Arcwest Provides an Exploration Update for Its Oweegee Dome Porphyry Copper-gold Project in B.c.'s Golden Triangle
Arcwest Provides an Exploration Update for Its
Oweegee Dome Porphyry Copper-gold Project
in B.c.'s Golden Triangle
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 26, 2023) - ArcWest Exploration (TSXV: AWX) is
pleased to report initial drill results from 2022 drilling on its Oweegee Dome Porphyry Copper-Gold (Cu-
Au) Project located within British Columbia's renowned Golden Triangle.
Partner Sanatana Resources
(TSX-V: STA) completed a large program of mapping, rock and soil geochemical sampling,
spectrographic, induced polarization (IP) and diamond drilling at Oweegee in 2022, including 3679
meters of drilling in twelve drill holes. ArcWest optioned the Oweegee Project to Sanatana in July 2021;
details of the earn-in agreement are available in an ArcWest press release dated
July 21, 2021
. Results
of the 2022 IP program were reported by Sanatana in a press release dated December 12, 2022, and
initial drill results for drill hole OW22-08 were reported by Sanatana in a press release dated December
19, 2022.
The Oweegee Cu-Au Project covers a 152 square kilometer structural dome exposing a thick section of
Stikine terrane strata. Stikine terrane is host to numerous large copper-gold deposits, including Red
Chris (Newcrest Mining-Imperial Metals), Saddle North (Newmont Mining), Galore Creek (Newmont
Mining-and Teck Resources), and KSM-Iron Cap (Seabridge Gold), among others. The Oweegee
Project is approximately 45 km east of Seabridge Gold's giant KSM-Iron Cap porphyry Cu-Au deposits
as well as Tudor Gold's Treaty Creek Au-Ag-Cu project. Collectively, the KSM-Iron Cap and Treaty
Creek deposits represent one of the largest Au-Cu concentrations in North America. Contained metal
within proven plus probable reserves at KSM-Iron Cap total 38.8 million ounces (oz) Au, 183 million oz
Ag and 10.2 billion pounds of copper. Tudor recently released a measured plus indicated resource
estimate of 17 million oz Au and 93 million oz Ag. Sanatana's latest technical presentation for the
Oweegee Dome Project is available for download
here
.
Highlights
An integrated program of geological mapping, rock and soil sampling has expanded the alteration
and mineralization footprint to a 2 by 4.5 km area encompassing multiple mineralized zones
throughout the broader Deltaic Creek area, including Delta, Molloy, Snowpatch and Upper Bear
Valley
Drilling in the Delta Zone intersected the highest grade Cu-Au mineralization seen to date in drilling
at Oweegee:
112.18 meters grading 0.17% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au, 1.1 g/t Ag (58.37-170.55m)
.
Included in this interval are two higher-grade zones:
15.85 m grading 0.34% Cu, 0.33 g/t Au, 2.1
g/t Ag (74.5-90.35m)
; and
12.37 m grading 0.45% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au, 1.9 g/t Ag (145-157.37m).
An additional 8 line-kilometers of IP surveys were integrated with 2021 IP to produce a 3-D IP
model. The model outlined a series of four previously undefined deep chargeability highs west and
south of the Delta Zone, which are untested by drilling.
Drilling under the Molloy Zone intersected a suite of altered intrusive rocks and breccias containing
intrusive clasts with porphyry-style "B" veins and chalcopyrite-pyrite-molybdenite mineralization.
The source of these porphyry mineralized clasts is as yet unknown.
Mapping and sampling in the Upper Bear Valley northeast of the Delta Zone resulted in discovery
of a new zone of porphyry-style stockwork quartz-chalcopyrite veining in porphyritic monzonite.
Rock samples from this new untested zone returned assays up to 0.42% Cu and 0.44 g/t Au and
0.29% Cu and 0.55 g/t Au.
ArcWest President & CEO Tyler Ruks commented: "Sanatana's 2022 exploration program
demonstrates that the broader Deltaic Creek area is underlain by a highly underexplored porphyry Cu-Au
system of significant size, with predominantly breccia hosted porphyry Cu-Au occurrences present over
an area of approximately 10 square kilometres.
