(via TheNewswire)
The Company has drawn from its considerable in-house expertise in
2024 Exploration Program – Main Drivers of Future Success:
Exceptional opportunity to apply proven, systematic exploration methods designed by a team of experts with Nevada discovery pedigree
Multi-year land consolidation efforts have created a highly-compelling yet under-explored prospect with scale, only 10 km from the massive Cortez Mine Complex
Exploration breakthroughs point to new robust target zones in classic
Carlin geological, geophysical, and geochemical settings – including a 6 km-long corridor of interest (the “Hilltop Corridor”) which has never been drilledWestward will bolster these advancements with additional mapping, geochemical, and geophysical coverage, fine-tuning the best targets while mitigating risks, and will select the top contenders for drilling
Figure 1: Westward’s Consolidated Land Position (Cortez Trend)
Target Definition: Westward’s Detailed Geological Mapping Reveals Key Features
The structural setting at the Properties is complex, and a critical element of
Figure 2:
Click Image To View Full Size
Several new igneous dikes were identified and mapped for the first time, with one set appearing to correlate to Eocene magmatism; these dikes are a key feature often associated with major
Further definition of the regional structural footprint is essential to advancing the Company’s understanding of controls on gold mineralization. The mapping campaign will be one of several fundamental tools used to guide the Company towards the most promising structural intersections and damage zones to be tested with drilling.
Figure 3: Examples of Compressional Tectonic Features Observed on the Properties
Click Image To View Full Size
Target Selection: Expanded Sampling Program to Fine-Tune Future Drilling
Westward will collect and analyze an additional 500 rock samples at the Properties, expanding upon the Company’s existing rock-chip dataset (Figure 4 below) by (i) increasing sample density in emerging target areas, and (ii) covering previously-unsampled portions of the Properties. In 2023, Westward’s rock-chip sampling campaign identified several priority areas for pre-drilling follow-up work; additional details related to two of those areas are shown in Figures 5 (the “Hilltop Target”) and 6 (the “Crossroads Target”) below. The Hilltop Target and Crossroads Target lie within the broader ~6km north-south structural zone of interest known as the Hilltop Corridor.
The primary goals of the sampling program will be to (i) identify anomalous gold and pathfinder elements at surface that are indicators of a broader gold system at depth, and (ii) identify significant structures which may have served as mineralized fluid pathways during gold deposition.
Figure 4: Westward’s Current Database of
Click Image To View Full Size
Note: for assay results of rock-chip samples collected by Westward in 2023, please refer to the Company’s press release dated
Figure 5: Hilltop Target Area
Click Image To View Full Size
Hilltop Target Area – Details:
Gold assay values up to 253 ppb in upper-plate siliciclastic rocks
Arsenic assay values up to 885 ppm; elevated mercury and antimony
Intersection of east-west gravity structures and the Roberts Mountains Thrust Fault
Horizontal gradient of gravity shows the maximum rate of change in density, indicative of prospective structures and alteration
Lies in the same structural corridor as the past-producing
Toiyabe-Saddle Mine with elevated pathfinder element assay values900 meters of unsampled ground between samples with elevated gold in outcrop
Target area has seen no previous drilling
Figure 6: Crossroads Target Area
Click Image To View Full Size
Crossroads Target Area – Details:
Gold assay values up to 43 ppb in upper-plate siliciclastic rocks, within a structural corridor with anomalous gold values
Intersection of north-south and east-west gravity structures in the horizontal gradient
Intersection of gravity structures and mapped thrust fault
Intense brecciation, folding, and faulting observed in outcrops
Target area has seen no previous drilling
In addition to the expanded rock-chip sampling program, the Company will collect and analyze 850 soil samples at the Properties. Architecture and zonation of soil grid geochemical results are fundamental to understanding the mineralizing system and confirming the best targets. Figure 7 below shows soil sample analysis at the
Figure 7: Hilltop Corridor Target Area
Click Image To View Full Size
Source (
(1) Weighted sum geochemical modeling: The Company’s technical team has plotted the weighted sum of the classic
Hilltop Corridor – Details:
Horizontal gradient of gravity defines a north-south structural zone 6 km across the Properties
Weighted sum of
Carlin pathfinder elements in soil samples shows fluid plumes near structural corridors in upper-plate rocksCorrelation of inferred gravity structures, mapped structures and surface geochemistry
Additional mapping, surface sampling and geophysics to refine targeting
Prospective corridor has seen no previous drilling
Figure 8: Soil Sample Results & Planned 2024 Grid Expansion
Click Image To View Full Size
Source (
Source (
Hunting for Carlin-Type Gold Deposits: Expanded Geophysics Programs to Reveal Multi-Million Ounce Potential
Following recommendations given by geophysicist
Qualified Person
The technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by
About
For further information contact:
Chief Financial Officer
+1 (604) 828-7027
andrew@westwardgold.com
www.westwardgold.com
The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
This news release contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed, to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate”, “potential”, “on track”, “forecast", "budget", “target”, “outlook”, “continue”, “plan” or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms.
Such statements include, but may not be limited to, information as to strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as the Company’s expansion plans, project timelines, expected drilling targets, and other statements that express management’s expectations or estimates of future plans and performance.
Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company’s properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company’s material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons, availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs, that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames, that current geological models and interpretations prove correct, the results of ongoing work programs may lead to a change of exploration priorities, and the efforts and abilities of the senior management team. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements or information. These and other factors may cause the Company to change its exploration and work programs, not proceed with work programs, or change the timing or order of planned work programs. Additional risk factors and details with respect to risk factors that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are set out in the Company’s latest management discussion and analysis under “Risks and Uncertainties”, which is available under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company’s forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management’s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.
Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved., source