VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Thesis Gold Inc. ("Thesis" or the "Company") (TSXV: TAU) (WKN: A3EP87) (OTCQX: THSGF) is pleased to announce the remaining drill results from its 2024 program at the Ranch area, part of its 100%-owned, road-accessible Lawyers-Ranch Project in British Columbia's Toodoggone mining district.
The 2024 drill program was strategically designed to advance engineering and environmental baseline studies (Figure 1), both essential to the Prefeasibility Study (PFS) led by Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC and Mining Plus Canada Consulting Ltd. The PFS remains on track for Q4 2025 completion, supporting the Environmental Assessment (EA) process set to commence later this year. The study will build on the positive results of the 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) (see Company news release September 5, 2024), which outlined robust project economics, including an after-tax NPV (5%) of C$1.28 billion, a 35.2% IRR, and a 2.0-year payback period. The PEA also highlighted a strong production profile, projecting over 215,000 AuEq oz/year for 14 years at an AISC of US$1,013.
In parallel, exploration and near-resource drilling continue to highlight the potential for further resource growth at Ranch through new discoveries (see Company news release from November 13, 2024), and the expansion and upgrading of ounces outlined in the PEA.
Key Highlights:
Advancing Towards Prefeasibility Study (PFS) and Environmental Assessment (EA) Processes:
Multipurpose Geotechnical Drilling:
Resource Growth:
Next Steps
*Intervals represent core length. |
**AuEq is calculated using a 80:1 silver to gold ratio, a copper to gold ratio of 7315:1, and metal recoveries of 90% for gold, 83% for silver, and 85% for copper. |
Ewan Webster, President and CEO, shared, "The 2024 drill program played a critical role in positioning us to commence both the PFS and the EA process—key milestones that will drive project development and permitting decisions. Positive results from near-resource exploration have encouraging implications for the potential to expand and upgrade our confidence on the mineral resource defined in the 2024 PEA, which demonstrated strong project economics highlighted by an after-tax NPV (5%) of C$1.28 billion, an IRR of 35.2% and a payback period of 2.0 years. This shows that the Ranch area of the larger project still provides significant potential for resource growth and, in turn, improved project economics."
Engineering and Environmental Insights from the 2024 Program
The 2024 program provided critical geotechnical and hydrogeological data for mine design and permitting while also uncovering additional mineralization potential.
These insights will support the PFS currently underway, guiding resource model refinement and 2025 drilling plans.
Geological Insights from the 2024 Program
Exploration drilling in the 2024 program focused on near-resource expansion at Bingo and Thesis II, as well as new targets defined at Ring and Golden Furlong (Figure 1). The Company's press release dated November 13, 2024 outlined a new discovery at the Ring zone and overprinting alteration relationships and a narrow zone of anomalous silver at Golden Furlong. Near-resource exploration at Bingo and Thesis II returned encouraging gold, silver, and copper intercepts. These results emphasize that while the 2024 PEA outlined a near-surface high-grade Mineral Resource, the potential exists to find more mineralization and expand the mineral resource at the Ranch area of the Lawyers-Ranch project.
Drillhole 24TH2DD002, intersected multiple mineralized zones at Thesis II, and successfully expanded mineralization at depth (Figure 3) and along strike. The shallowest of three mineralized intervals intersected 19.58 m of 1.15 g/t Au, including 8.58 m of 2.17 g/t Au from 131.00 to 150.58 m core length. This intercept, approximately 40 m vertically and 30 m laterally from previous drilling, reinforces confidence in the mineralized model and may contribute to a resource upgrade. Additionally, a ~10 m interval beginning at 177.08 m core length returned anomalous gold and silver, including 3.92 m of 5.53 g/t Au and 8.70 g/t Ag, refining the mineralized domain and filling a key data gap. The deepest intercept, 3.00 m of 1.04 g/t Au, aligns well with previously modelled mineralization. These mineralized zones occur within volcanic rocks altered to white mica + dickite ± silica, a characteristic alteration style of high-sulfidation epithermal systems, consistent with the broader Thesis II zone and other areas across Ranch.
Exploration Upside
The Toodoggone District shares key geological similarities with BC's Golden Triangle, particularly in its tectonic setting and magmatic-volcanic history. Both regions belong to the Stikine Terrane (Stikinia), one of British Columbia's most prolific mineral belts, known for its Triassic-Jurassic volcanic and plutonic rocks that host major deposits and mines. A significant regional prospectivity marker, the "red line unconformity," first recognized in the Golden Triangle, also extends into the Toodoggone. This boundary between Triassic and Jurassic rocks has been spatially linked with major porphyry and epithermal deposits. Notably, the Lawyers-Ranch epithermal system, the Kemess copper-gold porphyry, and the recently discovered porphyry mineralization at Joy (Amarc Resources and Freeport McMoRan JV) are all positioned along or near this stratigraphic marker (Figure 4). At Lawyers-Ranch, this unconformity is present at both the northern and southern extents of the tenure and is likely present beneath Jurassic Toodoggone rocks exposed at surface.