Widespread, phreatomagmatic-like polymictic breccia
contains Cu-Au mineralized intrusive clasts, including strongly Cu-Au mineralized porphyritic intrusive
clasts at the Molloy target.
This suggests that the broader Deltaic Creek area is underlain by the
remnants of a Late Triassic maar-diatreme complex.
This, coupled with the presence of variably
brecciated, strongly clay-pyrite/QSP altered Cu-Au mineralized porphyritic intrusive rocks intersected in
the 2022 drill program, suggests that the Deltaic Creek area represents the upper parts of a shallowly
eroded porphyry Cu-Au system.
Potential therefore exists, down plunge of the Cu-Au mineralized clast
bearing breccias and QSP/clay-pyrite altered, Cu-Au mineralized porphyritic intrusions, for the discovery
of a porphyry Cu-Au deposit.
The recognition of diatreme hosted or sourced Cu-Au mineralized
porphyritic intrusive clasts has played an important role in the discovery of multiple porphyry Cu-Au
deposits globally, including Goldfield's giant Far Southeast deposit in the Philippines.
A number of other
compelling, early-stage Cu-Au exploration targets outside of the Delta zone exist on the 31,000 hectare
Oweegee Dome Property.
ArcWest thanks the Sanatana team for their exceptional work in advancing
the Oweegee Dome Project to this stage, which has resulted in multiple expressions of interest in the
project from major mining companies.
We are excited for Sanatana's 2023 Oweegee Dome exploration
program.
Oweegee Dome is situated approximately 35 km northeast of ArcWest's 100% owned Todd
Creek Cu-Au project, which ArcWest is advancing via a recently announced earn-in agreement with
Freeport-McMoRan.
ArcWest is in discussions with multiple mining companies regarding potential earn-
in agreements for our additional copper-gold projects."
Drilling
The 2022 drill program at Oweegee completed 12 drill holes totalling 3679 meters. Hole locations are
listed in Table 1.
Table 1 2022 Diamond drill holes, Oweegee Project
Hole-ID
Zone
Easting
Northing
Elevation
Azim
Dip
EOH (m)
OW-2022-01
Molloy
467972
6273930
1583
75
-50
438
OW-2022-02
W of Molloy
467971
6273930
1582
359
-60
275
OW-2002-03
Molloy
468164
6273952
1569
40
-50
232
OW-2022-04
Molloy
468164
6273952
1569
40
-75
152
OW-2022-05
Molloy
468163
6273953
1570
355
-50
184
OW-2022-06
Molloy
468163
6273953
1570
355
-70
200
OW-2022-07
Molloy
468162
6273951
1570
255
-50
310
OW-2022-08
Delta
468564
6273928
1565
200
-50
361
OW-2022-09
Delta
468564
6273928
1565
20
-75
348
OW-2022-10
SW of Molloy
467940
6273803
1539
160
-55
285
OW-2022-11
Jack
467885
6272782
1088
355
-60
393
OW-2022-12
Snowpatch
466504
6274005
1375
160
-60
501
3679
Delta Zone
Two 2022 drill holes tested the Delta Zone, the primary historical drill target at Oweegee, where previous
drilling intersected low-grade Cu-Au mineralization in three drill holes, including 0.10% Cu and 0.225 g/t
Au over 89.43m in DC07-03. Both drill holes OW-22-08 and OW-22-09 tested the zone at a high angle
to previous drilling and intersected broad zones of mineralization, including the highest grade Cu-Au
mineralized interval to date in OW22-08:
112.18 meters grading 0.17% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au, 1.1 g/t Ag
(58.37-170.55m)
. Included in this interval are two higher-grade zones:
15.85 m grading 0.34% Cu,
0.33 g/t Au, 2.1 g/t Ag (74.5-90.35m)
; and
12.37 m grading 0.45% Cu, 0.44 g/t Au, 1.9 g/t Ag (145-
157.37m)
. OW-22-09, drilled at 180 degrees to -08, intersected similar mineralization but somewhat
lower grade, and was successful in extending the Delta Zone about 100m to the NE of previous drilling.
