Newcore Gold Ltd. ("Newcore" or the "Company")
(TSX-V: NCAU, OTCQX: NCAUF) is pleased to announce an update on
exploration and development activities underway at the Company’s
100% owned Enchi Gold Project ("Enchi" or the "Project") in Ghana.
Diamond Drilling ("DD") at the Nyam Gold Deposit ("Nyam"),
targeting high-grade mineralization in the upper portions of the
sulphide mineralization, intersected 3.28 grams per tonne gold
("g/t Au") over 11.0 metres ("m"), within a broader zone of 1.58
g/t Au over 26.3 m. Nyam is one of the currently identified
deposits at Enchi where drilling continues to highlight the
potential for longer-term resource growth from delineating
high-grade underground resources in the sulphide mineralization. In
addition to drilling, results of metallurgical testing on sulphide
mineralization from Nyam confirmed excellent gold recoveries
averaging 91.7%.
Additional exploration work underway at Enchi
includes trenching on several kilometre-scale gold anomalies which
continues to advance early-stage targets towards the drill testing
stage, and further metallurgical testwork of both the oxide and
sulphide mineralization.
Highlights from Diamond Drilling and
Metallurgical Testwork at Nyam
- Drilling targeting
high-grade mineralization in the upper portions of the sulphides
continues to highlight the potential for resource growth at
Enchi.
- Hole NBDD063 intersected 1.58 g/t
Au over 26.3 metres, including 3.28 g/t Au over 11.0 m and 6.57 g/t
Au over 4.0 m; and
- Hole NBDD064 intersected 1.16 g/t
Au over 36.4 m, including 2.03 g/t Au over 17.4 m.
- Drilling followed-up on two
northerly plunging high-grade zones identified at Nyam.
- Five holes tested the down dip and
lateral extensions to high-grade gold mineralization previously
identified at Nyam in two shoots (central and southern); and
- To date, the Nyam deposit has only
been tested to a maximum vertical depth of 350 metres and remains
open for further expansion to depth.
- Results of metallurgical
testing on sulphide material from the Nyam Gold Deposit confirms
excellent recoveries from cyanidation averaging 91.7%.
- 14 composite samples were analysed
by a series of bottle roll tests and returned an average gold
recovery of 91.7% (ranging from 82.7% to 98.0%).
Greg Smith, VP Exploration of Newcore stated,
"This latest drilling at our Enchi Gold Project continues to prove
out our geological model that includes resource growth from the
higher-grade mineralization at depth. Drilling followed-up on two
previously identified high-grade shoots at Nyam, which remain open
to depth and along strike, and highlight the resource growth
potential of the high-grade mineralization in the sulphides. We
continue to advance our understanding of the significant size and
scale potential at Enchi, which is located on a prolific gold belt
in southwest Ghana that hosts a number of multi-million-ounce gold
mines."
Luke Alexander, President and CEO of Newcore
stated, "We continue to advance and de-risk the development of our
Enchi Gold Project in Ghana. Recently completed metallurgical
testwork on sulphide mineralization at Nyam has confirmed strong
recoveries averaging 91.7%, continuing to highlight the longer-term
potential for resource growth from higher-grade sulphide
mineralization at depth. We look forward to continuing to advance
the development of Enchi with additional metallurgical testwork as
we prioritize targets for our next phase of drilling to commence
later this year."
This news release reports results for 5 DD holes
totalling 2,155 m (NBDD060 to NBDD064) targeting the Nyam Gold
Deposit. All holes intersected gold mineralization.
Select assay results from the 5 holes of the
drill program reported in this release are below:
Table 1 - Enchi Gold Project Drill
Highlights
Hole ID |
Zone/Deposit |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length (m) |
Au (g/t) |
NBDD060 |
Nyam |
359.2 |
368.6 |
9.4 |
1.30 |
including |
|
359.2 |
361.0 |
1.8 |
2.28 |
NBDD063 |
Nyam |
482.5 |
509.3 |
26.3 |
1.58 |
including |
|
489.0 |
500.0 |
11.0 |
3.28 |
and
incl. |
|
496.0 |
500.0 |
4.0 |
6.57 |
NBDD064 |
Nyam |
217.2 |
253.6 |
36.4 |
1.16 |
including |
|
219.2 |
236.6 |
17.4 |
2.03 |
Notes: 1. See detailed table for complete
results; 2. Intervals reported are hole lengths with true
width estimated to be 75 - 85%; and 3. Length-weighted
averages from uncut assays.
