Reviewed by Alex SmithApr 19 2022
Gold Standard Ventures recently reported plans for its first stage exploration program in 2022 on its +21,000 hectare land package in Carlin Trend, Nevada.
Pinion 2022 Drilling. Image Credit: Gold Standard Ventures.
The first stage program comprises about 5,700 m of reverse-circulation (“RC”) and core drilling covering 20 holes. Drilling is expected to commence in May 2022. Based on the outcomes of the first stage exploration program, Gold Standard Ventures aims to develop a second stage exploration program to be concluded in 2022 (Fall and Winter).
We are excited to initiate our 2022 drilling program. The focus of this year’s program is to test for oxide mineralization extensions at Pinion with the goal of enhancing the size of the Pinion pit and further extending the project life. We will also test the highly prospective LT target which is near Pinion and has the potential to develop into a satellite pit to the South Railroad Project in the future.
Jason Attew, President and CEO, Gold Standard Ventures
Jason Attew continued, “Finally, after our new geological team spent the past year analyzing the historical drill database across our property package, we are excited to begin drilling for sulphide gold mineralization again. The Ranch prospect shows promise as a potential high-grade target north of the Dark Star oxide deposits. We will also revisit the North Bullion deposit in the north of our property package.”
North Bullion was the focus of exploration for the Company up until 2016 when the focus switched to drilling oxide mineralization at Dark Star and Pinion. Our team believes Carlin-type sulphide mineralization remains open to the northwest at North Bullion and we will test the area in the first half of our exploration season.
Jason Attew, President and CEO, Gold Standard Ventures
Exploration Focus Areas:
Oxide Drilling
Pinion SB Zone (contiguous SE extension of Pinion): A total of 12 RC drill holes (about 3,050 m) to further advance oxide mineralization at the SB Zone target. Formerly released intercepts at SB Zone include: PC21-07 (27.4 m of 1.26 g Au/t) and PC20-22 (61.1 m of 1.07 g Au/t). The deposit is open to the south, east and west in this target zone.
LT (3 km NW from Pinion): A total of 4 RC drill holes (about 800 m) will continue to test for gold mineralization throughout the LT Fault. Earlier released intercepts at LT include: LT20-08 (30.5 m of 0.78 g Au/t) and LT21-02 (39.6 m of 0.76 g Au/t). Mineralization at LT starts at the surface and stays open to the west, north, south and at depth.
Sulfide Drilling
Ranch (1 km north of Dark Star): 1 core drill hole (about 610 m) to test for high-quality sulfide gold mineralization. The Dark Star North oxide mineralization plunges toward the north. In 2019, Gold Standard Ventures drilled hole DS19-01 about 1 km to the north of the Dark Star North deposit to check for superior sulfide mineralization at depth. The hole ended at ~550 m.
The bottom 3.5 m of DS19-01 held high concentrations of pathfinder elements to Carlin-type sulfide mineralization (3,342 ppm As, 50 ppm Hg, 182 ppm Tl and 303 ppm Sb). The main hole planned for 2022 is about 200 m to the south of DS19-01.
North Bullion (10 km north of Pinion): A total of 3 RC drill holes (about 1,250 m) have been made to test the northwest extension of high-grade sulfide mineralization at depth. Earlier released intercepts at North Bullion comprise: RR16-05 (19.8 m of 4.40 g Au/t sulfide mineralization, including 5.3 m of 7.02 g Au/t) and RR16-01 (65.6 m of 3.17 g Au/t sulfide mineralization, including 8.5 m of 11.16 g Au/t).
Earlier drilling did not sufficiently test west of RR16-05 or RR16-01 and the deposit remains open to the northwest.