Rupert Resources Extends Mineralisation at Ikkari With First Drill Hole of New Season and Provides Update on Development Programs
Rupert Resources has announced updates on its Ikkari gold discovery at the Rupert Lapland Project in Finland. The maiden resource estimate stands at 49 million tonnes at 2.5g/t Au, equating to 3.95 million Inferred ounces. An exploration program for 2022-2023 includes 72,800m of drilling, with significant infill and extension efforts underway. Recent drilling revealed high-grade gold intervals, notably 32.5m of 2.2g/t Au from the first hole of the season. A preliminary economic assessment is expected in Q4 2022.
- Maiden resource estimate of 49 million tonnes at 2.5g/t Au, totaling 3.95 million ounces.
- Recent drill results show high-grade intercepts, including 32.5m of 2.2g/t Au.
- 2022-2023 exploration program plans 72,800m of drilling to expand resource estimates.
- Ongoing metallurgical tests indicate potential for over 95% gold recovery.
- None.
Figure 1. Location of new drilling at Ikkari (Graphic: Business Wire)
Ikkari has a maiden National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 49 million tonnes (“Mt”) at 2.5 grams per tonne gold (“g/t Au”) for 3.95 million Inferred ounces (see
2022-2023 Exploration Program
The 2022/2023 work program, as of
Rupert is pleased to report results from the first hole of the 2022/2023 drilling season targeting extensions of mineralised zone in the east from previous holes.
- #122180 – 32.5m of 2.2g/t Au from 571m (500m vertical) extending mineralisation in the east by approximately 110m in the downdip direction, beyond the limits of the current resource estimate. The intercept included 1m at 11.3g/t and 0.7m at 17.3g/t demonstrating some of the high-grade characteristic common to Ikkari
Further infill drilling results from Ikkari that were received after the cut off date for the current resource update, demonstrate the broad, robust grades which the deposit delivers, including:
- #122115 – 34.2m of 7.1g/t Au from 99.8m and 27m of 4.3g/t Au from 143m
- #122111 – 23.0m of 4.4g/t Au from 89.0m
- #122102 – 86m of 1.2g/t Au from 199m in the west
A key milestone for Rupert will be the completion of a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) planned for Q4 2022. The PEA will include an updated mineral resource estimate for Ikkari incorporating 37,000m of additional drilling (2021 maiden resource based on 36,000m of drilling).
2022-23 Development Program
Metallurgy
Fourth round metallurgical test-work will commence this month. Approximately 1 tonne of samples along with 6m3 of site water have been shipped from Ikkari. These tests will provide further data for the feasibility study stage of the project. This follows the third-round test-work in early 2022 that reiterated potential for overall gold recoveries in excess of
Environmental monitoring and permitting
Rupert continues to progress key base line and monitoring programmes to enable timely completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) and permit application stages. Initiatives include:
-
12 shallow monitoring bores have been drilled along with four deep wells. These wells are equipped with continuous data monitors using the 4G comms network available, providing information to our consultants in the
UK . A second phase will see an expansion of this programme providing the further data for feasibility studies and life cycle monitoring. - Fourth year of baseline surface water monitoring, flora and fauna surveys
- Ongoing bulk waste rock and tailings waste characterisation test work
- EIA program design for pre-approval by Finnish authorities in Q4 2022.
- Desktop studies underway to fully understand the emissions profiles of mine plans and processing routes to allow consideration as part of future trade-off studies.
Completed 2021-22 Exploration Programs
Our completed 2021/22 program, as of
-
Discovered a new mineralised zone 500m north of Ikkari and 500m south of Heinä Central (see
Aug. 17, 2022 press release) -
Drilling demonstrates both the satellite potential at Heinä Central, located 1 kilometre (km) north of Ikkari, and highlights associated high-grade copper potential with multiple intervals including copper grades in excess of
1% (seeNov. 29, 2021 press release) -
New drilling at Heinä South, 1km northwest of Ikkari, has yielded further bonanza gold veins (quartz-carbonate) (See
March 16, 2022 press release)
New drilling from Ikkari
Hole #122180 was drilled in the eastern part of the Ikkari deposit and is the deepest hole on this section of the deposit. The hole intersected the mineralised zone at >500m vertical depth and the intercept of 32m of 2.2g/t Au provides robust continuity, extending the mineralised zone to depth (figure 2, table 2 for details of other mineralised intercepts within this hole). Even further east than this hole, #122142 intersected 7.1m of 4.3g/t Au from 183m and on the easternmost section drilled to date, #122138 intersected 16m at 1.1g/t Au from 486m (385m vertical). Neither of these sections have been drilled to the same depth extent as the intercept of 32m of 2.2g/t Au in 121180, and follow up drilling to depth on these sections is planned as a priority. Other drill holes in the eastern extent of the deposit, reported here (#122122, #122133 and #122138), are not as well mineralised, but are considered likely to have missed a potential mineralised plunge to the east and north. Further drilling in this area is planned for the upcoming drilling season.
