FOR IMMEDIAT E RELEASE Aton reports the final RC drill results from its new Semna drill discovery , including 50.07 g/t Au over an interval of 6 metres from drill hole SMP -016
FOR IMMEDIAT E RELEASE
Aton reports the final RC drill results from its new
Semna drill discovery , including 50.07 g/t Au over an
interval of 6 metres from drill hole SMP -016
Vancouver, British Columbia, December 18, 2023: Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX -V) (“Aton” or the
“Company") is pleased to update investors with the final results from its reverse circulation percussion (“RC”)
drilling at the Semna gold mine prospect, located within i ts 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession (“Abu
Marawat” or the “Concession”), in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.
Highlights:
• 21 holes were drilled at the Semna prospect , for a total of 3,662m, with the p reliminary drill results
from 4m composite sampling having previously been reported (see news releases dated October 13,
2023 and November 7, 2023);
• Assay results of the primary 1m split samples through the mineralised zones are now available, and
show good correlation with the 4m composite sampling;
• Significant high grade mineralised intersections from the Semna Main Vein zone (“SMV”) include:
• 50.07 g/t Au over a 6m interval, from 75m downhole depth (hole SMP-016), including 222 g/t Au
over 1m, from 80m;
• 28.36 g/t Au, 28.4 g/t Ag and 1.15% Cu over a 4m interval, from 136m downhole depth (hole
SMP-003), including 94.8 g/t Au, 88.2 g/t Ag and 3.47% Cu over 1m, from 137m;
• 11.98 g/t Au over a 16m interval, from 61m downhole depth (hole SMP-018), including 36.03 g/t
Au over 4m, from 61m;
• 10.61 g/t Au, 24.0 g/t Ag and 1.20% Cu over a 9m interval, from 130m downhole depth (hole
SMP-019), including 37.00 g/t Au, 145.0 g/t Ag and 8.72% Cu over 1m, from 133m. SMP-019
also returned intersections of 5.82 g/t Au over a 3m interval from 102m, and 9.10 g/t Au over a
2m interval from 111m.
• 5.73 g/t Au over a 14m interval, from 56m downhole depth (hole SMP-017), including 14.85 g/t
Au over 3m from 60m, and 8.67 g/t Au over 3m from 66m.
“We are pleased to be able to now provide the final assay results from the Semna RC drilling programme. It is
quite apparent to us, even at this early stage, that Semna is shaping up as a very significant new drill discovery.
We plan to fast-track the exploration at Semna as soon as the mining licence has been issued at Abu Marawat,
which we anticipate will be very soon now. Preparations are already well advanced to start a second phase of
diamond drilling, and if all goes according to plan we expect to be back drilling again at Semna in January
2024.” said Tonno Vahk, Interim CEO. “We started this year with the overriding objective of completing our
submission to EMRA, to demonstrate the existence of a Commercial Discovery at the Hamama West and
Rodruin deposits, which under the terms of our Concession Agreement with EMRA, is the most significant step
on the road to the mining licence at Abu Marawat. We delivered our submission to EMRA in August, we believe
that we are now very nearly there, and we are looking forward to working closely with EMRA as we move
forwards together once the mining licence has been issued. 2023 has been a year of great progress for Aton,
and we close the year with these exceptional drill results from our new Semna discovery. These results again
further illustrate the undoubted potential of the Abu Marawat Concession to host multiple economic gold
deposits. With the anticipated issuance of the mining licence we look forward to being able to finally start
realising the full potential of the Concession, as we move towards the development of multiple gold mining
operations at Abu Marawat, starting in 2024.”
Semna Prospect
The Semna prospect is located approximately 27km east-northeast of the Hamama West deposit and 13km
north-northeast of the Rodruin deposit, and is accessed via desert tracks from either Hamama, Rodruin or the
Abu Marawat deposit to the north (Figure 1). The Semna area has a long history of gold mining, during both
ancient and modern times. Archaeological evidence suggests that mining dates back as far as the Old Kingdom
period, over 4,500 years ago. In modern times, Semna was exploited between 1904 and 1906 by two British
companies, which worked the Main Vein on two underground levels. There was also some further development
work carried out at Semna in the 1950’s by a subsidiary of the Egyptian Phosphate Company.