Delta Zone mineralization is primarily hosted in variably brecciated and altered monzonite to diorite,
diorite breccia, polymictic breccia and diorite porphyry. Alteration is moderate to intense phyllic (sericite-
pyrite-quartz) and in places causes total textural destruction of the host rock. The higher grade (>0.2%
Cu) zones often contain weak "B" vein mineralized stockworks. Molybdenum is significantly higher in the
Delta Zone than in the Molloy Zone (described below).
The Delta Zone remains open along strike and to
depth.
Table 2 2022 Delta Zone drill intersections
DDH
From
To
Width m
Au g/t
Ag g/t
Cu %
Mo ppm
Cu eq
OW-2022-08
4.5
219
214.50
0.204
1.61
0.103
17.9
0.27
incl.
58.37
170.55
112.18
0.217
1.08
0.167
28.3
0.35
incl.
74.5
90.35
15.85
0.333
2.11
0.343
22.6
0.61
and
141.32
166
24.68
0.284
1.28
0.277
53.6
0.52
incl.
145
157.37
12.37
0.435
1.86
0.451
94.3
0.83
OW-2022-09
4
200
196.00
0.123
1.51
0.096
21.4
0.21
incl.
10
54.75
44.75
0.132
1.38
0.132
26.4
0.25
and
148.04
167
18.96
0.113
1.67
0.110
33.1
0.22
and
185.3
200
4.00
0.144
2.79
0.053
38.6
0.28
1
.
Width refers to drill hole intercepts; true widths have not been determined.
2
.
CuEq (copper equivalent) has been used to express the combined value of copper (Cu), gold (Au), molybdenum (Mo), and silver (Ag) as a
percentage of copper, and is provided for comparative purposes only. No allowances have been made for recovery losses that may occur
should mining eventually occur. Calculations use metal prices of US$3.50/lb copper, US$1,700/oz gold, US$20/lb molybdenum, and
US$19/oz silver, using the general formula CuEq % = Cu% + (Au g/t * (Au $ per oz/ 31.1034768) / (Cu $ per lb* 22.04623)) + (Ag g/t * (Ag $
per oz/ 31.1034768) / (Cu $ per lb* 22.04623)) + (Mo % * (Mo $ per lb / Cu $ per lb)).
Molloy Zone
Initial focus of the 2022 drill program was the Molloy Zone, where mapping and rock sampling in 2021
had identified a 145 by 40m zone of sheeted quartz-chalcopyrite veining in a monzonite (quartz latite)
porphyry intrusion averaging
0.83 g/t Au, 0.343% Cu and 4.2 g/t Ag
(15 rock samples, see ArcWest
press release, May 5, 2022). Six drill holes tested the Molloy Zone, with five holes (OW-2022-03, 04, 05,
06, and 07) drilled from a pad on the southern toe of the Molloy outcrop area, and one (OW-2022-01)
drilled from a ridge 175m to the west towards the Molloy outcrop.
Five of the six 2022 drill holes intersected narrow zones of mineralized monzonite porphyry and
monzonite breccia, similar to, but lower grade than the mineralization sampled at surface. Mineralization
in the monzonite porphyry consists of undulating, smoky quartz-chalcopyrite "A" veins, local chalcopyrite
disseminations, and late chalcopyrite-bearing calcite veins, accompanied by patchy or fracture
controlled potassic alteration overprinted by phyllic to sericite-chlorite alteration.
Two drill holes (OW-2022-01 and OW-22-05) intersected mineralization in polymictic breccias. These
breccias are widespread at Oweegee, and range from clast-supported breccias with a variety of
intrusive and other clasts, to chaotic/milled matrix-supported muddy matrix diatreme breccias. Some
breccia intervals contain strongly altered and Cu/Mo mineralized intrusive clasts, which may have been
transported from a deeper porphyry source. A broad interval of polymictic breccia at depth in OW-22-01
(320.17-384.30m) contains unusual jasper and strongly hematized clasts as well as intervals of strong
hematite-silica alteration.