Other drilling reported here comprises predominantly infill holes that support the resource, with key results from the central part of the deposit continuing to reflect the excellent continuity of the high-grade zone in this section. For example, #122115 intersected 34.2m of 7.1g/t Au from 99.8m and 27m of 4.3g/t Au from 143m and #122033 intersected 32m of 2.8 g/t Au from 406m (including 2m of 7.7g/t and 2m of 17.7g/t Au) and 26m of 1.6g/t Au from 461m.
In the western part of the deposit, infill drill further confirmed previous drilling from this area with results from the main mineralised zone including #122102 that intersected 86m of 1.2g/t Au from 199m and 10m of 3.5g/t Au from 515m, and #122051 that intersected 23m of 2.1g/t Au from 387m.
Geological interpretation
Ikkari and Heinä Central were discovered using systematic regional exploration that initially focused on geochemical sampling of the bedrock/till interface through glacial till deposits of 5m to 40m thickness. No outcrop is present, and topography is dominated by low-lying swamp areas.
The Ikkari deposit occurs within rocks that have been regionally mapped as 2.05-2.15 billion years (“Ga”) old Savukoski group greenschist-metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic volcanic rocks, part of the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt (“CLGB”). Gold mineralisation is largely confined to the structurally modified unconformity at a significant domain boundary. Younger sedimentary lithologies are complexly interleaved, with intensely altered ultramafic rocks, and the mineralized zone is bounded to the north by a steeply N-dipping cataclastic zone. In general, alteration and structure appear to be sub-vertical, with lithologies generally dipping ~70 degrees north.
The main mineralized zone is strongly altered and characterised by intense veining and foliation that frequently overprint original textures. An early phase of finely laminated, grey ankerite/dolomite veins is overprinted by stockwork-like irregular siderite ± quartz ± chlorite ± sulphide veins. These vein arrays are often deformed with shear-related boudinage and in situ brecciation. Magnetite and/or haematite are common, in association with pyrite. Hydrothermal alteration commonly comprises quartz-dolomite-chlorite-magnetite (±haematite). Gold is hosted by disseminated and vein-related pyrite. Multi-phase breccias are well developed within the mineralised zone, with early silicified cataclastic phases overprinted by late, carbonate- iron-oxide- rich, hydrothermal breccias which display a subvertical control. All breccias frequently host disseminated pyrite, and are often associated with bonanza gold grades, particularly where magnetite or haematite is prevalent. In the sedimentary lithologies, albite alteration is intense and pervasive, with pyrite-magnetite (± gold) hosted in veinlets in brittle fracture zones.
At Heinä Central, the multiple sulphide zones identified (25 to >
Figures & Tables
Figures and tables featured in the Appendix at end of release, include:
- Figure 1. Location of new drilling at Ikkari
- Figure 2. Long section showing new drilling at Ikkari
- Table 1. Collar locations of new drill holes
- Table 2. New Intercepts from new drilling at Ikkari
About the
Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports
Dr
Samples are prepared by ALS Finland in Sodankylä and assayed in ALS laboratories in
