Almadex Minerals Ltd. ("Almadex" or the "Company")
(TSX-V: “DEX) is pleased to announce completion of its updated
mineral resource estimate (MRE) with respect to the Logan
Zinc/Silver project (“Logan”, or the “Project”) located in Yukon
Territory, Canada.
Highlights:
- Indicated Mineral Resource
of 2.6 million tonnes grading 5.1% zinc and 23.1 g/t
silver;
- Inferred Mineral Resource
of 16.9 million tonnes grading 4.3% zinc and 18.2 g/t
silver;
- At-surface high grade zone;
amenable to open pit mining;
- Potential for resource
expansion at depth and along strike.
The Logan Project is located 108 km northwest of
Watson Lake in south central Yukon. The Project consists of 156
contiguous quartz mining claims located in the Watson Lake Mining
District, covering over 3,200 hectares. The Project is located on
the traditional territory of the Ross River Dena Council and Liard
First Nation, 38 km north of the Alaska Highway (Figure 1).
J. Duane Poliquin, Chairman of Almadex
commented, “We are pleased to provide this updated resource
estimate for Logan, which is a significant mineral endowment of a
critical mineral located near infrastructure. This resource
provides an excellent basis for continued study of Logan, as a
potential new source of critical minerals to support a lower carbon
future.”
The Logan deposit consists of fracture and vein
hosted zinc-silver mineralization within a granitic intrusion. The
Main Zone occurs along an 8,000m long NE-trending fault-related
structure. The Main Zone is tabular, dips 70 degrees to the NW,
extends for 1,100m along strike, varies from 50m to 150m in width,
and has been traced to depths of 275m and remains open. The
mineralization is up to 90 metres thick in relatively gentle
terrain and minimal overburden, making it potentially attractive
for open pit mining (see Figures 2 and 3). Recent drill core
re-analysis indicated potentially economically significant values
of the critical metal indium (In), not historically assayed for,
averaging 35 parts-per-million (ppm) In and up to 273 ppm In.
Indium is integral to solar panel manufacturing and a key input in
semiconductors and many materials needed for advanced vehicle
manufacturing.
The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and NSR
cut-off sensitivities are presented in Table 1 and Table 2,
respectively.
Table 1 – Logan Project Open Pit Constrained Mineral
Resource Estimate
Classification |
Zn Cutoff(%) |
Tonnes |
Zn(%) |
Ag(g/t) |
Zn(Mlb) |
Ag(Moz) |
Indicated |
1.6 |
2,620,000 |
5.1 |
23.1 |
294 |
1.94 |
Inferred |
1.6 |
16,930,000 |
4.3 |
18.2 |
1622 |
9.98 |
Notes:
- Mr. Mike Dufresne, P.Geol., P.Geo.
of APEX Geoscience Ltd., who is deemed a qualified person as
defined by NI 43-101 is responsible for the completion of the
updated mineral resource estimation, with an effective date of
January 17, 2023.
- Mineral Resources that are not
Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- The estimate of Mineral Resources
may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal,
title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant
issues.
- The Inferred Mineral Resource in
this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to
an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a
Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the
Inferred Mineral Resource could potentially be upgraded to an
Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.
- The Mineral Resources were
estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources
and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices Guidelines
(2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve
Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council.
- The cut-off grade of 1.6% Zn is
based on metal prices of US$1.30/lb Zn and US$19/oz Ag and 0.77 US$
per C$, with process recoveries of 95% Zn and 80% Ag .
- The constraining pit optimization
parameters assumed C$3.50/t mineralized and waste material mining
cost, 45° pit slopes and a process + G&A cost of C$35/t, using
a 1.5 revenue factor that equates with metal price assumptions of
US$1.95/lb Zn, US$28.50/Oz Ag and 0.77 US$ per C$.
- The effective date of the Mineral
Resources Estimate is January 17, 2023, and a technical report on
the Logan project will be filed by the Company on SEDAR within 45
days of the date of this News Release.
