MONTREAL, April 19, 2023 /CNW/ - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (OTCQX: AYASF) ("Aya" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce new high-grade exploration drill results at Boumadine, located in the Kingdom of Morocco. These results extend the main mineralized trend by 200 metres and continue to demonstrate continuity of the trend. Section 6000N identified a new type of mineralization south of the main mineralized trend and significantly opens the potential at depth and further towards the south.
Definition of a new high-grade mineralized stockwork area that expands the South Zone. The main mineralized trend now extends over 3.4 kilometres ("km") and remains open along strike and at depth.
BOU-DD23-095 intersected 192 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver equivalent ("AgEq") over 129.4 meters ("m") (1.06 g/t Au, 25 g/t Ag, 1.0% Zn, 0.2% Pb and 0.03% Cu)
including 24.3m at 222 g/t AgEq
including 12.2m at 290 g/t AgEq
including 16.6m at 443 g/t AgEq
including 16.3m at 206 g/t AgEq
BOU-DD23-092 intersected 610 g/t AgEq over 6.6m (0.83 g/t Au, 107 g/t Ag, 6.2% Zn, 1.9% Pb and 0.1% Cu), including 3.6m at 818 g/t AgEq
Extension of the main mineralized trend by 200m to the south to over 3.4 km of strike length, which remains open in all directions
Five rigs are currently drilling at Boumadine, with 16,680m completed, 46% of the 36,000m diamond drill hole ("DDH") program scheduled in 2023
"Results from the Boumadine drill exploration program continue to exceed expectations and to expand the mineralized footprint south of the main trend. We are particularly excited that hole BOU-DD23-095 to the south returned the widest mineralized interval yet on the property. The result confirms the presence of a rich sulphide stockwork zone that could meaningfully open up the south and add significant tonnage," said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO. "In the coming weeks, we plan to investigate the emerging southern stockwork zone further. Since September last year, we have extended the Boumadine strike length from 2.7 kilometers to 3.4 kilometers. The drill exploration program is almost 50% complete, supporting delivery of a resource statement in Q1-2024."
_______________________________
1All intersections are in core lengths; Ag equivalent is based on a 100% recovery with the following ratios: 1g/t Au: 93.4 g/t Ag; 1% Cu: 130.4 g/t Ag; 1% Pb: 31.8 g/t Ag; 1% Zn: 54.1 g/t Ag
Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from Boumadine Drill Exploration Program (core lengths)
DDH No.
Section
From (m)
To (m)
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Length* (m)
Cu (%)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
Mo (g/t)
Ag Eq** (g/t)
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
388.2
396.9
1.59
54
8.7
0.0
2.2
5.4
11
571
BOU-DD22-086
7325N
358.2
359.1
0.10
361
0.9
2.4
0.7
0.4
10
722
BOU-DD23-092
6000N
289.0
295.6
0.83
107
6.6
0.1
1.9
6.2
312
610
including
292.0
295.6
1.09
133
3.6
0.0
2.6
8.6
488
818
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
498.0
627.4
1.06
25
129.4
0.03
0.2
1.0
9
192
including
503.0
505.7
1.02
46
2.7
0.0
0.9
3.0
15
333
including
525.3
534.8
1.97
50
9.5
0.0
0.7
2.3
18
380
including
510.5
534.8
1.03
33
24.3
0.0
0.5
1.4
11
222
including
560.5
572.7
1.27
35
12.2
0.0
0.1
2.3
10
290
including
576.6
593.2
2.51
56
16.6
0.1
0.6
2.3
12
443
including
610.0
626.3
2.14
3
16.3
0.0
0.0
0.0
5
206
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
111.7
114.8
0.56
68
3.1
0.0
1.4
2.4
11
293
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
30.0
32.9
1.03
176
2.9
0.1
0.1
0.1
120
305
including
31.1
32.0
2.39
414
0.9
0.3
0.1
0.2
272
705
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
40.4
43.4
3.52
41
3.0
0.2
0.1
0.1
27
404
including
41.2
43.4
4.53
48
2.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
15
512
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
239.4
240.7
1.00
32
1.3
0.1
0.4
6.1
13
476
* True width remains undetermined at this stage; all values are uncut.
** Ag equivalent is based on a 100% recovery with the following ratio: 1 g/t Au: 93.4 g/t Ag; 1% Cu:130.4 Ag; 1% Pb: 31.8 Ag;
1% Zn: 54.1 Ag.
*** Hole extension in 2023 (hole re-entry)
2023 Exploration Results
To date, 47 DDH for a total of 16,680m have been completed at Boumadine (Figure 1 and Appendix 2). Both infill and exploration drilling were conducted on strike along the main trend (South and Central zones). The 36,000m budgeted program is almost halfway complete.
