New Found Intercepts Nine New Gold Zones Spanning 3km in Strike, Doubles Known Vertical Extent of Gold Mineralization to 820m Depth at Queensway
New Found Gold Corp. (NFGC) announces results from 11 diamond drill holes at the Queensway Project. The deep drilling program, initiated in March, confirms high-grade gold mineralization, extending to 820m depth—doubling the system's known vertical extent. Nine new gold zones were discovered within a 3km strike, with six zones containing visible gold, showing assay values as high as 57.1 g/t Au. Significant intervals include 2.65m at 10.98 g/t Au in Keats South and 2.15m at 12.01 g/t Au in Iceberg-AFZ.
These new zones exhibit epizonal-style gold mineralization, enhancing the 3-D seismic model and improving targeting for future drilling. The company is utilizing directional drilling to expedite follow-up exploration. The ongoing 650,000m drill program aims to further delineate the gold system's extent and improve geological models.
- High-grade gold mineralization confirmed to 820m depth, doubling vertical extent.
- Nine new gold zones discovered over a 3km strike length.
- Significant assay values: 57.1 g/t Au and 42.0 g/t Au.
- Ongoing 650,000m drill program enhances geological models and targeting.
- True widths of mineralized zones remain uncertain, adding potential risk.
Insights
New Found Gold Corp.'s latest drilling results indicate a significant discovery of nine new gold zones, effectively doubling the known vertical extent of gold mineralization to 820 meters at its Queensway Project. For investors, this is a noteworthy development for several reasons.
First, the vertical depth extension of the mineralized system to 820 meters demonstrates the project's potential to host deeper, high-grade mineral resources. This extension could lead to a significant increase in the total resource estimates, which would boost the company's valuation. Higher gold grades, such as the reported assays with values up to 57.1 g/t Au, are particularly attractive as they can be mined more economically.
Second, the strike length of 3 km with multiple mineralized zones reflects a broad, continuous system, suggesting scalability. For an investor, this means there’s potential for long-term growth as the company continues to explore and expand these zones.
Despite these promising results, it’s important to consider the risks and uncertainties inherent in mining exploration. The company notes that true widths of the veins are unknown at this time and further drilling is required to delineate the exact dimensions of these zones. Additionally, while these initial results are encouraging, the project has not yet undergone any economic evaluations or proven resource estimates.
In the short term, investors could see a positive impact on the stock price due to these promising results. However, long-term impacts will depend on the outcomes of future drilling, resource estimation and eventual feasibility studies. Investors should keep an eye on updates from the ongoing drill program and any preliminary economic assessments.
Overall, while the news is promising, it should be balanced with caution due to the exploratory nature of the findings.
The recent deep drilling results from New Found Gold Corp.'s Queensway Project have critical geological implications. The extension of known gold mineralization to a depth of 820 meters indicates a robust, deep-rooted mineral system. This is corroborated by the presence of similar mineralogical characteristics and structural frameworks at these depths as observed at shallower levels.
Epizonal-style gold mineralization, which refers to the deposit type characterized by high-grade veins formed close to the earth's surface, has been extended to greater depths here. This is significant as it suggests that the geological processes which led to gold deposition are not surface-confined but extend well into the subsurface.
The presence of visible gold in six out of the nine new zones is an encouraging sign, as visible gold often translates to higher assay grades. The mineralized zones, characterized by broad quartz veins and alteration halos, also point to a substantial hydrothermal system that was active over a prolonged period.
For stakeholders, these geological findings enhance the understanding of the property and aid in refining the ongoing and future drilling strategies. The continuity of the mineralized system both laterally and vertically increases the confidence in discovering additional high-grade zones.
