Bunker Hill Mining Confirms Numerous High‐grade Silver Exploration Targets Following Digitisation of Historic Data
BUNKER HILL MINING CONFIRMS NUMEROUS HIGH‐GRADE SILVER
EXPLORATION TARGETS FOLLOWING DIGITISATION OF HISTORIC DATA
HIGHLIGHTS
A first digitized 3D model of Bunker Hill’s geology has successfully been created with the goal of leveraging
the historical mine data to identify and prioritize high grade silver targets
Data has been inputted from over 180,000 meters of drilling from 3,500 historic drill‐holes and hundreds of
detailed historic mine geology maps
Historical drill results demonstrate significant high‐grade silver intercepts including 1.5m at 2,778 g/t Ag,
1.5m at 1,145 g/t Ag, and 1.5m at 950 g/t Ag
The digitization process has confirmed numerous high‐grade silver targets
A first high grade silver focused exploration campaign is set to commence in the coming days
TORONTO, CANADA, September 9, 2020 – Bunker Hill Mining Corp. (the “Company”) (CSE: BNKR) is pleased to report
that the ongoing digitization and 3D modeling of historic geological data has confirmed numerous high‐grade Silver
exploration targets at its Bunker Hill Mine located in Idaho’s Silver Valley, USA. Based on the enhanced geological
understanding, the Company confirms that it is pursuing the hig h grade silver potential of the Bunker Hill mine as its
primary focus. As such, a first high grade silver focused exploration campaign is set to commence in the coming days.
Sam Ash, CEO stated: “This modernizing digitization process, un derpinned by the high quality and quantity of the data,
has significantly enhanced our geologic understanding and boost ed our confidence in the high grade silver potential of
the Bunker Hill Mine. We have therefore made silver our primary focus and we look forward t o exploring the multiple
targets identified to date, starting with drilling from mid‐September”.
Following the change in management in early 2020, a digitisatio n program was launched in Q2‐2020 to leverage the
historical mine data collected over a 95‐year period to identif y and prioritize high grade silver targets. Data has been
inputted from over 180,000 meters of drilling from 3,500 historic drill‐holes and hundreds of detailed historic mine
geology maps capturing all major faults and veins, alterations, mineralization and stratigraphy.
Initial modeling has allowed for a reconstruction of rock units and vein structures to their position prior to post‐mineral
f a u l t o f f s e t s , p r o v i d i n g a n e w l e v e l o f i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o n c o n t rols of mineralization, and enabling projection of vein
segments offset by these faults. This in turn has informed the ongoing development exploration targets aimed at specific
offsets of veins with historic high‐grade silver production and t ar g e t t h e e x ac t h o s t r o c k w i t h t h e b e s t p o t e n t i a l f o r
thicker vein widths.
The 3D geological model created has significantly enhanced the Company’s understanding of the underlying geology,
with the following key takeaways:
Correlation of the strongest mineralization with the quartzites of the M2 Unit of the Upper Revett Formation
Confirmation of the deposition sequence and the vein types
Further confirmation that the faulting occurred post‐mineralization
Planning for the upcoming exploration program is currently bein g finalized, with the goal of prioritizing silver targets
which are close to the surface and in proximity to existing infrastructure.
The previous exploration campa ign, conducted in Q2‐2020, was fo cused on confirming the mineralization of the zinc‐
rich Newgard, Quill and UTZ ore bodies. Drill results have been successfully analyzed and a maiden Inferred resource is
expected to be published in the coming weeks.
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ABOUT THE HISTORICAL DATA DIGITISATION PROCESS
During the long and continuous operating history of the Bunker Hill Mine, its geologic staff systematically mapped over
150 miles of underground workings, with the data recorded on a standardized series of maps for planning and
exploration. In addition, the mine completed over 180,000 meters of drilling from 3,500 drill holes, meticulously
recording the findings using the various pre‐digital systems available at the time. When major mining operations at
Bunker Hill ceased in 1981, these and other relevant data sets were catalogued and preserved at the Bunker Hill Mine,
where it has remained, relatively untouched, for the last 40 years.
Following the change in executive management in Q2 2020, and concurrent to a verification program designed to
establish a resource estimate for the mineralization contained within the Quill, Newgard and UTZ ore bodies, a data
digitisation program was launched to better leverage the historical mine data collected over a period of 95 years in order
to identify and prioritize high grade silver targets.