Drill results have been received for all drill holes up to BOU-DD23-103 except for hole BOU-DD23-102 (Table 1, Figure 2, and Appendix 1). Figure 3 presents the 6,000N section which includes BOU-DD22-095, its significant results, and its geological interpretation.
Results received to date in 2023 extend the mineralization to the south with BOU-DD23-095 recently intersecting 129.4m of mineralization comprising five distinct massive sulphide veins in a wider stockwork zone (sulphide-rich stringer). The presence of high-grade values in the stockwork represents a new mineralized style at Boumadine, which significantly opens the potential at depth and toward the south. The concentration of sulphide veinlets in these stockwork varies from 8% to 15% and is composed mainly of pyrite with traces of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite.
The main mineralization generally consists of 1m to 4m wide (locally reaching over a 10m width) N340- oriented massive sulfide lenses/veins sharply dipping eastward (> 70°). The massive sulphide veins (>80%) are mainly composed of pyrite, with variable proportions of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Figure 4 presents the results of the Boumadine Main Zone shown on a longitudinal section along the deposit, defining ore shoots shallowly dipping toward south, in both the Central and South Zones.
Next Steps
The 36,000m drilling program is expected to be completed by mid-2023, together with a detailed surface mapping of the area. Relogging and resampling of historical drill holes is expected to be completed this year. The Corporation expects to use both data sets in estimating an NI 43-101 compliant resource update within the next 12 months.
Technical Information
Aya has implemented a quality control program to comply with best practices in sampling and analysis of drill core. Drill core samples were transported in sealed bags for analysis at Afrilab laboratory in Marrakech. Standards of different grades and blanks were inserted every 20 samples in addition to the standards, blanks and pulp duplicate inserted by Afrilab.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this press release have been reviewed by David Lalonde, B. Sc, Head of Exploration, Qualified Person, for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.
About Aya Gold & Silver Inc.
Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a rapidly growing, Canada-based silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and is exploring its properties along the prospective South-Atlas Fault, several of which have hosted past-producing mines and historical resources. Aya's Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit Gold Project in Mauritania, which is being advanced to feasibility.
Aya's management team maximizes shareholder value by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its production, resource, governance, and financial growth plans.
This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which reflects management's expectations regarding Aya's future growth and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as " promising", "extend", "identify", "confirm", "plan", "belief", "potential", "confident", "could", "opportunity", "support", "suggest", "expected", "probably", and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements and information with respect to the exploration and development potential of Zgounder and the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources into Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, future opportunities for enhancing development at Zgounder, and timing for the release of the Company's disclosure in connection with the foregoing. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Aya cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the closing and timing of financing, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates (including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), silver price, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Aya cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver and other key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to, throughput and recoveries being affected by metallurgical characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Aya's 2022 Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2023, and in other filings of Aya with securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, Aya's corporate update of May 28, 2020 regarding the materiality of its assets as well as to studies regarding non-material assets remains applicable as at the date hereof. Aya does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All references to Aya include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.
Appendix 1 – Full Drill Results from Boumadine (core lengths)
DDH No.
Section
From (m)
To (m)
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Length* (m)
Cu (%)
Pb (%)
Zn (%)
Mo (g/t)
Ag Eq** (g/t)
BOU-DD22-073***
6200N
404.5
405.0
0.35
16
0.5
0.0
0.7
0.1
17
82
BOU-DD22-073***
6200N
460.6
468.2
0.97
13
7.6
0.0
0.0
0.1
52
114
BOU-DD22-073***
6200N
494.0
506.9
0.90
25
12.9
0.0
0.1
0.2
21
130
including
503.9
506.9
2.05
44
3.0
0.0
0.2
0.6
37
284
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
233.4
234.2
0.92
8
0.8
0.0
0.1
0.0
16
100
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
245.0
245.7
1.06
24
0.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
116
153
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
251.3
251.9
1.57
28
0.6
0.3
0.6
0.6
154
266
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
383.0
384.7
0.32
43
1.7
0.0
4.3
3.5
12
406
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
388.2
396.9
1.59
54
8.7
0.0
2.2
5.4
11
571
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
403.2
403.7
0.47
27
0.5
0.0
0.3
0.6
9
116
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
428.8
430.4
0.51
8
1.6
0.0
0.1
0.3
4
75
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
453.0
454.0
0.38
12
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
34
52
BOU-DD22-075***
6200N
