Initial Drill Results and Exploration Update at Machuca Project, Antioquia, Colombia
INITIAL DRILL RESULTS AND EXPLORATION
UPDATE AT MACHUCA PROJECT,
ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA
VANCOUVER, BC
,
May 6, 2025
/CNW/ -
Soma Gold Corp.
(TSXV: SOMA) (WKN: A2P4DU)
(OTC: SMAGF) (the "
Company
" or "
Soma
") is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing
exploration program at the Psyche 2 target area, including the Colossa Mine, on the Machuca
Project in Antioquia,
Colombia
(Figure 1). Psyche 2 is a target area that was identified through high-
grade stream sediment samples and the presence of informal, small-scale mines (see news release
dated
October 24, 2024
). Continued prospecting has extended the previously identified strike length
of the northeast-trending structural zone from 1.8 km to ~2.4 km. Drilling commenced at the Colossa
Mine in late
December 2024
, in conjunction with a property-scale soil sampling and prospecting
program. The initial results of these programs are presented in this new release.
Highlights:
Orion Mine Channel Samples
CHU100189
g/t Au, including
g/t Au
CHU100191
g/t Au, including
g/t Au
CHU100192
g/t Au, including
g/t Au
Colossa Mine Channel Samples
CHU100100
g/t Au, including
g/t Au
CHU100121
g/t Au, including
g/t Au
CHU201045
g/t Au
Drill Core Highlights:
COLDDH-25-006
g/t Au, including
g/t Au
The Psyche 2 target area is a 2.4 km long, northeast-southwest striking trend of mineralized quartz
veins, with a width of approximately 300-
400 m
. The target is located east of the Otú Fault, in a
region predominantly underlain by undifferentiated upper-greenschist facies metasedimentary rocks
(Figure 2). The rocks are strongly folded, exhibiting north-south-trending axial planes and moderately
northeast-plunging fold axes. However, the fold system is only exposed in a few small creek
outcrops and remains poorly constrained. The far eastern edge of the property is also poorly
exposed but lies over a strong regional magnetic signature that is similar to the Segovia Batholith,
which is interpreted as the western contact of the batholith in this area.
Figure 1 Location Colossa Mine. (CNW Group/Soma Gold Corp.)
Unlike other quartz veins and informal mines along the Otú Fault, these veins have an average
orientation of 240
o
/43
o
, forming a high angle relative to the northerly trending Otú Fault – similar to
the orientation of Aris Mining's (TSX:ARIS) El Silencio vein in Segovia. The quartz vein orientation
also aligns with a regional lineament trend, suggesting the potential for additional quartz vein-bearing
structures along the same trend. Mapping within the informal mines indicates that mineralized quartz
veins in this area exhibit two additional orientation sets: east-northeast- and north-striking. In
general, the veins dip moderately to the northwest.
The Otú fault system ("Otú Fault") extends for over 100 km, from Segovia-Remedios in the south to
Nechi in the north, where it is buried beneath younger sedimentary overlap sequences. Soma's
properties now cover over 56 km of this strike length. High-grade gold occurrences have been
identified along the entire strike length of the Otú Fault, hosted in brittle-ductile to brittle quartz veins
formed during later stages of deformation. Throughout the district, quartz veins display orientation
patterns consistent with formation in conjugate faults associated with brittle faulting along the Otú
Fault. Notable mines along this trend include Segovia-Remedios, La Aurora, El Limon,
Le Ye
, Los
Mangos, and Cordero. The Machuca Property is located along a critical segment of this regional
fault structure and shows numerous indications of high-grade gold mineralization.
Table 1: 97.5th percentile values of Au in soil samples
Sample
No.
