Aya Gold & Silver: Step-Out Drilling Extends Eastern and Central Mineralization at Zgounder
PRESS RELEASE
.
Aya Gold & Silver: Step-Out Drilling Extends Eastern and Central Mineralization
at Zgounder
Montreal, Quebec, June 1 , 2022 - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA ; OTCQX: AYASF ) (“A ya” or the
“Corporation”) is pleased to announce high-grade silver results from its step-out drilling program at the
Zgounder Silver Mine in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Key Highlights (all intersections are in core lengths)
o Follow-up of mineralised slope s with DZG-SF-22-07 at the 1 ,975 level , which intercepted
1,748 grams per tonne (“g/t”) silver (“Ag”) over 8.5 meters (“m”) including
▪ 14,720 g/t Ag over 1.5m
▪ 6,480 g/t Ag over 1.5m
▪ 3,460 g/t Ag over 0.5m
o Hole T28-22-1975-01 located below current mine galleries, intercepted 3,260 g/t Ag over 3.6m
including
▪ 5,096 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 4,525 g/t Ag over 1.2m
o Definition of near-surface mineralization to the east with ZG-22-04, which intercepted 796 g/t Ag
over 11m including
▪ 7,760 g/t Ag over 0.5m
▪ 3,760 g/t Ag over 0.5m
o Continued definition at the 1975m level with T28-22-1975-803, which intercepted 1,896 g/t Ag
over 3.6m including
▪ 3,520 g/t Ag over 1.2m
▪ 1,948 g/t Ag over 1.2m
o Extension of the eastern strike by ZG-22-10, which also intercepted 1, 089 g/t Ag over 6m
including
▪ 2,720 g/t Ag over 1.5m
▪ 1,092 g/t Ag over 1.5m
“Today’s step-out results confirm high-grade continuity below current mine galleries and in the central
portion of the mine . Additionally, holes ZG -22-04 and ZG -22-10 intercepted high-grade intervals that
further define the eastern strike close to surface . Overall, results continue to support Zgounder’s near -
term expansion potential, providing additional support for our updated resource sta tement later this
year,” said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO.
Included in this release are results for 82 holes , which include 14 surface diamond drill holes (“DDH”), 6
underground DDH, 50 T28 and 12 YAK (T28 & YAK: percussion drilling using an air-compressed hammer)
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)
Surface
ZG-22-04
5.50 8.50 3.00 130
19.00 30.00 11.00 796
including 0.50 1,026
including 0.50 7,760
including 0.50 3,760
33.50 36.00 2.50 121
46.50 49.00 2.50 425
51.50 52.50 1.00 888
56.00 60.50 4.50 208
69.50 70.00 0.50 156
76.00 77.00 1.00 192
98.50 99.00 0.50 188
121.50 123.00 1.50 324
167.00 172.00 5.00 651
5.50 8.50 3.00 130
ZG-22-10
4.50 10.50 6.00 90
16.50 22.50 6.00 1,089
including 1.50 2,720
including 1.50 1,092
Underground
DZG-SF-22-07 24.00 32.50 8.50 1,748
including 0.50 3,460
including 1.50 14,720
including 1.50 6,480
TD28-22-2125-058 2.40 10.80 8.40 527
including 1.20 2,184
TD28-22-2075-066 25.20 26.4 1.20 1,000
T28-22-1975-01 4.80 8.400 3.60 3,260
including 1.20 5,096
including 1.20 4,525
14.40 26.40 12.00 296
T28-22-1975-803 0.00 1.20 1.20 104
2.40 3.60 1.20 76
10.80 14.40 3.60 1,896
including 1.20 1,948
including 1.20 3,520
TD28-22-2125-047 4.80 7.2 2.40 1,028
TD28-22-2030-092 3.60 6.00 2.40 1,456
including 1.20 2,800
10.80 15.60 4.80 513
including 1.20 1,772
TD28-22-1975-110 0.00 3.60 3.60 1,492
including 1.20 1,804
including 1.20 2,550
YAKD-22-1975-010 16.80 19.20 2.40 1,761
YAKD-22-2000-024 13.20 15.60 2.40 1,100
YAKD-22-2000-026 3.60 13.20 9.60 412
including 1.20 1,940
YAK-22-2030-1 0.00 3.60 3.60 1,036
13.20 14.40 1.20 106
18.00 20.40 2.40 265
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 silve r, 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 length.