This has enabled the construction of the first 3D geologic and structural models of the Bunker Hill Mine which has
enhanced the Company’s understanding of its overall potential as well as improved its ability to more accurately target
its underexplored silver.
DESCRIPTION OF KEY FINDINGS:
(1) Correlation of the strongest mineralization with the quartzite lithologies of the M2 Unit of the Upper Revett
Formation.
Analysis and review of geologic data and reports in the historic data set revealed that mineralization at the
Bunker Hill mine is most strongly correlated to specific lithol ogies. Specifically, it has shown that the primary
host rock is the thicker quartzite units within the Revett formation, and the M2 unit in particular.
Figure 1: Historic surface lithology map digitized and uploaded into 3D model
Bunker Hill
ore bodies hosted in
quartzite units of
Middle Revett
formation
M2 Unit
Is thickest and most
continuous
quartzite package in
Middle Revett fm.
Common host to
large ore bodies.
N
The ore bodies of the Bunker Hill Mine are entirely within the Middle Revett
formation, typically hosted in thicker quartzite beds. Ore body formation was
dictated by structural preparation of these beds, which are coarse and brittle relative
to the surrounding siltite/argillite.
Fold hinges and other flexures created zones of intense fracturing and brecciation in
quartzite beds. Ore bodies are located where structures controlling mineralizing fluid
flow encountered these preferential fractured units.
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Digitizing the detailed geologic mapping data has allowed the c reation of the first 3D lithology and structural
model. Previous geologists were only able to look at this data in plan view on a level by level basis on hand‐
plotted cross‐sections; a time‐consuming and disjointed process that made it extremely hard to accurately
interpret and project the complex series of structures and lithologies hosting and cutting the mineralization.
In contrast, the modern 3D model is designed to reconstruct the stratigraphy in ways that take account of post‐
mineral fault offsets, allowing the team to model and visualize the structural preparation of the host rocks prior
to and during mineralization. This enables an exploration model to target areas of proven structural preparation,
in preferable host rocks, with geologic evidence of mineralization. These targets areas can then be offset by the
known movement vectors and timing on the post‐mineral fault sys tem and projected to their current position
for drill testing.
Figure 2: Historic lithology map overlaid on surface topography with 3D model of sub surface lithology
This investigation has also highlighted sections of this prospe ctive M2 Unit that have not yet been explored or
mined. Some of these are parallel to historical mining areas and near to the surface and existing infrastructure,
as seen in Fig 2 above.
(2) Confirmation of the deposition sequence and the vein types
A digitally enabled projection of the historical geologic data onto the structural investigations conducted in the
late 1970s indicate that there were two distinct depositional e vents at Bunker Hill. The first represented by a
West‐Northwest trend of zinc‐dominant mineralization with gradational margins, known locally at the Bluebird
M2 Unit:
The thickest and most continuous
quartzite package in Middle Revett fm.
Common host to large ore bodies.
Bunker Hill
Mine levels
Kellogg Tunnel
M2 Unit
3D Vulcan Model
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Veins; with the second being a series of North‐Northeast trending structures with silver‐lead mineralization with
s h a r p , v e i n ‐ l i k e c o n t a c t s t h a t p o s t ‐ d a t e a n d c u t t h e e a r l i e r z inc mineralization known locally as the Galena‐
Quartz Veins.
Hybridization also occurs in areas where the secondary lead‐sil ver mineralization intersects and enriches the
areas of primary zinc mineralization.
Figure 3: Cross‐Section of Bunker Hill Mine workings, looking northeast at 054 azimuth. Red shapes are historic
stopes on zinc‐dominant mineralization along west‐northwest Bluebird Vein system. Magenta shapes are
northeast oriented Galena‐Quartz Vein system with historic high ‐grade silver production
The geological reports of the 1970s concluded that high‐grade silver deposition is largely controlled by the
North‐Northeast Galena‐Quartz Vein system, and this has been confirmed by the new 3D modeling process,
which enables the design of a silver‐focused exploration program o f t h e s e v e i n s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n t h e M 2
Quartzite Units.
The recent exploration conducted in Q2 2020 of the mineralization contained within the Newgard, Quill and UTZ
Ore bodies above 10 Level, was focused on verifying part of a p rimarily zinc‐rich Bluebird Vein structure, with
some evidence of hybridization.
(3) Further confirmation that the faulting occurred post‐mineralization.