Au
(ppb)
Ag
(ppb)
As
(ppm)
Cu
(ppm)
Zn
(ppm)
SS12040
3700
450
8.7
38
19.7
SS13114
932
470
Pending
Pending
Pending
SS11929
488
280
15.7
21.3
14.8
SS13097
465
330
Pending
Pending
Pending
SS13087
389
450
71.7
109
60
SS11785
311
100
9.4
63.6
94.8
SS13075
263
1140
22.1
51.1
62.8
SS13088
257
290
21.1
70.3
55.2
SS11497
195
500
11.4
29.7
45.9
SS13092
186
2800
Pending
Pending
Pending
SS13072
137
790
24.3
116
114
SS13110
129
630
Pending
Pending
Pending
SS12035
121
390
4.3
56.7
75.1
SS13067
112
640
8.5
133
65.6
SS13089
101
240
20.2
59.8
75
SS11918
100
590
14.6
44.5
53.4
SS12253
96
220
3.8
45.5
31.4
SS13120
91
940
Pending
Pending
Pending
SS12036
91
310
7.9
71
84.8
SS12026
87
450
7.3
42.2
28.2
Soil Sampling
An extensive soil grid covering the entire trend was completed in early 2025. A total of 884 samples
were collected at
50m
intervals along lines spaced
200 m
apart. Assay results and multi-element
geochemistry have been received for 772 samples, with results pending for the remaining 72. High
gold-in-soil values define anomalous zones along the entire 1.8 km strike length of the northeast-
trending structural zone.
Table 2: 95th percentile values of Cu in soil samples
Sample
No.
Au (ppb)
Ag (ppb)
As (ppm)
Cu (ppm)
Zn (ppm)
SS12220
7
100
0.9
578
142
SS10980
25
300
1.9
576
192
SS10959
42
380
0.3
506
79.4
SS13052
9
100
0.05
494
98.6
SS10954
58
100
0.2
455
123
SS10978
24
100
0.05
443
98.9
SS11465
20
100
4.2
410
105
SS12048
27
380
1.8
407
151
SS10979
21
290
0.05
405
126
SS12187
6
100
1.7
404
97.3
SS11997
9
250
11
400
38.5
SS10958
29
100
0.1
388
87.3
SS12054
30
100
0.05
379
161
SS12057
8
310
4.3
375
189
SS12186
9
100
1.8
372
83.4
SS12184
10
100
1.8
367
94.7
SS10951
43
590
0.9
362
84.2
SS11430
12
620
2.9
357
102
SS11856
10
100
0.4
356
108
SS12217
21
790
0.05
344
176
SS12189
12
210
1.3
339
83.7
SS12503
17
580
0.7
337
93.6
SS12183
15
100
2.4
336
49.5
SS11467
18
290
1.6
335
147
SS12038
30
330
2.7
333
189
SS12110
33
4700
0.4
329
109
SS12051
21
100
2.5
323
99.2
SS11429
9
520
15.6
322
120
SS12111
9
560
2.7
311
137
SS12532
14
380
0.05
310
99.3
SS12185
21
100
1.6
301
71.8
SS10953
20
100
0.05
299
103
SS11937
18
100
2.2
296
82.1
SS12216
7
760
0.05
295
275
Gold concentrations in the soil samples range from <5 ppb to 3,700 ppb. The 97.5
th
percentile
values, ranging from 86 ppb to 3,700 ppb, are considered strongly anomalous. The 90
th
percentile
gold value is 37 ppb. Lower, yet still elevated, gold-in-soil values along the strike of the known quartz
veins are interpreted as evidence of continuity of the gold-bearing structures. Table 1 presents the
97.5
th
percentile soil sample results across the grid.
Figure 2 displays the gold-in-soil values superimposed on the mapped geology of Psyche 2. Solid
and dashed red lines indicate mapped and interpreted vein traces in the area. All informal mines in
the region are coincident with a gold-in-soil anomaly. The strike length of these Au anomalies and
associated veins ranges from
300 m
to
1,000 m
. These are considered significant and warrant
follow-up prospecting, infill soil sampling, and drilling near the informal mines.
Figure 2 Soil sample grid for Au (CNW Group/Soma Gold Corp.)
Figure 3 Soil sample grid for Cu (CNW Group/Soma Gold Corp.)
An additional discovery from the soil grid is the distribution of anomalous copper-in-soil samples.
Copper concentrations range from 5.7 ppm to 578 ppm. The 97.5
th
percentile values range from 360
ppm to 578 ppm, while the 95
th
and 90
th
percentile values are 295 ppm and 208 ppm, respectively.
