VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otis Gold Corp. (“Otis” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: OOO) (OTC: OGLDF) is pleased to announce that results from the Fall 2019 drill program at the Kilgore Project indicates gold mineralization extends to the west and the south of the existing Kilgore Deposit. Specifically, assays from hole 19OKR-384, drilled to the west of the Kilgore Deposit, intercepted 158.5 metres (or “m”) averaging 0.23 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold (or “Au”) including 51.8m grading 0.48 g/t Au, with gold mineralization beginning at the surface. Hole 19OKR-381, drilled to the south of the Kilgore Deposit, intercepted 49m grading 0.13 g/t Au and 2.08 g/t silver (or “Ag”).
Drill Highlights
- Hole 19OKR-384 intercepted 158.5m (520ft) averaging 0.23 g/t Au, including 51.8m averaging 0.48 g/t Au (please see 2019 drill plan map).
- The grade of mineralization is consistent with the Run-of-Mine head grade of 0.24 g/t modelled in the Kilgore Preliminary Economic Assessment released in August 2019 (see Otis News Release dated Aug. 27, 2019)
- Mineralization in 19OKR-384, which is hosted within altered lithic tuffs and consistent with 85% of the known mineralization at Kilgore, begins at surface and extends to a drilled depth of 158.5 metres (please see 190KR-384 cross section).
- Combined with historic drilling located approximately 200m to the west of the Kilgore Deposit, this hole confirms the potential to add a block of mineralized material approximately 500m long by 150m wide, and up to 100m thick.
- This zone represents a high-priority target for the next round of drilling at Kilgore.
- Hole 19OKR-381 intercepted 48.7m (160ft) averaging 0.13 g/t Au and 2.08 g/t Ag and is located approximately 400m south of the existing Kilgore Deposit in a target area known as Prospect Ridge (please see 190KR-381 cross section).
- This hole confirms a historic pre-NI 43-101 drill intercept of 91.4m (300ft) averaging 0.51 g/t Au (see Table 2).
- Hole 19OKR-387 encountered an interval in the bottom of the hole that returned 4.5m (15ft) averaging 41.7 g/t Ag.
- The silver mineralization was hosted by strongly altered Aspen sandstone indicating significant potential for follow-up exploration drilling.
A summary of significant results from the 2019 11-hole drill program is contained in Table 1 below:
| Table 1. Significant Assay Results | ||||||
| Drill hole | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Interval (ft) | Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) |
| 19OKR-384 | 4.5 | 163.0 | 158.5 | 520 | 0.23 | <0.5 |
| including | 4.6 | 56.4 | 51.8 | 170 | 0.48 | <0.5 |
| including | 76.2 | 85.3 | 9.1 | 30 | 0.46 | <0.5 |
| including | 120.4 | 163.1 | 42.7 | 140 | 0.11 | <0.5 |
| 19OKR-381 | 135.6 | 184.3 | 48.7 | 160 | 0.13 | 2.08 |
| including | 167.7 | 172.2 | 4.5 | 15 | 0.33 | 3.60 |
| 19OKR-387 | 173.7 | 178.2 | 4.5 | 15 | 0.06 | 41.7 |
The holes reported reflect all material results from an 11-hole, 2,564m (8,415ft) reverse-circulation exploration drilling program conducted at the Kilgore Project between October and December 2019 (see News Release dated December 13th, 2019). The goal of this program, which is the first phase of a larger, multi-stage 70-hole, 25,000 metre exploration drill program announced in 2019, was to conduct step-out exploration drilling at all points immediately around the currently identified Kilgore resource.
The holes specifically targeted caldera-related fault structures adjacent to the Tertiary volcanic - Cretaceous sediment contact, believed to be the most prospective with respect to mineralized material, as well as follow-up on indications of further mineralization from historic drill holes completed from the 1980s through the 1990s, prior to implementation of NI 43-101 for reporting of mineral resources.
Alan Roberts, Vice President of Explorations, stated: “The presence of gold-silver mineralization outside of the current resource at Kilgore is very exciting, and confirms our belief that Kilgore and the surrounding area presents a very significant target for future exploration. The results from the drill program have confirmed both the validity and accuracy of the current 3D geologic model that was created to enable the generation of indicated and inferred resources, as well as confirming prospective mineralization identified in historic, pre-NI 43-101 drill campaigns. The program completed in December, 2019 represents only a small portion of the larger program of 70 planned holes at Kilgore that we hope to complete in the Summer-Fall 2020.”
Hole 19OKR-384 was drilled due west of the Kilgore Deposit and was designed to test the extension of mineralization away from the currently defined resource. The hole intercepted 158.5m (520ft) grading 0.23 g/t Au including an interval of 51.8m (170ft) grading 0.48 g/t Au. Samples were assayed for silver but did not return any significant values.