Table 3 2022 Molloy Zone drill intervals
DDH
From
To
Width m
Au g/t
Ag g/t
Cu %
Mo ppm
Cu eq
Host Rock
OW-2022-01
159
163
4.00
0.075
0.43
0.053
9.2
0.11
Polymictic breccia
OW-2022-03
9.1
13
3.90
0.060
0.71
0.087
3.1
0.14
Monzonite porphyry
OW-2022-04
3
29
26.00
0.091
0.85
0.101
3.5
0.17
Monzonite porphyry
incl.
7.4
12.5
5.10
0.197
1.27
0.229
2.6
0.38
Monzonite porphyry
OW-2022-05
10
25
15.00
0.043
0.52
0.063
3.7
0.10
Monzonite porphyry
and
169
175.07
6.07
0.086
0.52
0.052
11.1
0.12
Polymictic breccia
OW-2022-06
6.93
16
9.07
0.084
0.66
0.086
3.0
0.15
Monzonite porphyry
and
26
32
6.00
0.077
1.40
0.073
4.5
0.14
Monzonite breccia
OW-2022-07
47.1
72.5
25.40
0.158
0.42
0.041
4.0
0.16
Monzonite breccia
Snowpatch
Drill hole OW-2022-12 targeted a pipe-like IP anomaly at the Snowpatch area almost 2 km west of the of
the Delta Zone. From 255 to 435m downhole, a series of polymictic breccias was encountered with
moderate disseminated pyrite in the matrix, which could explain the IP anomaly. The breccias contain
intervals with anomalous gold and copper: 0.11 g/t Au, 379 ppm Cu over 19m (290-309m), and 0.13 g/t
Au, 375 ppm Cu over 6.8m (350.2-357m).
Polymictic breccias at the Snowpatch discovery outcrop
contain porphyritic intrusive clasts with relict potassic alteration, disseminated pyrite-chalcopyrite and
local gypsum veins.
Breccia infill is predominantly a mixture of quartz, pyrite, and broken crystals/rock
flour.
The Snowpatch breccias are believed to be sourcing altered and mineralized intrusive rocks from
depth.
Induced Polarization Survey
The 2022 geophysical program included approximately 8 line-kilometres of Induced Polarization (IP)
surveying, using Dias Geophysical's distributed array deep IP ("DCIP") survey system. The program was
completed between July 15 and September 21, and extended the 9 line-kilometres of IP completed in
2021 to the south and west. The Dias DCIP system provides full, high quality, and high-resolution 3-D
resistivity and induced polarization models of the subsurface. The 3-D model shows information from
surface level around 1,500 metres above sea level ("asl") to about 400 metres asl (1,100 metres in
depth).
The 3-D model provided by Dias integrating the 2021 and 2022 IP programs outlines five significant
chargeability anomalies, including the Crescent / Delta Zone anomaly, and four large, deeper
chargeability IP anomalies along an arcuate trend south and west of the Delta Zone. The five anomalies
include: 1. Crescent / Delta: 200 m x 500 m, near surface; 2. Snowpatch: 400 m x 300 m, 400m below
surface; 3. Jack Creek: 375 m x 400 m, 300m below surface; 4. Junction: 300 m x 750 m, open to the
east to surface, mostly 300 m below surface; 5. The Dome: 400 m x 400 m, open to the north 300m
below surface (Sanatana Press Release, December 12, 2022). Anomalies 2-5 are untested to date.
Fieldwork
Approximately eight weeks were spent on a geological and geochemical field program between June
and early September, 2022. This program produced about 1100 geological stations, and collected
about 700 rock and 430 soil samples, and 500 chip samples, taken for Terraspec (SWIR) spectral
analysis. This work has expanded the alteration and mineralization footprint to a 2 by 4.5 km area
extending from Snowpatch in the west to the newly discovered Upper Bear Valley Zone in the east.
Significantly, the 2022 mapping program traced the unconformity between Upper Triassic Stuhini Group
and Lower Jurassic Hazelton Group, just above exposed porphyry-style mineralization in the Delta,
Molloy, Snowpatch and Upper Bear Valley Zones. This suggests that portions of the Deltaic Creek
porphyry Cu-Au system are covered by post-mineral volcanics.
As a result, the Deltaic Creek porphyry
Cu-Au system may be larger than previously thought.
