Blue Star Gold Drills 14.95 g/t over 13.80 Metres at the Flood Zone on Its Ulu Gold Property
Blue Star Gold Drills 14.95 g/t over 13.80
Metres at the Flood Zone on Its Ulu Gold
Property
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2021) -
Blue Star Gold Corp.
(TSXV:
BAU)
(FSE: 5WP)
("Blue Star" or the "Company") announces the final assay results from the 2020
exploration program at its Ulu and Hood River properties. The properties are located approximately 525
km NNE of Yellowknife, NT in the Kitikmeot region of western Nunavut. Kugluktuk is approximately 210
km to the NW.
Highlights:
7,621 metres were drilled in thirty-eight diamond drill holes during the 2020 program.
Ten holes were drilled at the Ulu and Gnu Zone deposits to expand known resources and provide
data for resource modeling, and twenty-eight holes were drilled to test exploration targets on both
the Ulu and Hood River properties, including fourteen in the North Fold Nose (NFN) Zone.
Assay results for the final seventeen holes and the balance of assays from two previously reported
holes are included in this news release, as well as an overall summary of the 2020 program.
Highlight gold assay results for the Flood Zone (BS2020ULU-005) reported today include:
14.95 g/t Au over 13.8 m (upper zone)
from 426.2 - 440.0 m; and,
9.65 g/t Au over 6.00 m (lower zone)
from 459.0 - 465.0 m.
See Tables 1 and 2 below for a summary of the results for the holes reported today, and Table 3
for a summary of all highlight gold composites for the 2020 program.
Next Steps, Upcoming Milestones:
A comprehensive GIS compilation of all technical data for the projects is ongoing, which will lead to
an updated geologic model for the Flood and Gnu Zone deposits.
An updated resource estimate for the projects is planned to follow the compilation noted above; in
addition to the Flood and Gnu Zone deposits, it is anticipated that sufficient data will be available
to complete an initial resource estimate for the NFN Zone.
Exploration Focus Going Forward:
There is excellent resource expansion potential at the Flood and Gnu Zone deposits, and
strong potential for new discovery proximal to these deposits and regionally on the extensive
landholdings held by the Company.
The early results from the extensive GIS compilation and targeting work ongoing is yielding
several high-quality near surface targets within ~1km radius of the Flood Zone.
Detailed planning for the 2021 exploration program is underway:
The primary exploration focus will be on expanding resources at the known deposits
(Flood and Gnu) and testing high priority targets proximal to the known deposits on the
Ulu property.
The secondary exploration focus will be regional targeting/testing over the extensive
and highly prospective Hood River property, where numerous high-grade gold
showings exist.
Ulu and Hood River Properties Overview:
The Ulu lease and the contiguous Hood River property together encompass approximately 9,000
hectares of highly prospective exploration ground. The Ulu lease hosts the advanced stage Flood and
Gnu Zone gold deposits, where a significant high-grade gold resource has been outlined. Several
additional gold zones (including NFN, Zebra, Bizen, Apex and Contact Zones) are spatially related to the
axis of the ~5 km long Ulu regional fold which extends from the Ulu lease onto the north Hood River
property (see Figure 1). The Hood River property is contiguous to the Ulu lease to the north, east and
south, and hosts over twenty known gold showings (see Figure 1). Many of the high-priority target areas
outside of the Flood Zone have only been tested with relatively shallow drilling, and the potential
throughout the properties to host new discoveries at depth is considered high.
2020 Exploration Program Summary Highlights:
The 2020 exploration program entailed 7,621 metres of diamond drilling in thirty-eight diamond drill
holes on the Ulu and Hood River properties. Below is an overall summary of the program, including
diamond drill holes that were reported in previous news releases (see news releases dated September
30 and October 28, 2020).