Base of till samples are prepared in ALS Sodankylä by dry-sieving method prep-41 and assayed for gold by fire assay with ICP-AES finish. Multi-elements are assayed in ALS laboratories in either of
About
Neither the
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains statements which, other than statements of historical fact constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to: results of exploration activities and mineral resources. The words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended
1 National Instrument 43-101 inferred mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) for Ikkari of 49 million tonnes (“Mt”) at 2.5 grams per tonne gold (“g/t Au”), for 3.95 million ounces (“oz”) in total (see the technical report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report:
The MRE has been estimated using the
APPENDIX
Table 1. Collar locations of new drill holes
Hole ID |
Prospect |
Easting |
Northing |
Elevation |
Azimuth |
Dip |
EOH (m) |
122033 |
Ikkari |
453 958.6 |
497 049.7 |
223.9 |
155.0 |
-65.2 |
626.8 |
122035 |
Ikkari |
454 271.5 |
7 497 120.7 |
222.8 |
155.8 |
-65.5 |
569.4 |
122051 |
Ikkari |
454 009.9 |
7 496 660.3 |
224.2 |
336.7 |
-49.7 |
431.7 |
122062 |
Ikkari |
453 987.9 |
7 496 614.3 |
224.2 |
336.9 |
-53.6 |
602.7 |
122102 |
Ikkari |
453 784.9 |
7 497 049.4 |
226.1 |
155.1 |
-54.8 |
701.4 |
122111 |
Ikkari |
454 112.1 |
7 496 915.9 |
223.3 |
155.0 |
-61.7 |
216.8 |
122115 |
Ikkari |
454 138.8 |
7 496 952.3 |
223.1 |
150.4 |
-54.3 |
401.2 |
122117 |
Ikkari |
453 343.3 |
7 496 915.3 |
225.0 |
156.8 |
-50.0 |
200.0 |
122120 |
Ikkari |
453 337.3 |
7 496 857.6 |
224.8 |
155.7 |
-50.2 |
312.4 |
122121 |
Ikkari |
454 448.3 |
7 496 666.7 |
234.0 |
335.0 |
-53.0 |
656.4 |
122122 |
Ikkari |
454 577.9 |
7 496 669.7 |
238.1 |
336.6 |
-56.6 |
541.9 |
122133 |
Ikkari |
454 600.0 |
7 496 811.9 |
231.1 |
334.5 |
-55.0 |
581.9 |
122138 |
Ikkari |
454 650.1 |
7 496 704.4 |
238.4 |
335.6 |
-55.0 |
647.0 |
122142 |
Ikkari |
454 563.4 |
7 496 795.5 |
230.9 |
334.2 |
-55.4 |
563.7 |
122146 |
Ikkari |
454 065.2 |
7 496 601.2 |
225.1 |
296.1 |
-59.3 |
635.2 |
122152 |
Ikkari |
454 504.0 |
7 496 736.0 |
232.4 |
336.5 |
-61.8 |
456.3 |
122180 |
Ikkari |
454 504.1 |
7 496 736.4 |
232.6 |
335.0 |
-59.8 |
881.9 |
Table 2. New Intercepts from Ikkari
Hole ID |
|
From (m) |
To (m) |
Interval (m) |
(g/t) |
122111 |
|
59.0 |
71.0 |
12.0 |
2.3 |
|
Including |
68.0 |
69.0 |
1.0 |
7.8 |
|
Including |
70.0 |
71.0 |
1.0 |
10.9 |
|
|
89.0 |
112.0 |
23.0 |
4.4 |
|
Including |
90.0 |
91.0 |
1.0 |
14.8 |
|
Including |
100.0 |
102.0 |
2.0 |
16.2 |
|
|
182.0 |
184.0 |
2.0 |
1.1 |
122033 |
|
213.0 |
219.0 |
6.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
245.0 |
246.0 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
|
|
266.0 |
268.0 |
2.0 |
2.9 |
|
|
294.0 |
299.0 |
5.0 |
0.6 |
|
|
311.0 |
312.0 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
|
|
323.0 |
324.0 |
1.0 |
1.2 |
|
|
332.0 |
333.0 |
1.0 |
2.1 |
|
|
360.0 |
362.0 |
2.0 |
1.2 |
|
|
380.0 |
390.0 |
10.0 |
0.6 |
|
|
406.0 |
438.0 |
32.0 |
2.8 |
|
Including |
411.0 |
413.0 |
2.0 |
7.7 |
|
Including |
427.0 |
429.0 |
2.0 |
17.7 |
|
|
448.0 |
454.0 |
6.0 |
2.5 |
|
|
461.0 |
487.0 |
26.0 |
1.6 |
|
Including |
468.0 |
469.0 |
1.0 |
4.1 |
|
Including |
475.0 |
476.0 |
1.0 |
9.6 |
|
Including |
484.0 |
485.0 |
1.0 |
6.1 |
|
|
513.0 |
517.0 |
4.0 |
2.4 |