At the Delta Zone, mapping outlined an extensive (1.0 by 0.6 km) area of highly altered intrusive rocks.
The most significant phase observed is a phyllic (sericite-pyrite±quartz) altered dioritic breccia (IDCBx)
to diorite with large rafts of siltstones and monzonite. The breccia varies from crackle breccia with
monomictic clasts, to mosaic and in some areas chaotic polymictic breccias. Intense orange-stained
gossans within the IDCBx are structurally controlled by steeply dipping faults striking NNE and NE.
Porphyry mineralization consists of broken B-style (quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite) veinlets and
disseminations within the IDCBx, whereas more brecciated and polymictic versions have clasts with
veinlets possibly from a deeper source intrusion.
At the complex Molloy Zone, an early phase (IMO "P1") biotite-K-feldspar-sericite-chlorite altered
micromonzonite with mineralized A-style porphyry veinlets and significant copper and gold is cut by the
phyllic altered IDCBx, a later phase(?) chlorite-sericite altered micromonzonite (IMO), and a clast-
supported polymictic intrusive-clast breccia (ZPBx). These phreatomagmatic breccias were also
observed in drill hole OW-2022-05 and contain porphyry clasts with "B" veins and chalcopyrite-pyrite-
molybdenite mineralization as well as mudstone clasts. These breccias are believed to be sourcing
altered and mineralized intrusive rocks from depth. Multiple NW and NE striking structures were
observed.
In the Upper Bear Valley almost 1 km northeast of the Delta and Molloy Zones, an outcrop area of
monzonite contains chalcopyrite mineralized porphyry A- and B-style stockwork, with trace magnetite
veinlets with weak potassic (biotite)-sericite-chlorite alteration. The stockwork veinlet zone is bounded by
sericite-chlorite ± biotite altered mono- to polymictic diorite/monzonite-cemented breccias, with the latter
including copper mineralized potassic-sericite-chlorite altered clasts. This surrounding breccia has trace
to up to 1% chalcopyrite in clasts and matrix. Rock samples from the zone returned up to 0.55 g/t Au and
0.29% Cu (Table 4). The dimensions of the entire breccia and veinlets zone are 150 by 50 meters.
Multiple dyke-like intrusions were also mapped (100 to 300 m length, 20 to 60 m width), consisting of
several intrusive phases. Contacts to this zone are fault bounded on the upper (E) and lower (W) contact
with older Stuhini Group sediments and volcaniclastics. The south contact was more cryptic, possibly
intrusive. The relationship between veinlet mineralized clasts within intrusion-cemented diorite breccias
shares similarities to the Molloy Zone. But unlike Molloy, this immediate breccia bounding the veinlet
zone is sericite-chlorite (±biotite) altered (as opposed to phyllic) and appears to be somewhat more
mineralized. This zone is untested.
Table 4 2022 Upper Bear Valley Zone rock samples
SAMPLE
Au g/t
Ag g/t
Cu ppm
J000045
0.155
0.89
1245
J000046
0.097
0.73
1225
J000047
0.012
0.19
69.7
J000048
0.076
1.08
650
J000050
0.090
0.49
1025
J000219
0.440
1.68
4180
J000221
0.044
0.39
301
J000222
0.230
1.63
604
J000315
0.211
0.67
1350
J000317
0.006
0.23
202
J000318
0.546
1.42
2870
Average
0.17
0.85
1247
The well-mineralized monzonite porphyry at Molloy and now Upper East Bear Valley has similar
alteration (potassic ± albite / chlorite-sericite) and veinlet style (dark quartz ± banded texture with
chalcopyrite ± pyrite ± magnetite ± bornite) as shallow-level emplaced, high-K calc-alkalic, porphyry Cu-
Au deposits.
At Snowpatch, about 2 km west of the Delta Zone, a series of soil lines expanded the geochemical
footprint of the zone to over 1 km north-south, with soil values up to 464 ppm Cu and 0.182 ppm Au.
Mapping identified widespread polymictic breccia bodies which contain variably Cu-Au mineralized,
potassic altered porphyritic intrusive clasts. The single 2022 drill hole in Snowpatch tested a smaller
near surface chargeability high but the larger, deep anomaly remains untested.