A plan map showing the drill hole locations can
be viewed
at:https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5823/2023_08-ncau-nr-enchi-nyam-plan-map.pdf
A long section of the Nyam Gold Deposit can be
viewed
at:https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5823/2023_08-ncau-longsection-nyam.pdf
A cross section showing drill results and
highlights for hole NBDD063 can be viewed
at:https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5823/2023_08-ncau-crosssection-nbdd063.pdf
A complete list of the drill results in this
release, including hole details, can be viewed
at:https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5823/2023_08-ncau-enchi-2023-drill-results.pdf
Drilling at Nyam
Diamond drilling at Nyam consisted of five holes
(2,155 metres) following-up on high-grade intercepts intersected in
the upper portions of the sulphide mineralization. A series of
holes tested the down dip and lateral extensions to the high-grade
gold mineralization. Holes NBDD060 and NBDD061 tested the southern
high-grade shoot. Holes NBDD062, NBDD063 and NBDD064 tested
extensions to the central high-grade shoot located 200 to 500
metres to the north. To date, the deposit has only been tested to a
maximum vertical depth of 350 metres and remains open to depth and
along strike.
Hole NBDD063, which tested the central
high-grade shoot, stepped out 75 m down dip from previously drilled
hole NBDD052 which intersected 3.21 g/t Au over 15.0 m from 321.0
m. NBDD063 intersected 1.58 g/t Au over 26.3 m from 482.5 m,
including 3.28 g/t Au over 11.0 m from 489.0 m. Hole NBDD064 is a
lateral step out extending the high-grade zone intersected in
previously drilled hole NBRC045 (1.57 g/t Au over 40.0 m from 179.0
m), intersecting 1.16 g/t Au over 36.4 m from 217.2 m, including
2.03 g/t Au over 17.4 m from 219.2 m.
Hole NBDD060 is a down dip step out on the
southern high-grade shoot and was drilled 90 m down dip of
previously drilled hole NBDD048 which intersected 4.51 g/t Au over
13.0 m from 236.0 m. NBDD060 intersected 0.70 g/t Au over 19.7 m
from 358.3 m, including 1.30 g/t Au over 9.4 m from 359.2 m.
Metallurgical Testwork on Sulphide
Mineralization from Nyam
A series of 14 composite samples of sulphide
material drilled at the Nyam Gold Deposit were analysed by a series
of bottle roll tests and returned an average gold recovery of 91.7%
(ranging from 82.7% to 98.0%). This testwork was completed at
Intertek Labs in Tarkwa, Ghana, located approximately four hours by
paved road from the Enchi Gold Project.
A graph showing the metallurgical testwork
results can be viewed
at:https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5823/2023_08-ncau-nr-met-graph.pdf
The 14 samples included gold mineralized
material from each of the five diamond drill holes completed at
Nyam, with gold contents ranging between 0.62 and 9.34 g/t Au and
averaging 2.08 g/t Au. There is no relationship between recovery
and gold grade.
The head grade for each composite was determined
with two 50-gram fire assays, with all samples analysed by 48 hour
optimized leach bottle roll and assays completed on solutions and
tails. The crushed sub splits were milled in the mild steel
laboratory rod mill at 50% solids at suitable milling times to
achieve a target grind size of 85% less than 45µm. Some composites
were conditioned with 50 g/t lead nitrate and/or 20 ppm dissolved
oxygen for two hours. After which the pH was conditioned with lime
to a pH of 10.5 and sodium cyanide concentration adjusted to 1000
ppm with the addition of 1 g of sodium cyanide. The samples were
rolled for 48 hours and 10 mls of solutions picked at 4, 8, 24 and
32 hours to check residual cyanide and pH and adjust accordingly to
original levels.
