Skeena expands 23 zone to surface at Eskay Creek with 96 metres of 1.2 g/t gold equivalent

Skeena Resources (TSX: SKE; NYSE: SKE) has completed this year’s regional and near-mine exploration programs at the former Eskay Creek gold-silver mine in B.C.’s Golden Triangle.

Skeena said the program extended the 23 zone of mineralization to the surface. Infill hole SK-22-1090 averaged 1.35 grams gold per tonne and 6.6 grams silver (1.2 grams gold equivalent) over 96 metres. The company also said this mineralization demonstrates excellent downhole continuity, but most importantly, the continuance of mineralization to the surface will have a potentially positive impact on the open pit strip ratio. Additional drill holes will target this surface mineralization in the future.

Multiple new intersections were also discovered in the 21A West zone. Hole SK-22-1071 returned an interval of 109.8 metres grading 1.12 grams gold and 4.7 grams silver (1.17 grams gold equivalent). Skeena reported that this is a new occurrence of feeder-style mineralization occurring 159 metres below surface and below the planned open pit. Since there are no nearby holes for comparison, the company says it is unclear whether this is an extension of the 21A West zone or if it represents a new discovery analogous to the 23 zone.

Examining core in the Eskay Creek core shack. Credit: Skeena Resources

Seventy metres along strike, southeast of hole 1071, drilling hit numerous rhyolite and dacite hosted gold-silver intersections. Hole SK-22-1069 returned 1.94 grams gold and 32.3 grams silver (2.3 grams gold equivalent) over 26.5 metres; 2.59 grams gold and 7.9 grams silver (2.68 grams gold-equivalent) over 21 metres; and 0.98 gram gold and 6.4 grams silver (1.05 grams gold equivalent) over 29.9 metres.

New mineralization was also discovered in the Even Lower Mudstone by hole 1069. The average grade was 1.97 grams gold and 9.3 grams silver (2.07 grams gold-equivalent) over 13.6 metres, including 11.55 grams gold and 25 grams silver (11.83 grams gold equivalent) over 1.2 metres.

Skeena completed a positive feasibility study for a robust open pit mine at Eskay Creek in September. The study pegged the mine life at nine years. Skeena is also studying the potential for underground production at the project.