Aya Gold & Silver Intercepts 1,298 g/t Ag Over 9.5m, Extending Zgounder Silver Mineralization Further East Expands 2021 Drill Exploration Program
PRESS RELEASE
Aya Gold & Silver Intercepts 1,298 g/t Ag Over 9.5m, Extending Zgounder Silver
Mineralization Further East
Expands 2021 Drill Exploration Program
Montreal, Quebec, September 16, 2021 - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (“Aya” or the “Corporation”)
is pleased to report new assay results from its 2021 drill exploration program at the Zgounder Silver Mine
in the Kingdom of Morocco . Results from 54 holes continue to extend high-grade silver mineralisation
along strike to the east and at depth below the current resource.
Key Highlights (all intersections are in core lengths)
• Extension of the strike and ongoing definition of the new Zgounder East Zone with ZG-21-36,
which intersected 1,298 grams per tonne (“g/t”) Ag over 9.5m, including
o 10,753 g/t Ag over 0.5m
o 2,963 g/t Ag over 0.5m
o 2,794 g/t Ag over 0.5m
• Expansion of the eastern mineralized strike with ZG-21-30bis, which returned 1,863 g/t Ag over
1m and 162 g/t Ag over 15.5m
• Extension of the mineralisation at depth to the granite contact within the exploration target with
ZG-SF-21-25, which intersected 1,230 g/t Ag over 2.5m
• Extension of on -strike underground mineralization w ith T28-21-1975-21E, which intersected
3,065 g/t Ag over 7.2m including
o 12,640 g/t Ag over 1.2m
o 4,000 g/t Ag over 1.2m
And, with T28-21-1975-21Ebis, which intersected 4,801 g/t Ag over 3.6m including
o 12,638 g/t Ag over 1.2m
• Continuation of high -grade mineralization below current mine workings with T28-21-1975-
26E, which intersected 1,300 g/t Ag over 4.8m, including 4,873 g/t Ag over 1.2m
• Expansion of the 2021 drill program at the Zgounder Silver Mine from 35,000m to 42,000m
“Today’s positive results continue to expand known mineralized systems, such as hole ZG-21-36 which
confirms the up-dip and on-strike continuity east of the newly discovered eastern zone. The latest results
also advance the understanding and mineral potential of the on-strike underground mineralization,
particularly at depth to the granite contact. These extensions of mineralized intersections underscore the
potential for expanding the mi neralized footprint. As a result, we have extended our Zgounder drilling
program by 20% to 42,000m into year-end,” said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO.
Assay results were received for 14 surface diamond drill holes, 15 underground diamond drill holes (see
Figure 1), and 25 T28 pneumatic percussion holes. For a full summary of today’s results from the 2021
drill program, refer to Appendix 1 for surface results and Appendix 2 for underground results.
Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)
Hole No. From (m) To (m) Length1 (m) Ag2 (g/t)
Surface
ZG-21-30bis 20.50 21.50 1.00 1,863
26.50 28.50 2.00 325
41.00 42.00 1.00 86
153.00 168.50 15.50 162
182.50 183.50 1.00 119
ZG-21-36 72.50 82.00 9.50 1,298
including 0.50 10,753
including 0.50 2,963
including 0.50 2,794
including 0.50 1,002
including 0.50 2,122
106.00 108.00 2.00 157
121.00 121.50 0.50 187
214.00 216.00 2.00 132
218.00 219.50 1.50 100
Underground
ZG-SF-21-21 0.00 1.50 1.50 1,437
5.50 6.00 0.50 249
ZG-SF-21-25 0.00 2.00 2.00 910
6.00 9.00 3.00 306
39.50 42.00 2.50 1,230
ZG-SF-21-29 2.50 3.00 0.50 2,320
7.00 7.50 0.50 224
10.50 12.50 2.00 248
T28-21-2030-19E 12.00 15.60 3.60 744
including 1.20 2,000
T28-21-1975-21E 0.00 7.20 7.20 3,065
including 1.20 4,000
including 1.20 12,640
T28-21-1975-21Ebis 2.40 6.00 3.60 4,801
including 1.20 12,638
T28-21-1975-26E 0.00 6.00 6.00 126
9.60 14.40 4.80 1,300
including 1.20 4,873
T28-21-1975-31Ebis 8.40 9.60 1.20 1,324
13.20 14.40 1.20 136
20.40 26.40 6.00 231
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 from Surface and Underground Drilling as per
Appendixes 1 & 2
2021 Exploration Program
The 2021 initial drilling program at the Zgounder Silver Mine has been expanded from 35,000 m to
42,000m into year-end with the aim of testing new target areas including within the newly discovered
eastern zone. Some 39,000m of combined surface and underground drilling have already been completed
to date.
