Hercules Strengthens New Porphyry Copper/Skarn Target with Gold Grades up to 4.5 g/t and Uncovers New Silver Zone Select rock chip samples previously reported were fire assayed for gold, returning grades consistent with a porphyry copper/skarn system at the Metheny, Lightning
Hercules Strengthens New Porphyry
Copper/Skarn Target with Gold Grades up to
4.5 g/t and Uncovers New Silver Zone
Select rock chip samples previously reported were fire assayed for gold, returning
grades consistent with a porphyry copper/skarn system at the Metheny, Lightning
Breccia and Big Cut Zones
1
Supports the thesis of a potential buried porphyry copper (+/- gold) intrusion on the east
side of Property, with further evidence including:
1
.
Widespread phyllic and argillic alteration, typically found above a porphyry intrusion,
with distal propylitic alteration to the east
2
.
Volcanics and limestones exposed at surface, suggesting the porphyry intrusion lies
at depth
3
.
High-grade skarns grading up to 21% copper, 4.5 g/t gold and 1,085 g/t silver (skarn
occurs when limestone is altered and mineralized by a nearby porphyry copper
intrusion)
4
.
Large hydrothermal breccia pipe (the Lightning Breccia)
5
.
Textbook metal zonation, with a high temperature core of copper-gold (bismuth-
tellurium) overlain by silver-lead-zinc (manganese-arsenic-antimony-mercury) in the
younger Hercules Rhyolite to the west
Historical mining tunnel re-discovered at the new South Camp Creek Zone, indicating a
potentially significant extension to the CRD-style silver system beyond the 3.5 kilometers
of known strike length
Click below for a summary of today's news from CEO Chris Paul.
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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2023) -
Hercules Silver Corp.
(
TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB:
BADEF) (FSE: 8Q7)
("
Hercules Silver
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to announce new gold
geochemical results from mineralized skarns and breccias at the Metheny, Big Cut and Lightning
Breccia Zones on the Hercules Property located in western Idaho (
"Hercules"
or the
"Property"
). On
January 24, the Company announced 4-acid assay results for silver, lead, zinc and copper from over 800
rock chip samples within soil anomalies across the Property. A 4-acid digest provides superior
analytical results versus a typical aqua regia digest, due to the complete digestion of the sample,
however gold values are not reported. The Company subsequently fire assayed select rock samples
within the porphyry copper target area, which revealed the presence of gold in bedrock. The gold is
associated with mineralized skarns as well as a breccia pipe, both of which are interpreted to be the
near-surface expression of a buried porphyry copper target. The new gold-in-rock values are shown
along with associated gold-in-soil values in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Gold Grades in Soil and Rock Chip Samples
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Higher Grade Potential at Depth
Surface data suggests that the source intrusion responsible for the copper-gold mineralization at surface
lies deeper in the system. The geology at surface is typical of the upper levels of a porphyry copper
deposit, including phyllic and argillic alteration associated with the copper-gold anomaly, and
widespread propylitic alteration outboard of that to the east. This is classic zonation around and above a
porphyry copper system, where the higher-grade potassic alteration occurs at depth, below the phyllic
and argillic cap.
In the CRD deposit model, the silver-lead-zinc grades increase towards the edge of the porphyry copper
intrusion. As a result, the Company may expect to find higher silver-lead-zinc grades at depth, as the
rhyolite approaches the buried porphyry copper intrusion (also inferred to lie at depth). This is supported
by the presence of a large IP chargeability anomaly at depth in the rhyolite - refer to Hercules Silver's
press release dated December 15, 2022, for additional information. Chargeability is a geophysical
technique aimed at measuring the concentration of sulfide mineralization in the ground. The higher
chargeability values at depth within the rhyolite suggests an increase in sulfide concentration, which in
turn lends itself to potentially increased grades at depth.
Metheny and Big Cut Copper Skarn Zones
Two high-grade copper-silver targets, the Big Cut and Metheny Zones, occur within the Triassic Seven
Devils Group on the east side of the Property. Both targets demonstrate skarn-style mineralization which
occurs where limestone comes in contact with, or lies within close proximity to, a nearby porphyry
intrusion. The Big Cut Zone is classified as a garnet-epidote skarn, whereas the Metheny is a
specularite (iron) skarn. The differing alteration is likely a function of zonation around a potential porphyry
intrusion or multiple intrusive centers at depth.