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 new 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 relea se reflect management's current beliefs
based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management 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 light of its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of
future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevan t 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 cond itions, 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 81.50 83.00 1.50 743
234.00 235.00 1.00 76
238.50 239.50 1.00 350
251.00 251.50 0.50 109
268.00 272.00 4.00 247
278.00 283.00 5.00 255
291.00 292.00 1.00 710
ZG-22-03 221.50 223.00 1.50 89
229.50 231.00 1.50 851
ZG-22-04 5.50 8.50 3.00 130
19.00 30.00 11.00 796
including 0.50 1,026
including 0.50 7,760
including 0.50 3,760
33.50 36.00 2.50 121
46.50 49.00 2.50 425
51.50 52.50 1.00 888
56.00 60.50 4.50 208
69.50 70.00 0.50 156
76.00 77.00 1.00 192
98.50 99.00 0.50 188
121.50 123.00 1.50 324
167.00 172.00 5.00 651
ZG-22-06 7.50 10.50 3.00 142
262.00 263.00 1.00 96
386.00 387.50 1.50 167
ZG-22-07 26.00 27.50 1.50 495
30.50 32.00 1.50 77
ZG-22-09 31.00 36.50 5.50 389
56.00 57.00 1.00 108
63.00 64.00 1.00 100
65.50 66.50 1.00 84
ZG-22-10 4.50 10.50 6.00 90
16.50 22.50 6.00 1,089
including 1.50 2,720
including 1.50 1,092
ZG-22-11 7.50 16.50 9.00 495
31.50 37.50 6.00 326
42.00 46.50 4.50 536
136.00 142.00 6.00 304
144.50 150.50 6.00 163
ZG-22-12 72.00 77.00 5.00 570
ZG-22-13 311.00 312.50 1.50 232
315.50 317.00 1.50 80
ZG-22-14 184.00 185.50 1.50 194
ZG-22-15 17.50 19.50 2.00 394
33.00 36.00 3.00 256
ZG-22-16 174.50 176.50 2.00 598
ZG-22-22 174.50 177.50 3.00 186
184.00 186.00 2.00 403
212.00 213.50 1.50 187
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-22-06 9.00 11.00 2.00 199
DZG-SF-22-07 24.00 32.50 8.50 1,748
including 0.50 3,460
including 1.50 14,720
including 1.50 6,480
DZG-SF-22-32 29.50 34.00 4.50 792
84.00 85.50 1.50 96
DZG-SF-22-35
38.00 41.00 3.00 378
47.00 52.00 5.00 674
56.50 58.50 2.00 86
89.00 90.50 1.50 344
95.00 98.50 3.50 275
DZG-SF-22-37 18.00 19.00 1.00 136
DZG-SF-22-41 25.50 31.00 5.50 81
T28 Drilling
T28-22-2075-808
14.40 15.60 1.20 212
22.80 24.00 1.20 84
T28-22-2075-809
0.00 1.20 1.20 192
12.00 13.20 1.20 92
T28-22-2075-811 4.80 8.40 3.60 79
T28-22-2075-812 2.40 3.60 1.20 84
T28-22-2075-814 14.40 20.40 6.00 384
T28-22-2075-815 14.40 21.60 7.20 478
T28-22-2075-817 12 15.60 3.60 158
T28-22-2075-818 2.4 6.00 3.60 149
T28-22-2075-819 13.2 14.40 1.20 448
TD28-22-2125-037 2.40 6.00 3.60 187
TD28-22-2125-038 15.60 20.40 4.80 319
TD28-22-2125-039 7.20 9.60 2.40 95
TD28-22-2125-056 2.40 9.60 7.20 455
TD28-22-2125-058 2.40 10.80 8.40 527
including 1.20 2,184
TD28-22-2075-064 4.80 7.20 2.40 308
TD28-22-2075-065 0.00 2.40 2.40 158
21.60 25.20 3.60 529
TD28-22-2075-066 25.20 26.40 1.20 1,000
TD28-22-2075-067 0.00 2.40 2.40 146
4.80 9.60 4.80 104
TD28-22-2075-070 15.60 25.20 9.60 150
TD28-22-2075-071 14.40 15.60 1.20 84
19.20 20.40 1.20 76
TD28-22-2075-072 12.00 13.20 1.20 792