Ulu Lease:
The 2020 drill program at the
Flood
Zone comprised six drill holes (BS2020-ULU-001 to BS2020-ULU-
006). The purpose of the drilling was to provide additional geologic information and confirm certain
aspects of the geologic model of the deposits, to improve drill hole density and to allow for possible
upgrading of the resource category. Drill hole BS2020-ULU-005 (reported today) tested inferred
resource blocks at a vertical depth of approximately 400 metres. The hole intercepted a series of
mineralized zones from a downhole depth of 425.0m to 469.0m including 14.95 g/t Au over 13.80m
(426.20 - 440.0m) and 9.65 g/t Au over 6.0m (459.0 - 465.0m). The azimuth and dip of the hole at this
intercept point is approximately 242 and -62 degrees respectively. Mineralization occurs as fine to
coarse grained disseminated arsenopyrite along with fine grained pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite
associated with smoky quartz veins within a calc-silicate alteration envelope. Previous modelling
indicates that the Flood Zone is near vertical in the area of BS2020-ULU-005's intercepts. The results of
this hole potentially allows for an improvement in the resource grade and a change of the resource
category from inferred to indicated status in this area. Holes BS2020-ULU-001 to 004 and 006 were
reported previously (see news releases dated September 30 and October 28, 2020).
The
Gnu
Zone, which is 700m north of the Flood Zone, can be traced over approximately 625 metres in
a NW-SE direction. Mineralization typically occurs as finely disseminated acicular arsenopyrite
associated with pervasive calc-silicate alteration, similar to that found in the Flood Zone. Polymetallic
quartz veins are also present in the Gnu Zone. The high grade gold mineralization intersected in
BS2020ULU-007 (52.7 g/t Au over 2m, see news release dated October 28, 2020) has a polymetallic
signature with highs of 0.8% Pb, 0.7% Zn, 57.5 ppm Ag and anomalous bismuth. BS2020ULU-007 was
collared 30m east of historic hole 92VD161 (14.7 g/t Au over 3.22m from a polymetallic quartz vein).
Subsequent drill holes BS2020ULU-008 through BS2020ULU-010, which were drilled in the vicinity of
BS2020ULU-007 and 92VD161, did not intersect significant gold values. The geometries of the different
styles of mineralization present have not yet been resolved with the limited amount of drilling (20 holes
totalling 2,167m) completed to date. The geologic model for the Gnu Zone is planned to be updated as
part of the property wide data assessment and compilation program underway.
At the
Contact
Zone, which is approximately 1.8 km north of the Flood Zone, mineralization occurs in
quartz veins and stockworks, and sulphide replacement zones. The vein-type is associated with haloes
of pervasive sericite ±silica altered basalt with pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, pyrite and arsenopyrite. The best
mineralization intersected in the two holes drilled in 2020 was 3.96 g/t Au over 1.0m in hole
BS2020ULU-011.
Hood River North:
The 2020 drill program tested targets along the east limb of the Ulu anticline including the NFN, INT,
Bizen, and Apex Zones. The fold limb is expressed as a topographic break coincident with the steeply
east dipping contact between basaltic volcanic and biotite-cordierite metasedimentary rocks.
At the
NFN
Zone
,
fourteen drill holes (HR20-13 to HR20-26) were drilled in an area 215 metres long by
100 metres wide to a maximum depth of 180 metres from surface. The NFN Zone is a south dipping
synform with mineralization focused along a shear zone dividing basaltic volcanics and biotite-cordierite
schists. Anomalous gold values occur in quartz-carbonate-sericite-pyrrhotite-arsenopyrite-chalcopyrite
shear vein fillings. An envelope of biotite and calc-silicate alteration extends tens of metres into the
hanging wall basalts. All the holes drilled at the NFN intersected the targeted structure and 12 out of 14
returned significant gold grades. The mineralized intervals were typically between 2 and 4 metres wide.
Higher grade intercepts included 13.87 g/t Au over 3.00m (HR20-17) and 13.18 g/t Au over 2.00m
(HR20-13). Only 2 drill holes (HR20-19 and HR20-26) failed to return anomalous gold values. These two
holes tested the northwestern and southern boundaries of drill coverage and intersected the targeted
contact, however, only moderate silicification and traces of arsenopyrite was observed. It is expected
that the results of the 2020 exploration program will provide enough data to complete the first resource
estimate for this Zone (see news releases dated September 30 and October 28, 2020 for additional
results).
The
INT
Zone is located between the NFN and Bizen Zones along the east limb of the Ulu anticline.