QA/QC Statement
Diamond saw split HQ size samples, nominally 2m in length, were sent to MSALABS prep laboratory at
Terrace, BC by chain of custody. After preparation the samples were sent to MSALABS laboratories at
Langley, BC, an ISO 9000 registered lab. Pulps from the core were fire assayed for gold with an ICPMS,
30g aliquots, finish and for 56 multi-elements using ICP using a separate 30g aliquot, four-acid
digestion. Sanatana inserted independent standards into the sample sequence to check the assay
process.
Rock samples include both selective and representative grabs from outcrops and float. Samples were
collected in plastic bags and sealed with zip ties. Sample locations were recorded by handheld GPS
and iPad GPS. Sample locations are marked by flagging tape labelled with sample numbers.
Samples were delivered to ALS Global's analytical lab in North Vancouver, BC. The sample preparation
process was to crush to 70% less than 2mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverise split to better than 85%
passing 75 microns. (PREP-31). Geochemical analysis of all samples utilized the 4-acid digestion
followed by ultra-trace 48- element ICP-MS package (ME-MS61). The quantified multi-element
concentrations are then reported by their respective unit. The detection range for copper was 0.2-10,000
ppm. The detection range for silver was 0.01-100 ppm. Gold was analyzed using fire assay with AA
finish (Au-ICP21). The detection limit for gold was 0.005. Overlimit copper and zinc results were further
analyzed by 4-acid ore grade detection using ICP-AES (Cu- OG62 & Zn-OG62).
ALS Labs also applied
their own internal QA/QC procedures by systematically inserting standards, blanks and duplicates into
sample batches. Lab results were evaluated to ensure they passed the internal requirements prior to
release of the final test reports.
Qualified Person
ArcWest's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and
approved by Nigel Luckman, PGeo, Chief Operating Officer, who serves as a Qualified Person under
the definition of National Instrument 43-101.
Board of Directors Change
ArcWest announces that Mike Smyth has resigned from the Company's board of directors. ArcWest
thanks Mr. Smyth for his service to the Company and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.
About ArcWest Exploration Inc.
ArcWest Exploration is a project generator focused on porphyry copper-gold exploration opportunities
throughout western North America. The company is in possession of seven 100% owned copper-gold
projects throughout BC's premier porphyry copper-gold districts.
These include ArcWest's Todd Creek
and Oweegee Dome projects, which are two of the largest and most prospective land positions for
copper-gold exploration in BC's prolific Golden Triangle.
Oweegee Dome neighbours Seabridge Gold's
supergiant KSM-Iron Cap-Snowfield porphyry copper-gold deposit and Todd Creek adjoins Pretium's
Brucejack mine property.
In March of 2022, Newcrest Mining completed the acquisition of Pretium and
its high grade Brucejack gold-silver mine in a transaction valued at $3.5 billion.
Several ArcWest
projects are currently being advanced by partners through earn-in and joint venture agreements; this
includes an agreement with mining giant Freeport-McMoRan to advance ArcWest's 100% owned Todd
Creek copper-gold project.
By conducting partner funded exploration on multiple exploration projects
simultaneously, ArcWest's chances of discovery are enhanced while exposing shareholders to minimal
dilution. The company is managed by an experienced technical team with a track record of discovery
and a reputation for attracting well-funded senior partners, including Freeport McMoRan, Robert
Friedland group companies, ITOCHU, Antofagasta and Teck.
For further information please contact: Tyler Ruks, President and CEO at +1 (604) 638 3695.
Investors are cautioned that ArcWest Exploration Inc. has not verified the data from the KSM-Iron
Cap, Treaty Creek, Red Chris, Galore Creek and Saddle North deposits. Further, the presence and
style of mineralization on these properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the
ArcWest Exploration Inc. property. Historical assays from rock sampling and drill programs on its
properties have not been verified by ArcWest but have been cited from sources believed to be
reliable. This news release contains statements about ArcWest's expectations and are forward-looking
in nature. As a result, they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although ArcWest believes
that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance
should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date
hereof, and ArcWest undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking
statements or information, except as required by law.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/163777