The genetic link between epithermal mineralization, hydrothermal alteration, and nearby porphyry systems is well established (Figure 5). The Lawyers deposit (~4 Moz MRE) represents a low-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver system, while the Ranch deposit (~700 koz MRE) is a high-sulfidation epithermal system characterized by argillic to advanced argillic to silicic alteration—hallmarks of a lithocap environment typically associated with an underlying porphyry. Lawyers is controlled by a broad fault structure with multiple hydrothermal veining events, and the Ranch system is a ~40 km² alteration footprint that hosts multiple structurally controlled mineralized zones. The variation in mineralization and alteration styles, along with evidence of overprinting, multiphase hydrothermal activity across the Lawyers-Ranch project area suggests the presence of a large, district-scale magmatic-hydrothermal system.
Recent discoveries, coupled with an evolving geological model, reinforce the potential for the Toodoggone District to emerge as a premiere fertile porphyry-epithermal camp. Thesis Gold remains committed to advancing this potential through continued exploration in 2025.
Table 1 – 2024 Assay highlights from exploration drilling.
Hole ID |
From |
To |
Interval* |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
AuEq** |
||
Exploration |
24TH2DD001 |
236.00 |
237.34 |
1.34 |
0.36 |
0.13 |
0.00 |
0.36 |
|
24TH2DD002 |
131.00 |
150.58 |
19.58 |
1.15 |
0.36 |
0.01 |
1.16 |
||
incl. |
142.00 |
150.58 |
8.58 |
2.17 |
0.52 |
0.00 |
2.19 |
||
and |
177.08 |
187.00 |
9.92 |
2.69 |
3.76 |
0.00 |
2.74 |
||
incl. |
177.08 |
181.00 |
3.92 |
5.53 |
8.70 |
0.00 |
5.64 |
||
incl. |
177.08 |
177.75 |
0.67 |
25.70 |
46.50 |
0.01 |
26.29 |
||
and |
199.00 |
202.00 |
3.00 |
1.04 |
1.49 |
0.00 |
1.06 |
||
24BBXDD001 |
215.00 |
218.68 |
3.68 |
0.21 |
16.65 |
0.01 |
0.43 |
||
incl. |
216.00 |
217.00 |
1.00 |
0.13 |
37.60 |
0.01 |
0.62 |
||
and |
226.00 |
227.00 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
30.40 |
0.02 |
0.41 |
||
24BNGDD001 |
102.00 |
104.00 |
2.00 |
0.03 |
38.22 |
0.34 |
0.97 |
||
incl. |
102.69 |
103.00 |
0.31 |
0.13 |
178.00 |
2.03 |
5.13 |
||
and |
120.00 |
126.00 |
6.00 |
0.53 |
1.50 |
0.02 |
0.58 |
||
24BNGDD002 |
126.93 |
145.88 |
18.95 |
0.69 |
6.21 |
0.04 |
0.82 |
||
incl. |
137.75 |
145.88 |
8.13 |
1.06 |
6.44 |
0.06 |
1.22 |
||
and |
154.00 |
161.50 |
7.50 |
0.62 |
17.10 |
0.11 |
0.98 |
||
24BNGDD003 |
146.50 |
148.50 |
2.00 |
0.49 |
2.13 |
0.11 |
0.66 |
||
Geotechnical Studies |
24GTDD001 |
57.76 |
59.00 |
1.24 |
1.21 |
0.25 |
0.00 |
1.22 |
|
and |
82.56 |
116.00 |
33.44 |
0.61 |
0.62 |
0.01 |
0.64 |
||
incl. |
82.56 |
83.56 |
1.00 |
1.10 |
1.42 |
0.00 |
1.12 |
||
and incl. |
113.50 |
114.50 |
1.00 |
1.43 |
0.88 |
0.10 |
1.57 |
||
24GTDD002 |
83.60 |
87.33 |
3.73 |
0.66 |
3.71 |
0.25 |
1.04 |
||
incl. |
84.50 |
86.55 |
2.05 |
0.80 |
5.29 |
0.36 |
1.36 |
||
24GTDD003 |
No significant results; no mineralization expected |
||||||||
24GTDD004 |
79.27 |
85.00 |
5.73 |
0.59 |
0.51 |
0.00 |
0.60 |
||
24GTDD005 |
19.50 |
40.00 |
20.50 |
0.78 |
2.22 |
0.07 |
0.90 |
||
incl. |
28.50 |
40.00 |
11.50 |
1.02 |
3.25 |
0.10 |
1.20 |
||
and incl. |
28.50 |
31.50 |
3.00 |
1.85 |
10.59 |
0.37 |
2.48 |
||
24GTDD006 |
47.00 |
55.50 |
8.50 |
0.94 |
3.02 |
0.04 |
1.04 |
||
incl. |
47.00 |
48.00 |
1.00 |
3.50 |
7.10 |
0.08 |
3.69 |
||
24GTDD007 |
No significant results; no mineralization expected |
||||||||
24GTDD008 |
85.43 |
89.42 |
3.99 |
2.31 |
5.86 |
0.87 |
3.57 |
||
incl. |
86.54 |
88.57 |
2.03 |
3.79 |
9.67 |
1.62 |
6.12 |
||
and |
110.00 |
120.50 |
10.50 |
0.76 |
1.54 |
0.22 |
1.08 |
||
incl. |
112.00 |
117.00 |
5.00 |
0.80 |
1.98 |
0.37 |
1.34 |
||
24GTDD010 |
9.00 |
49.50 |
40.50 |
1.14 |
1.71 |
0.02 |
1.20 |
||
incl. |
31.50 |
39.50 |
8.00 |
1.92 |
2.12 |
0.02 |
1.98 |
||
and incl. |
46.50 |
49.50 |
3.00 |
2.27 |
0.54 |
0.03 |
2.32 |