The 14 composite sample are from a larger set of
27 composite samples created from 73 original coarse reject samples
which include samples from each of the five diamond drill holes
recently completed on the Nyam Gold Deposit. The samples are a
representative set of gold mineralized material with a total weight
of 225 kg. The gold content for the composites ranged between 0.56
g/t Au and 11.14 g/t Au with an average of 2.10 g/t Au.
Results of the initial bottle rolls on the
larger set of 27 composite samples confirmed the amenability to
direct cyanidation with an average recovery of 79% in a range
between 63% and 90%. The crushed sub splits were milled in the mild
steel laboratory rod mill at 50% solids at suitable milling times
to achieve a coarser target grind of 85% less than 75µm. The
Kinetic Bottle Roll test included 30 mls solutions picked at 2, 4,
8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32 and 48 hours. The solutions were analyzed for
Au, cyanide and pH. Levels of cyanide concentration and pH were
maintained throughout the test by being readjusted to their
originals if below, after every pick and 30 mls of tap water was
added after every pick to maintain the density throughout the test.
The initial average recovery at the coarser grind for the samples
selected for optimization testing was 81.4% increasing by +10.3% to
91.7% through the variable application of additional grinding,
inclusion of lead nitrate, and oxygen.
The 27 samples contain essentially no silver
with only two samples reporting above the detection limit of 0.5
g/t Ag with 0.6 and 1.0 g/t Ag and showing no correlation with the
gold grades. All samples reported low values for lead, zinc, and
copper averaging 35, 66, 30 ppm respectively and mildly elevated
arsenic averaging 233 ppm with no relationship with gold grade.
Five samples were subjected to diagnostic leach
and showed consistent results with total additive recoveries
averaging 94.9%. The total gold that was leached by direct
cyanidation with and without carbon averaged 71.0% and 69.8%
respectively for the samples corresponding to a very low preg rob
index of 1.2% with one outlier. Treatment via mild oxidative
pre-leach averaged an additional 4.6%, with sulphuric acid
treatment adding an average of a further 2.7%, and an additional
7.1% of the gold became soluble after pre-treatment with HNO3, and
an average of a further 3.5% of the gold was extracted via complete
oxidation by roasting.
Another five representative samples (different
samples than were tested by diagnostic leach) were selected for
bond index determination. Samples were sent from Intertek to
Jet-Com Engineering in Tarkwa, Ghana and included a range of
recoveries and gold grades. The five as-received samples were
crushed to 100% passing 3.35 mm and from this a 700 cm3 volume was
measured and weighed to be used as feed for the bond mill. The
grindability of the samples ranged from 1.78 g/rev to 2.04 g/rev
with bond work indices between 9.54 KWh/t and 10.50 KWh/t
indicative of low-medium hardness.
Additional Metallurgical Testwork
Underway
Newcore continues to de-risk the Project with
additional metallurgical testwork designed to optimize and improve
the understanding of processing options available for Enchi. This
additional metallurgical testwork for oxide and transition
mineralization includes larger sized samples for column testing and
a bulk-sized, bench-scale test with a pilot heap testing 15 tonne
samples from the two largest deposits at Enchi, Boin and Sewum
("Pilot Tests").
Material for this testwork was sourced from
trenches recently completed at Boin and Sewum, both of which
encountered wide mineralized intervals.
Table 2 - Enchi Gold Project Trenching
Results Highlights
Hole ID |
Deposit |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length (m) |
Au (g/t) |
KBTR_MET_001 |
Boin |
1.0 |
45.0 |
44.0 |
1.43 |
and |
|
5.0 |
34.0 |
29.0 |
1.97 |
SWTR_MET_001 |
Sewum |
15.0 |
107.0 |
92.0 |
1.18 |
including |
|
27.0 |
40.0 |
13.0 |
2.70 |
including |
|
58.0 |
81.0 |
23.0 |
1.78 |
Notes: 1. Intervals reported are trench
lengths with true width estimated to be 75 - 85%; and 2.
Length-weighted averages from uncut assays.