Prior to the first detailed structural studies conducted in the late 1970s, it was believed that it was the many
faults, and in particular the Cate Fault, that were the key str uctures controlling mineralization. An assumption
that underpinned the exploration and mine planning for nearly 95% of the mine’s history.
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But as a result of this seminal work conducted in the last few years before the mine closed in 1981, it was
demonstrated that the structure of the Bunker Hill deposits is a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a n a n t i c l i n e i n t h e R e v e t t
formation and hosted by the fold‐generated fractures and brecciation in the quartzite beds created in the hinge
and near‐hinge limbs of the flexure, with faulting occurring post‐mineralization.
Figure 4: M2 quartzite unit of the Revett formation with offsets along post‐mineral faults.
Digitization and subsequent 3D modeling and analysis has enable d creation of a comprehensive fault model.
This has allowed for the exploration targets envisioned by the prior generation of geologists to be reconstructed
and pinpointed as well as facilitating the identification of movement vectors along structures. Crucially, this
allows targeting of offset portions of veins with historic high‐grade silver production, and projection of structures
controlling silver‐lead mineralization into preferential host rocks across offsetting structures, well outside of
historically mined or explored areas.
CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS
Fusing the conclusions drawn from this data‐rich 3D model with the seminal analytical work done in the final years of
the mine’s life has enabled the Company to categorise the explo ration potential of this polymetallic mine relative to
both structure and primary mineral; and then identify the location of specific galena‐quartz or hybrid veins as high‐
potential silver exploration targets. Planning for the upcoming exploration program is currently being finalized, with the
goal of prioritizing silver targets which are close to the surf ace and in proximity to existing infrastructure. A first high
grade silver focused exploration campaign is set to commence in the coming days.
M2 Unit‐
3D Vulcan Model:
Segments Divided
along modeled fault
surfaces
Marblehead Fault
Cate Fault
Kruger Fault
Historic surface
Lithology Map
draped over surface
topography
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Qualified Person
Mr. Scott E. Wilson, CPG, President of Resource Development Ass ociates Inc. and a consultant to the Company, is an
independent “Qualified Person” as defined by NI 43‐101 and is a cting at the Qualified Person for the Company. He has
reviewed and approved the technical information summarized in this news release.
About Bunker Hill Mining Corp.
Bunker Hill Mining Corp. has an option to acquire 100% of all saleable assets at the Bunker Hill Mine. Information about
the Company is available on its website, www.bunkerhillmining.com, or within the SEDAR and EDGAR databases.
For additional information contact:
Sam Ash, President and Chief Executive Officer
+1 208 786 6999
Cautionary Statements
Certain statements in this news release are forward‐looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward‐look ing
statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A o f the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of th e
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as within the meaning of the phrase ‘forward‐looking information’ in the
Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 51‐102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligatio ns. Forward‐looking statements
are not comprised of historical facts. Forward‐looking statemen ts include estimates and statements that describe the Company’s
future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result
to occur. Forward‐looking statements may be identified by such terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “ma y”,
“could”, “would”, “will”, or “plan”. Since forward‐looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and
conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks an d uncertainties. Although these statements are based on informa tion
currently available to the Company, the Company provides no ass urance that actual results will meet management’s expectations.
Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward‐lo oking information could cause actual events, results, performan ce,
prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward‐looking information. Forward
looking information in this news release includes, but is not l imited to, the Company’s intentions regarding its objectives, g oals or
future plans and statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward‐looking information
include, but are not limited to: the ability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID‐19 on the business of the Company, including
b u t n o t l i m i t e d t o t h e e f f e c t s o f C O V I D ‐ 1 9 o n t h e p r i c e o f c o m modities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and
international travel and supply chains; failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves;
the inability to complete a feas ibility study whi ch recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test
results; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required gov ernmental, environmental or other project approvals; political risks;
changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availa bility and costs of financing nee ded in the future; the inabili ty of the
Company to budget and manage its liquidity in light of the failure to obtain additional financing, including the ability of the Company
to complete the payments pursuant to the terms of the agreement to acquire the Bunker Hill Mine C omplex; inflation; changes in
exchange rates; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; capita l, operating and reclamation co sts
varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry; and those risks
set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in
preparing the forward‐looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such
information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the
disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward‐looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. No stock exchange,
securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.