Figure 1: Photos of mineralization from Top: NFGC-23-1304 at ~769m, 830.6m and 1115.9m; Bottom: NFGC-24-2112 at 1016.9m, 830.6m and 773m . ^Note that these photos are not intended to be representative of gold mineralization in NFGC-23-1304 and NFGC-24-2112. (Photo: Business Wire)
Initial Deep Program Highlights:
- Initial deep drilling confirms the presence of high-grade epizonal-style gold mineralization extending to 820m depth, doubling the vertical extent of the gold mineralized system at Queensway (Figures 2-4).
- Nine new deep gold zones were intersected in three holes. Six of the mineralized zones contained visible gold, with individual gold assay values as high as 42.0 g/t Au and 57.1 g/t Au (Figure 1). These zones occur on both the east and west sides of the AFZ and occur over a strike length of 3km (Figure 2-4). A detailed discussion of the mineralized intervals is provided in the Technical Discussion section below.
- Mineralization encountered at depth exhibits the same characteristics as the AFZ gold system at surface with broad quartz vein domains ranging in downhole length from 6m to 66m, visible gold mineralization, accessory minerals arsenopyrite, boulangerite, chalcopyrite, NH4 white mica alteration halos, and extensive deformation (Figures 9-12).
- The same lithological and structural framework has been confirmed to continue at depth and these initial deep test holes have provided an important preliminary dataset for interpreting the 3-D seismic data. This information is critical for refining existing geological models, further enhancing deep targeting capabilities.
- The directional drilling program utilizing Devico AS, a division of IMDEX, is now underway that will enable the use of branch holes to expedite follow-up on these deep discoveries. Assay results from 11 diamond drill holes have been received to date and the deep drilling program is ongoing.
Initial Deep Results Highlights:
Hole No. |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au (g/t) |
Target Region |
NFGC-24-2112 |
772.05 |
774.70 |
2.65 |
10.98 |
Keats South Deep |
Including |
772.75 |
773.25 |
0.50 |
57.12 |
|
And |
915.40 |
917.45 |
2.05 |
1.98 |
|
And |
919.25 |
923.95 |
4.70 |
2.17 |
|
And |
936.70 |
940.20 |
3.50 |
1.69 |
|
And |
1016.50 |
1019.20 |
2.70 |
7.66 |
|
Including |
1017.65 |
1018.30 |
0.65 |
28.48 |
|
NFGC-23-1304* |
768.40 |
770.55 |
2.15 |
3.27 |
Iceberg-AFZ Deep |
Including |
768.40 |
768.75 |
0.35 |
13.45 |
|
And |
829.85 |
832.00 |
2.15 |
12.01 |
|
Including |
829.85 |
830.45 |
0.60 |
41.97 |
|
And |
842.60 |
845.00 |
2.40 |
1.01 |
|
And |
960.30 |
962.65 |
2.35 |
1.16 |
|
NFGC-24-2094 |
594.20 |
601.20 |
7.00 |
1.50 |
Deep Seismic Target |
Table 1: Deep Drilling Highlights
Note that the host structures are interpreted to be moderately to steeply dipping and true widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution when above 200m vertical depth and 2m consecutive dilution when below 200m vertical depth. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. *Drill hole was extended.
Melissa Render, VP of Exploration of New Found, stated: “Initial deep drilling results has confirmed our overarching thesis that Queensway is a deep-rooted mineralized gold system with a broad footprint that extends to depth. With nine new zones intersected, we have plenty of targets for direct follow up. We are not only encouraged by the number of mineralized intersections, but also by the extent of the mineralization, with some zones spanning up to 66m in length. Each of these zones exhibit epizonal-style gold mineralization characteristic of the multitude of discoveries made along this segment of the AFZ. Visible gold occurs in six of the nine zones, at vertical depths ranging from 550m to 820m. These are the deepest gold intercepts identified to date and double the depth extent of the gold mineralized footprint.