Index Inclusion
Effective as of market-close on September 17, 2021, Aya will be added to the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners
Index ETF ( NYSE: GDX) and to the VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners Index ETF ( NYSE: GDXJ). In
addition to its inclusion in the GDX and GDXJ, the Corporation was added to the ETFMG Prime Junior
Silver Miners ETF (NYSE: SILJ) and the Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE: SIL) over recent quarters.
Quality Assurance
For core drilling, all individual samples represent approximately one meter 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 in Marrakech, Morocco. All samples are
analysed 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 reanalysed using fire assaying.
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 new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities.
Wherever possible, words such as “continue”, “expand”, “potential”, “plans”, “expects”, “believe”, “intend”,
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 ma nagement believes to be reasonable assumptions,
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 ligh t 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 relianc e 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 facto rs, 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 2020 Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2021, and in other filings of Aya with
securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Aya does not
undertake any obligation to u pdate forward-looking statements should assumptions 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 r eferences 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)
ZG-21-26 198.00 199.00 1.00 136
258.50 259.50 1.00 98
ZG-21-27 178.00 178.50 0.50 96
191.00 191.50 0.50 88
211.50 213.00 1.50 228
229.50 231.50 2.00 631
321.00 322.00 1.00 380
330.50 332.00 1.50 104
335.00 337.00 2.00 120
343.50 347.00 3.50 155
350.00 352.50 2.50 162
ZG-21-28 38.50 47.00 8.50 129
50.50 53.00 2.50 173
119.00 121.00 2.00 740
ZG-21-29 223.00 224.00 1.00 76
339.00 339.50 0.50 128
ZG-21-30bis 20.50 21.50 1.00 1,863
26.50 28.50 2.00 325
41.00 42.00 1.00 86
153.00 168.50 15.50 162
182.50 183.50 1.00 119
ZG-21-31 8.00 9.50 1.50 340
16.50 20.00 3.50 359
29.00 30.50 1.50 268
33.00 35.00 2.00 251
209.50 210.00 0.50 293
223.00 224.00 1.00 162
ZG-21-32 131.50 132.00 0.50 88
133.50 134.50 1.00 84
ZG-21-33 117.00 118.00 1.00 167
ZG-21-34 90.00 91.00 1.00 114
190.00 191.00 1.00 91
ZG-21-35 8.00 12.50 4.50 544
119.00 122.00 3.00 501
ZG-21-36 72.50 82.00 9.50 1,298
including 0.50 10,753
including 0.50 2,963
including 0.50 2,794
including 0.50 1,002
including 0.50 2,122