Five 60 kg composite samples were collected and
delivered to the independent commercial Intertek Laboratory in
Tarkwa, Ghana – four hours by road from the Project. The
metallurgical work underway is comprised of bottle rolls as well as
column tests following-up on recent positive recoveries from a
series of column tests on oxide and transitional material from the
Sewum and Boin Gold Deposits. The recent tests continued to have
excellent recoveries with an average gold recovery of 92.4% and
showed low reagent consumptions (see news release dated October 12,
2022). The additional tests will focus on further defining the
optimal reagent level with a goal of lowering potential processing
costs while maintaining high recoveries. The five 60 kg composites
have been created from representative material sourced to reflect a
range of gold grades with individual composites averaging 0.57 to
1.79 g/t Au.
The Pilot Tests are being designed and overseen
by the technical personnel from the University of Mines and
Technology ("UMaT") located in Tarkwa, Ghana. The bulk-scale
testing will be completed on 15 tonne composite samples from oxide
material identified and sampled in the trenches completed for the
60 kg composites. The Pilot Tests will be completed on site at
UMaT. The tests will use the optimized reagent levels as determined
by the results of the additional, on-going column testwork at UMaT
and Intertek.
Enchi Gold Project Mineral Resource
Estimate
The Enchi Gold Project hosts an Indicated
Mineral Resource of 41.7 million tonnes grading 0.55 g/t Au
containing 743,500 ounces gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of
46.6 million tonnes grading 0.65 g/t Au containing 972,000 ounces
(see Newcore news release dated March 7, 2023). Mineral resource
estimation practices are in accordance with CIM Estimation of
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practice Guidelines
(November 29, 2019) and follow CIM Definition Standards for Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 10, 2014), that are
incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 ("NI
43-101"). The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by independent
qualified person Todd McCracken, P. Geo. of BBA E&C Inc. The
technical report, titled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Enchi
Gold Project" has an effective date of January 25, 2023, and is
available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
Nyam Gold Zone
Nyam is one of the five deposits which comprise
the Mineral Resource Estimate at Enchi (Indicated Mineral Resource
of 7.8 million tonnes grading 0.65 g/t Au containing 162,000 ounces
and Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.7 million tonnes grading 1.21
g/t Au containing 104,700 ounces). Nyam is located 15 kilometres
east of the town of Enchi, with nearby roads and power and further
access provided by a series of drill roads. An airborne geophysical
anomaly coincident with the Nyam Gold Deposit shows a complex
series of linear high conductivity trends, reflective of the
multiple sub-parallel gold-bearing structures. To date,
approximately 30% of the gold-in-soil anomaly is untested by
drilling.
Drill Hole Locations
Table 3 - Enchi Gold Project Drill Hole
Location Details
Hole ID |
UTM East |
UTM North |
Elevation |
Azimuth ° |
Dip ° |
Length (m) |
NBDD060 |
530429 |
637176 |
99 |
300 |
-55 |
425.2 |
NBDD061 |
530496 |
637216 |
121 |
300 |
-50 |
469.8 |
NBDD062 |
530653 |
637504 |
120 |
300 |
-53 |
449.4 |
NBDD063 |
530818 |
637672 |
159 |
300 |
-62 |
532.5 |
NBDD064 |
530550 |
637597 |
124 |
300 |
-56 |
278.1 |
Table 4 - Enchi Gold Project Trench
Location Details
Hole ID |
UTM East |
UTM North |
Elevation |
Length (m) |
SWTR_MET_001 |
521264 |
627822 |
131 |
107.0 |
KBTR_MET_001 |
518939 |
633495 |
141 |
61.3 |
Newcore Gold Best Practice
Newcore is committed to best practice standards
for all exploration, sampling and drilling activities. Drilling was
completed by an independent drilling firm using industry standard
RC and Diamond Drill equipment. Analytical quality assurance and
quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of
blanks, standards and duplicates into the sample strings. Samples
are placed in sealed bags and shipped directly to Intertek Labs
located in Tarkwa, Ghana for 50 gram gold fire assay.