Figure 1: Geology plan of the Abu Marawat Concession, showing the location of the Semna prospect
Semna gold mine RC drilling
21 drill holes, SMP-001 to SMP-020, were completed at the Semna prospect, for a total of 3,662 metres during
the recent RC drill programme (Figure 2). Collar details pf the holes and the results of 4m composite sampling
have been previously reported (see news releases dated October 13, 2023 and November 7, 2023) . Based
on the results of the 4m composite sampling a total of 310 primary 1m split samples through the interpreted
mineralised zones were selected and submitted for gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc geochemical analysis.
These results are now reported herein.
Figure 2: Geology and drill hole collar plan of the Semna gold mine prospect
Full final intersection details from the 1m split samples are provided in Appendix A, and a comparison with the
original 4m composite sample intersections from the Main Vein zone (“MVZ”) is provided in Appendix B.
Selected intersections from the MVZ, which was mined during the 20 th century, and has more recently been
exploited both at surface and from underground by artisanal miners (see news release dated October 13,
2023) are provided in Table 1.
Holes SMP-001 to SMP-014 were drilled on 3 north-northeast sections across the MVZ, the Central Vein zone
(“CVZ”), and the South Vein zone (“SVZ”), see Figure 2. Holes SMP -015 and SMP -016 were drilled on a
northerly section at the now exposed eastern end of the 20 th century workings, and holes SMP-017 to SMP-
020 were drilled to test a postulated eastern extension to the MVZ (“MVZ-EX”).
Sporadic narrow mineralisation was intersected from the CVZ and the SVZ. Assay results from the SVZ were
unexpectedly low, in light of the presence of old 20 th century and the large recent artisanal workings on this
zone. More consistent narrow zones of low to moderate grade mineralisation were intersected on the CVZ, for
example in holes SMP-003, SMP-006 and SMP-014. The North Vein zone (“NVZ”) was not tested in the phase
1 RC drill programme.
Significant mineralised intersections were returned from the MVZ and the MVZ-EX extension zone (see Table
1 and Appendix A ), including 50.07 g/t Au over a 6m interval , from 75m downhole depth (hole SMP-016),
28.36 g/t Au , 28.4 g/t Ag and 1.15% Cu over a 4m interval , from 136m downhole depth (hole SMP -003),
11.98 g/t Au over a 16m interval, from 61m downhole depth (hole SMP-018), and 10.61 g/t Au, 24.0 g/t Ag
and 1.20% Cu over a 9m interval, from 130m downhole depth (hole SMP-019. Hole SMP-019 also returned
intersections of 5.82 g/t Au over a 3m interval from 102m downhole depth, and 9.10 g/t Au over a 2m interval
from 111m , indicating the presence of multiple mineralised structures in the MVZ -EX. Schematic
interpretations of cross sections 2, 558770E and 558930E are provided in Appendix C.