682.3
682.9
2.68
28
0.6
0.1
0.1
0.1
16
299
BOU-DD22-086****
7325N
358.2
359.1
0.10
361
0.9
2.4
0.7
0.4
10
722
BOU-DD22-086
7325N
693.6
700.0
1.10
21
6.4
0.0
0.1
0.1
77
139
including
698.1
700.0
1.93
44
1.9
0.0
0.2
0.2
88
251
BOU-DD23-087
6000N
0.0
159.5
0.00
0
159.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-088
6000N
0.0
165.0
0.00
0
165.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-089
6000N
109.3
110.4
0.14
8
1.1
0.0
0.3
0.4
4
52
BOU-DD23-089
6000N
469.0
470.0
0.93
4
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
4
93
BOU-DD23-089
6000N
509.1
511.2
0.81
4
2.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
7
85
BOU-DD23-089
6000N
514.2
515.3
0.49
8
1.1
0.0
0.1
0.2
5
66
BOU-DD23-090
6000N
174.2
175.7
0.49
72
1.5
0.0
1.0
2.9
86
312
BOU-DD23-091
6000N
0.0
150.0
0.00
0
150.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-092
6000N
274.0
275.0
0.37
16
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
100
61
BOU-DD23-092
6000N
289.0
295.6
0.83
107
6.6
0.1
1.9
6.2
312
610
including
292.0
295.6
1.09
133
3.6
0.0
2.6
8.6
488
818
BOU-DD23-092
6000N
316.0
318.0
0.77
19
2.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
9
97
BOU-DD23-092
6000N
326.2
326.8
0.36
37
0.6
0.0
0.2
0.8
3
121
BOU-DD23-093
6000N
135.0
136.0
0.69
1
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
6
68
BOU-DD23-094
6000N
0.0
153.0
0.00
0
153.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
449.0
450.1
1.99
31
1.1
0.0
0.1
0.1
15
226
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
473.2
474.2
0.71
12
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.7
3
118
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
498.0
498.7
0.43
12
0.7
0.0
0.2
0.5
2
88
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
499.9
501.1
0.30
17
1.2
0.0
0.4
1.0
6
112
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
503.0
505.7
1.02
46
2.7
0.0
0.9
3.0
15
333
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
507.5
508.5
0.40
21
1.0
0.0
0.4
0.8
4
114
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
510.5
534.8
1.03
33
24.3
0.0
0.5
1.4
11
222
including
525.3
534.8
1.97
50
9.5
0.0
0.7
2.3
18
380
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
543.0
556.9
0.67
34
13.9
0.1
0.1
1.2
10
181
including
546.0
547.2
1.75
158
1.2
0.3
1.1
9.8
12
929
Including
551.5
554.8
1.13
37
3.3
0.2
0.1
0.8
9
212
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
560.5
572.7
1.27
35
12.2
0.0
0.1
2.3
10
290
including
561.3
568.4
1.50
47
7.1
0.1
0.1
4.0
8
416
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
576.6
593.2
2.51
56
16.6
0.1
0.6
2.3
12
443
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
580.2
590.6
3.52
71
10.4
0.0
0.8
3.5
12
621
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
601.0
602.0
0.31
16
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
4
48
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
604.0
605.0
0.49
15
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2
63
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
606.0
607.0
1.17
4
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
3
116
BOU-DD23-095
6000N
610.2
627.4
2.04
3
17.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
5
197
BOU-DD23-096
6200N
0.0
203.4
0.00
0
203.4
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
21.2
22.2
0.22
52
1.0
0.1
2.1
1.6
415
258
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
23.2
24.2
0.34
27
1.0
0.0
0.4
0.3
114
95
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
33.2
33.8
0.32
24
0.6
0.0
1.0
1.4
403
186
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
91.8
97.3
0.81
6
5.5
0.0
0.0
0.2
20
98
including
95.8
96.3
3.21
20
0.5
0.0
0.0
1.1
37
385
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
108.8
119.1
0.44
36
10.3
0.0
0.7
1.2
11
166
including
111.7
114.8
0.56
68
3.1
0.0
1.4
2.4
11
293
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
122.4
123.5
0.37
12
1.1
0.0
0.1
0.3
8
69
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
136.0
136.9
0.77
60
0.9
0.0
0.1
2.0
12
243
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
139.7
140.2
0.81
39
0.5
0.0
0.1
1.0
8
170
BOU-DD23-097
6750N
161.9
162.6
0.72
23
0.7
0.0
0.6
0.7
4
147
BOU-DD23-098
6200N
0.0
203.2
0.00
0
203.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-099
5600N
0.0
505.0
0.00
0
505.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0
NSR
BOU-DD23-100
6200N
84.4
85.6
1.02
1
1.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
21
101
BOU-DD23-100
6200N
159.6
162.1
0.54
1
2.5
0.0
0.1
0.0
7
57
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
30.0
32.9
1.03
176
2.9
0.1
0.1
0.1
120
305
including
31.1
32.0
2.39
414
0.9
0.3
0.1
0.2
272
705
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
40.4
43.4
3.52
41
3.0
0.2
0.1
0.1
27
404
including
41.2
43.4
4.53
48
2.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
15
512
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
51.0
52.3
0.06
100
1.3
0.0
0.1
0.4
4
132
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
71.0
71.7
0.75
45
0.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
243
145
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
81.4
82.0
0.48
43
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
63
100
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
144.0
144.5
2.14
39
0.5
0.0
0.3
2.7
17
394
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
156.0
158.8
0.55
5
2.8
0.0
0.0
1.0
26
118
BOU-DD23-101
6750N
194.7
195.7
0.52
4
1.0
0.0
0.2
0.8
8
103
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
85.4
86.4
0.35
16
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
13
66
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
85.4
87.2
1.88
30
1.8
0.1
0.2
0.3
14
239
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
171.9
172.5
0.32
35
0.6
0.0
0.2
0.1
340
99
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
230.8
231.5
0.63
19
0.7
0.0
0.1
0.3
2
98
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
239.4
240.7
1.00
32
1.3
0.1
0.4
6.1
13
476
BOU-DD23-103
6750N
259.2
259.7
0.48
12
0.5
0.0
0.3
0.4
17
93
* True width remains undetermined at this stage; all values are uncut.
