Aya Gold & Silver Announces Zgounder Best-Ever Silver Intercept
PRESS RELEASE
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Aya Gold & Silver Announces Zgounder Best-Ever Silver Intercept
Montreal, Quebec, April 21, 2022 - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA ; OTCQX: AYASF ) (“A ya” or the
“Corporation”) is pleased to announce high-grade silver results from its drill exploration program at the
Zgounder Silver Mine in the Kingdom of Morocco including 4,101 grams per tonne silver over 14.4 meters,
which represents its highest-grade silver intercept to date.
Key Highlights (all intersections are in core lengths)
o Delineation of a new zone close to current mine galleries at the 2,030 meters (“m”) level with
TD28-22-2030-042, which intercepted 4,101 grams per tonne (“g/t”) silver (“ Ag”) over 14.4m
including
▪ 15,479 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 14,720 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 8,320 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 4,000 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 2,956 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 2,640 g/t Ag over 1.2m
o TD28-22-2030-041, which intercepted 1,266 g/t Ag over 13.2m including
▪ 5,920 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 5,120 g/t Ag over 1.2m
o Increase of near-surface grade in area between two galleries with TD28-22-2125-007, which
intercepted 540 g/t Ag over 25.2m including
▪ 1,824 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 1,260 g/t Ag over 1.2m
o Continued definition at the 1,975m level with DZG-SF-22-58, which intercepted 1,792 g/t Ag over
4.5m including
▪ 3,360 g/t Ag over 1.5m
▪ 1,432 g/t Ag over 1.5m
o DZG-SF-22-61 at the 1,975m level also intercepted 1,239 g/t Ag over 4.5m including
▪ 2,320 g/t Ag over 1.5m
▪ 1,088 g/t Ag over 1.5m
“While we continue to expect positive drill exploration results at Zgounder, hole TD28-22-2030-042 has
exceeded expectations. This remarkable near-surface intercept, which was drilled at a 60-degree overlap
to DZF-SF-21-02bis, is the thickest high -grade silver intercept publicly recorded on the property and
significantly extends the work area by delineating a new area between two mineralized zones. In addition
to delivering spectacular grades and widths in the immediate production area, today’s results add ounces
and further de-risk the mining sequence to support Zgounder’s 2,700 tonne-per-day expansion,” said
Benoit La Salle, President & CEO.
Included in this release are results for 34 holes , which include 1 surface diamond drill hole (“DDH”), 13
underground DDH and 20 T28 percussion holes. For a full summary of today’s results , refer to
Appendixes 1 and 2.
Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)
Hole No. From (m) To (m) Length1 (m) Ag2 (g/t)
Underground
DZG-SF-22-48
7.5 9.0 1.5 264
49.0 50.0 1.0 4,480
128.5 133.0 4.5 717
DZG-SF-22-58 40.0 41.0 1.0 77
48.5 53.0 4.5 1,792
Including 1.5 3,360
Including 1.5 1,432
65.0 67.0 2.0 819
71.0 72.5 1.5 106
76.0 77.0 1.0 234
DZG-SF-22-61
26.5 31.0 4.5 1,239
including 1.5 1,088
including 1.5 2,320
TD28-22-2125-007
1.2 26.4 25.2 540
including 1.2 1,260
including 1.2 1,824
TD28-22-2030-041
4.8 18.0 13.2 1,266
including 1.2 5,120
including 1.2 5,920
20.4 22.8 2.4 134
25.2 26.4 1.2 172
TD28-22-2030-042 6.0 20.4 14.4 4,101
including 1.2 2,956
including 1.2 8,320
including 1.2 2,640
including 1.2 14,720
including 1.2 15,479
including 1.2 4,000
24.0 25.2 1.2 116
1 Holes were drilled at various angles; true widths are not known at this time.
2 All assay results are above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.
Figure 1: Location of DDH Results at Zgounder as per Appendixes 1 & 2
Quality Assurance
For core drilling, all individual samples represent approximately one metre in length of core, which is
halved. Half of the core is kept on site for reference, and its counterpart is sent for preparation and
assaying to African Laboratory for Mining and Environment (“Afrilab”) in Marrakech, Morocco. All
samples are analyzed for silver, copper, iron, lead, and zinc using Aqua regia and finished by atomic
absorption spectroscopy (“AAS”). Samples grading above 200 g/t Ag are reanalyzed using fire assaying.
For definition drilling using T28 drilling equipment, all individual sample s represent 1.2m in len gth.
Samples are assayed at either the Zgounder Mine Laboratory (“ZMSM”) or at Afrilab. At Afrilab, all
samples are analyzed for silver, copper, iron, lead, and zinc using Aqua regia and finished by AAS.
Samples grading above 200 g/t Ag are reanalyzed using fire assaying. At ZMSM, all samples are analyzed
for silver only using Aqua regia and finished by AAS. Rigorous quality controls (QaQc) are applied at both
locations.
Marc-Antoine Audet, Ph.D. P. Geo, Geological Consultant, is Aya Gold & Silver’s Qualified Person and has
reviewed this press release for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.
About Aya Gold & Silver Inc.
Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a rapidly growing, Canada-based silver producer with operations in the Kingdom
of Morocco.
The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and
is exploring its properties along the prospective South -Atlas Fault, several of which have hosted past -
producing mines and historical resources. Aya’s Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit
Gold Project in Mauritania, which is being advanced to feasibility.
Aya’s management team has been focused on maximising shareholder value by anchoring sustainability
at the heart of its operations, governance, and financial growth plans.