Historical trenching at the Big Cut prospect, discussed in unpublished reports obtained by Hercules
Silver
2
,
3
, yielded grades of up to 1.78% copper across 90 feet (~27 meters) and 1.3% copper across 57
feet (~17 meters). Silver was only selectively assayed at the time and gold was not assayed. Other
notable historical trench intercepts at the Big Cut are presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 - Select Historical Trench Results - Big Cut
Length (ft.)
Length (m)
Cu (%)
Ag (oz/t)
40
12.2
1.58
NR
180
54.9
0.94
NR
40
12.2
0.91
NR
60
18.3
0.91
NR
115
35.1
0.93
NR
7
2.1
2.68
0.98
60
18.3
0.83
NR
70
21.3
0.63
NR
NR = Not Reported
The assay results reported above are historical in nature and have not been verified by a Qualified
Person; therefore, they should not be unduly relied upon.
Historical Mine Tunnel Re-Discovered in New South Camp Creek Zone
Eight new rock chip samples were collected from a new zone, named the South Camp Creek Zone, at
the southern-most exposure of the Hercules Rhyolite, where it meets post-mineral cover to the south. The
zone was found while prospecting above the faint remains of an old mining camp on Camp Creek Road,
which resulted in the re-discovery of a historical, turn-of-the-century era mining tunnel ("adit"). The adit,
although partially caved in, is the only known mine working that remains open today, albeit unsafe for
current prospecting. It trends south underneath a blanket of younger post-mineral volcanic rock ("basalt")
which conceals the southern extension of the Hercules Rhyolite. The historical mine working is evidence
that silver-lead-zinc mineralization remains open to the south underneath the basalt.
At least 3.5 kilometers of silver-lead-zinc mineralization has been exposed at surface from the Belmont
Zone in the south to the Grade Creek Zone in the north. The old mine workings in South Camp Creek, as
well as two other erosional windows within the basalt, are evidence that silver mineralization continues
for at least another 2 kilometers to the south, bringing the total strike length of the CRD system to at least
5.5 kilometers. Samples collected from around the mine workings graded up to 283 g/t AgEq (Figure 2).
Additional rock chip sampling and IP geophysics are being planned for this new zone to continue
developing additional high-priority drill targets, and to extend the system even further south.
Figure 2: South Camp Creek Zone Showing Ag-in-soil and AgEq in New Rock Chip Sample
Results
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Photo 1: Historical Adit in South Camp Creek Zone; Only Remaining Open Tunnel on the
Property
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Photo 2: Sample Adit-07 Grading 283 g/t AgEq (217 g/t Ag, 1.6% Pb, 0.41% Zn, >10% Mn)
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Photo 3: Sample Adit-05 Grading 253 g/t AgEq (180 g/t Ag, 1.5% Pb, 0.67% Zn, >10% Mn)
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Photo 4: Sample Adit-01 Grading 189 g/t AgEq (41 g/t Ag, 4.83% Pb, 0.23% Zn, 6% Mn)
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Sample Analysis and QAQC
All rock samples were prepped and analyzed at MSA Labs in Langley, British Columbia, an ISO 17025
and ISO 9001 certified laboratory. Samples were dried and crushed to 2mm, from which a 250g sub-
sample split was then pulverized to 85% passing a 75-micron sieve. Following preparation, 232 of the
807 previously reported rock assays were analyzed for gold by a 50g fire assay with AAS finish (FAS-
221 method), and 8 new rock assays from the South Camp Creek Zone were determined by a 4-acid
digest (IMS-230 method).
For FAS-221, the sample pulp was mixed with a combination of chemical reagents. The mixture was
then heated at high temperature resulting in the formation of a gold-silver bearing lead button and slag.
The lead button which contains the gold and silver was cupelled at high temperature. The lead was
absorbed by the cupel and left behind a bead which contained the gold and silver content of the sample.
The gold-silver bead was acid digested and analyzed by instrumental or gravimetric method.
