VANCOUVER, BC,
March 17, 2022 /CNW/ -
Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX: TMQ) (NYSE: TMQ) ("Trilogy" or the
"Company") is pleased to announce the fourth set of drilling
results from the 2021 summer field season at the Arctic Project,
part of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP") located in
Northwestern Alaska managed by
Ambler Metals LLC ("Ambler Metals"), the joint venture operating
company equally owned by wholly owned subsidiaries of Trilogy and
South32 Limited (ASX: S32) (LSE: S32) (JSE: S32) (ADR: SOUHY)
("South32").
The 2021 Arctic drill program included 4,131 meters of diamond
drilling, comprising 18 holes, that were designed to convert part
of the resources from the Indicated category to the Measured
category, and provide material for metallurgical testing and
geotechnical information. The assay results detailed here are for
additional infill/metallurgical drill holes from the 2021 summer
field season.
Highlights from the latest metallurgical/infill drill holes
from the 2021 drill program
Based on a cut-off grade of 0.5% copper equivalent, significant
zones of high-grade copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver
mineralization were intersected, including:
- Hole AR21-0181 intersected six mineralized intervals,
including
-
- 25.43 meters of 2.35% copper, 4.56% zinc, 1.09% lead, 0.11
g/t gold and 20.49 g/t silver for a copper equivalent grade of
4.64%;
- 22.56 meters of 2.60% copper, 5.60% zinc, 1.19% lead, 0.81
g/t gold and 89.15 g/t silver for a copper equivalent grade of
6.36%; and
- 13.10 meters of 4.42% copper, 7.91% zinc, 1.13% lead, 0.70
g/t gold and 72.37 g/t silver for a copper equivalent grade of
8.79%.
- Hole AR21-0179 intersected one mineralized interval of 6.25
meters of 2.02% copper, 3.19% zinc, 1.03% lead, 1.17 g/t gold and
41.41 g/t silver for a copper equivalent grade of 4.64%.
- Hole AR21-0188 intersected four mineralized intervals,
including 9.45 meters of 3.00% copper, 0.91% zinc, 0.16% lead,
0.05 g/t gold and 18.90 g/t silver for a copper equivalent grade of
3.59%.
- Hole AR21-0177 intersected two mineralized intervals, including
5.49 meters of 0.75% copper, 0.61% zinc, 0.15% lead, 0.28 g/t
gold and 9.02 g/t silver for a copper equivalent grade of
1.28%.
- All reported intervals are thought to be close to the true
width and therefore represent the actual thickness of
mineralization.
The Company is also providing an update in the progress of the
Ambler Access Project ("AAP"). On February
22, 2022, the United States Department of the Interior
("DOI") filed a motion to remand the Final Environmental Impact
Statement ("FEIS") and suspend the right-of-way permits issued to
the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority ("AIDEA")
for the AAP. The DOI has stated that the suspension of the road
permits will allow it to carry out additional supplemental work on
the FEIS. Please see Trilogy's press release dated February 23, 2022 for more information.
Last week, Ambler Metals, jointly with NANA Regional Corporation
("NANA"), filed a motion with the court requesting a two-week
extension of time to file its responses to the DOI's motion for
voluntary remand. This filing will allow Ambler Metals, NANA, the
State of Alaska and AIDEA, as
intervening defendants, time to confer with the DOI and work toward
finding a workable arrangement to manage the remand process. The
Company intends to provide an update on the AAP permitting
situation when it has more clarity on the scope and timing of the
proposed supplemental work.
Tony Giardini, President and CEO
of Trilogy, commented, "These drilling results continue to confirm
that the Arctic Project has some of the most compelling copper
grades in the mining industry. The planned 2022 summer field season
at the UKMP currently includes a 10,000-meter drilling campaign
focused on further infill drilling at Arctic and on exploring
priority prospects and other targets within our expansive land
package. I also want to reaffirm our commitment with South32 to
advance the UKMP while balancing the timeline for the State of Alaska to provide infrastructure
access to the Ambler Mining District."
Richard Gosse, Trilogy's Vice
President, Exploration stated, "Again, as with some of the
previously announced infill holes, the drill core gives us a
glimpse of the scale of this remarkable world-class volcanogenic
massive sulphide ("VMS") deposit. Hole AR21-0181, with polymetallic
massive sulphides grading 3% to 8% copper equivalent in six
intervals with an accumulated true thickness of about 78 metres
(255 feet) over a core length of 110 metres (360 feet), is
outstanding but not unexpected. Along strike from Arctic, VMS-like
prospects, airborne EM targets and geochemical anomalies occur for
over the 97-kilometre (60-mile) Ambler Belt, most of which is held
by Ambler Metals. We look forward to announcing the results of last
year's exploration activities in the belt as well as the remaining
drill results from Arctic in the coming weeks."
