Aya Gold & Silver Announces High-Grade Continuity over 2.7 Kilometers at Boumadine
PRESS RELEASE
Aya Gold & Silver Announces High-Grade Continuity over 2.7 Kilometers at
Boumadine
Montreal, Quebec, September 08, 2022 - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA; OTCQX: AYASF) (“Aya” or
the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce initial drill results and mineralized intersections from the 2022
drill exploration program at its brownfield Boumadine property in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Key Highlights (all intersections are in core lengths; Ag equivalent is based on a 100% recovery with the
following ratio s calculated with September 7, 2022 , prices: 1g/t Au: 93.4 g/t Ag; 1% Cu: 130.4 g/t Ag;
1% Pb: 31.8 g/t Ag; 1% Zn: 54.1 g/t Ag)
• Definition of n ew m ineralization and extension of a Central and South Zone. The main
mineralized trend, which can now be followed over 2. 7 kilometers (“km”), is open at both end s
along strike and at depth.
o BOU-DD22-036 intercepted 1,408 gram per tonne (“g/t”) silver (“ Ag”) equivalent over
12.0 meters (“m”) (4.64 g/t Au, 236 g/t Ag, 11.0% Zn, 4.3% Pb and 0.04% Cu) in a wider
32.8m section of 1,030 g/t Ag equivalent (“AgEq”)
o BOU-DD22-021 intercepted 795 g/t AgEq over 9.0m (5.37 g/t Au, 67 g/t Ag, 2.9% Zn,
0.9% Pb and 0.3% Cu)
o BOU-DD22-002 intercepted 620 g/t AgEq over 7.60m (3.82 g/t Au, 126 g/t Ag, 1.6% Zn,
0.8% Pb and 0.2% Cu) in a wider 14.3m interval of 398 g/t Ag equivalent
o BOU-DD22-032 intercepted 777 g/t AgEq over 2.3m (3.81 g/t Au, 158 g/t Ag, 2.5% Zn,
0.1% Pb and 0.9% Cu)
o BOU-DD22-004 intercepted 392 g/t AgEq over 7.2m (1.99 g/t Au, 100 g/t Ag, 1.6% Zn,
0.4% Pb and 0.1% Cu) and 310 g/t Ag Eq over 11.7m (1.08 g/t Au, 41 g/t Ag, 2.7% Zn,
0.4% Pb and 0.1% Cu)
• 9,116m of drilling completed as of August 31, 2022, on 6 different sections, for a total of 43
diamond drill holes (“DDH”)
• Confirmation of the continuity of the mineralized structure between the Central Zone and the
South Zone, extending mineralization to over 2.7km of strike length, and remaining open in all
directions
• Expansion of the 7,500m initial drill program to 13,500m based on the promising results to date
“We are excited with these high-grade drill results at Boumadine, which indicate mineralization over 2.7
kilometers and confirm our belief that Boumadine has tremendous potential ,” said Benoit La Salle,
President & CEO. “The results to date demonstrate a robust, near -surface, polymetallic system with
continuity in multiple lenses that remains open in all directions. In particular, hole BOU-DD22-036 is a
very rich intersection on the southernmost section with ample room to extend the strike length. As we
expand our drilling program and understanding of the mineralizing system, we grow more confident in
the potential to uncover the next big discovery in Morocco.”
“Boumadine represents our next leg of growth , together with Zgounder Regional where we are also
mobilizing drill rigs and deploying resources to add high-grade ounces. Our focus at Boumadine near
term will be on in-fill drilling within the Central and South Zone targets, completing further step-out holes
at depth and along the main trend; and assessing the potential to make additional discoveries along this
over 6-kilometer mineral-rich hydrothermal system.”
Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from 2022 Boumadine Drill Exploration Program (core lengths)
DDH No. Section From
(m)
To
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Length*
(m)
Cu
(%)
Pb
(%)
Zn
(%)
Mo***
(g/t)
Ag Eq**
(g/t)
BOU-DD22-002 Central 1 93.3 107.6 2.26 75 14.3 0.1 0.5 1.5 15 398
including 96.9 104.5 3.82 126 7.6 0.2 0.8 1.6 15 620
BOU-DD22-004 Central 1 128.0 135.2 1.99 100 7.2 0.1 0.4 1.6 8 392
including 131.4 134.2 4.43 216 2.8 0.1 0.5 1.5 8 741
BOU-DD22-004 Central 1 160.3 163.9 2.41 102 3.6 0.2 0.6 6.7 36 741
BOU-DD22-006 Central 1 3.0 6.5 1.67 98 3.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 8 265
BOU-DD22-020 South 1 20.3 22.5 1.36 145 2.2 0.0 0.5 0.1 105 306
BOU-DD22-021 South 1 94.5 103.5 5.37 67 9.0 0.3 0.9 2.9 43 795
including 95.0 98.5 4.42 75 3.5 0.4 1.2 5.4 54 878
including 99.5 102.0 11.36 89 2.5 0.4 0.7 1.7 35 1,319
BOU-DD22-023 South 1 150.9 152.9 5.18 35 2.0 0.1 1.3 2.8 7 722
including 150.9 151.9 9.92 53 1.0 0.1 1.9 4.2 8 1,283
BOU-DD22-029 South 2 55.0 56.3 11.82 12 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 9 1,121
BOU-DD22-031 South 3 115.0 115.9 4.61 312 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.7 1,211 916
BOU-DD22-032 South 3 161.9 164.2 3.81 158 2.3 0.9 0.1 2.5 109 777
BOU-DD22-033 South 3 207.4 209.3 2.73 39 1.9 0.1 0.5 9.3 0 827
BOU-DD22-036 South 4 42.2 75.0 2.12 233 32.8 0.1 4.2 8.4 0 1,030
including 55.9 67.9 4.64 236 12.0 0.0 4.3 11.0 0 1,408
* True width remains undetermined at this stage; all values are uncut.
** Ag equivalent is based on a 100% recovery with the following ratio calculated with September 7, 2022 prices; 1 g/t Au: 93.4 g/t Ag;
1% Cu:130.4 Ag; 1% Pb: 31.8 Ag; 1% Zn: 54.1 Ag.
*** Mo results are pending for holes BOU-DD22-033 to BOU-DD22-038.
Figure 1 – Surface Plan of Boumadine Property with Preliminary Magnetic Data (Residual Total
Field) and Drill Holes
2022 Exploration and Drilling Programs
The 2022 drill exploration program (Figures 1 and 2) at Boumadine consisted of 38 DDH or a total of
7,500m over 6 sections, two of which in the Central Zone, and four in the South Zone (Appendix 2). Our
objective was to test the mineralization and the continuity between the Central and the South Zones
against our analysis and geological interpretation. This new interpretation was informed by results from
the hyperspectral survey, historical drilling review and a detailed field study. The historical database
(pre-2020) consists of a mix of 661 drill holes and or channel and or trenches totaling 30,358m; most of
which were completed over the Central Zone and to a lesser extent over the North, South, Imariren and
Tizi Zones. In addition, some mining development data exist for the Central (three levels) and South
(two levels) Zones. Although the data guided the plan for our 2022 drill program, to date we have not
assessed the reliability of the data. Furthermore, our press release of May 28, 2020 regarding studies
and information pertaining to non-material assets of the Corporation remain applicable as at the date
hereof.
To date, the results of 38 DDH have been received with one hole extension, BOU-DD22-028, still pending
(Appendix 1). In view of this exploration success, the drilling program at Boumadine has been increased
by an additional 6,000m to cover the North Zone, Imariren, Tizi and the South-West Zones. Figures 3 to
8 present each of the six sections, its significant results, and geological interpretation.