The fire assays were run on sample pulps held in storage by the lab, following a previous 4-acid analysis
reported on January 24, in which the Company provided blind quality control standards. The Company
did not ship new blind quality control standards for the fire assay sample sequence, and it should be
cautioned that only MSA Labs internal quality control standards, duplicates and blank samples were
utilized in the fire assay re-runs. MSA Labs employs internal quality control comprising commercial
certified reference materials (CRM), duplicates and blank samples at set frequencies. All reported
blanks were less than detection for gold. All of the CRMs were within the between-lab ± two standard
deviations of the recommended value. Duplicate precision was also acceptable.
For IMS-230, a 0.25g aliquot of the prepared pulp was digested in a 4-acid solution consisting of
hydrochloric, nitric, perchloric and hydrofluoric acids. 4-acid is a near total digest and only the most
highly resistant minerals are not dissolved. The resulting solution was analyzed via ICP-MS and ICP-ES
for 48 elements and was corrected for inter-element spectral interferences. Mercury was not reported
due to volatilization in reaction with hydrofluoric acid and gold was not reported due to the small, 0.25g
aliquot size being insufficient to overcome the nugget effect.
Due to the small batch size of 8 rock samples analyzed by IMS-230, blind quality control standards were
not inserted into the IMS-230 sample sequence, and it should be cautioned that only MSA Labs internal
quality control standards, duplicates and blank samples were utilized for the IMS-230 samples.
The CRM
for silver was at the ±2SD control limit, but well within control limits for lead, zinc and manganese.
Duplicates and blanks showed passing values.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved for
disclosure by Donald E. Cameron, MSc, a Registered Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and
Exploration, Inc., a QP Member of the Mining & Metallurgical Society of America, and an independent
"Qualified Person" for Hercules Silver within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects (
"NI 43-101"
).
To the best of his knowledge, the technical information
pertaining to the Hercules Silver Property, and discussion of it as disclosed in this news release, is
neither inaccurate nor misleading.
About Hercules Silver Corp.
Hercules Silver Corp. is a junior mining company focused on the exploration and development of the
100% owned Hercules Silver Project, northwest of Cambridge, Idaho.
The Hercules project is a disseminated silver-lead-zinc system with 28,000 meters of historical drilling
across 3.5 kilometers of strike. The Company is well positioned for growth through the drill bit in 2023,
having completed extensive surface exploration in 2022 consisting of soil & rock sampling, geological
mapping, IP geophysics, and a 9-hole drill program.
The Company's management team brings significant exploration experience through the discovery and
development of numerous precious metals projects worldwide.
For further information please contact:
Chris Paul
CEO & Director
Telephone +1 (604) 449-6819
Email:
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the
securities in the United States. Any securities referred to herein have not and will not be registered under
the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "
U.S. Securities Act
") or any state
securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless
registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws of an exemption from such
registration is available.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" with
respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking
information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ
materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements that are not historical facts
and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes,"
"intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will,"
"would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.
Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is
reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by its nature, forward-looking information
involves assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-
looking information.
Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks
and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the Covid-19 pandemic; adverse
industry events; the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; that the
Company maintains good relationships with the communities in which it operates or proposes to
operate, future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to
access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on
favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to
implement its business strategies; competition; the risk that any of the assumptions prove not to be valid
or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned work, risks associated with the
interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that results
will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as other assumptions risks and
uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company, including
as set forth in the Company's public disclosure documents filed on the SEDAR website at
www.sedar.com.
THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE
REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF HERCULES SILVER AS OF THE DATE OF THIS
PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE.
READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER
DATE. WHILE HERCULES SILVER MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE
THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
press release.
1
The reader is cautioned that rock chip samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true grade or style of mineralization across the
Property.
2
Kelly, S. 1973. Progress Report to the Vancouver Stock Exchange on the Iron Cap, or Big Cut Holdings of Acaplomo Mining and Development Co.
Ltd. in the Heath Mining District with concurrence by C.M. Armstrong, P.Eng.
3
Armstrong, C. 1976. Report on the Iron Cap Property, Heath Mining District.