Table 2 presents the 95
th
percentile copper values and highlights a relationship between weakly
anomalous gold and zinc values.
Figure 3 displays the copper-in-soil values superimposed on the government's regional airborne
magnetic data. The 95
th
percentile samples are clustered along the western edge of the grid,
forming a north-south trending anomaly with a strike length of approximately two kilometres. This
anomaly is located near the Otú Fault and is interpreted to be controlled by associated higher-order
structures. The anomalous copper samples also coincide with a prominent magnetic high in the
government's airborne survey, which may correspond to a blind intrusive body. Further investigation
is warranted.
Soil sampling has identified numerous gold anomalies that require follow-up prospecting and drilling.
The copper anomaly is not yet well understood but presents an exciting new target for exploration to
determine the geology and tenor of potential copper mineralization. Although it coincides with the
magnetic anomaly, the copper remains open to the north and south. Soma recently acquired two
additional mineral titles to the north, allowing for the extension of the soil grid to further determine the
extent of the copper anomaly and potentially identify new gold anomalies (see news release dated
April 10, 2025).
Chris Buchanan
, Soma's Vice President of Exploration, stated, "The expanded underground channel
sampling and soil sampling programs have identified multiple high-grade gold targets for exploration.
The 2.4 km northeast trend of mineralized quartz veins and gold-in-soil anomalies is particularly
exciting – especially in light of the recent high-grade drill intercepts. Soma is pleased with the
exploration team's continued success in developing drill-ready targets at Psyche 2."
Drilling and Channel Sample Results
Soma's exploration team has been systematically channel sampling underground workings at
informal mine sites. Results have been received from four of the mines in the area: Orion, Aurum,
Colossa 2, and Colossa. In addition to infill sampling, Soma has initiated a drill program at the
Colossa and Colossa 2 mines. Assay results from these programs are presented in the following
sections:
Orion Mine
The Orion Mine is located at the northeastern end of the structural trend. The quartz vein mined at
this location strikes northeast and dips moderately to the southeast. A total of 31 channel samples,
comprised of 68 individual samples, were systematically collected along the exposed vein within the
mine. Figure 4 presents a long section of the Orion Mine, showing the location of each sample within
the underground workings.
Table 3 presents the composited assay results from the Orion Mine. Gold grades for the
composites range from <0.005 g/t to 71.4 g/t. Seventeen composites returned grades greater than
2.0 g/t, including nine exceeding 20 g/t Au. Fifteen channel samples contained sub-intervals of high-
grade gold ranging from 7.0 g/t to 118.7 g/t – ten of which qualify as bonanza grade (>20 g/t).
Fourteen channel samples returned grades of <2.0 g/t. These sub-economic intervals are interpreted
as reflecting the nuggety nature of the gold and sulphide distribution within the veins.
Table 3: Composited assay results for Orion Mine channel samples
Channel No.