** Ag equivalent is based on a 100% recovery with the following ratio; 1 g/t Au: 93.4 g/t Ag; 1% Cu: 130.4 Ag; 1% Pb: 31.8 Ag;
1% Zn: 54.1 Ag.
*** Hole extension in 2023 (hole re-entry)
**** Last hole of 2022 (pending results in February 14, 2023 press release)
Appendix 2 – Drillhole Coordinates of 2023 Boumadine Exploration Program (completed holes)
DDH No.
Easting
Northing
Elevation
Azimuth
Dip
Length (m)
BOU-DD23-087
317366
3474271
1284
70
-50
159.5
BOU-DD23-088
317331
3474258
1276
70
-50
165.0
BOU-DD23-089
317296
3474245
1270
70
-50
585.1
BOU-DD23-090
317261
3474232
1266
70
-50
229.3
BOU-DD23-091
317220
3474218
1263
70
-50
150.0
BOU-DD23-092
317182
3474204
1260
70
-50
415.1
BOU-DD23-093
317141
3474189
1260
70
-50
150.5
BOU-DD23-094
317101
3474174
1260
70
-50
153.0
BOU-DD23-095
317063
3474159
1261
70
-50
658.5
BOU-DD23-096
317045
3474360
1261
70
-50
203.4
BOU-DD23-097
317154
3474985
1287
70
-50
203.0
BOU-DD23-098
316977
3474334
1258
70
-50
203.2
BOU-DD23-099
317829
3474013
1325
70
-50
505.0
BOU-DD23-100
316901
3474305
1256
70
-50
600.0
BOU-DD23-101
317123
3474974
1273
70
-50
249.7
BOU-DD23-102
316650
3474211
1273
70
-50
614.6
BOU-DD23-103
317090
3474962
1263
70
-50
310.0
BOU-DD23-104
317182
3474996
1300
70
-50
160.5
BOU-DD23-105
317071
3474592
1266
70
-50
457.5
BOU-DD23-106
317753
3473985
1321
70
-50
405.0
BOU-DD23-107
317032
3474577
1262
70
-50
618.5
BOU-DD23-108
317052
3474949
1259
70
-50
370.7
BOU-DD23-109
317697
3473965
1297
70
-50
402.3
BOU-DD23-110
317015
3474936
1255
70
-50
415.6
BOU-DD23-111
317055
3475216
1235
250
-50
161.9
BOU-DD23-112
317095
3475231
1235
250
-50
153.7
BOU-DD23-113
317136
3475246
1236
250
-50
214.4
BOU-DD23-114
317160
3475382
1234
250
-50
354.4
BOU-DD23-115
317625
3473939
1288
70
-50
402.8
BOU-DD23-116
317177
3475261
1237
250
-50
251.4
BOU-DD23-117
317214
3475274
1235
250
-50
304.9
BOU-DD23-118
316904
3475405
1278
250
-50
627.6
BOU-DD23-119
317199
3475397
1233
250
-50
420.8
BOU-DD23-120
317548
3473911
1280
70
-50
411.7
BOU-DD23-121
317256
3475289
1235
250
-50
334.6
BOU-DD23-122
317263
3476292
1212
250
-50
209.1
BOU-DD23-123
317002
3475441
1251
250
-50
150.6
BOU-DD23-124
317301
3476306
1210
250
-50
156.1
BOU-DD23-126
317337
3475319
1236
250
-50
479.6
BOU-DD23-127
317035
3475454
1245
250
-50
150.0
BOU-DD23-128
317339
3476320
1209
250
-50
191.4
BOU-DD23-129
317072
3475467
1242
250
-50
150.4
BOU-DD23-130
317112
3475481
1242
250
-50
249.0
SOURCE Aya Gold & Silver Inc
For further information: Benoit La Salle, FCPA, MBA, President & CEO, [email protected]; Alex Ball, VP, Corporate Development & IR, [email protected]
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