First Mining Completes Development Drilling and Expands Mineralization Potential at Springpole with SW Extension Zone
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NEWS RELEASE
First Mining Completes Development Drilling and Expands Mineralization
Potential at Springpole with SW Extension Zone
April 12, 2023 – Vancouver, Canada – First Mining Gold Corp. (“First Mining” or the “Company”) (TSX:
FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce its 2022 drilling program results focused
on the advancement of its Springpole Gold Project (“Springpole” or the “Project”) located in Northwestern
Ontario, Canada.
The 2022 Springpole diamond drilling campaign comprised of 62 drill holes totalling 5,834 met res, and
was focused on advancing geotechnical, hydrogeological, and geochemical studies related to metal
leaching and acid ro ck drainage ( “ARD”). Drilling in the southwest area of the Springpole Deposit has
identified additional mineralization (“SW Extension Zone”) which extends beyond the ore zone boundary
as defined in the 2021 Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS P it”), allowing for extension of the deposit continuity
outside the current mineral resource area.
Highlighted intercepts supporting the SW E xtension Zone include 1.08 g/t Au over 30.0 m in hole SG22 -
008, and 0.98 g/t Au over 33.0 m in hole SG22-021, representing an area of opportunity for resource
growth potential to be supported by infill and step-out drilling.
Highlights of the 2022 drilling program include:
• Delineation of the Springpole SW Extension Zone over approximately 150 m in the southwesterly
direction and 550 m in the strike direction, with mineralization remaining open along strike and
at depth for further testing
• Drill hole SG22 -008 intersected 1.08 g/t Au over 30.0 m from 300.0 – 330.0 m , targeting the
western wall area of the PFS Pit
• Drill hole SG22-021 intersected 0.98 g/t Au over 33.0 m from 252.0 – 285.0 m, including 2.87 g/t
Au over 7.0 m from 264 – 271 m, targeting the southwestern wall area of the PFS Pit
• Drill hole SG22-027 intersected 2.14 g/t Au over 10.7 m from 228 – 238.7 m, and 0.51 g/t Au over
30.0 m from 255.0 – 285.0 m, targeting the southwestern wall area of the PFS pit
“This is an exciting announcement by First Mining as we have been able to identify additional
mineralization in the SW Extension Zone” stated Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining Gold. “Our team at First
Mining had always understood there was more potential to the c urrent resource at Springpole and are
encouraged by these results. We believe our existing resource of 4.6 Moz of M&I is the starting point for
Springpole and as we continue our exploration program, we believe there will b e considerable upside
potential at the project and in the region.”
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2022 Development Drilling
A total of 62 drill holes for 5,834 metres were completed in 2022 supporting development advancement
for the Springpole Gold Project ( see Figure 1), including geotechnical, hydrogeological, and geochemical
studies.
Geotechnical drilling during 2022 consisted of 34 HQ-sized diamond drill holes totaling 3,756 metres
supporting further characterization of the proposed open pit walls, the proposed construction dykes and
additional areas of proposed mine infrastructure. Drilling within the area of the s outhwest PFS pit wall
intersected an extension of the mineralization outside of the PFS ore zone and mineral resource area.
Results of the program further su pported drilling results from the 2021 site investigation programs and
have established expansion opportunities for additional resource delineation.
A further 10 diamond drill holes totaling 1,612 metres were completed in order to collect sample material
for the ongoing metal leaching/ARD studies on the Project. This drilling primarily targeted areas of waste
and low grade within the PFS pit for ARD sample collection, and highlights from mineralized intersections
include 1.17 g/t Au over 19.0 m from 85 – 104 m in drill hole SP22 -ARD-010, 1.75 g/t Au over 1 6.0 m
from 212.0 – 228.0 m in drill hole SP22-ARD-012, and 0.57 g/t Au over 44.0 m from 73.0 – 117.0 m in drill
hole SP22-ARD-004. Selected core samples from the geotechnical drill program were also utilized for the
ARD test work program.
The 2022 hydrogeology drilling formed part of ongoing hydrogeological site investigations required to
support the Environmental Assessment (“EA”) at Springpole. Drilling totaled 18 diamond drill holes over
406 m and included a program of shallow monitoring well installation s which were positioned around
proposed mine infrastructure and intended for long-term groundwater data collection.
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Figure 1: Drill Plan Map Showing 2022 Drill Locations
SW Extension Zone
During the 2021 development drilling campaign, two holes targeting the southwest wall of the PFS pit for
geotechnical purposes intersected gold and silver mineralization outside of the PFS ore zone, highlighting
a potential extension of the Springpole Deposit. As a result, the focus of drilling in th is area shifted from
geotechnical to near- resource exploration potential in order to delineate this new mineralization and
build on the understanding of the geology in this area. Three additional holes drilled during the 2022
program for the geotechnical p rogram (SG22-008, SG22 -021 and SG22 -027) also intersected
mineralization in the SW extension area (see Figure 2).
Mineralization includes heavily disseminated pyrite with local concentrations of semi- massive sulphide
within strongly altered and leached host rocks . The favourable lithologies present for gold and silver
mineralization are trachytes, porphyries, volcanic breccias, and altered andesites.