On November 22, 2021, the Company
released the assay results for two geotechnical drill holes
AR21-0173 and AR21-0175 that intersected high-grade mineralization
beyond the currently designed pit at Arctic. Subsequently on
November 29, 2021, the Company
released additional drilling results from two infill/metallurgical
holes drilled early in the 2021 field season. Of note is drill hole
AR21-0176 which intersected 19.91 meters of almost 12% copper
equivalent. On January 25, 2022, the
Company released the results for two additional
metallurgical/infill drill holes from Arctic. For more information
on these drilling results, please visit the Company's website at
https://trilogymetals.com/news-and-media/news/.
The results of the remaining eight holes are expected to be
announced over the next few weeks.
These latest drilling results from the 2021 program contain
mineralized intervals consistent with previous drilling conducted
within the resource area on the property. Significant mineralized
intervals of high-grade mineralization at a cut-off of 0.5% copper
equivalent are reported in Table 1. The locations of the
holes are shown in Figure 1 and Table 2.
Of the 18 holes drilled at Arctic last summer, eight holes were
for the geotechnical program. The 10 remaining drill holes were
part of the infill/metallurgical program, with three of the 10
drill holes also being used for the hydrology program.
Table 1. Drill Intercepts from the 2021 Arctic Infill
Drilling Program
Hole
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Length
(m)
|
CuEq
(%)
|
Cu
(%)
|
Zn
(%)
|
Pb
(%)
|
Ag
(g/t)
|
Au
(g/t)
|
Zone
|
AR21-0177
|
89.80
|
92.25
|
2.45
|
0.63
|
0.08
|
0.85
|
0.30
|
10.35
|
0.07
|
7a
|
94.60
|
100.09
|
5.49
|
1.28
|
0.75
|
0.61
|
0.15
|
9.02
|
0.28
|
5
|
AR21-0179
|
56.48
|
62.73
|
6.25
|
4.64
|
2.02
|
3.19
|
1.03
|
41.41
|
1.17
|
5
|
AR21-0181
|
113.74
|
121.85
|
8.11
|
3.16
|
1.95
|
1.82
|
0.36
|
32.28
|
0.21
|
5
|
131.67
|
144.77
|
13.10
|
8.79
|
4.42
|
7.91
|
1.13
|
72.37
|
0.70
|
4
|
147.83
|
150.95
|
3.12
|
6.96
|
3.35
|
5.07
|
1.27
|
78.78
|
0.98
|
4
|
154.95
|
180.38
|
25.43
|
4.64
|
2.35
|
4.56
|
1.09
|
20.49
|
0.11
|
3
|
187.14
|
193.52
|
6.38
|
6.20
|
2.77
|
7.14
|
0.94
|
43.29
|
0.18
|
2
|
201.30
|
223.86
|
22.56
|
6.36
|
2.60
|
5.60
|
1.19
|
89.15
|
0.81
|
1
|
AR21-0188
|
89.87
|
102.17
|
12.30
|
1.68
|
0.91
|
0.91
|
0.15
|
16.30
|
0.37
|
5
|
133.20
|
142.65
|
9.45
|
3.59
|
3.00
|
0.91
|
0.16
|
18.90
|
0.05
|
3
|
219.28
|
226.45
|
7.17
|
2.76
|
1.61
|
2.26
|
0.17
|
16.44
|
0.17
|
2
|
230.29
|
239.16
|
8.87
|
1.39
|
1.02
|
0.46
|
0.07
|
13.32
|
0.10
|
1
|
Notes:
- Copper equivalent (CuEq) calculations use metal prices
assumptions of US$3.00/lb for copper,
US$1.10/lb for zinc, US$1.00/lb for lead, US$1,300/oz for gold, and US$18.00/oz for silver.
- Results are core intervals and not true thickness; true widths
have not been determined for the above intercepts but are believed
to be representative of actual drill thicknesses.
- Significant interval defined as a minimum of 1.0-meter copper
interval with average grade >0.5% CuEq.
- Cut-off grade of 0.5% CuEq.
- Internal dilution up to three meters of <0.5% CuEq.
- Intervals of <1.0 meter not reported.
- Core recovery averaged 96%.
- Minimum sample length was 0.17m,
average sample length was 2.4m
overall and 1.7m within mineralized
zones.
- Some rounding errors may occur.