Channel sampling conducted in 2019 resulted in one sample grading 25 g/t Au (Y622120). Follow up
drilling in 2020 included two drill holes, HR20-27 and HR20-28. A one metre interval of anomalous gold
in HR20-27 occurs in a shear zone containing medium grained pyrrhotite and pyrite altered with patchy
actinolite and biotite.
One hole at the
Bizen
Zone
(
Hole HR20-29) was drilled to test for mineralization near the contact
between mafic volcanics and metasediments. Gold-bearing mineralization is hosted in a unit of basaltic
tuffaceous metagreywacke. Anomalous gold values are localized to thin, typically less than 10 cm,
quartz-calc-silicate veins with medium-course grained pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. Patchy
biotite alteration extends several metres outward from and is overprinted by sericite proximal to the gold-
bearing veins.
The
Apex
Zone is located 350 - 700 metres north of the Contact Zone. It is characterized by two zones
of discontinuous gossans that merge toward the north. Mineralization occurs as quartz veins associated
with biotite ±silica alteration and enriched in biotite, chlorite and minor actinolite. Mineralization
encountered during the current program was generally weak and consisted of minor pyrite and
arsenopyrite in narrow stringers that tend to parallel the regional, north-south oriented structure. Three
diamond drill holes were completed in the area during the program to test sulphide bearing calc silicates
and to improve the geological knowledge on the target. The highest-grade gold mineralization was
intersected in HR20-032 (3.53 g/t Au over 2.00m).
Hood River East:
The Hood River East property holes were designed to test early-stage targets throughout the highly
prospective property. The promise of the Hood River East ground stems from the fact that it shares the
same deformation history (including tight folding) and the same volcano-sedimentary stratigraphic
sequences as the Flood Zone.
At the
Crown
showing, mineralization occurs as quartz veins and sulphide replacement zones and
stockworks. The veins are associated with haloes of pervasive biotite ±silica alteration and contain
sulphides (predominantly pyrrhotite with minor amounts of pyrite and arsenopyrite). The basalt is
moderately to strongly altered. Three diamond drill holes were completed to test mineralization near the
volcanic and metasediments contact. The highest-grade gold mineralization was intersected in HR20-
033 (2.33 g/t Au over 2.00m). The prospective trace of the north trending fold axis, which links the Crown
showing to the Pro Zone 4 km to the north, remains untested.
At the PC showing in the
Penthouse
Lake area, mineralization occurs in sediment-hosted polymetallic
quartz veins within massive sulphide lenses proximal to a mafic volcanic-sediment contact. Three
diamond drill holes were completed here. The highest-grade gold assay of 2.53 g/t Au over 0.95m
(HR20-038 20.0 to 20.95m) was returned from a zone of massive sulphides with quartz veining. Base
metal values in this zone included highs of 9.6% Zn, 0.4% Cu and 0.9% Pb over 0.55m (20.95 to
21.50m).
Table 1. Ulu Property Gold Assay Results Reported Today:
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Width m
Au (g/t)
Comments
BS2020ULU-005
426.2
440
13.8
14.95
upper zone
AND
446
449
3
11.57
AND
453
455
2
9.26
AND
459
465
6
9.65
lower zone
BS2020ULU-008
NSV
No Significant Value
BS2020ULU-009
NSV
No Significant Value
BS2020ULU-010
NSV
No Significant Value
BS2020ULU-011
53
54
1
3.96
Table 2. Hood River Property Gold Assay Results Reported Today:
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Core Length (m)
Au (g/t)
Comment
HR20-021*
*
141.5
143
1.5
6.39
incl
142.1
143
0.9
8.70
HR20-026
NSV
No Significant Value
HR20-029
156
157
1
1.37
AND
164
165
1
2.73
HR20-030
NSV
No Significant Value
HR20-031
95
96
1
1.43
HR20-032
34
36
2
3.53
HR20-033
12
14
2
1.15
AND
36
38
2
2.33
incl
36
37
1
3.02
HR20-034
NSV
No Significant Value
HR20-035
9
10
1
3.7
HR20-036
23
24
1
1.14
HR20-037
10
11
1
1.24
AND
17
21
4
1.37
HR20-038
16
17
1
1.23
AND
20
20.95
0.95
2.53
* Intervals listed in the above tables are core length, and not true width. All assay values are uncut.