The boundaries of this zone have yet to be fully defined, with opportunities for step -out drillin g and
additional exploration to extend the identified mineralization . First Mining Gold has additionally
completed updated lithological and structural modelling that is further supporting brownfields
exploration and direct resource extension opportunity identification.
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Figure 2: Oblique 3D View of the 2022 Development Drilling in the Area of the SW Extension Zone
Assay highlights from the 2022 drill program are listed below in Table 1. A complete list of the 2022 assay
results, including hole details, can be viewed at: https://firstmininggold.com/2022-assay-table-and-hole-
details/
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Table 1: Significant Intercepts from 2022 Development Drilling Program
Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Hole Purpose
SG22-008 268 275 7 0.45 2.36
Geotechnical (Pit) and 283 295 12 0.39 3.91
and 300 330 30 1.01 8.44
and 334 347.15 13.15 0.57 4.53
SG22-017 521 531 10 0.54 1.47 Geotechnical (Pit)
SG22-019 89 103 14 0.58 2.00 Geotechnical (Pit)
SG22-021 203 230 27 0.51 4.59
Geotechnical (Pit) and 252 285 33 0.98 6.81
inc 264 271 7 2.87 15.9
SG22-023 134 164 30 0.48 7.68 Geotechnical (Pit) and 206 222 16 0.81 14.98
SG22-027 228 238.7 10.7 2.14 16.77
Geotechnical (Pit) and 255 285 30 0.51 3.92
and 305 326.65 21.65 0.49 3.87
SP22-ARD-004 73 117 44 0.57 3.65 ARD - Portage Zone
SP22-ARD-010 85 104 19 1.17 15.28 ARD - Portage Zone
SP22-ARD-012 212 228 16 1.75 13.95 ARD - Portage Zone
Reported widths are drilled core lengths; assay values are uncut
Springpole Gold Deposit
The Springpole Gold Project hosts a significant gold and silver resource in a bulk tonnage, low grade
disseminated porphyry to epithermal style deposit that is associated with the emplacement of an alkali
trachyte intrusive. Mineralization styles include disseminated gold -silver-sulphide mineralization that is
related to multiple phases of a trachyte porphyry complex and a number of associated diatreme breccias,
hydrothermal breccias, d ykes and sills. The c urrent mineral resource for the Springpole Gold Deposit
comprises an Indicated Resource of 4.6 Moz Au at 0.94 g/t and an additional Inferred Resource of 300,000
ounces of gold at 0.54 g/t, including Reserves of 3.8 Moz Au at 0.97 g/t, as set out in the technical report
entitled “NI 43 -101 Technical Report and Pre -Feasibility Study on the Springpole Gold Project, Ontario,
Canada”, which was prepared for First Mining by AGP Mining Consultants Inc. (“AGP”) in accordance with
National Instrument 43 -101 Standards of Disc losure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43 -101”) and has an
effective date of January 20, 2021. First Mining has now commenced activities to support a Feasibility
Study on the Project.
Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures
All sampling completed by First Mining within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard
of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified
reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Core samples from the 2022 drilling
program were sent to Activation Laboratories located in Thunder Bay, Ontario where they were processed
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for gold analysis by 50 gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish, and multi -element a nalysis
(including silver) by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method with an aqua regia digest . Activation
Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay
requirements outlined for NI 43-101.
Qualified Person
Hazel Mullin, P.Geo., Director, Data Management and Technical Services of First Mining, is a “Qualified
Person” for the purposes of NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and she has reviewed
and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.
About First Mining Gold Corp.
First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada, the Springpole Gold
Project in northwestern Ontario, where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities
are on-going with a draft Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) for the project published in June 2022,
and the Duparquet, Pitt and Duquesne Gold Projects in Quebec, a collection of advanced -stage
development assets located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also
owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a portfolio of gold project interests including the Pickle
Crow Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), the Hope Brook Gold Project
(being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), and an equity interest in Treasury Metals Inc.
First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic
Silver Corp.
ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.
Daniel W. Wilton
Chief Executive Officer and Director
For further information, please contact:
Toll Free: 1 844 306 8827 | Email: [email protected]
Paul Morris | Director, Investor Relations | Email: [email protected]
Richard Huang | Vice President, Corporate Development | Email: [email protected]
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain "forward -looking information” and "forward -looking statements” (collectively
"forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation
including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward- looking statements are
made as of the date of this news release. Forward -looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by
words such as "expects”, "anticipates”, "believes”, “plans”, “projects”, "intends”, "estimates”, “envisages”,
"potential”, "possible”, “strategy”, “goals”, “opportunities”, “objectives”, or variations thereof or stating that certain
actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative
of any of these terms and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future perfo rmance and reflect current
estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward- looking statements are based on
First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information
currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual
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results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward- looking
statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a
number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently
subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such
factors include, without limitation the Company’s business, operations and financial condition potentially being
materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and
by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of
the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID -19, that may result in a slowdown or
temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head
office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities;
fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and
local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and
hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental
hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave- ins and flooding); the presence of
laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by
local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with
mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and
the additional risks described in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed
with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.
First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying
on our forward -looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should
carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake
to update any forward- looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the
Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.