The reported intervals are based on a copper-equivalent grade of
0.5% using metal prices from Trilogy's 2020 Arctic feasibility
study (US$3.00/lb copper,
US$1.10/lb zinc, US$1.00/lb lead, US$1,300/oz gold, and US$18.00/oz silver) and a maximum of 3-meters
internal dilution. All drill hole intercepts are close to true
width.
Table 2. Drill Hole Locations at the Arctic Project
Hole
|
East
(m)
|
North
(m)
|
Elevation
(m)
|
Azimuth
|
Dip
|
Length
(m)
|
AR21-0177
|
613081
|
7453287
|
868
|
35
|
-70
|
144.2
|
AR21-0179
|
613092
|
7453435
|
872
|
35
|
-70
|
96.6
|
AR21-0181
|
613266
|
7453078
|
893
|
32
|
-71
|
229.2
|
AR21-0188
|
613427
|
7453158
|
965
|
35
|
-70
|
258.5
|
Coordinates are in
UTM Zone 4N (meters) coordinate system, NAD83 Datum.
|
Drill holes AR21-0177, AR21-0179, and AR21-0181 which are sized
PQ3 (83 mm diameter), were designed to provided metallurgical test
material as well as upgrade confidence in the resource model.
AR21-0188 which is sized HQ3 (61 mm diameter), was designed to
provided metallurgical test material, upgrade confidence in the
resource model and allow for hydrology monitoring instruments to be
installed down hole.
Cross sections showing the drill holes AR21-0179 and AR21-0181
can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 below.
At hole AR21-0177, mineralization within Zone 7a consists of 3%
pyrite, 0.5% chalcopyrite and 1% sphalerite. Zone 5 consists of 3%
to 40% pyrite, 0.1% to 5% chalcopyrite, 0.1% to 1% galena, and 0.1%
to 7% sphalerite.
Within hole AR21-0179, mineralization in Zone 5 consists of 0.1%
to 40% pyrite, 0.1% to 15% chalcopyrite and up to 35%
sphalerite.
At hole AR21-0181, mineralization within Zone 5 consists of 1%
to 12% pyrite, 1% to 20% chalcopyrite and trace-1% pyrrhotite. Zone
4 consists of 0.1% to 25% pyrite, 0.1% to 35% chalcopyrite and
trace-30% sphalerite. Zone 3 consists of 0.1% to 25% pyrite, 0.1%
to 40% chalcopyrite and trace-30% sphalerite with patches of trace
pyrrhotite. Zone 2 consists of 0.1% to 40% pyrite, 0.1% to 35%
chalcopyrite and up to 30% sphalerite. Zone 1 consists of up to 50%
pyrite, 3% to 80% chalcopyrite and up to 40% sphalerite with
patches of trace galena.
Within hole AR21-0188, mineralization in Zone 5 consists of
0.25% to 35% pyrite, 0.1% to 7% chalcopyrite, up to 0.5% sphalerite
and patches of trace pyrrhotite. Zone 3 consists of 0.1% to 20%
pyrite, up to 35% chalcopyrite and up to 1% sphalerite. Zone 2
consists of 0.1% to 35% pyrite, up to 10% chalcopyrite, up to 20%
sphalerite, patches of galena and patches of up to 4% pyrrhotite.
Zone 1 consists of 0.5% to 30% pyrite, up to 10% chalcopyrite, up
to 25% sphalerite, and patches of trace pyrrhotite.
All percentages of sulphide mineralization are based off the
visual estimations in the core.
Within the Arctic deposit, mineralization occurs as stratiform
semi-massive sulphide to massive sulphide beds within primarily
chlorite schists and fine-grained quartz schists. The sulphide beds
average 4 meters in thickness but vary from less than 1 meter up to
as much as 20 meters in thickness.
QA/QC Program
The drilling program, sampling and assaying protocol, and data
verification were managed by qualified persons (QPs) employed by
Ambler Metals. The diamond drill holes were completed using PQ3 or
HQ3 diameter core, and recoveries averaged 95%. Drill core was cut
lengthwise into halves using a diamond saw, with one-half used to
construct composites for metallurgical testing and one-half cut
lengthwise to provide quarter core for sampling. The remainder of
the core was retained in core trays and archived at site.
Samples were collected through mineralized zones using a
0.17 m minimum length and
2.5 m maximum length; average sample
length is 1.70 m. Weights of the
drill core samples range from 0.64 to 17.91 kg, depending on the
size of core, rock type, and recovery.