“Initial deep targets were derived in part from the seismic data and from our existing geological model where drill holes were planned to test highly prospective domains of rock in locations where large gold-bearing structures are known to cross. These holes have added important geological knowledge at depth, information that will improve both our understanding of the seismic data and our geological model assisting with future deep targeting. These new discoveries, offer an excellent anchor point for testing with branch holes utilizing directional drilling to more efficiently test these new gold-bearing structures at depth. With an improved understanding of the seismic features and utilizing Devico AS’ directional drilling capabilities, New Found’s team is confident that it can refine its follow up drilling efforts to be faster, cheaper and more accurate at honing in on gold mineralization at depth.”
Technical Discussion
Below Keats (NFGC-24-2112):
- At the southern extent of the Keats Baseline Fault Zone (“KBFZ”), in the highly prospective region near the AFZ, two holes have been completed. NFGC-24-2112 intersected four distinct gold-bearing intervals throughout a total downhole length of 258m. These intervals range in vertical depth from 585-770m (Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6).
- Zone 1 observed visible gold in a quartz vein zone at 773m grading 11.0 g/t Au over 2.65m, including a high-grade assay of 57.1 g/t Au over 0.50m (Figure 1).
- Zone 2 consists of a broad interval of significant gold mineralized quartz veining spanning a downhole interval of 66m starting at 815m, characterized by massive stylolitic, brecciated and stockwork quartz vein phases with visible gold at 830.6m (Figure 1). This is accompanied by strong faulting and anomalous gold from 825-851m (Figure 9).
- Zone 3 is a wide domain of irregular gold mineralized stylolitic quartz veining and associated deformation reporting 1.98 g/t Au over 2.05m, 2.17 g/t Au over 4.70m and 1.69 g/t Au over 3.50m, extending 25m downhole from 915m (Figure 9).
- Zone 4 is a gold mineralized interval located on the west side of the AFZ characterized by massive stylolitic quartz veins (Figure 10) containing finely disseminated gold (Figure 1) with the most significant veining occurring over 15m downhole from 1,016m, grading 7.66 g/t Au over 2.70m, including a high-grade assay of 28.5 g/t Au over 0.65m.
Iceberg-AFZ (NFGC-23-1304):
- A further 1.2km to the northeast between the Iceberg segment of the KBFZ and the AFZ the extension of NFGC-23-1304 intercepted four individual zones of significant gold mineralization. These intervals range in vertical depth from 550-820m (Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7).
- Zone 1, starting 763m downhole, is characterized by a high density of gold mineralized quartz veins, some with widths of up to 1m, accompanied by increased deformation that extends a broad interval spanning 14m in length that is anomalous in gold throughout. This interval contained two visible gold occurrences and returned a significant interval of 3.27 g/t Au over 2.15m including a high-grade assay of 13.5 g/t Au over 0.35m (Figures 1 and 11).
- Zone 2, at 830m downhole, consists of a high-grade vein with coarse visible gold grading 12.0 g/t Au over 2.15m including 41.2 g/t Au over 0.60m (Figure 1).
- Zone 3 is a domain with an increase of massive stylolitic and brecciated quartz veins containing anomalous gold throughout and extending 6m in downhole length from 839m (Figure 11).
- Zone 4 is an interval consisting of high density stockwork and irregular quartz veins that are locally brecciated and contain anomalous gold, including one visible gold occurrence extending 13m downhole from 1,111m (Figure 11).
K2 Extension and AFZ-GSZ (NFGC-24-2094):
- At K2, a further 1.7km to the north, drill hole NFGC-24-2094 was designed to test both the deep extension of the K2 Main gold structure and a seismic target in a region where the Glenwood Shear Zone (“GSZ”) is interpreted to intersect the AFZ (Figures 2, 4, 5, and 8). This drillhole was successful in both extending the K2 structure to depth and identifying a new zone immediately west of the AFZ in close proximity to the GSZ.
- At a vertical depth of 296m, drilling encountered an increased percentage of mineralized stacked quartz veinlets transitioning to thicker and more massive stylolitic veins, typical of the K2 mineralization style. This interval of 13m starts at 334m downhole and grades 1.11 g/t Au over 2.30m, with anomalous gold throughout (Figure 12). This is interpreted to be the deep down-dip extension of the K2 Zone, extending it by 220m down-dip (Figure 8).
