Mining News: Northern Neighbors: Strategic drilling hits SW Yukon skarn

Strategic Metals Ltd. Aug. 5 reported that the first two holes of a drill program that is currently underway at its Hopper property in southwestern Yukon Territory has confirmed that copper-gold skarn horizons extend north of the area of previous drilling. Prior to 2015, all diamond drilling at Hopper was done near a copper-rich skarn zone that outcrops in a creek bed. Most of the historical holes were short and many of them were not analyzed for gold. Recent geochemical surveys have outlined strong copper, gold and molybdenum soil anomalies that span a 3,600- by 2,500-meter area, most of which has not been tested by diamond drilling. Collectively, the historical drill holes identified three skarn horizons – JG, AM and LV – that are about 50 meters apart stratigraphically and typically range from two to 20 meters in thickness. Hole 15-01, drilled 342 meters north-northwest of the nearest historical hole, was targeted to test for gold-rich skarn horizons below JG, the main copper horizon. This hole extended deeper than any of the historical holes and discovered a new well-mineralized skarn horizon (JP). A 2.65-meter intercept at this horizon graded 12.15 grams per metric ton gold and 0.95 percent copper from a depth of 284 meters. Hole 15-02, drilled 435 meters north-northeast of hole 15-01, was designed to test the JG, AM and LV horizons. A 6.44-meter intercept of the JG skarn horizon returned 1.00 percent copper and 1.01 g/t gold within a 15-meter thick zone of weak to moderate mineralization. The other 2015 drill holes are exploring skarn and porphyry targets, most of which lie further north in the geochemical anomaly. Some of these holes are also positioned to evaluate areas with high chargeability. “The current drill program is providing valuable insights concerning alteration and metal zonation, which will guide future drill programs,” said Strategic CEO Doug Eaton.

- Shane Lasley