Another Carlin strike for Barrick Res.

They may have called it the “Screamer” deposit, but American Barrick Resources has kept very quiet about the latest discovery along the Carlin gold trend near Elko, Nev.

While the Toronto company has known for nearly six months that another large sulphide deposit may lie within the boundaries of its Goldstrike land holdings, it has remained a well-kept secret.

“We drilled the first discovery hole last fall but we just didn’t get a chance to get back to it,” explained Goldstrike exploration manager Larry Kornze.

According to Kornze, a screamer of an ip anomaly encouraged Barrick to drill the discovery hole which intersected 90 ft of average grade 0.18 oz gold per ton at around 1,000 ft. However, before any follow-up holes were drilled, Barrick changed its priorities and moved its drills about 2,000 ft further east.

As indicated by recent results, that decision proved to be a master stroke. In the interim, Barrick has delineated two deep sulphide deposits — the Deep Post and Betze — which were estimated to contain around three million tons grading 0.4 oz and 4.2 million tons of 0.22 oz respectively.

While an in-fill drilling program between the two deposits shows that the highest grade portions of the two deposits are distinctly separate, Barrick is counting the Betze and Deep Post as one huge orebody. “But we don’t yet know if there is a strong zone connection,” said Kornze who is waiting for results from about 13 drill rigs which are currently on site.

Some initial results from the fill-in program include a 720-ft intersection grading 0.23 oz gold per ton and as reported (N.M., March 14/88), Barrick’s Goldstrike reserves now stand at 8.7 million oz.

With such a plethora of activity going on, it is difficult to believe that yet another large sulphide deposit may well lie within Goldstrike boundaries.

But if results from the two offset holes are any indication, that may well be the case. Located just 200 ft apart and drilled in January, they intersected 60 ft of average 0.13 oz and 110 ft grading 0.27 oz.

“The mineralization occurs at a depth of about 1,000 ft and it appears to be geologically similar to both the Betze and Deep Post deposits,” said Kornze.

In a bid to test the new structure, Barrick is planning to move at least one rig onto the Screamer zone.

“We plan to drill more holes around the discovery hole in the next few months,” said Kornze.