** These intervals were reported with results
from HR20-022 in the news release dated Sept. 30, 2020.
Table 3. Highlight Gold Composites from 2020 Program on Ulu and Hood River Properties:
Hole ID
Zone or Target
From(m)
To(m)
Width (m)
Au (g/t)
BS2020ULU-002
Flood
9
16
7
13.42
BS2020ULU-003
Flood
13
22
9
8.67
"
Flood
110
118
8
8.26
"
Flood
160
164
4
8.17
BS2020ULU-005
Flood
426.2
440
13.8
14.95
Flood
459
465
6
9.65
BS2020ULU-006
Flood
407
411
4
12.5
"
Flood
432
436
4
9.98
"
Flood
487
501
14
4.23
"
Flood
504
511
7
12.5
BS2020ULU-007
Gnu
25
27
2
52.7
HR20-013
NFN
109
111
2
13.18
HR20-014
NFN
118
122
4
7.59
HR20-016
NFN
143
145
2
10.85
HR20-017
NFN
164
167
3
13.87
* Composite intervals listed in the above table are core length, and not true width. All assay values are uncut.
Table 4: Ulu Project Diamond Drill Hole Summary:
Hole Name
Project Name
Target Name
Azimuth
Dip
Total Metres Drilled
BS2020ULU-001
ULU PROJECT
FLOOD
17
-65
400
BS2020ULU-002
ULU PROJECT
FLOOD
270
-50
17
BS2020ULU-003
ULU PROJECT
FLOOD
270
-55
350
BS2020ULU-004
ULU PROJECT
FLOOD
205
-62
641
BS2020ULU-005
ULU PROJECT
FLOOD
230
-57
536
BS2020ULU-006
ULU PROJECT
FLOOD
216
-61
542
BS2020ULU-007
ULU PROJECT
GNU
27
-50
170
BS2020ULU-008
ULU PROJECT
GNU
27
-65
101
BS2020ULU-009
ULU PROJECT
GNU
27
-45
130.5
BS2020ULU-010
ULU PROJECT
GNU
27
-60
142
BS2020ULU-011
ULU PROJECT
CONTACT
234
-55
284
BS2020ULU-012
ULU PROJECT
CONTACT
275
-50
383
Total
3696.5 m
Table 5: Hood River Project Diamond Drill Hole Summary:
Hole Name
Project Name
Target Name
Azimuth
Dip
Total Metres Drilled
HR20-013
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
40
-55
126
HR20-014
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
40
-73
151
HR20-015
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
240
-79
181
HR20-016
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
240
-58
210.5
HR20-017
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
240
-45
215
HR20-018
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
67
-86
211
HR20-019
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
67
-73
164
HR20-020
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
67
-55
154
HR20-021
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
67
-76
148
HR20-022
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
67
-88
163
HR20-023
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
67
-85
109
HR20-024
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
40
-60
120.5
HR20-025
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
246
-70
101
HR20-026
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
NFN
245
-48
133
HR20-027
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
INT
356
-45
100
HR20-028
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
INT
356
-70
145
HR20-029
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
BIZEN
90
-45
314
HR20-030
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
APEX
290
-45
300.7
HR20-031
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
APEX
180
-45
161
HR20-032
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
APEX
180
-75
111.5
HR20-033
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
CROWN
45
-45
149
HR20-034
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
CROWN
45
-85
89
HR20-035
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
CROWN
290
-55
152
HR20-036
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
SOUTH PENTHOUSE
15
-60
107
HR20-037
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
SOUTH PENTHOUSE
15
-87
46
HR20-038
HOOD RIVER PROJECT
SOUTH PENTHOUSE
1
-70
62
Total
3924.2 m
Figure 1. Ulu and Hood River Properties
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2421/72037_08903735541eb8a7_001full.jpg
QA/QC Program for the 2020 Exploration Work
:
All drill core was logged and sampled in secure core processing structures located at the Ulu or Hood
River camps.
