
0.7
|
IM-DD22-040
|
North-West
|
327.8
|
328.8
|
0.44
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
40.6
|
42.2
|
0.57
|
1
|
1.6
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
91.8
|
93.0
|
0.34
|
4
|
1.2
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
139.8
|
140.6
|
0.92
|
4
|
0.8
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
160.8
|
161.8
|
1.22
|
3
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
169.1
|
169.7
|
1.28
|
4
|
0.6
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
185.6
|
186.1
|
0.42
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
187.0
|
187.5
|
0.82
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
208.0
|
211.7
|
1.22
|
2
|
3.7
|
including
|
209.5
|
210.5
|
3.39
|
4
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
215.8
|
220.8
|
3.94
|
1
|
5.0
|
including
|
220.3
|
220.8
|
35.4
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-041
|
North-West
|
222.8
|
223.3
|
0.35
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
22.9
|
24.0
|
0.38
|
4
|
1.1
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
33.5
|
34.7
|
0.37
|
1
|
1.2
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
60.8
|
61.6
|
0.36
|
1
|
0.8
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
85.0
|
85.5
|
4.09
|
1
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
91.3
|
92.2
|
0.31
|
1
|
0.9
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
110.3
|
111.8
|
0.43
|
4
|
1.5
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
120.7
|
121.2
|
0.39
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
136.8
|
139.7
|
0.65
|
3
|
2.9
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
143.0
|
145.9
|
0.47
|
1
|
2.9
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
181.7
|
182.6
|
0.45
|
4
|
0.9
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
202.0
|
203.0
|
0.54
|
4
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
228.6
|
229.7
|
0.44
|
1
|
1.1
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
254.5
|
255.5
|
0.31
|
4
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
256.5
|
258.5
|
0.35
|
1
|
2.00
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
265.1
|
265.6
|
0.33
|
4
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-042
|
North-West
|
272.0
|
273.0
|
0.34
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-043
|
Dilatation
|
31.4
|
32.3
|
0.39
|
8
|
0.9
|
IM-DD22-043
|
Dilatation
|
42.6
|
45.0
|
0.91
|
25
|
2.4
|
IM-DD22-044
|
Dilatation
|
56.9
|
57.4
|
0.32
|
16
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-044
|
Dilatation
|
70.2
|
71.0
|
0.37
|
16
|
0.8
|
IM-DD22-045
|
Middle Zone
|
80.0
|
81.0
|
NSR
|
IM-DD22-046
|
Middle Zone
|
42.4
|
43.2
|
0.39
|
4
|
0.8
|
IM-DD22-047
|
Dilatation
|
98.7
|
99.2
|
0.08
|
24
|
0.5
|
IM-DD22-048
|
Middle Zone
|
126.2
|
127.0
|
NSR
|
IM-DD22-049
|
North-East
|
29.3
|
30.4
|
0.60
|
1
|
1.10
|
IM-DD22-050
|
North-East
|
19.4
|
19.9
|
NSR
|
IM-DD22-051
|
North-East
|
71.1
|
72.0
|
1.28
|
4
|
0.9
|
IM-DD22-051
|
North-East
|
90.7
|
92.4
|
0.32
|
4
|
1.7
|
IM-DD22-052
|
North-East
|
69.0
|
70.5
|
0.35
|
1
|
1.5
|
IM-DD22-053
|
North-East
|
40.0
|
41.8
|
0.93
|
3
|
1.8
|
IM-DD22-054
|
North-East
|
119.7
|
120.9
|
0.35
|
1
|
1.2
|
IM-DD22-055
|
North-East
|
118.5
|
119.2
|
0.49
|
1
|
0.7
|
IM-DD22-055
|
North-East
|
123.6
|
124.6
|
0.75
|
1
|
1.0
|
IM-DD22-056
|
North-East
|
172.4
|
176.1
|
0.06
|
26
|
3.7
|
IM-DD22-056
|
North-East
|
181.5
|
182.6
|
0.44
|
4
|
1.1
|
IM-DD22-057
|
North-East
|
174.0
|
175.0
|
NSR
|
*True width remains undetermined at this
stage; all values are uncut.
SOURCE Aya Gold & Silver
Inc