||
24GTDD011 |
42.00 |
69.50 |
27.50 |
1.72 |
27.23 |
0.01 |
2.08 |
||
incl. |
42.00 |
63.00 |
21.00 |
2.19 |
24.87 |
0.01 |
2.52 |
||
and incl. |
48.00 |
57.00 |
9.00 |
3.23 |
24.28 |
0.01 |
3.54 |
||
24GTDD012 |
No significant results; no mineralization expected |
||||||||
24GTDD013 |
No significant results; no mineralization expected |
||||||||
24GTDD014 |
109.05 |
113.78 |
4.73 |
0.86 |
71.36 |
0.07 |
1.84 |
||
incl. |
111.16 |
113.78 |
2.62 |
1.52 |
117.32 |
0.11 |
3.15 |
||
and incl. |
112.00 |
113.78 |
1.78 |
2.20 |
81.13 |
0.15 |
3.42 |
||
and |
136.84 |
138.18 |
1.34 |
0.93 |
6.20 |
0.43 |
1.59 |
||
24GTDD015 |
9.00 |
12.00 |
3.00 |
1.03 |
1.39 |
0.03 |
1.09 |
||
incl. |
9.00 |
10.50 |
1.50 |
1.69 |
1.95 |
0.04 |
1.76 |
||
and |
19.50 |
21.00 |
1.50 |
1.27 |
2.84 |
0.02 |
1.33 |
||
and |
43.80 |
44.50 |
0.70 |
48.70 |
4.39 |
0.08 |
48.86 |
||
24GTDD016 |
2.60 |
7.50 |
4.90 |
0.81 |
9.25 |
0.01 |
0.93 |
||
incl. |
4.50 |
6.87 |
2.37 |
0.98 |
9.54 |
0.01 |
1.11 |
||
24GTDD017 |
12.00 |
16.55 |
4.55 |
1.38 |
1.07 |
0.01 |
1.41 |
||
incl. |
14.00 |
16.55 |
2.55 |
2.09 |
1.33 |
0.02 |
2.13 |
||
24GTDD018 |
54.78 |
56.00 |
1.22 |
0.99 |
1.23 |
0.01 |
1.01 |
||
Water Monitoring |
24WMWDD001 |
9.00 |
11.00 |
2.00 |
0.52 |
2.61 |
0.00 |
0.56 |
|
24WMWDD002 |
No significant results |
||||||||
24WMWDD003 |
No significant results |
||||||||
24WMWDD004 |
No significant results |
||||||||
24WMWDD005 |
Hole not sampled as material was all overburden |
||||||||
24WMWDD006 |
No significant results |
||||||||
*Intervals represent core length. |
**AuEq is calculated using a 80:1 silver to gold ratio, a copper to gold ratio of 7315:1, and metal recoveries of 90% for gold, 83% for silver, and 85% for copper at Ranch. |
The Company is also pleased to announce the grant of an aggregate of 750,000 incentive stock options to employees and/or consultants of the Company. The options are exercisable at $0.79, valid for 5 years, and are granted pursuant to the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan and are in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Quality Assurance and Control
Samples were analyzed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Vancouver, Canada (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). The sampling program was undertaken by Company personnel under the direction of Andrew Turner, P.Geol. A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic emission spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+10 g/t Au). Drill intervals with visible gold were assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc, P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Thesis Gold Inc.
"Ewan Webster"
Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo.
President, CEO, and Director
About Thesis Gold Inc.
Thesis Gold Inc. is a resource development company focused on unlocking the potential of its 100% owned Lawyers-Ranch Project, located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone Mining District. The recently completed Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) highlights robust project economics, including a 35.2% after-tax IRR and an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.28 billion, demonstrating the potential for significant value creation. The Company's 2025 roadmap includes a robust exploration and drill program, delivery of a Pre-Feasibility Study on the combined Lawyers-Ranch Project, and commencement of the Environmental Impact Assessment Process. Through these strategic moves, Thesis Gold intends to elevate the Lawyers-Ranch Project to the forefront of global precious metals ventures.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Thesis Gold Inc.
For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact: Kettina Cordero, Vice President Investor Relations, Email: [email protected], Tel: +1 604-417-2574
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