Historic drilling dating back to the 1980s revealed that potential for mineralization existed well outside the existing resource area. At the time of drilling, the goal of the mining companies exploring at Kilgore was to establish a near surface, low grade, bulk tonnage deposit that could be quickly put into production. Mineralization was identified over a width of approximately 94.5m (300ft) averaging 0.26 g/t Au in a single, vertical rotary drill hole, KG85-5, approximately 200m west of the Kilgore Deposit, and lay under a cap of silicified rhyolitic and hydrothermal breccias approximately 200m to the west of the Kilgore Deposit (see Table 2.). This intercept was never followed up with further drilling. 19OKR-384 tested a portion of the undrilled space between the current resource and KG85-5 and encountered significant gold mineralization within silicified and oxidized lithic tuffs.
| Table 2. Historic Drill Holes | ||||||
| Drill Hole | From (ft) | To (ft) | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Au (g/t) |
| KG85-51 | 675 | 985 | 205.7 | 300.2 | 94.5 | 0.26 |
| including | 825 | 845 | 251.5 | 257.6 | 6.1 | 1.63 |
| 95EKR-981 | 400 | 700 | 121.9 | 213.4 | 91.4 | 0.52 |
| including | 535 | 620 | 163.1 | 189.0 | 25.9 | 1.38 |
- The results contained herein are intended for use as exploration reference only and do not represent qualifying intercepts for resource reporting.
The drill results, combined with historic data, demonstrates the potential to host a body of mineralized material in a largely untested block approximately 500m long, 150m wide and 100m thick, extending from the Cabin Fault in the south, 500m to the north-northwest. This represents a high priority target for the next round of exploration drilling.
The drill results also indicate a zone of gold mineralization in the Prospect Ridge area well to the south of the current resource area. Hole 19OKC-381 encountered a broad zone of alteration and mineralization including 49m (160ft) grading 0.13 g/t Au and 2.08 g/t Ag. Results varied from 0.02 to 0.52 g/t Au and 0.1 to 6.2 g/t Ag; the hole was designed to test the structure-lithology hypothesis as well as a follow-up of historic drill hole 95EKR-98 that encountered 91.4m (300ft) grading 0.52 g/t Au, including 25.9m (85ft) of 1.38 g/t Au in a vertical rotary drill hole.
This broad zone lies approximately 400m south-southeast of the current Kilgore Deposit, lies well outside the 0.1 g/t Au grade shell, and represents a significant target for follow-up exploration drilling. The mineralized intercept is representative of the low grade disseminated, silica-adularia-pyrite-jarosite altered rocks containing gold-silver mineralization that forms the majority of the near surface Kilgore Deposit.
Hole 19OKR-387 returned significant silver values from 173.7m (570ft) to 178.3m (585ft), an interval of 4.5m (15ft) averaging 41.7 g/t Ag. The high grade silver values occur in moderate to strongly calc-silicate altered Aspen sandstone and siltstone; it is notable that the high silver values occur with no significant gold (0.05-0.06 g/t Au) suggesting a base metal mineralization assemblage that is atypical for the Kilgore Deposit.
The drill program was conducted by Alford Drilling of Butte, Montana and Major Drilling of Salt Lake City, Utah using Foremost 1500 and Schramm 450 reverse circulation drill rigs respectively. Drill samples were collected directly at the cyclone and split 50/50, with one sample being sent to the prep lab and the other kept at Otis’ Dubois facility. All drill samples were collected and transported to the ALS prep laboratory in Elko, NV by Otis staff working on the project. All samples were crushed to 70% passing -2mm and then a 1kg split pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were assayed for gold by 30g Fire Assay with AAS finish; silver was assayed by 4 acid digestion (HF-HNO3-HClO4 & HCL Leach) and analyzed by ICP-AES. Quality assurance / quality control samples (QA/QC) were inserted into the sample stream by Otis staff and included 5% field duplicates, 2.5 % certified standard reference material from Shea-Clark Smith of Reno, NV, and 2.5 % blank material (source: Columbia River Basalt).
Alan Roberts, MSc, CPG, Vice President of Exploration, serves as the Qualified Person for this news release and has reviewed and approved the technical content contained herein.
About the Kilgore Project
The Kilgore Project has a current NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 825,000 ounces Au in 44.6 million tonnes at a grade of 0.58 g/t Au and an Inferred Resource of 136,000 ounces Au in 9.4 million tonnes at a grade of 0.45 g/t Au. The maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment (or “PEA”) showed an after-tax NPV (5% discount rate) of US$110.4 million and IRR of 34.0%, with a 3-year payback period and LOM net cash flow of US$151.8 million at a $1,300 gold price. Please note the PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred resources that are too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
About the Company
Otis is a resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits in Idaho, USA. Otis is currently developing its flagship property, the Kilgore Project, located in Clark County, Idaho and the Oakley Project, located in Cassia County, Idaho.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Craig T. Lindsay”
President & CEO
For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Tony Perri – Corporate Development
Tel: (604) 424-8100 Email: tony@otisgold.com
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This News Release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “US Securities Act”) or any State securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to US Persons unless registered under the US Securities Act and applicable State securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.
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