The mineralization consists generally of 1m to 4m wide (locally reaching over 10m width) N340-
oriented massive sulfide lenses/veins sharply dipping eastward (> 70°). The massive sulphide veins
(>80%) are composed mainly of pyrite, with variable proportions of sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite.
Within the massive sulphide veins, zones of breccias are present with silicified angular fragments and
round fragments completely replaced by pyrite. These zones underline the presence of syn -volcanic
faults used by the mineralization. Replacement of fragments by pyri te in weathered felsic tuffs locally
induces large zones several tens of meters thick of sub-economical anomalous values . These wide
zones are interpreted as the upper part of the hydrothermal system. The assay results show a strong
correlation between the gold, silver, and copper values. A weaker correlation exists with zinc, lead and
molybdenum.
The mineralization is mainly in a sequence of volcaniclastic rock composed of felsic tuff and mafic tuff.
The felsic tuffs are composed of angular to rounded cent imetric felsic fragments, quartz eyes, and
plagioclase crystals, with locally mafic fragments. This sequence is generally homogeneous and
massive and rests in unconformity on mafic tuffs. The mafic tuffs are characterized by a variable
percentage of amphibole crystals and exotic fragments of sedimentary rocks, confirming their clastic
origin. Those tuffs are interpreted as having a volcaniclastic origin, sedimentation in an underwater
basin.
Intrusive rocks are divided into two groups: pre - to syn-mineralization and post-mineralization. Pre- to
syn-mineralization dykes are mainly felsic to intermediate in composition, aphanitic to porphyritic in
texture and are found as dykes or sills in both mafic and felsic tuffs, suggesting bimodal volcanism.
Late intrusi ons are mainly rhyolitic subvolcanic domes that cut mineralization and are spatially
associated with normal faults. They are interpreted as being synchronous with the post -mineralization
deformation episode that segmented the mineralized zones. A swarm of regional extended mafic dykes
cut each lithology on the property.
Two sequences of hydrothermal alteration are observed on the property. The first sequence mainly
affects felsic tuff and manifests as phyllic alteration (Quartz-sericite-pyrite). Proximal to the veins, there
is an advanced clay alteration composed of kaolinite, pyrophyllite and vuggy silica , suggesting a high-
sulphidation epithermal event. The second sequence of alteration mainly affects the underlying mafic
tuffs and consists of large-scale propylitization (epidote and chlorite). Near the veins, the alteration is
composed of black chlorite, pyrophyllite and pyrite. The transition between these two alterations is
relatively rapid and consistent with the change in composition of the tuffs and suggests chloride fluids
rich in Fe, Zn and Pb, typical of VMS style mineralization.
Preliminary results confirm the continuity in the system between the Central Zone and the South Zone,
extending known mineralization over a 2.7km strike length and remaining open in all directions. Drilling
so far also supports the potential for very rich, large lenses of massive sulphide as shown by the results
in BOU-DD22-002, BOU-DD22-004, BOU-DD22-021and BOU-DD22-036. In addition, the high values of Zn
and Pb over large widths should significantly increase the potential and economic value of Boumadine.
During the ongoing drill program, mapping and prospecting is being extended by our field geologists.
Many new mineralized structures and zone s of high alteration are currently being identified within the
permit perimeter.
Figure 2 – Surface Plan with DDH Completed in 2022 on Boumadine
Figure 3 – Section 1 of Boumadine’s Central Zone with BOU-DD22-002 and BOU-DD22-004
Figure 4 – Section 2 of Boumadine’s Central Zone with BOU-DD22-016
Figure 5 – Section 1 of Boumadine’s South Zone with BOU-DD22-020 and BOU-DD22-021
Figure 6 – Section 2 of Boumadine’s South Zone with BOU-DD22-025 and BOU-DD22-027
Figure 7 – Section 3 of Boumadine’s South Zone with BOU-DD22-032 and BOU-DD22-033
Figure 8 – Section 4 of Boumadine’s South Zone with BOU-DD22-036 and BOU-DD22-038