Qualified Person
Mr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Vice President of
Exploration at Newcore, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI
43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and
information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified
the technical and scientific data disclosed herein and has
conducted appropriate verification on the underlying data including
confirmation of the drillhole data files against the original
drillhole logs and assay certificates.
About Newcore Gold Ltd.
Newcore Gold is advancing its Enchi Gold Project
located in Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer(1). The Project
currently hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 743,500 ounces of
gold at 0.55 g/t and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 972,000 ounces
of gold at 0.65 g/t(2). Newcore Gold offers investors a unique
combination of top-tier leadership, who are aligned with
shareholders through their 20% equity ownership, and prime district
scale exploration opportunities. Enchi’s 216 km2 land package
covers 40 kilometres of Ghana’s prolific Bibiani Shear Zone, a gold
belt which hosts several 5 million-ounce gold deposits, including
the Chirano mine 50 kilometers to the north. Newcore’s vision is to
build a responsive, creative and powerful gold enterprise that
maximizes returns for shareholders.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of
Newcore Gold Ltd.
Luke AlexanderPresident, CEO & Director
For further information, please
contact:
Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate
Development and Investor Relations+1 604 484
4399info@newcoregold.comwww.newcoregold.com
(1) Source: Production volumes for 2022 as
sourced from the World Gold Council(2) Notes for Mineral Resource
Estimate:1. Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum
("CIM") definition standards were followed for the resource
estimate.2. The 2023 resource models used ordinary kriging (OK)
grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with
mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids and constrained by
pits shell for Sewum, Boin and Nyam. Kwakyekrom and Tokosea used
Inverse Distance squared (ID2).3. Open pit cut-off grades varied
from 0.14 g/t to 0.25 g/t Au based on mining and processing costs
as well as the recoveries in different weathered material.4. Heap
leach cut-off grade varied from 0.14 g/t to 0.19 g/t in the pit
shell and 1.50 g/t for underground based on mining costs,
metallurgical recovery, milling costs and G&A costs.5. CIL cut
off grade varied from 0.25 g/t to 0.27 g/t in a pit shell and 1.50
g/t for underground based on mining costs, metallurgical recovery,
milling costs and G&A costs.6. A US$1,650/ounce gold price was
used to determine the cut-off grade.7. Metallurgical recoveries
have been applied to five individual deposits and in each case
three material types (oxide, transition, and fresh rock).8. A
density of 2.19 g/cm3 for oxide, 2.45 g/cm3 for
transition, and 2.72 g/cm3 for fresh rock was applied.9.
Optimization pit slope angles varied based on the rock types.10.
Reasonable mining shapes constrain the mineral resource in close
proximity to the pit shell.11. Mineral Resources that are not
mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not
add due to rounding.12. The resource estimate was prepared by Todd
McCracken, P. Geo, of BBA E&C Inc. in accordance with National
Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects. Todd McCracken is an independent qualified person ("QP")
as defined by National Instrument 43-101. A full technical report,
prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is available under Newcore’s
SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
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 release.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes statements that
contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the
applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking
statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations,
estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any
statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions,
future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases
such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes"
or variations (including negative 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)
are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking
statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements
relate, among other things, to: statements about the estimation of
mineral resources; results of metallurgical testwork, results of
drilling, magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; anticipated
advancement of mineral properties or programs; and future
exploration prospects.
These forward-looking statements, and any
assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and
reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our
business. The assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements
are based on information currently available to Newcore. Although
the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
based upon what management of Newcore believes, or believed at the
time, to be reasonable assumptions, Newcore cannot assure its
shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such
forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that
cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Forward-looking information also involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such
factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative
nature of the Company’s business; the Company’s formative stage of
development; the Company’s financial position; possible variations
in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of
current exploration activities; fluctuations in general
macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets;
fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold and other
commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian
dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national
and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations
and political or economic developments; risks and hazards
associated with the business of mineral exploration, development
and mining (including environmental hazards, unusual or unexpected
geological formations); the presence of laws and regulations that
may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations;
relationships with and claims by local communities; the speculative
nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks
of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from
government authorities); and title to properties.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are
made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or results, except as
may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking 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.
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