|
Including |
516.0 |
517.0 |
1.0 |
6.1 |
|
|
529.0 |
531.0 |
2.0 |
7.2 |
|
|
567.0 |
568.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
573.3 |
574.0 |
0.7 |
1.9 |
122035 |
|
244.0 |
245.0 |
1.0 |
65.9 |
|
|
251.0 |
252.0 |
1.0 |
1.4 |
|
|
309.0 |
314.0 |
5.0 |
6.2 |
|
|
352.0 |
359.0 |
7.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
368.0 |
370.0 |
2.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
375.0 |
378.0 |
3.0 |
2.7 |
|
Including |
376.5 |
377.0 |
0.5 |
6.8 |
|
|
388.0 |
389.0 |
1.0 |
1.7 |
|
|
401.0 |
403.0 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
|
|
437.0 |
439.0 |
2.0 |
0.7 |
122051 |
|
253.0 |
258.0 |
5.0 |
2.1 |
|
Including |
254.0 |
255.0 |
1.0 |
7.3 |
|
|
278.9 |
291.5 |
12.6 |
1.1 |
|
|
312.0 |
317.0 |
5.0 |
0.6 |
|
|
356.0 |
357.0 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
|
|
364.0 |
369.0 |
5.0 |
1.4 |
|
|
387.0 |
405.0 |
23.0 |
2.1 |
|
Including |
389.0 |
390.0 |
1.0 |
7.7 |
|
Including |
399.0 |
400.0 |
1.0 |
11.5 |
|
Including |
404.0 |
405.0 |
1.0 |
10.7 |
122062 |
|
393.0 |
396.0 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
404.0 |
405.0 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
|
|
459.0 |
460.0 |
1.0 |
2.3 |
|
|
498.0 |
502.0 |
4.0 |
0.6 |
122102 |
|
199.0 |
285.0 |
86.0 |
1.2 |
|
Including |
199.0 |
200.0 |
1.0 |
6.3 |
|
Including |
238.0 |
241.0 |
3.0 |
3.9 |
|
Including |
253.0 |
254.0 |
1.0 |
15.9 |
|
Including |
272.0 |
275.0 |
3.0 |
3.7 |
|
|
311.0 |
320.0 |
9.0 |
1.1 |
|
Including |
312.0 |
313.0 |
1.0 |
4.4 |
|
|
348.0 |
350.0 |
2.0 |
15.3 |
|
|
376.0 |
380.0 |
4.0 |
0.7 |
|
|
391.0 |
392.0 |
1.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
441.0 |
442.0 |
1.0 |
1.2 |
|
|
476.0 |
484.0 |
8.0 |
2.9 |
|
Including |
480.0 |
481.0 |
1.0 |
9.6 |
|
|
515.0 |
525.0 |
10.0 |
3.5 |
|
Including |
523.0 |
524.0 |
1.0 |
16.6 |
|
|
564.0 |
574.0 |
10.0 |
0.8 |
|
Including |
566.0 |
567.0 |
1.0 |
2.1 |
|
Including |
573.0 |
574.0 |
1.0 |
2.6 |
|
|
667.0 |
668.0 |
1.0 |
14.8 |
|
|
690.0 |
691.0 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
122115 |
|
81.0 |
84.0 |
3.0 |
1.5 |
|
|
92.0 |
95.0 |
3.0 |
0.8 |
|
|
99.8 |
134.0 |
34.2 |
7.1 |
|
Including |
99.8 |
101.0 |
1.2 |
19.3 |
|
Including |
109.0 |
111.0 |
2.0 |
16.3 |
|
Including |
131.0 |
132.0 |
1.0 |
13.5 |
|
|
143.0 |
170.0 |
27.0 |
4.3 |
|
Including |
147.0 |
148.0 |
1.0 |
17.5 |
|
Including |
152.0 |
153.0 |
1.0 |
19.3 |
|
Including |
161.0 |
162.0 |
1.0 |
11.8 |
|
Including |
167.0 |
168.0 |
1.0 |
21.7 |
|
|
180.0 |
183.0 |
3.0 |
8.8 |
|
|
239.0 |
244.7 |
5.7 |
0.9 |
|
|
250.0 |
252.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
343.0 |
344.0 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
|
|
386.0 |
387.0 |
1.0 |
1.9 |
|
|
390.0 |
391.0 |
1.0 |
2.8 |
122117 |
|
113.0 |
116.1 |
3.1 |
0.6 |
122120 |
|
|
|
|
NSI |
122121 |
|
37.0 |
38.0 |
1.0 |
5.1 |
|
|
230.0 |
236.0 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
|
Including |
231.0 |
233.0 |
2.0 |
17.0 |
|
|
255.0 |
261.0 |
6.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
310.0 |
320.0 |
10.0 |
1.5 |
|
Including |
310.0 |
311.0 |
1.0 |
9.4 |
|
|
330.0 |
335.0 |
5.0 |
0.6 |
|
|
506.0 |
531.0 |
25.0 |
1.3 |
|
Including |
510.0 |
511.0 |
1.0 |
9.5 |
|
Including |
516.0 |
517.0 |
1.0 |
4.8 |
|
|
538.0 |
539.0 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
122122 |
|
69.0 |
70.0 |
1.0 |
14.1 |
|
|
324.0 |
327.0 |
