Irving Resources Discovers New, Buried Hot Spring System at Omui Mine Site, Omu Au-Ag Vein Project, Hokkaido, Japan

Rhea-AI Summary

Irving Resources Inc. (CSE:IRV; OTCQX: IRVRF) announced the discovery of a new hot spring system beneath the Omui Mine Site, indicating potential deeper mineralization associated with precious metals. The second diamond drill hole, 21OMI-002, showed a significant 100 m intercept of sinter beds approximately 200 meters deep. Additionally, drilling at the Hokuryu site encountered a notable vein, with results pending. Follow-up drilling is planned for February 2022, building excitement around the exploration potential of the Omu Au-Ag Vein Project in Japan.

Positive

• Discovery of a new hot spring system suggesting deeper mineralization potential.
• Drill hole 21OMI-002 encountered a 100 m intercept of siliceous hot spring sinter.
• Potential for high-grade mineralization linked to previously unexplained silica fragments.
• Plans for follow-up drilling at Omui scheduled for February 2022.

Negative

• None.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irving Resources Inc. (CSE:IRV; OTCQX: IRVRF) (“Irving” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has discovered a new, buried hot spring system immediately beneath areas previously targeted with shallow drilling at the Omui Mine Site, part of Irving’s 100% controlled Omu Au-Ag Vein Project, Hokkaido, Japan. Also, the Company completed one diamond drill hole at Hokuryu, also part of the Omu Au-Ag Vein Project with at least one notable vein intercept.

Summary of New Discovery at Omui Mine Site and Implications for Exploration Potential

• Hole 21OMI-002, the second diamond drill hole of a two-hole follow up drill program recently completed by Irving has encountered an approximately 100 m long intercept of beds of siliceous hot spring sinter interbedded with various clastic rocks (Figure 1) at a depth of approximately 200 vertical meters beneath the historic Honpi mine area.
• Textures of silica sinter include fossil algae, a common occurrence in terrestrial hot spring sinter deposits (Figure 2). Sulfide mineralization is abundant in select bands of sinter (Figure 3) suggesting this older system has potential to be associated with precious metal mineralization.
• The presence of this new sinter horizon suggests the presence of an older, extensive hot spring system buried underneath Honpi (Figure 4). This raises the exciting possibility that the feeder for this sinter may lie at deeper levels below Honpi. Hole 19OMI-010, a deep hole drilled by Irving in 2019, encountered numerous deep high-grade vein intercepts that might be part of the feeder system for this lower hot spring deposit.
• Further evidence for potential high-grade mineralization at depth comes from fragments of dark banded silica found in some Honpi vein samples. Such dark silica fragments sometimes bear abundant fine particles of electrum, a natural Au-Ag alloy, and silver sulfosalt minerals. The source of these fragments is believed to be somewhere below Honpi, but until now, a viable source could not be rationalized. It is possible that these fragments were ripped up from the lower hot spring system by hydrothermal activity and carried upward into Honpi vein where they were incorporated into later quartz veining.
• Other notable epithermal deposits are buried, or “blind,” including the Fruta del Norte (“FDN”) deposit in Ecuador. The sinter cap of the FDN system was discovered under approximately 200m of post mineral cover and the deposit occurs immediately beneath the sinter.
  

Because of the very important nature of this discovery, Irving is currently working on plans to conduct follow up drilling around Honpi at Omui beginning in February 2022.

“The discovery of a new, older hot spring system beneath Honpi raises exciting possibilities,” commented Quinton Hennigh, technical advisor and director of Irving. “We appear to have an entirely new level to test. Hole 19OMI-010 encountered multiple high-grade veins at depth, ones that are somewhat distinct from those encountered at shallow levels around Honpi. Until now, we have been challenged to understand this dichotomy. We have also been challenged to point to the source of Au- and Ag-rich fragments of silica found trapped in Honpi vein material. It could be the answer is right below our feet. Because this is an exceptionally important target, we are making plans for follow up drilling at Omui beginning in February of next year. We are very excited what might be discovered.”

Summary of Diamond Drilling at Hokuryu

• One diamond drill hole, 21HKR-001, was completed to a depth of 294.7m at Irving’s Hokuryu vein target during October. Drilling of additional holes was postponed due to inclement weather.
• In a position approximately 50m west of historic Hokuryu mine workings, hole 21HKR-001 encountered a narrow intercept of banded epithermal vein displaying giguro bands. Veins mined at Hokuryu were reportedly narrow, but very high-grade. Assays from 21HKR-001 will be announced upon receipt.
• Depending on results, Irving may elect to extend hole 21HKR-001. The remaining two holes of the Hokuryu Phase One drill program will be completed in 2022.
  

Quinton Hennigh (Ph.D., P.Geo.) is the qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Dr. Hennigh is a technical advisor and director of Irving Resources Inc.

About Irving Resources Inc.:

Irving is a junior exploration company with a focus on gold in Japan. Irving also holds, through a subsidiary, a Joint Exploration Agreement with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). JOGMEC is a government organization established under the law of Japan, administrated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and is responsible for stable supply of various resources to Japan through the discovery of sizable economic deposits of base, precious and rare metals.

Additional information can be found on the Company’s website:  www.IRVresources.com.

Akiko Levinson,
President, CEO & Director

Forward-looking information
Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation including, without limitation, statements as to the potential for high-grade mineralization at the Omui Mine site and as to planned exploration activities. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the mineral resource exploration industry, the availability to Irving of sufficient cash to fund any planned drilling and other exploration activities, as well as the performance of services by third parties.

THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

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FAQ

What recent discovery did Irving Resources make at the Omui Mine Site?

Irving Resources discovered a new hot spring system beneath the Omui Mine Site, indicating the potential for deeper mineralization.

What does drill hole 21OMI-002 reveal about mineralization at Omui?

Drill hole 21OMI-002 encountered approximately 100 m of siliceous hot spring sinter, suggesting significant mineralization potential.

When is the follow-up drilling planned to begin at Omui?

Follow-up drilling at the Omui Mine Site is planned to begin in February 2022.

What were the results from the Hokuryu vein drilling?

Drilling at Hokuryu encountered a notable vein, with assay results expected to be announced soon.

How does the new discovery at Omui compare to other deposits?

The new hot spring system at Omui is comparable to other buried deposits like Fruta del Norte in Ecuador, which were discovered under cover.