Hole ID Section
ID
Intersection (m) Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(ppm) Comments
From To Interval
SMP-003 Section
4
136 140 4 28.36 28.4 11,481
incl. 137 138 1 94.80 88.2 34,750
SMP-004 Section
4 184 186 2 12.45 1.5 75 open at depth below
SMP-006 Section
3 116 118 2 14.20 2.8 65
SMP-007 Section
3 155 157 2 9.74 2.3 69 open at depth below
SMP-013 Section
2 186 189 3 4.93 0.7 50 open at depth below
SMP-014 Section
2 109 114 5 4.14 0.6 19
SMP-015
558770E
50 52 2 5.05 0.6 25 hangingwall structure
and 78 81 3 7.11 3.4 551 MVZ structure
SMP-016
558770E
75 81 6 50.07 6.7 1,026 hangingwall structure, open at depth
below incl. 80 81 1 222.0 23.2 207
and 134 142 8 2.39 1.8 801
MVZ structure, open at depth below
incl. 139 141 2 7.10 1.7 105
SMP-017
558850E
56 70 14 5.73 1.5 198
multiple mineralised structures / veins incl. 60 63 3 14.85 2.7 113
and incl. 66 69 3 8.67 3.1 521
SMP-018
558930E
61 77 16 11.98 2.0 46 most northeasterly intersection - open to
NE and at depth below incl. 61 65 4 36.03 5.9 122
SMP-019
558850E
102 105 3 5.82 8.9 259
multiple mineralised structures / veins,
open at depth below
and 111 113 2 9.10 6.2 624
and 126 127 1 2.28 0.9 41
and 130 139 9 10.61 24.0 12,038
incl. 130 134 4 19.78 43.6 22,091
and incl. 133 134 1 37.00 145.0 87,240
Table 1: Selected final intersections from the Semna MVZ
7 holes targeted the MVZ beneath the old 20th century workings (see Figure C1), on approximately 80m spaced
drill sections, specifically SMP -003, SMP -004, SMP -005 (Section 4), SMP -006, SMP -007 (Section 3), and
SMP-013 and SMP -014 (Section 2 , Figure C1 ). The old workings have recently been extended down to an
approximate elevation of 550m RL by the artisanal miners (see news release dated October 13, 2023 ). All
holes, except SMP-005 which intersected sub -grade mineralisation, returned mineralised intersections with
true widths of between approximately 2 and 4 metres, grading between 4.14 g/t Au (5m interval from hole
SMP-014) and 28.36 g/t Au (4m interval from hole SM P-003). Individual 1m samples from this area returned
assays including 94.8 g/t Au (hole SMP-003), 25.7 g/t Au (SMP-006) and 17.75 g/t Au (SMP-007). The
drilling confirmed the continuity of the mineralisation beneath the mined out upper parts of the MVZ. The MVZ
continued at an average dip of approximately 70 ° to the SSW, although the zone appear s to shallow in the
deepest holes. It is not clear if this is due to the MVZ actually shallowing, or if it is due to the presence of
multiple en echelon mineralised structures (Figure C1). The mineralisation on the MVZ was open at depth on
all sections beneath the old mine workings.
Holes SMP-015 and SMP-016 were drilled at the eastern end of the 20th century workings, close to the eastern
shaft, where the MVZ appears to swing around to a more easterly or east -northeasterly orientation. The MVZ
appears to be faulted out here, and surface mapping of th e area, now exposed by the artisanal miners,
suggests that the MVZ has been sinistrally displaced by approximately 40m to the southwest (Figures 2 and
3).
Figure 3: Oblique view of the Semna gold mine prospect, looking southwest
(from 2010 Google Earth image, prior to any artisanal mining activity)
Figure 4: Coarse visible gold in RC chip (SMP-016, 81-82m, 222 g/t Au),
associated with quartz stringer veinlets in altered andesite
Holes SMP-015 and SMP-016 both intersected 2 discrete mineralised zones, with true widths of approximately
2-4m (Figure C2). The northern or footwall zone is interpreted as being the main MVZ, while the southern
hangingwall zone is interpreted as being a separate structure striking approximately southwest which appears
to join with the CVZ . Both mineralised zones dip at approximately 75 ° to the south . Th e hangingwall zone
returned an intersection of 50.07 g/t Au over an interval of 6m (true width approximately 3m). Inspection of
the drill chips indicated the presence of abundant coarse gold (Figure 4), with individual 1m samples from this
6m interval returning assays including 222.0, 40.8 and 20.3 g/t Au. Examination of blocks of mineralised
rock from surface in this area also showed the presence of abundant coarse visible gold.
The final 4 holes of the programme, SMP-017 to SMP-020 were drilled to test a postulated eastern extension
of the MVZ, running parallel to a “jog” in the eastern wadi (Figures 2 and 3), the so-called “MVZ-EX” zone. 3
of the holes returned wide zones of high grade mineralisation.