3.0 |
0.8 |
|
|
502.0 |
503.0 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
122133 |
|
171.0 |
172.0 |
1.0 |
17.8 |
|
|
183.0 |
185.0 |
2.0 |
4.5 |
|
|
189.0 |
198.0 |
9.0 |
0.8 |
|
Including |
191.0 |
191.9 |
0.9 |
2.7 |
|
|
411.0 |
412.0 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
|
|
426.0 |
428.0 |
2.0 |
1.5 |
122138 |
|
67.0 |
68.0 |
1.0 |
2.1 |
|
|
102.0 |
107.0 |
5.0 |
1.6 |
|
Including |
106.2 |
106.5 |
0.3 |
10.3 |
|
|
323.0 |
325.0 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
402.0 |
404.0 |
2.0 |
1.2 |
|
|
408.0 |
409.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
458.0 |
463.0 |
5.0 |
1.8 |
|
|
467.0 |
468.0 |
1.0 |
1.2 |
|
|
482.0 |
483.0 |
1.0 |
2.3 |
|
|
486.0 |
502.0 |
16.0 |
1.1 |
|
Including |
487.0 |
489.0 |
2.0 |
3.2 |
122142 |
|
174.0 |
175.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
183.0 |
190.1 |
7.1 |
4.3 |
|
Including |
184.0 |
185.0 |
1.0 |
9.8 |
|
Including |
186.0 |
187.0 |
1.0 |
12.2 |
|
|
223.0 |
225.0 |
2.0 |
7.3 |
|
|
290.0 |
293.0 |
3.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
338.7 |
339.5 |
0.8 |
2.4 |
|
|
362.0 |
363.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
387.0 |
390.0 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
|
|
406.0 |
407.0 |
1.0 |
5.5 |
|
|
447.0 |
448.0 |
1.0 |
2.8 |
|
|
463.0 |
466.0 |
3.0 |
1.9 |
|
|
512.0 |
513.0 |
2.0 |
1.3 |
|
|
530.0 |
537.0 |
7.0 |
1.1 |
|
Including |
536.0 |
537.0 |
1.0 |
3.3 |
|
|
555.0 |
563.0 |
8.0 |
1.3 |
122146 |
|
316.0 |
317.0 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
|
|
329.0 |
333.0 |
4.0 |
0.7 |
|
|
354.0 |
354.6 |
0.6 |
2.4 |
|
|
365.0 |
367.0 |
2.0 |
1.9 |
|
|
370.0 |
371.0 |
2.0 |
5.4 |
|
Including |
371.0 |
372.0 |
1.0 |
10.2 |
|
|
391.0 |
394.0 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
416.0 |
419.0 |
3.0 |
2.5 |
|
Including |
418.0 |
419.0 |
1.0 |
5.3 |
|
|
467.0 |
476.0 |
7.0 |
0.6 |
|
|
510.0 |
511.0 |
1.0 |
2.3 |
|
|
568.4 |
569.4 |
1.0 |
2.6 |
122152 |
|
181.0 |
182.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
296.0 |
298.0 |
2.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
302.0 |
304.0 |
2.0 |
0.8 |
|
|
334.0 |
335.0 |
1.0 |
1.7 |
122180 |
|
190.0 |
196.0 |
6.0 |
2.3 |
|
|
216.0 |
218.0 |
2.0 |
0.9 |
|
|
271.0 |
280.0 |
9.0 |
0.6 |
|
|
318.0 |
322.0 |
4.0 |
1.8 |
|
Including |
319.0 |
320.0 |
1.0 |
4.6 |
|
|
339.0 |
340.0 |
1.0 |
3.8 |
|
|
384.0 |
389.0 |
5.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
407.0 |
409.0 |
2.0 |
0.8 |
|
|
448.0 |
449.0 |
1.0 |
1.3 |
|
|
470.0 |
472.0 |
2.0 |
1.1 |
|
|
571.5 |
604.0 |
32.5 |
2.2 |
|
Including |
591.0 |
592.0 |
1.0 |
11.3 |
|
Including |
594.7 |
595.4 |
0.7 |
17.6 |
|
|
633.0 |
634.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
653.0 |
654.1 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
|
|
682.0 |
683.0 |
1.0 |
1.6 |
No upper cut-off grade and a 0.4g/t Au and
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220919005311/en/
For further information, please contact:
Chief Executive Officer
jwithall@rupertresources.com
Head of Corporate Development
tcredland@rupertresources.com
Tel: +1 416-304-9004
Web: http://rupertresources.com/
Source:
FAQ
What is the latest resource estimate for Rupert Resources' Ikkari gold project (RUPRF)?
How much drilling is planned for Rupert Resources' 2022-2023 exploration program (RUPRF)?
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