Table 2 – Logan Property Open Pit
Constrained Mineral Resource Estimate Sensitivity
Classification |
Zn Cutoff(%) |
Tonnes |
Zn(%) |
Ag(g/t) |
Zn(Mlb) |
Ag(Moz) |
Indicated |
0.5 |
2,780,000 |
4.8 |
21.5 |
298 |
1.96 |
1.0 |
2,700,000 |
5.0 |
22.5 |
296 |
1.96 |
1.6 |
2,620,000 |
5.1 |
23.1 |
294 |
1.94 |
2.0 |
2,520,000 |
5.2 |
23.5 |
290 |
1.91 |
3.0 |
2,060,000 |
5.8 |
26.1 |
264 |
1.73 |
4.0 |
1,490,000 |
6.7 |
29.7 |
220 |
1.42 |
Inferred |
0.5 |
36,640,000 |
2.4 |
10.7 |
2046 |
13.20 |
1.0 |
25,680,000 |
3.2 |
14.1 |
1864 |
11.84 |
1.6 |
16,930,000 |
4.3 |
18.2 |
1622 |
9.98 |
2.0 |
13,960,000 |
4.9 |
20.3 |
1505 |
9.13 |
3.0 |
10,020,000 |
5.8 |
23.5 |
1292 |
7.56 |
4.0 |
6,800,000 |
7.0 |
26.3 |
1045 |
5.73 |
Mineral Resource Estimation
Methodology
Modeling was conducted in the Universal
Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate space relative to the North
American Datum (NAD) 1983, and UTM zone 9N. The mineral resource
block model utilized a block size of 6 m (X) x 6 m (Y) x 6 m (Z) to
honour the mineralization wireframes. The percentage of the volume
of each block below the bare earth surface, below the modeled waste
overburden surface and within each mineralization domain was
calculated using the 3D geological models and a 3D surface model.
For the open pit optimisation, block values were diluted. The MRE
is reported as undiluted with an effective date of January 17,
2023.
The Logan Property drillhole database consists
of 58 drill holes that intersected the interpreted mineralization
wireframes. The zinc and silver assays were composited to 2-meter
composites lengths and the estimation utilized 2,651 composited
samples. A total of 1.2% of the total drilled meters inside the
interpreted mineralization wireframes were not sampled, assumed to
be waste, and assigned a nominal waste value of half the detection
limit of modern assay methods (0.0005% Zn, 0.3429 g/t Ag).
Zinc and silver estimation was completed using
Ordinary Kriging. The search ellipsoid size used to estimate the Zn
and Ag grades was defined by the modelled variograms. Block grade
estimation employed locally varying anisotropy, which uses
different rotation angles to define the principal directions of the
variogram model and search ellipsoid on a per-block basis. Blocks
within estimation domains are assigned rotation angles using a
modelled 3D mineralization trend surface wireframe, which allows
structural complexities to be reproduced in the estimated block
model. The number of variogram structures, contributions of each
structure, and their ranges are set per estimation domain and do
not vary within the estimation domain.
A total of 201 bulk density samples are
available from the Logan Property drillhole database. APEX
personnel performed exploratory data analysis of the bulk density
samples available and the density was assigned for each domain in
the Logan Property. The density of the deposits ranged from 2.63
g/cm³ to 2.66 g/cm³. The non-mineralized zones were assigned
density based on lithological unit. The modeled overburden was
assigned a density of 1.8 g/cm³ and the remaining country rock was
assigned a density of 2.57 g/cm³.
The unconstrained resource block model was
subjected to several open pit optimization scenarios to establish
that the Logan Project has the potential for future economic
extraction. Blocks partially outside the mineralized wireframes
were diluted with a nominal waste value of 0.0005% Zn and 0.3429
g/t Ag based on the volume of the block outside of the mineralized
wireframes. The process + G&A cost of C$NSR cutoff of $35/t is
used to determine potential mill feed and is approximately
equivalent to a 1.6% Zn cutoff grade. Mr. Dufresne considers the
parameters reasonable to constrain the mineral resource estimate
and establish that the Logan Project has the potential for future
economic extraction. The overall strip ratio for the Logan Property
Open Pit is approximately 5.3:1.
There are no other known factors or issues known
by the QP that materially affect the MRE other than normal risks
faced by mining projects. The Logan Project is subject to the same
types of risks that large base metal projects experience at an
early stage of development in Canada. The nature of the risks
relating to the Project will change as the Project evolves and more
information becomes available. The Company has engaged experienced
management and specialized consultants to identify, manage and
mitigate those risks.