Drill core samples were collected by either cutting the core in half using diamond saws or
by splitting the core in half using hydraulic core splitters. In addition to the QA/QC protocols of ALS
Global, the Company maintains its own program of inserting Standard Reference material in the form of
standards and blanks into the sampling stream, prior to being shipped to ALS's preparation facility in
Yellowknife.
History and Geology of the Ulu and Hood River Gold Properties:
The properties are located approximately 525 km NNE of Yellowknife, NT in the Kitikmeot region of
western Nunavut. Kugluktuk is approximately 210 km to the NW.
The Ulu property consists of a renewable 21-year mining lease and covers an area of approximately 947
ha. The lease hosts an advanced gold project that between 1989 and 2012 saw significant exploration
and development by BHP Minerals and Echo Bay Mines, among others. The past work includes
approximately 1.7 km of underground development and approximately 405 diamond drill holes that
produced 97,820 m of core (Ulu and Hood River). The Flood Zone contains the bulk of the Ulu gold
resource and is open on-strike and at depth. Overall resources of 2.50 million tonnes grading 7.53 g/t Au
for 605,000 gold ounces (measured & indicated category) and 1.26 million tonnes grading 5.57 g/t Au
for 226,000 gold ounces (inferred category) have been estimated for the Flood and Gnu Zones (refer to
"Technical Report on the Ulu Gold Property, Nunavut, Canada" dated July 10, 2015). The deepest
intersection of mineable width at the Flood Zone is 14.9 g/t Au over 7.7 m in BHP's drill hole 90VD-75 at
610 m below surface. Metallurgical testing on the Flood Zone gold mineralization has shown that gold is
recoverable in amounts greater than 90% by gravity, flotation and cyanidation.
The Hood River property is contiguous to the Ulu lease to the north, east and south. The property is held
through a renewable, 20-year Mineral Exploration Agreement with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The
highly prospective property encompasses 8,015 ha. At least 22 known gold showings have been
identified on the property. The exploration target for the property is shear-hosted gold mineralization
similar to the Flood Zone on the adjacent Ulu lease.
A series of gold occurrences occur on-strike and north of the Flood Zone and are thought to be related to
the ~5 km long Ulu regional fold that extends from the Ulu lease onto the north Hood River property
culminating at the NFN Zone. This structure extends from the Flood and Gnu Zones along the Ulu fold to
the north and hosts at least five gold zones in addition to the Flood and Gnu Zones (NFN, INT, Bizen,
Apex and Contact Zones).
Gossanous auriferous rocks hosted within mafic volcanic units at or close to the contact with meta-
greywacke rocks occur along the Ulu fold trend. The gold mineralization is commonly enveloped by an
alteration halo of biotite-actinolite-quartz. The mineralized zones are believed to be the result of brittle-
ductile failure caused by regional stresses during different deformation stages. Along sedimentary-
volcanic contacts, regional folding causing shearing, due to lithological competency contrasts, resulted in
minor dilatancy. These dilatational zones were in-filled with the gold-arsenic-rich hydrothermal fluids.
Mineralization shows pinch and swell style.
Several high-grade gold occurrences also occur on the east Hood River property, including the Crown
and Penthouse Zones, where additional gold trends may exist. In addition, many unnamed gold
occurrences exist on the two properties, where further prospecting is required to advance the showings
to target zones. The large number of high-grade gold showings that occur throughout the properties
provide for excellent resource expansion potential at multiple targets.
Supplementing the high-grade gold resources, the Ulu project includes a substantial inventory of capital
equipment, a camp with shop and a 1,200 m long airstrip. The site of the future deep-water port at Grays
Bay is 100 km to the north of the properties, and the proposed route corridor for the all-weather Grays
Bay road passes in close proximity to the Ulu and Hood River projects.
Ulu Resource Estimate:
Classification
Gold
Tonnage
Gold Grade
Gold Contained
Cut-off
(g/t)
Tonnes
g/t
Oz
Flood Zone
Measured
> 4.0
1,000,000
8.48
272,000
Indicated
> 4.0
1,500,000
6.90
333,000