Each core sample was placed into a bag with a numbered tag and
quality control samples were inserted between core samples using
the same numbering sequence. Then, samples were grouped into
batches for shipping and laboratory submissions. Each batch of 20
samples contains three quality control (QC) samples that comprise
one certified reference material (CRM), one core blank (BLK), and
one core or crushed duplicate (DUP). Chain-of-custody records are
maintained for sample shipments and the custody is transferred from
Ambler Metals' expeditor to the laboratory upon delivery.
Samples were shipped initially to ALS Minerals' laboratory in
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, then on to
ALS Minerals' laboratory in Hermosillo,
Mexico, for sample preparation. ALS Minerals Fairbanks and
Hermosillo are satellite sample
preparation facilities accredited under ALS Minerals. After
preparation at ALS Minerals Hermosillo, split pulp samples were
shipped to ALS Minerals in North
Vancouver, B.C., Canada,
for assaying. ALS Minerals North Vancouver is an independent
laboratory certified under ISO 9001:2008 and accredited under
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 by the Standards Council of Canada. ALS Minerals includes its own internal
quality control samples comprising certified reference materials,
blanks, and pulp duplicates.
Drill core samples were weighed (WEI-21), dried if excessively
wet (DRY-21), coarse jaw crushed to 70% passing 6 mm (CRU-21), fine
jaw crushed to 70% passing 2 mm (CRU-31), riffle split to 250 g
subsamples (SPL-21) and pulverized to 85% passing 75 μm (PUL-31).
Crushed duplicates were created by riffle splitting crushed samples
into two parts.
Gold analyses were completed using a 30 g lead fire assay and
AAS finish (Au-AA23). Multi-element analyses for 48 elements were
completed using a geochemical four-acid digestion and ICP-ES/MS
finish (ME-MS61). Over-range assays for silver, copper, zinc and
sulfur were completed using an ore grade four-acid digestion and
ICP-ES finish (ME-OG62). Additional analyses were completed for
barium and mercury.
Gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc assays for QC samples were
reviewed to ensure that CRMs are within tolerance limits specified
on supplier certificates, BLKs are below acceptable thresholds, and
DUPs display statistical patterns normally expected for sample
types, methods, and elements. CRMs that returned assays outside of
tolerance limits and BLKs with assays above thresholds were deemed
to have failed. Sample batches containing failed QC samples were
re-assayed to ensure that the QC samples returned acceptable
results before release. All QC monitoring data are reviewed and
signed off by an independent QA/QC geologist.
There is no known relationship between core sample recoveries
and assay grades. Ambler Metals will submit 5% of the assay
intervals from prospective lithologies to a laboratory independent
of ALS Minerals for check assaying.
Qualified Person
Richard Gosse, P.Geo., Vice
President, Exploration for Trilogy, is a Qualified Person as
defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Gosse has reviewed the
scientific and technical information in this news release and
approves the disclosure contained herein.
About Trilogy Metals
Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metal exploration and development
company which holds a 50 percent interest in Ambler Metals LLC
which has a 100 percent interest in the Upper Kobuk Mineral
Projects ("UKMP") in Northwestern
Alaska. On December 19, 2019,
South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company,
exercised its option to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy.
The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District which is one
of the richest and most-prospective known copper-dominant districts
in the world. It hosts world-class polymetallic volcanogenic
massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits that contain copper, zinc, lead,
gold and silver, and carbonate replacement deposits which have been
found to host high-grade copper and cobalt mineralization.
Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler
Mining District – the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate
replacement deposit. Both deposits are located within a land
package that spans approximately 181,387 hectares. Ambler Metals
has an agreement with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska
Native Corporation that provides a framework for the exploration
and potential development of the Ambler Mining District in
cooperation with local communities. Trilogy's vision is to develop
the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American copper
producer.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release includes certain "forward-looking
information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively
"forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable
Canadian and United States
securities legislation including the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other
than statements of historical fact, included herein, including,
without limitation, statements relating to interpretation of drill
results; the Company's beliefs regarding the potential of the
Arctic Project; the planned 2022 summer field season; the timing of
results from the 2021 exploration program and the remaining eight
drill holes; and expectations regarding future drill results; are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects",
"anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential",
"possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events,
conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or
be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and
uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the Company's expectations include the
uncertainties involving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; success of
exploration activities, permitting timelines, requirements for
additional capital, government regulation of mining operations,
environmental risks, prices for energy inputs, labour, materials,
supplies and services, uncertainties involved in the interpretation
of drilling results and geological tests, unexpected cost increases
and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2021 filed with Canadian securities
regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents
filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time
to time. The Company's forward-looking statements reflect the
beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are
made. The Company assumes no obligation to update the
forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or
other factors, should they change, except as required by
law.
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SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.