SMP-017 was drilled on a northerly azimuth on the 558850E section , and returned a mineralised intersection
of 5.73 g/t Au over a 14m interval, from 56m downhole depth, and beneath it SMP-019 returned mineralised
intersections of 5.82 g/t Au over a 3m interval , from 102m downhole depth, 9.10 g/t Au over a 2m interval
from 111m, and 10.61 g/t Au over a 9m interval from 130m downhole depth (see Table 1 and Appendix A).
Individual 1m sample s from SMP -017 returned assays including 18.25, 13.8 and 16.25 g/t Au , w hile
individual 1m samples from SMP-019 returned assays including 37.0, 22.6 and 15.6 g/t Au.
Hole SMP-018 was drilled slightly oblique to the 558930E section approximately 160m east of the underground
mine workings, and was the easternmost hole in the programme. SMP-018 returned a mineralised intersection
of 11.98 g/t Au over a 16m interval , from 6 1m downhole depth (see Table 1, Appendix A and Figure C3).
This interval included individual 1m samples which returned assays including 51.8, 47.1, 24.1 and 21.1 g/t
Au. In this locality the MVZ-EZ is interpreted as being approximately vertical, with a true width of approximately
10-12m. Hole SMP -020 was drilled on the 558890E section between the other holes (Figure 2) , and is
interpreted as having missed the MVZ-EX zone, which had here been offset by a NNE-striking fault.
Comparison of 1m split sample and 4m composite sample results
A comparison between all the final 1m split and 4m composite assay intersections is provided in Appendix B,
and selected comparative intersections from the MVZ are provided below in Table 2.
Hole ID
1m split samples 4m composite samples
Intersection (m)
Au (g/t)
Intersection (m)
Au (g/t)
From To Interval From To Interval
SMP-003 136 140 4 28.36 136 140 4 29.80
SMP-004 184 186 2 12.45 184 188 4 5.37
SMP-006 116 118 2 14.20 116 120 4 6.27
SMP-014 109 114 5 4.14 108 116 8 2.86
SMP-015 50 52 2 5.05 48 52 4 2.52
and 78 81 3 7.11 76 84 8 3.03
SMP-016 75 81 6 50.07 72 84 12 14.63
and 134 142 8 2.39 132 144 12 1.78
SMP-017 56 70 14 5.73 56 72 16 5.19
SMP-018 61 77 16 11.98 60 76 16 12.54
SMP-019 102 105 3 5.82
96 116 20 1.69
and 111 113 2 9.10
and 130 139 9 10.61 124 140 16 6.30
Notes:
1) 1m split intersections were selected using 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade, intersections were required to bulk out >1 g/t, with a
maximum of 2m internal dilution
2) 4m intersections were selected using a 0.5 g/t cut-off grade only
Table 2: Selected final 1m split and 4m composite sample intersections from the Semna MVZ
The results show good correlation in general and confirm the validity of the sample compositing methodology,
and its execution. In general the results correlate very well, although in the case of SMP -016, the grade from
the upper 1m split sample intersection was significantly higher than that expected from the 4m composite
samples. This is clearly a response to the nugget effect of samples containing abundant coarse gold, with
individual 1m samples from this interval returning assays including 222.0, 40.8 and 20.3 g/t Au.
Discussion of results
The mineralisation at Semna appears to be mainly hosted in a body of quartz diorite to granodiorite that has
been intruded into a package of mafic to intermediate composition metavolcanic rocks. The mineralisation is
strongly structurally controlled, and is hosted in a series of steeply south-dipping shear zones that contain the
gold-bearing quartz veins. These sub -parallel quartz veins strike approximately east -west and dip 60 -75° to
the south, but the dip and strike is quite variable within each vein, and the veins noticeably pinch and swell, as
has been historically reported.