106.00 108.00 2.00 157
121.00 121.50 0.50 187
214.00 216.00 2.00 132
218.00 219.50 1.50 100
ZG-21-37 103.00 104.00 1.00 158
ZG-21-38 221.00 222.00 1.00 245
262.50 263.00 0.50 264
265.00 265.50 0.50 81
ZG-21-39 211.50 214.50 3.00 385
394.50 397.50 3.00 232
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)
ZG-SF-21-14 2.00 4.00 2.00 106
8.00 8.50 0.50 134
42.00 46.00 4.00 111
ZG-SF-21-16 13.50 14.00 0.50 1,100
22.00 24.00 2.00 120
31.00 32.00 1.00 460
ZG-SF-21-18 45.50 50.00 4.50 103
111.50 112.50 1.00 120
ZG-SF-21-19 0.00 1.00 1.00 210
4.00 10.00 6.00 304
85.00 88.00 3.00 90
ZG-SF-21-20 29.50 34.00 4.50 352
51.00 56.00 5.00 253
ZG-SF-21-21 0.00 1.50 1.50 1,437
5.50 6.00 0.50 249
ZG-SF-21-23 38.00 41.00 3.00 244
ZG-SF-21-24 3.00 5.00 2.00 411
32.00 38.00 6.00 187
43.00 46.50 3.50 123
49.00 53.00 4.00 243
61.50 62.00 0.50 131
66.00 67.50 1.50 196
ZG-SF-21-25 0.00 2.00 2.00 910
6.00 9.00 3.00 306
39.50 42.00 2.50 1,230
ZG-SF-21-28 15.00 16.00 1.00 1,366
65.50 67.00 1.50 128
69.50 73.50 4.00 631
ZG-SF-21-29 2.50 3.00 0.50 2,320
7.00 7.50 0.50 224
10.50 12.50 2.00 248
ZG-SF-21-30 16.50 17.50 1.00 100
23.50 25.00 1.50 363
32.50 35.50 3.00 194
37.00 37.50 0.50 154
ZG-SF-21-32 1.50 2.00 0.50 140
4.00 5.50 1.50 77
ZG-SF-21-34 7.00 8.50 1.50 93
11.50 12.00 0.50 172
47.00 48.00 1.00 94
56.00 59.00 3.00 247
60.50 62.00 1.50 81
94.00 95.50 1.50 192
ZG-SF-21-36 2.50 6.00 3.50 428
53.50 55.50 2.00 134
T28 Underground Drilling Program
T28-21-2000-02Ebis 0.00 2.40 2.40 536
T28-21-2000-06E 15.60 22.80 7.20 92
24.00 26.40 2.40 78
T28-21-2000-09Ebis 8.40 9.60 1.20 293
12.00 13.20 1.20 251
T28-21-2000-10E 19.20 22.80 3.60 309
T28-21-2030-11Ebis 21.60 22.80 1.20 136
T28-21-2030-18E 21.60 22.80 1.20 148
T28-21-2030-18Ebis 10.80 12.00 1.20 104
T28-21-2030-19E 12.00 15.60 3.60 744
including 1.20 2,000
T28-21-2030-17E 18.00 20.40 2.40 88
T28-21-1975-21E 0.00 7.20 7.20 3,065
including 1.20 4,000
including 1.20 12,640
T28-21-1975-21Ebis 2.40 6.00 3.60 4,801
including 1.20 12,638
T28-21-1975-23Ebis 4.80 6.00 1.20 76
T28-21-1975-24E 6.00 7.20 1.20 132
T28-21-1975-24Ebis 1.20 2.40 1.20 116
6.00 7.20 1.20 232
T28-21-1975-25E 0.00 1.20 1.20 76
10.80 12.00 1.20 77
T28-21-1975-25Ebis 14.40 19.20 4.80 327
T28-21-1975-26E 0.00 6.00 6.00 126
9.60 14.40 4.80 1,300
including 1.20 4,873
T28-21-1975-26Ebis 0.00 6.00 6.00 158
7.20 8.40 1.20 106
12.00 13.20 1.20 81
T28-21-1975-27E 4.80 6.00 1.20 98
T28-21-1975-27Ebis 4.80 15.60 10.80 108
T28-21-1975-29E 8.40 16.80 8.40 325
T28-21-1975-31E 7.20 9.60 2.40 583
T28-21-1975-31Ebis 8.40 9.60 1.20 1,324
13.20 14.40 1.20 136
20.40 26.40 6.00 231
T28-21-1975-35E 2.40 3.60 1.20 304
T28-21-1975-38E 9.60 10.80 1.20 80
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.