Allegiant Drilling at Eastside Confirms Significant At-Surface Oxide Gold Mineralization

Rhea-AI Summary

Allegiant Gold Ltd. (AUXXF) announces the results of 49 RC drill holes totaling 5,850 meters at the Castle Zone of the Eastside gold project. This zone is expected to significantly increase the estimated resource of 1,094,000 ounces of gold equivalent, which previously did not include Castle Zone results. Highlights include shallow mineralization and high gold grades, with 47 holes showing mineralization within 45 meters of the surface. The company's CEO noted the potential for a low strip ratio and a starter pit for future development.

Positive

• Potential significant increase in contained ounces due to the Castle Zone exploration.
• Shallow mineralization improves the economic viability of the project.
• Drill results indicate high-grade intercepts, including up to 3.86 g/t gold.

Negative

• None.

RENO, Nev., May 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegiant Gold Ltd. (“Allegiant” or the “Company”) (AUAU: TSX-V) (AUXXF: OTCQX) is very pleased to announce the results of 49 exploration RC drill holes, totalling 5,850 metres, drilled in the Castle Zone around the former producing Boss pit, located within the Eastside gold project. Eastside hosts a current NI 43-101 pit-constrained Inferred resource of 1,094,000 ounces gold equivalent from 57,050,000 tonnes grading 0.60 g/t AuEq*, however, the Eastside resources estimate which was carried-out in 2020, did not include the Castle Zone.

See Eastside property map (Map 1) here:

www.allegiantgold.com/nr/2020-01-27-map.pdf

The shallow at surface mineralization and good gold grade at the Castle Zone are a game-changer for the Eastside project for the following reasons:

• Potential significant increase in contained ounces
• Potential significant decrease in strip-ratio
• Obvious starter-pit for a potential future Eastside mine
  

All assays have now been received and interpretation is continuing within the greater Castle Zone. Some of the highlights include:

• 47 holes encountered mineralization within 45m from surface;
• Significant intercepts included:
  • 5m of 1.85 g/t from Hole ES-196
  • 14m of 1.08 g/t from Hole ES-202
  • 4.5m of 2.32 g/t from Hole ES-211
  • 3.6m of 2.00 g/t from Hole ES-216
  • 1.5m of 3.86 g/t from Hole ES-222
    

The Drilling encountered very shallow gold best described as a blanket-like zone which commences at an approximate depth of between 0-30 meters, and consistently continues for 20-40 meters in thickness. Gold is hosted in Tertiary andesite and rhyolite tuff, associated with quartz stockworks, iron oxides along fractures, argillization, and occasionally massive silicification. The Tertiary volcanic rocks overlie Paleozoic rocks of the Palmetto Formation which were encountered at depth in nearly all the drill holes. Drill intercepts (using a 0.1 g/t cutoff gold) for the 49 holes are shown in an attachment form (Table 1). Most of the holes were angle holes drilled in a variety of directions at 45 degrees. Essentially all of the mineralization in drilling is deemed as “oxide” visually.

Table 1: Boss Drilling Results

https://allegiantgold.com/site/assets/files/2207/castle_area_boss_zone_-_2020_drilling_intercepts.pdf

Map 2: Boss Drilling Map & Hole Locations

https://www.allegiantgold.com/site/assets/files/2209/allegiant_boss_mine_area_january_2021.png

Peter Gianulis, CEO of Allegiant Gold, commented: “We continue to be pleased by the ongoing results and advancement at Eastside. Given the favorable location of the project, superior access to infrastructure, the shallow nature of the mineralization in the Castle Zone, and the potential for a low strip ratio, the results present a major leap forward for the Eastside project. Next steps planned at Castle will include expansion drilling, metallurgy, a resource estimate and a scoping study.”

* The updated resource estimate (“Updated Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Eastside and Castle Gold-Silver Project Technical Report, Esmeralda County, Nevada”) was conducted by Mine Development Associates (“MDA”) of Reno, Nevada with an effective date of December 30, 2019. Contained pit-constrained Inferred Resources of 1,094,000 AuEq ounces at 57,050,000 tonnes at 0.60 g/t AuEq (gold-equivalent ounces were calculated by ALLEGIANT using a silver/gold ratio of 80:1). Heap leach extractions are expected to be around 70% and 20% for gold and silver, respectively, using a three- stage crushing procedure. Milling with a fine grind is expected to result in extractions over 90% and around 50% for gold and silver, respectively. Utilizing a 0.15 g/t cut-off for Au, measured gold was 0.54 g/t and silver was 4.3 g/t. In accordance with NI 43-101 the MDA Technical Report dated January 24, 2020 will be filed on SEDAR. This report builds on and supersedes the NI 43-101 reports of Ristorcelli (December 2016) and Ristorcelli (July 2017) titled “Resource Estimate and Technical Report, Eastside Gold-Silver Project, Esmeralda County, Nevada” prepared for Allegiant with an Effective Date of July 25, 2017. A copy of the Eastside Technical Report can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Andy Wallace is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) with the American Institute of Professional Geologists and is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this press release.

ABOUT ALLEGIANT

Allegiant owns 100% of 10 highly-prospective gold projects in the United States, 7 of which are located in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada. Four of Allegiant’s projects are farmed-out, providing for cost reductions and cash-flow. Allegiant’s flagship, district-scale Eastside project hosts a large and expanding gold resource and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure. Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates that both oxide and sulphide gold mineralization at Eastside is amenable to heap leaching.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Peter Gianulis
CEO

For more information contact:

Investor Relations
(604) 634-0970 or
1-888-818-1364
ir@allegiantgold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. Allegiant Gold Ltd.’s (“Allegiant”) exploration plans for its gold exploration properties, the drill program at Allegiant’s Eastside project, the preparation and publication of an updated resource estimate in respect of the Original Zone at the Eastside project, Allegiant’s future exploration and development plans, including anticipated costs and timing thereof; Allegiant’s plans for growth through exploration activities, acquisitions or otherwise; and expectations regarding future maintenance and capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “budget”, “plan”, “estimate”, “continue”, “forecast”, “intend”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential”, “target”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in Allegiant’s Listing Application, dated January 24, 2018, as filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and available on SEDAR under Allegiant’s profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Allegiant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

FAQ

What are the latest exploration results from Allegiant Gold Ltd. (AUXXF)?

Allegiant Gold's latest results include 49 RC drill holes showing significant shallow gold mineralization at the Castle Zone of the Eastside gold project.

How many gold equivalent ounces does the Eastside project currently have?

The Eastside project hosts a current NI 43-101 pit-constrained Inferred resource of 1,094,000 ounces of gold equivalent.

What is the significance of the Castle Zone findings for Allegiant Gold Ltd. (AUXXF)?

The Castle Zone findings are crucial as they may significantly increase the overall gold resource and lower the strip ratio for potential mining operations.

When did Allegiant Gold release their Castle Zone exploration results?

Allegiant Gold released their Castle Zone exploration results on May 18, 2021.

What are the next steps for Allegiant Gold Ltd. (AUXXF) following the Castle Zone results?

Next steps include expansion drilling, metallurgy, resource estimation, and a scoping study at the Castle Zone.