The overall vein array is quite complex, with the various zones appearing to be co nnected in places. Drilling
has indicated the best mineralisation to be on the historically mined MVZ, however mapping indicates
numerous ancient and 20 th century workings on the other structures, and previous surface sampling by Aton
returned some of the best results from the SVZ (see news release dated November 22, 2017).
In the Semna area both the mineralisation and topography are structurally controlled. The historic Semna mine
is located between two wadis orientated in a NNE direction, which are interpreted as being controlled by north-
northeast striking faults (see news release dated November 7, 2023). Mapping has indicated the presence of
a sub-parallel series of these north-northeast fault structures, which offset the mineralised zones (Figures 2
and 3). The MVZ typically strikes in an east -southeasterly direction, dipping to the south-southwest. Towards
the end of the now exposed underground workings , and in the interpreted eastern extension of the MVZ its
strike appears to swing around to an east-northeasterly direction (Figures 2 and 3), where it is largely covered
by wadi sediments, interpreted as being approximately 10m thick. In this MVZ -EX zone the dip of the
mineralisation appears to be steepening to a more vertical orientation (Figure C3).
The mineralisation at Semna is orogenic in style, and is interpreted as being associated with an array of
structures, presumed to have formed in dilational zones, accompanied by shearing and weak to moderate
phyllic wallrock alteration . The mineralised structures are localised between and offset by a series of north-
northeast striking fault structures. Mineralisation on the MVZ is associated with at least one mineralised quartz
vein, which anastomoses and pinches and swells, as confirmed by Aton’s underground mapping reported (see
news release dated October 13).
Historically the MVZ mineralised zone has been described as being up to 6m in thickness, but interpretation
of the results from holes SMP -015 to SMP-019 suggests that the mineralisation is associated with multiple
veins and structures (Figures 5 and C2), to the east of the 20th century underground mine workings. The overall
mineralised ‘envelope’ may potentially be up to 10-35m in true width in the eastern extension of the MVZ under
the alluvial wadi sediments. In the MVZ-EX lower grade mineralisation appears to occur in wider zone s, not
exclusively adjacent to the mineralised quartz veins, and is apparently associated with heavily sheared and
altered wallrock.
The mineralised structures are almost always associated with white quartz veins, with gold appearing to be
distributed both within the quartz veins themselves, and also in altered selvages and wallrock adjacent to the
veins. The mineralisation at Semna is associated with low levels of sulphide gangue, and predominantly carries
only gold. The gold at Semna appears to be coarse and nuggety, as indicated by examination of samples, and
also analysis of the drill assay results. 23 of the total of 310 1m split samples submitted for analysis returned
gold values greater than 10 g/t, with 11 of these returning gold values greater than 20 g/t, including individual
assays of 222.0, 94.8 and 51.8 g/t Au. The drill results appear to confirm the historical and anecdotal evidence
that the gold mineralisation at Semna is of a significantly high grade, and is locally of bonanza grade.
Figure 5: RC chips from hole SMP-019, 60-152m, showing the presence of multiple mineralised
quartz veins and structures between 103m and 142m, and associated phyllic alteration (mineralised
intersections include 102-105m: 3m @ 5.82 g/t Au; 111-113m: 2m @ 9.10 g/t Au; 130-139m: 9m @
10.61 g/t Au, including 130-134m: 4m @ 19.78 g/t Au, 43.6 g/t Ag and 2.21% Cu)
Levels of silver and copper are generally at Semna, but can be locally significant. Where silver and copper
grades are elevated this is typically associated with high to very high grades of gold (eg. 28.36 g/t Au, 28.4 g/t
Ag and 1.15% Cu over a 4m interval in hole SMP -003, 19.78 g/t Au, 43.6 g/t Ag and 2.21% Cu over a 4m
interval in hole SMP-019, see Appendix A). Lead and zinc occurred only at very low levels in all the drill assay
results.
The mineralisation at Semna is open along strike at both ends, and has to date been drilled over a strike length
on the MVZ of approximately 400m. The mineralisation is open at depth along the entire drilled strike length.