Idaho Champion Gold Identifies New Western Target in Soil Survey at Baner Gold Project
Idaho Champion Gold Identifies New Western Target in
Soil Survey at Baner Gold Project
Toronto, ON – April 19, 2021 - Idaho Champion Gold Mines Canada Inc. (CSE: ITKO; OTCQB:
GLDRF; FSE: 1QB1)(“Idaho Champion” or the "Company") is pleased to report the results from
its 2020 geochemical soil sampling program at the Angel Zone target within its 100%-
controlled Baner Gold Project (“Baner”) near Elk City, Idaho County, Idaho.
Highlights of 2020 Angel Zone Soil Survey:
• Anomalous gold in soil samples over 600 metres of strike near the interpreted trace of
the western boundary of the Orogrande Shear Zone (Figure 1).
• Gold values in soil survey range from below detection (3 ppb) to 1,080 ppb (1.08 g/t)
• Maximum gold values in soils occur in the central portion of the Angel Zone near
anomalous gold in roadcut rock samples.
• These soil anomalies may be developed into drill targets in the upcoming exploration
program.
“The addition of a new western gold target with 600 metres of strike length in the Orogrande
Shear Zone reinforces our confidence that the Baner Project has a scale and scope that will lead
to identification of a large gold system,” stated President and CEO, Jonathan Buick. “The details
of our 2021 field program will be announced later in the second quarter.”
Soil Sampling Results
There were very encouraging assays in the soil samples collected in October 2020. The gold
values in the soils range from below detection limit (3 ppb) to a maximum of 1,080 ppb (1.08
ppm). Nine soil samples assayed greater than 100 ppb gold, all occurring within approximately
150 meters of the interpreted western boundary of the Orogrande Shear Zone (OSZ). The
sample hosting the highest gold value of 1,080 ppb is located directly along the interpreted trace
of the shear zone (Figure 1). These strong gold values, taken together with historic soil data and
rock chip samples, indicate a northwesterly linear trend having a strike length of approximately
600 metres, apparently associated with the western margin of the OSZ.
Silver and base metal enrichments associated with gold mineralization are characteristic of the
Elk City Mining District. Soil samples from the Angel Zone yield anomalous silver and copper.
Table 1. Statistical values of reported elements*
Element Detection Limit Count Min* Max Median Mean STDEV
Au (ppb) 3 255 1.5 1080 3 16.59 77.17
Ag (ppm) 0.05 255 0.025 0.65 0.025 0.05 0.08
As (ppm) 0.1 255 1.1 1386.6 5.9 20.08 89.34
Cu (ppm) 0.1 255 1.7 702.9 10.9 16.47 46.66
Hg (ppm) 0.005 255 0.011 0.391 0.03 0.04 0.04
Pb (ppm) 3 255 1.5 49 8 8.73 3.93
Sb (ppm) 0.05 255 0.09 3.41 0.33 0.45 0.47
Zn (ppm) 2 255 5 82 22 23.49 11.38
*Values which assayed below detection limit were adjusted to be half the value of the lower
detection limit.
Technical Summary
The regional-scale Orogrande Shear Zone (OSZ) hosts widespread gold mines which were
active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that comprise the Elk City and Orogrande Mining
Districts. The Friday Mine, one such historic gold mine 8 km south of the Baner Project, has
been reopened by Endomines AB and is currently producing gold from a published measured
plus indicated resource of 462,000 tonnes grading 6.54 g/t gold (Endomines AB Annual Report
2019).
Exploration core drilling at Baner in 2018 and 2020 by Idaho Champion has concentrated along
the eastern boundary of the OSZ, yielding significant gold mineralization in both near-surface
oxide and deeper quartz-sulfide intercepts (news releases dated 30 November, 2018; 9th, 16th,
22nd March, 2020). However, property-wide exploration has been ongoing including evaluation
of isolated anomalous gold values reported in historic soil and rock geochemistry surveys. One
such occurrence near the western edge of the Baner claims consisted of 4 closely spaced gold-
anomalous soil samples (Figure 2), which were corroborated by previously completed rock
sampling. This location, now known as the Angel Zone, is the first defined exploration target
along the western margin of the OSZ within the Baner Project.
Work completed at the Angel Zone by Idaho Champion in 2018 and 2020 includes:
• Roadcut rock sampling (yielding anomalous gold near the historic soil anomaly);
• Westerly expansion of the Idaho Champion claim block (Idaho Champion news release
17 September 2020);
• Limited reconnaissance drill holes ICGB2020-7 and -8 (Idaho Champion news releases
16 March 2021 and 22 March 2021); and
• An expanded soil survey of 255 samples with nominal sample spacing of 50 metres
(reported here).