Comparison of Current and Historical
Logan Deposit MRE
The current and historical 2012 Logan Deposit
MRE use the same drill hole database (see Almadex news release
dated May 26, 2022). The Current Logan Deposit MRE differs from a
previously disclosed 2012 historical mineral resource in that was
based on additional specific gravity (SG) data collected by APEX
Geoscience Ltd. personnel during 2022 which resulted in a change in
the SG used in the MRE from 2.95 g/cm³ for mineralized
material and 2.7 g/cm³ for waste (2012) to 2.66 g/cm³ for
the high-grade domain, 2.63 g/cm³ for the main zone
mineralization, and 2.57 g/cm³ for waste, and 1.8
g/cm³ for overburden (2023). The 2023 Logan mineral resource
SG data is based on a total of 204 SG samples collected during 2022
(see Almadex news release dated September 13, 2022).
In addition, mineralization wireframes for the
deposit were re-modeled based on lithology, alteration, and
structural geology logging to include a central high grade zinc
estimation domain (based on drill composite grades greater than
approximately 3.5% zinc) and peripheral lower grade zinc estimation
domain (based on drill composite grades greater than approximately
0.5% zinc). The 2012 historical Logan Deposit mineral resource
utilized a single estimation domain also constrained by lithology,
alteration, and structural geology logging of drill cores and drill
composite grades greater than approximately 0.5% zinc.
Both the current and historical MRE both
utilized ordinary kriging (OK) to estimate zinc and silver into 6 m
(X) x 6 m (Y) x 6 m (Z) blocks in comparison to 10 m (X) x 10 m (Y)
x 10 m (Z) employed during 2012.
The 2023 MRE incorporated an updated mineral
resource cut-off of 1.6% zinc in comparison to 1% zinc cut-off
utilized in 2012. Significantly, the 2012 historical mineral
resource was not pit constrained. Open pit optimization parameters
used in the current MRE are outlined above in the notes to Table
1.
Next Steps
The Logan Zn-Ag Deposit is considered to exhibit
significant potential for mineral resource expansion with
mineralisation open at depth on multiple drill sections, in
addition to exploration potential remaining along strike. Given
that exploration and delineation drilling of the Deposit occurred
during the 1980’s, Almadex is assessing advances in geophysical
survey equipment and 3D inversion methods; including but not
limited to IP/resistivity, gravity, magnetic and electro-magnetic
surveys that may assist in targeting the expansion of mineral
resources and potential discovery of new exploration targets.
About the Logan Project
The Logan Project has been explored by means of
sequential programs of mapping, soil sampling, geophysics, and
diamond drilling since the 1980s. Access for past major work
programs was facilitated with a 52 km long winter road from the
Alaska Highway. In 1987, a 700 m long by 20 m wide gravel airstrip
was established on the Property which would likely require surface
re-levelling in order to be used now, but small, short runway
aircraft may be able to land at this time. The winter road permit
was not renewed past 2009 and re-opening the road would require
further permitting. Currently, the Project can be accessed via
helicopter.
Work on the Project completed by previous
operators is briefly summarised as follows:
1979: |
Staking of Logan 1 to 36 quartz mining claims to cover new
zinc-silver-tin-copper gossan. Geological mapping, soil and stream
sediment geochemistry, hand trenching, and test IP, EM and
magnetometer geophysical surveys. |
1980-85: |
Additional soil geochemistry, claim staking, hand trenching, and
geophysical surveys were completed. |
1986-89: |
Exploration drilling of 103 holes totalling 16,438 metres. Fifteen
trenches totalling 2,412 metres and ongoing soil geochemistry and
geophysical surveys. Metallurgical testwork at Lakefield Research
Laboratories under supervision of Strathcona Mineral Services
Limited. Flotation of both high- and low-grade zinc samples
indicated that recoveries of 93-95% zinc and 85-90% silver could be
projected to a zinc concentrate. |
2003: |
Additional staking and completion of a baseline environmental
survey conducted in and around the Project. |
2006: |
Bell Geospace conducted an Air Full Tensor Gravity (Air-FTG)
survey. |
2012: |
Wardrop, a Tetra Tech Company (Tetra Tech) was retained to prepare
a Technical Report, including an historical mineral resource
estimate, on the Project. The 2012 Tetra Tech Technical Report is
treated as a historical mineral resource as a Qualified Person has
not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a
current mineral resource and Almadex is not treating this
historical estimate as current mineral resources. |
QAQC and Reporting
Almadex is currently preparing the NI 43-101
Logan Project Technical Report, which will contain details of the
MRE. This report is required to be announced and filed on SEDAR and
the Almadex website within 45 days of this news release.
