Drilling aims to expand Wolverine

As part of a $5.6-million exploration program in southeastern Yukon, partners Westmin Resources (TSE) and Atna Resources (TSE) have started a drill program aimed at expanding the Wolverine deposit.

Two holes have been drilled, with more to follow.

Hole 96-25 was drilled on section 16+800E to test the downdip extent of the zone, northward to the property boundary. Drilled at an inclination of minus 74 north, the hole intersected a 9.5-metre true thickness of massive and stringer sulphides grading 0.31 gram gold and 83.7 grams silver per tonne, as well as 7.53% zinc, 1.22% copper and 0.43% lead.

The presence of footwall stringer zone mineralization and chlorite alteration suggests the possibility of a feeder zone, which could have positive implications for an extension of the zone to the east.

The 9.5-metre interval was intersected 130 metres downdip from hole 95-16, which returned a 5.6-metre interval of faulted massive sulphides grading 0.57 gram gold and 84.7 grams silver, plus 5.67% zinc, 0.4% copper and 0.37% lead.

Currently in progress, a third hole, 96-27, is further testing section 16+800E. It was initially collared at an angle of minus 67 north but has steepened considerably and is expected to intersect the zone between holes 16 and 25.

A 50-metre stepout, east of hole 25, was completed on section 16+850E. Hole 96-26 was drilled at an angle of minus 74 north and intersected 2.8 metres of “visually high-grade massive sulphide.” A lack of footwall stringer zone mineralization in the hole was possibly caused by fault disruption. Assay results are pending.

Hole 26 is roughly 50 metres downdip of hole 95-22, which intersected a true width of 7.7 metres grading 1.76 grams gold and 371.5 grams silver, as well as 10.62% zinc, 0.44% copper and 1.61% lead.

The next three holes are planned to test section 16+850E, updip from hole 26, and section 16+900E, east of holes 22 and 26.

The Wolverine deposit, situated near Wolverine Lake, is partially defined by 15 holes at a resource of more than 3 million tonnes grading 1.87 grams gold and 350.2 grams silver, as well as 12.99% zinc, 1.27% copper and 1.43% lead.