The patterns in the soil geochemistry from the Angel Zone soil survey suggest a north to
northwest trending mineralized structure near the western boundary of the OSZ. It is unclear
how this structure fits with the shear zone boundary, but it could represent a dilational jog in
the bigger structure, accounting for local concentrations of gold and other elements in the soil.
This structure may also be the southern continuation of the Lucky Strike Zone described by
Premium Exploration in their technical report dated 30 April 2013. As such, it represents a
separate, parallel, and underexplored zone from the significant gold mineralization intersected
by Idaho Champion drill holes near the eastern margin of the OSZ. Further work along the
western boundary of the OSZ is warranted and is a priority for the Baner Project in 2021.
Figure 1. Gold-in-soil values. Yellow text highlights highest soil Au values (> 100 ppb).
Drill holes ICGB2020-07 and -08 are indicated.
Figure 2. Rock chip and historical soil Au geochemistry data.
Figure 3. Maps of selected multi-element soil geochemistry values.
QAQC statement
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) blanks and standard pulps were blindly
inserted into the sample stream and lab performance was validated by company geologists.
About the Baner Project
The Baner Project is located within the Orogrande Shear Zone (OSZ), a 20-kilometre long and
up to 1-kilometre wide regional shear zone located in Central Idaho. The OSZ is a
transpressional shear zone composed of metamorphosed Proterozoic sedimentary rocks of the
Belt Supergroup and granitic rocks of the Cretaceous Idaho Batholith, which is intruded by
Tertiary rhyolites and dacitic dikes. Hydrothermal alteration is spatially associated with the
OSZ consisting of: silicification, sericitization, and chloritization. Different types of mineral
systems occur in the OSZ and along sympathetic structures in the area, most likely of
Cretaceous or Tertiary ages. Mineralization may include disseminated bulk-mineable precious
metal mineralization associated with sheeted or stockwork veins, hydraulic breccias and with
extensive widespread alteration; but high-grade gold also occurs within discreet structurally
controlled quartz veins and silicified zones.
The Baner Project is located 8 kilometers southwest of Elk City, Idaho, in the heart of the
historical Orogrande-Elk City Mining District. Elk City is an historic gold mining region dating
back to the 1860s that once supported more than 20 underground mines and extensive placer
operations. During the 1930s there were three cyanide mills along the Crooked River
processing open pit and underground sulfide ore. Exploration in the district was conducted by
Cyprus Amax, Kinross Gold, and Bema during the 1980s and 1990s.
Premium Exploration conducted extensive soil sampling, airborne and surface geophysics, and
drilling during the period around 2010. In 2020, Endomines AB brought the Friday Gold
Project into production based on a reported measured plus indicated resource of 462,000 tonnes
grading 6.54 g/t gold and mined 6,600 tonnes of ore with a 3.52 g/t head grade (Endomines AB
Annual Reports for 2019, 2020). The Friday Gold Project is located within the OSZ
approximately 8 kilometres south of the Baner Project.
Qualified Person
The technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Karelse
P.Geo., a consultant to the Company, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr.
Karelse has more than 30 years of experience in exploration and development.
About Idaho Champion Gold Mines Inc.
Idaho Champion is a discovery-focused gold exploration company that is committed to
advancing its 100%-owned highly prospective mineral properties located in Idaho, United
States. The Company’s shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol “ITKO”, on the
OTCQB under the trading symbol “GLDRF”, and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the
symbol “1QB1”. Idaho Champion is vested in Idaho with the Baner Project in Idaho County,
the Champagne Project located in Butte County near Arco, and four cobalt properties in Lemhi
County in the Idaho Cobalt Belt. Idaho Champion strives to be a responsible environmental
steward, stakeholder and a contributing citizen to the local communities where it operates.
Idaho Champion takes its social license seriously, employing local community members and
service providers at its operations whenever possible.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Jonathan Buick”
Jonathan Buick, President and CEO
For further information, please visit the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or the
Company’s corporate website at www.idahochamp.com.
For further information please contact:
Nicholas Konkin, Marketing and Communications
Phone: (416) 477- 7771 ext. 205
Email: [email protected]
THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF SECURITIES IN
ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SALE, OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
Cautionary Statements
This release contains data from a previously completed soil survey which was not collected by Idaho Champion. It is believed that
the work in acquiring these data were conducted with industry standard practice. Idaho Champion cannot confirm the reliability
of these data. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning
of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key
expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company, including suggested strike extension. Although the
Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they
will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release.
The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.