from
to
Length (m)
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
CHU100155
0
1.25
1.25
12.0
16.1
including
0.4
0.85
0.45
33.3
41.1
CHU100170
0
1
1
0.7
1.5
CHU100171
0
1
1
3.6
6.4
including
0
0.5
0.5
7.0
8.6
CHU100172
0
0.7
0.7
0.6
1.8
CHU100173
0
1
1
0.1
1.3
CHU100174
0
0.5
0.5
1.2
1.6
CHU100175
0
1
1
1.2
3.0
CHU100176
0
0.5
0.5
52.0
39.7
CHU100177
0
1
1
4.4
15.1
including
0
0.2
0.2
17.2
35.7
CHU100178
0
0.8
0.8
0.0
1.0
CHU100179
0
1
1
3.2
6.3
including
0
0.4
0.4
7.9
13.3
CHU100180
0
1
1
0.6
1.4
CHU100181
0
1.3
1.3
0.4
3.8
CHU100182
0
1.7
1.7
0.1
1.4
CHU100183
0
1
1
0.1
1.2
CHU100184
0
1
1
0.0
1.5
CHU100185
0
1
1
0.5
5.0
CHU100186
0
1
1
0.5
1.8
CHU100187
0
1
1
1.6
5.8
CHU100188
0
1
1
23.0
15.6
including
0
0.4
0.4
57.5
36.4
CHU100189
0
1
1
36.2
44.4
including
0
0.35
0.35
103.4
122.5
CHU100190
0
1
1
26.5
30.1
including
0
0.5
0.5
52.6
58.8
CHU100191
0
1.35
1.35
28.6
45.1
including
0.5
0.85
0.35
104.1
154.7
CHU100192
0
1
1
71.4
130.4
including
0
0.6
0.6
118.7
214.5
CHU100193
0
0.9
0.9
28.4
41.8
including
0
0.3
0.3
85.0
122.2
CHU100194
0
1
1
37.1
45.6
including
0
0.5
0.5
74.1
86.2
CHU100195
0
1.3
1.3
3.2
8.3
including
0.6
0.9
0.3
10.8
30.2
CHU100196
0
1.2
1.2
13.1
36.5
including
0
0.8
0.8
18.9
49.2
CHU100197
0
1
1
26.1
58.2
including
0
0.6
0.6
43.4
95.9
CHU100198
0
1.4
1.4
5.5
25.1
including
0
0.4
0.4
8.6
25.9
and including
0.4
0.9
0.5
8.2
48.3
CHU100199
0
1.5
1.5
2.0
1.6
Figure 4 Long section of the Orion Mine channel sampling (CNW Group/Soma Gold Corp.)
The results from the initial channel sampling at the Orion Mine are highly encouraging. The
abundance of high-grade gold samples throughout the mine workings, combined with their
coincidence with a high-grade gold-in-soil anomaly, elevates the priority of this prospect. Soma's
exploration team continues to prospect and collect soil samples in the surrounding area of the mine
to improve delineation of the soil anomaly. The Company anticipates mobilizing a drill to this prospect
in the second half of 2025.
Aurum Mine
The Aurum Mine is located approximately
200 m
west of the Orion Mine and is centered on an east-
northeast striking, moderately northwest-dipping quartz vein. The mine is currently abandoned, and
only a small portion could be safely accessed for sampling.
Table 4 presents the composited gold grades from channel samples collected at two locations within
the Aurum Mine. The long section shown in Figure 5 indicates the location of these samples inside
the mine workings. The tenor of the Aurum quartz vein is lower than that of the Orion vein, with
composite gold grade ranging from 1.2 g/t to 2.03 g/t.
Although the results are lower grade, the Aurum Mine still highlights the abundance of mineralized
quartz veins within the Psyche 2 target area. The mine is situated within a broad gold-in-soil anomaly
and warrants additional exploration work. Soma's exploration team will continue infill soil sampling in
conjunction with work at the Orion Mine. The Aurum vein is expected to be drill tested when the drill
rig is mobilized to the Orion Mine in the second half of 2025.
Table 4: Composited assay results for the Aurum Mine channel samples
Channel
No.
From
(m)
To
(m)
length
Au
Grade
(g/t)
Ag
Grade
(g/t)
CHU201046
0
1.05
1.05
1.2
11.7
including
0
0.38
0.38
1.95
20.92
CHU201047
0
1.6
1.6
2
1.2
including
0
0.8
0.8
2.93
12.57
Colossa 2
Colossa 2 is an abandoned informal mine located approximately
200 m
north of the Colossa Mine.
While the site cannot be accessed for mapping and sampling, it is situated near a weak soil
anomaly. Due to its proximity to the Colossa Mine and the presence of historical workings, two
exploration drill holes were completed down-dip of the mine.
A long section of the drill holes is shown in Figure 6, and assay results for COLDDH-25-006 are
presented in Table 5. Drill hole COLDDH-25-007 also intersected a
2.0 m
quartz vein (Figure 6),
however, assay results for this hole are still pending.
The quartz vein intersected in COLDDH-25-006 returned an average grade of 8.04 g/t Au over
1.3
m
, including a
0.6 m
sub-interval with a gold grade of 17.39 g/t Au. Although the historical mine
workings have not been mapped, this intersection is interpreted to lie approximately 25-
50 m
down-
dip and along strike from the known workings.