The historical zinc and lead analyses which
underpin the MRE were carried out at Bondar Clegg and ALS Chemex
Laboratories at North Vancouver, British Columbia. Preparation of
samples for assaying is assumed to have involved standard crushing,
grinding and pulverization to produce pulps for assaying via hot
aqua-regia and analysis via atomic absorption.
The QP’s conducted re-assaying of select
mineralized intervals (approximately 5% of the drill database) and
collected a suite of samples for specific gravity (density)
determination to verify the historic drilling results. In total 232
verification samples were collected from representative mineralized
intercepts geographically separated across the deposit (including
15% QA/QC duplicate, standard and blank samples) comprising 231
metres of half drill core from three separate holes from the 1986,
1987 and 1998 historical drill campaigns. Replicate samples were
submitted for analysis to ALS Canada Ltd. (“ALS”) at their
Whitehorse, YT (sample preparation) and Vancouver (ICP-MS), B.C.
facilities. ALS is an ISO-IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015
accredited geoanalytical laboratory and is independent of the
Almadex and the QP. Drill core samples were subject to crushing at
a minimum of 70% passing 2 mm, followed by pulverizing of a
250-gram split to 85% passing 75 microns. A 0.1-gram sample pulp
was then subject to multi-element ICP-MS analysis via four acid
digestion to determine individual metal content (ME-MS61). Zinc and
silver values greater the 1% and 100 ppm, respectively were subject
to overlimit analysis via four-acid ICP-AES (ME-OG62). The QP
followed industry standard procedures for the work carried out on
the Logan Project, with a quality assurance/quality control
(“QA/QC”) program. Blank, duplicate, and standard samples were
inserted into the sample sequence sent to the laboratory for
analysis. The QP detected no significant QA/QC issues during review
of the data. Almadex and the QP’s are not aware of any drilling,
sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect
the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.
The scientific and technical information
contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo. (AB-BC), Kristopher J.
Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) and Alfonso Rodriquez, M.Sc. P.Geo. (BC),
President, Principal and Consultant, and Senior Geologist, of APEX
Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, and are independent “Qualified
Persons” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Dufresne, Mr. Raffle and Mr.
Rodriguez verified the data disclosed which includes a review of
the analytical and test data underlying the information and
opinions contained therein.
About AlmadexAlmadex Minerals
Ltd. is an exploration company that holds a large mineral portfolio
consisting of projects and NSR royalties in Canada, the U.S., and
Mexico. This portfolio is the direct result of many years of
prospecting and deal-making by Almadex's management team. The
Company owns a number of portable diamond drill rigs, enabling it
to conduct cost effective first pass exploration drilling in
house.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
“J. Duane Poliquin”J. Duane Poliquin,
P.Eng.ChairmanAlmadex Minerals Ltd.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes
forward-looking information that is subject to risks and
uncertainties. All statements within this news release, other than
statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward
looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed
in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable
assumptions, such as those set forth in this news release, such
statements are not guarantees of future performance and known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause actual
results or developments to differ materially from those as
expressed or implied in forward-looking information. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in forward-looking information include those
stated in the news release, and, among others, market prices,
exploitation and exploration successes, risks related to
international operations, continued availability of capital and
financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.
There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate
and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation
of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation
to update any forward-looking statements, other than as required
pursuant to applicable securities laws.
Contact Information:Almadex Minerals Ltd.Tel.
604.689.7644Email:
info@almadexminerals.comhttp://www.almadexminerals.com
Figure
1:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc74a1fa-55c0-48e2-a489-82b975dc77d1
Figure
2:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a368c1c1-d506-4800-9145-c4b407f7b6b7
Figure
3:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21f1ba0d-5747-488d-88f1-5b7642c184b8
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