Jun 16 2015
Sonoro Metals Corp., and Northern Empire Resources Corp., today announced the completion of the field work for the first phase of an exploration program at the Hilltop Gold Project located 70 km southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.
John Robins, Northern Empire's Chairman stated: "We believe significant discovery potential exists in the Richardson Gold District, particularly on this large land package at Hilltop. We are also highly impressed with Alaska as an exploration jurisdiction. The combination of ease of permitting, excellent access, ample power, and supportive and competent local expertise reduces risks and costs and provides excellent upside for investors."
"Sonoro's management team concur with Northern Empire's assessment of the substantial potential for gold discovery at Hilltop," said Kenneth MacLeod, President & CEO of Sonoro. "We are also very satisfied with the scope, execution and quality of the initial exploration program carried out at Hilltop by our project partner, Northern Empire."
Phase 1 Exploration Program Update
DNR Permit #2235 for Hilltop exploration was received May 18, 2015, less than 30 days after Northern Empire's April 20, 2015 submittal application. The Multi-Year 2015-2019 Miscellaneous Land Use Permit for Hardrock Exploration and Reclamation Permit Number 2235 is good for 5 years and is currently sufficient for Northern Empire and Sonoro to significantly expand future exploration activities if warranted. The permit coverage includes trenching; drilling; substantial daily water usage; road improvement on access roads; and up to 3 miles (4.8 km) of new road development.
An exploration crew arrived at the Salcha, Alaska operations base in May to prepare for the exploration program at Hilltop. Phase 1 work to date has included the following:
- Successful receipt of DNR Permit #2235
- 8.2 miles (13.2 km) of road improvement to provide better crew and equipment access to priority zones
- Eight trenches excavated and mapped, over a total strike extent of 213 meters
- Six test pits completed in areas with prospective geology and/or hosting anomalous historic results from previous exploration groups
- 228 rock samples collected from trenches and test pits
- 397 soils collected across the Hilltop block including: 61 due diligence top-of-bedrock soils and 336 b- horizon enzyme leach soil samples
- Initial prospecting and reconnaissance work, which includes visiting the locations of anomalous sample sites taken on the property by previous exploration groups
- Soil and rock samples have been prepared and sent to ALS Chemex, Fairbanks (61 top of bedrock and 228 rock trench samples) and ACT Labs, Ancaster, Ontario (524 B horizon soils). Quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates in the field.
- Receipt of analytical results from both the soil and rock sampling programs is expected in early July and will be released upon review.