Drilling at the Colossa 2 Mine marks the first step in confirming the presence of gold-bearing quartz
veins along the 2.4 km structural trend between the Orion and Colossa mines. To date, only
1,772 m
of diamond drilling has been completed at the Colossa and Colossa 2 mines. The recent intercept at
the Colossa 2 Mine is encouraging, and additional drill holes are currently underway to evaluate the
strike and dip extent of the quartz vein.
Figure 5 Long section of the Aurum Mine channel sampling (CNW Group/Soma Gold Corp.)
Figure 6 Long section of the Colossa 2 Mine drill holes and core pictures (CNW Group/Soma Gold
Corp.)
Table 5: Composited assay results for drill core at the Colossa 2 target
Hole ID
From
(m)
To (m)
Length
(m)
Au Grade
(g/t)
Ag Grade
(g/t)
COLDDH-25-006
119.10
120.40
1.30
8.0
4.3
including
119.80
120.40
0.60
17.4
8.0
COLDDH-25-007
Results pending
Note:
all intervals are presented as drilled length. True width is approximately 80%-90% of the drill interval.
B.D. idicates a low grade interval that is below detection (B.D.) limits.
Colossa Mine
Soma's exploration team has been conducting systematic underground channel sampling and
geological mapping at the Colossa Mine. A
2,500 m
drill program was initiated at the Colossa and
Colossa 2 mines in late 2024, aimed at testing the down-dip and strike extent of the quartz vein at
the Colossa Mine. To date,
1,772 m
of drilling has been completed, with the results presented
below.
The results of the underground channel sampling program are presented in Table 6. A total of 82
channel samples, comprised of 193 individual samples, were collected from across the mine
workings. The location of each sample is shown in the long section of the Colossa Mine presented in
Figure 7.
The composited gold grades from the Colossa channel samples range from <0.005 g/t Au to 66.3
g/t. Twenty-nine composites returned grades greater than 2.0 g/t, including seven exceeding 10 g/t.
Twenty-three of the channel samples contained subintervals of high-grade gold ranging from 6.2 g/t
to 136.5 g/t – seven of which qualify as bonanza grade (>20 g/t). Fifty-three channel samples
returned grades of <2.0 g/t. These lower-grade intervals are interpreted to reflect the nuggety
nature of gold and sulphide distribution within the quartz veins.
A total of five diamond drill holes have been completed at the Colossa Mine. A long section of the
drill holes is shown in Figure 7, and assay results are presented in Table 7. Each hole intersected
the target structure and encountered quartz veins containing pyrite, sphalerite, and galena (Figure
8). Initial assay results were low grade, so all drill core samples were resubmitted for screen
metallic analysis. The screen metallic assays resulted in a modest improvement to the gold values,
and these results are reported in this news release (Tables 6 and 7).
Drill core assays from the Colossa Mine range from <0.005 g/t Au to 1.8 g/t Au. The best drill
intersection was returned from hole COLDDH-25-005, which yielded
1.3 m
at 1.8 g/t Au. Although
the quartz vein intercepts were visually compelling, the assay values were significantly lower than
expected based on the high-grade channel samples collected from within the mine (Figure 8).
However, the channel sample dataset suggests a nuggety gold distribution, which is interpreted to
be similarly reflected in the drill core assays. Based on updated geological and structural mapping,
Soma's exploration team is currently planning a follow-up drill program at the Colossa Mine.
Soma's exploration team is currently extending the Psyche 2 soil grid to the northwest to cover the
recently acquired mineral titles (see news release dated
April 10, 2025
). In addition, the airborne
geophysics and property-scale LiDAR surveys announced in the
February 6, 2025
news release
have recently commenced. The LiDAR survey began on
April 25, 2025
, following a weather delay
due to heavy rainfall. The geophysical survey is expected to begin on
May 7, 2025
, once the survey
equipment clears Colombian customs.
Table 6: Composited assays for the Colossa Mine channel samples