- The deep AFZ-GSZ intercept is located at the intersection of the AFZ-GSZ in the hanging wall to the AFZ and is comprised of a significant deformation zone with an abundance of quartz veinlets grading 1.50 g/t Au over 7.00m at a vertical depth of 555m. Mineralization in this area is akin to mineralization found at the Keats West Zone (Figure 12).
Drillhole Details
Hole No. |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
Au (g/t) |
Zone |
NFGC-24-2101A |
No Significant Values |
Keats South Deep Seismic Target |
|||
NFGC-24-21124 |
772.05 |
774.70 |
2.65 |
10.98 |
Keats South Deep |
Including |
772.75 |
773.25 |
0.50 |
57.12 |
|
And4 |
915.40 |
917.45 |
2.05 |
1.98 |
|
And4 |
919.25 |
923.95 |
4.70 |
2.17 |
|
And4 |
936.70 |
940.20 |
3.50 |
1.69 |
|
And4 |
1016.50 |
1019.20 |
2.70 |
7.66 |
|
Including |
1017.65 |
1018.30 |
0.65 |
28.48 |
|
NFGC-24-2103B1 |
7.00 |
22.45 |
15.45 |
3.34 |
Keats West |
Including1 |
11.00 |
12.00 |
1.00 |
13.67 |
|
Including1 |
15.45 |
16.20 |
0.75 |
14.98 |
|
And1 |
44.00 |
59.35 |
15.35 |
3.71 |
|
And |
No Significant Values |
Keats West Deep |
|||
NFGC-24-2103A1** |
6.25 |
13.45 |
7.20 |
2.40 |
Keats West |
And1 |
27.35 |
32.40 |
5.05 |
1.82 |
|
And1 |
44.25 |
58.10 |
13.85 |
2.85 |
|
NFGC-22-808* |
No Significant Values |
Iceberg-AFZ Deep |
|||
NFGC-23-1304*4 |
768.40 |
770.55 |
2.15 |
3.27 |
Iceberg-AFZ Deep |
Including |
768.40 |
768.75 |
0.35 |
13.45 |
|
And4 |
829.85 |
832.00 |
2.15 |
12.01 |
|
Including |
829.85 |
830.45 |
0.60 |
41.97 |
|
And4 |
842.60 |
845.00 |
2.40 |
1.01 |
|
And4 |
960.30 |
962.65 |
2.35 |
1.16 |
|
NFGC-24-2080 |
No Significant Values |
Iceberg Deep Seismic Target |
|||
NFGC-24-2093A |
No Significant Values |
Iceberg Deep Seismic Target |
|||
NFGC-24-2090A |
No Significant Values |
Lotto Deep Seismic Target |
|||
NFGC-24-2083 |
No Significant Values |
|
|||
NFGC-24-2092 |
No Significant Values |
Deep Seismic Target |
|||
NFGC-24-20944 |
19.85 |
22.35 |
2.50 |
1.15 |
|
And4 |
254.10 |
256.45 |
2.35 |
2.17 |
Unknown |
And1 |
336.20 |
338.50 |
2.30 |
1.11 |
K2 Deep |
And4 |
594.20 |
601.20 |
7.00 |
1.50 |
Deep Seismic Target |
Table 2: Summary of composite results reported in this press release for all deep drillholes received to date
Note that the host structures are interpreted to be moderately to steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 1
Hole No. |
Azimuth (°) |
Dip (°) |
Length (m) |
UTM E |
UTM N |
Prospect |
NFGC-22-808 |
120 |
-45 |
881 |
658058 |
5428076 |
Keats West |
NFGC-23-1304 |
300 |
-45 |
1247 |
658432 |
5427632 |
Iceberg |
NFGC-24-2080 |
294 |
-54 |
1022 |
658843 |
5427624 |
Iceberg East |
NFGC-24-2083 |
308 |
-59 |
945 |
659509 |
5429493 |
Jackpot |
NFGC-24-2090A |
274 |
-48 |
881 |
659370 |
5429020 |
Lotto North |
NFGC-24-2092 |
120 |
-69 |
1121 |
657841 |
5428443 |
Little Zone |
NFGC-24-2093A |
299 |
-61 |
986 |
659107 |
5427814 |
Iceberg East |
NFGC-24-2094 |
62 |
-67 |
641 |
658671 |
5429398 |
|
NFGC-24-2101A |
282 |
-52.5 |
833 |
658075 |
5426899 |
Keats South |
NFGC-24-2103B |
335 |
-59 |
563 |
658102 |
5427995 |
Keats West |
NFGC-24-2112 |
320 |
-50 |
1157 |
657840 |
5426411 |
Keats South |
Table 3: Details of drill holes reported in this press release
Queensway 650,000m Drill Program Update
The Company is currently undertaking a 650,000m drill program at Queensway and approximately 4,830m of core is currently pending assay results.
Sampling, Sub-sampling, and Laboratory
All drilling recovers HQ core. The drill core is split in half using a diamond saw or a hydraulic splitter for rare intersections with incompetent core.