For additional information, please visit Aya’s website at www.ayagoldsilver.com.
Or contact
Benoit La Salle, FCPA FCA
President & CEO
Alex Ball
VP, Corporate Development & IR
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the
meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward -looking statements”), which reflects management ’s
expectations regarding Aya’s future growth and business prospects (including the timing and
development of n ew deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities.
Wherever possible, words such as “confirm”, “de-risk”, “expect”, “demonstrate”, “continuity”, “potential”,
“continue”, “expand”, “seems”, and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or
results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will”, or are “likely” to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been
used to identify such forward -looking information. Specific forward -looking statements in this press
release include, but are not limited to, statements and information with respect to the exploration and
development potential of Zgounder , the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources into Measured and
Indicated Mineral Resources and future opportunities for enhancing development at Zgounder. Although
the forward -looking information contained in this press release reflect management's current beliefs
based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes
to be reasonable assum ptions, Aya cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such
forward-looking information. Such forward -looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions
and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of
future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be
incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the ability to obtain any requisite
governmental approvals, the presence of artisanal miners, obtaining regulatory permits for on site work,
importing goods and machinery and employment permits, the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource Estimates (including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), the price of
silver, the price of gold , exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated
future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Aya cautions you not to place undue reliance
upon any such forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward -looking statements include, among others: the
inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government
approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver gold
and other key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to, throughput and recoveries being
affected by metallurgical characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of
which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully
described in Aya's 2021 Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022, and in other filings of Aya with
securities and regulatory authorities which are avail able on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Aya does not
undertake any obligation to update forward -looking statements should assum ptions related to these
plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be
construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All references to Aya
include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.
Appendix 1 - Mineral Intercepts from Surface Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)
Hole No. From
(m)
To
(m)
Length1
(m)
Ag2
(g/t)
DZG-21-28
81.5 83.0 1.5 743
234.0 235.0 1.0 76
238.5 239.5 1.0 350
251.0 251.5 0.5 109
268.0 272.0 4.0 247
278.0 283.0 5.0 255
291.0 292.0 1.0 710
1 Holes were drilled at various angles, true widths are not known at this time.
2 All assay results are above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.
Appendix 2 - Mineral Intercepts from Underground Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)
Hole No. From
(m)
To
(m)
Length1
(m)
Ag2
(g/t)
DZG-SF-22-48
7.5 9.0 1.5 264
49.0 50.0 1.0 4,480
128.5 133.0 4.5 717
DZG-SF-22-50
6.5 7.0 0.5 240
12.5 16.0 3.5 970
DZG-SF-22-53 18.0 19.5 1.5 260
DZG-SF-22-54 10.5 12.0 1.5 586
DZG-SF-22-55 18.5 20.0 1.5 228
DZG-SF-22-56 12.0 13.5 1.5 344
25.5 26.0 0.5 272
33.0 39.0 6.0 278
DZG-SF-22-57
43.0 43.5 0.5 912
58.0 59.5 1.5 112
DZG-SF-22-58 40.0 41.0 1.0 77
48.5 53.0 4.5 1,792
including 1.5 3,360
including 1.5 1,432
65.0 67.0 2.0 819
71.0 72.5 1.5 106
76.0 77.0 1.0 234
DZG-SF-22-59 14.5 16.0 1.5 91
DZG-SF-22-60 9.0 11.0 2.0 439
DZG-SF-22-61
26.5 31.0 4.5 1,239
including 1.5 1,088
including 1.5 2,320
DZG-SF-22-63
13.5 15.0 1.5 705
18.0 18.5 0.5 96
DZG-SF-22-64 5.0 6.5 1.5 249
T28
TD28-22-2125-001 13.2 26.4 13.2 213
TD28-22-2125-007
1.2 26.4 25.2 540
including 1.2 1,260
including 1.2 1,824
TD28-22-2125-008 7.2 19.2 12.0 156
TD28-22-2030-009 12.0 18.0 6.0 441
TD28-22-2030-010 14.4 19.2 4.8 258
TD28-22-2030-019 13.2 14.4 1.2 349
TD28-22-2030-020 8.4 9.6 1.2 98
16.8 18.0 1.2 112
TD28-22-2125-025
0.0 3.6 3.6 307
19.2 26.4 7.2 267
TD28-22-2125-026
0.0 8.4 8.4 263
10.8 12.0 1.2 112
TD28-22-2125-027 0 1.2 1.2 132
TD28-22-2125-028 2.4 6.0 3.6 412
TD28-22-2125-029 4.8 21.6 16.8 287
TD28-22-2125-030
0.0 2.4 2.4 128
4.8 13.2 8.4 970
TD28-22-2125-031 15.6 16.8 1.2 104
TD28-22-2030-040 3.6 7.2 3.6 227
9.6 10.8 1.2 94
TD28-22-2030-041
4.8 18.0 13.2 1,266
including 1.2 5,120
including 1.2 5,920
20.4 22.8 2.4 134
25.2 26.4 1.2 172
TD28-22-2030-042 6.0 20.4 14.4 4,101
including 1.2 2,956
including 1.2 8,320
including 1.2 2,640
including 1.2 14,720
including 1.2 15,479
including 1.2 4,000
24.0 25.2 1.2 116
YAKD-22-2030-001 14.4 16.8 2.4 267
YAKD-22-2030-002 33.6 39.6 6.0 238.4
YAKD-22-2030-003 31.2 33.6 2.4 851
1 Holes were drilled at various angles, true widths are not known at this time.
2 All assay results are above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.