A geologist examines the drill core and marks out the intervals to be sampled and the cutting line. Sample lengths are mostly 1.0 metre and adjusted to respect lithological and/or mineralogical contacts and isolate narrow (<1.0m) veins or other structures that may yield higher grades.
Technicians saw the core along the defined cutting line. One-half of the core is kept as a witness sample and the other half is submitted for analysis. Individual sample bags are sealed and placed into totes, which are then sealed and marked with the contents.
New Found has submitted samples for gold determination by fire assay to ALS Canada Ltd. (“ALS”) and by photon assay to MSALABS (“MSA”) since June 2022. As of February 2024, gold analysis at ALS has been performed by photon assay. ALS and MSA operate under a commercial contract with New Found.
Drill core samples are shipped to ALS for sample preparation in
Drill core samples are also submitted to MSA in Val-d’Or,
At ALS for fire assay, the entire sample is crushed to approximately
Samples submitted to ALS beginning in February 2024, received gold analysis by photon assay whereby the entire sample is crushed to approximately
For samples that have VG identified, the entire crushed sample is riffle split and weighed into multiple jars that are submitted for photon assay. The assays from all jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis.
At MSA, the entire sample is crushed to approximately
For samples that have VG identified, the entire crushed sample is weighed into multiple jars and submitted for photon assay. The assays from all jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis.
All samples prepared at ALS or MSA are also analyzed for a multi-element ICP package (ALS method code ME-ICP61) at ALS Vancouver.
Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices. Standards and blanks account for a minimum of
Quality Control data are evaluated on receipt from the laboratories for failures. Appropriate action is taken if assay results for standards and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances. All results stated have passed New Found’s quality control protocols.
New Found’s quality control program also includes submission of the second half of the core for approximately
The Company does not recognize any factors of drilling, sampling, or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed.
The assay data disclosed in this press release have been verified by the Company’s Qualified Person against the original assay certificates.
The Company notes that it has not completed any economic evaluations of its Queensway Project and that the Queensway Project does not have any resources or reserves.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr.
About New Found Gold Corp.
New Found holds a
Please see the Company’s website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Acknowledgements
New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of
Contact
To contact the Company, please visit the Company’s website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours.
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.
Forward-Looking Statement Cautions
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Company’s Queensway gold project in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240711321749/en/
New Found Gold Corp.
Per: “Collin Kettell”
Collin Kettell, Chief Executive Officer
Email: ckettell@newfoundgold.ca
Phone: +1 (845) 535-1486
Source: New Found Gold Corp.
FAQ
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