Freeman Reports Successful Completion of 2022 Resource Expansion Drill Program and Provides Year End Summary of Activities - Lemhi GOLD Deposit, Idaho
FREEMAN REPORTS SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 2022
RESOURCE EXPANSION DRILL PROGRAM AND PROVIDES YEAR
END SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES - LEMHI GOLD DEPOSIT, IDAHO
Following a significant capital raise of US$13M @ US$0.35 in late 2021:
• Completed multi-phased drill programs totaling 15,349m in 71 drill holes (58 core
holes/13 reverse circulation holes) at the Lemhi Gold Deposit and the Beauty Zone
• Drill programs at Lemhi successfully expand known gold mineralization in all
directions and at depth. Mineralization strike length expanded 80 and 166 metres east
and west, respectively. Highlights include 1.2 g/t Au over 24m (FG22-036C) and 2.1
g/t Au over 16m (FG22-016C)
• Discovery hole at Beauty Zone returns 68.23 g/t Au over six metres
• Received Permanent Mining Water Rights from the Idaho Department of Water
Resources further de-risking project development
• Received initial metallurgical results which indicate excellent gold recoveries
averaging 95%
• Engaged Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”), a tier 1 engineering firm, to
complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) specific to the Lemhi Gold
Deposit (Q1 2023 completion)
• Commenced multi-phased metallurgical studies under the direction of Ausenco
• Engaged APEX Geoscience Ltd. to complete an updated geological model and
mineral resource estimate (Q1 2023)
• Completed quarterly surface and groundwater water sampling and flow
measurements
• Received Plan of Operations from United States Forest Service (“USFS”) allowing for
28 new off-patent drill pads
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Toronto Venture Stock Exchange: FMAN
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – December 13, 2022 – Freeman Gold Corp. (TSXV: FMAN,
OTCQX: FMANF, FSE: 3 WU) (“Freeman” or the “ Company”) is pleased to announce the successful
completion of its 2022 drill program at its 100% owned Lemhi Gold Deposit, Idaho, USA. The program
consisted of 58 diamond drill holes and 13 reverse circulation (“RC”) for a total of 15,349 metres. Drilling
successfully extended known mineralization in areas previously modelled as barren (unmineralized) in the
Company’s maiden mineral resource estimate (refer to press release dated July 8, 2021) with the objective
of increasing the modelled in-pit ounces.
Paul Matysek, Executive Chairman, commented , “We had a very busy ye ar, which included extensive
expansion drilling, permitting milestones, positive metallurgical work and a new discovery , as we are
completing the building blocks for our PEA. In addition, senior management has supported the stock by
continuing to expand our positions.”
2022 Program Highlights
Drilling:
To date, results for 50 percent (29 holes) of the completed holes, including three holes at the Company’s
high grade Beauty Zone gold discovery have been received and released . Drilling highlights from this
campaign include:
- Discovered the Beauty Zone with initial drill hole containing 68.23 g/t Au over six metres and five
follow-up holes with results pending for three RC holes;
- Significant shallow intercepts in oxide expanded the known mineralization to both the east and
west by 80 and 166 metres, respectively;
- Gold mineralization now extends to at least 348 metres and is open at depth; and
- Selected highlighted results include 0.61 g/t Au over 66m, including 3.1 g/t Au over 5.0m (FG22-
011C); 0.55 g/t Au over 55m, including 1.1 g/t Au over 18.52m (FG22-001C); 0.34 g/t Au over
105.92m including 1.49 g/t over 7.0m (FG22-031C); 0.24 g/t Au over 156.69m including 2.1 g/t
over 7.44m (FG21-004C); 1.2 g/t Au over 24m (FG22-036C), 0.4 g/t Au over 41m (FG22-003C);
1.5 g/t Au over 9.0m (FG22-010C); 0.61 g/t Au over 90m, including 0.92 g/t Au over 15.97m
(FG22-009C); 0.94 g/t Au over 41m, including 1.67 g/t Au over 17m (FG22-014C); 0.73 g/t Au
over 7.5m (FG22-002C; deepest mineralization drilled to date (340m) at Lemhi; and 2.1 g/t Au
over 16m (FG22-016C). See releases dated October 12, 2022, and November 9, 2022, and Tables
1 and 2 below.
Table 1 – Select Drill Results – Lemhi West*
DRILL
HOLE
DEPTH
(METRES) DIP AZIMUTH FROM TO HIGHLIGHT
FG21-004C 270.36 -90 360 89.32 246 156.69m @ 0.26 g/t Au
including
89.31 90.98 1.67m @ 1.97 g/t Au
115.8 123.24 7.44m @ 2.1 g/t
115.8 118 2.2m @ 6.74 g/t Au
3
DRILL
HOLE
DEPTH
(METRES) DIP AZIMUTH FROM TO HIGHLIGHT
175 186 11m @ 0.76 g/t Au
including
182.3 186 3.7m @ 2 g/t Au
193 198 5m @ 0.3 g/t Au
206.75 209 2.25m @ 1.25 g/t Au
FG21-005C 272.8 -90 360 185 192 7m @ 0.21 g/t Au
including
190 192 2m @ 0.39
202.1 214 11.9m @ 0.25 g/t Au
including
202.1 206.1 4m @ 0.48 g/t Au
249 255 6 m @ 0.62 g/t Au
FG22-001C 254.2 -90 360 192 247 55m @ 0.55 g/t Au
including
207.48 226 18.52m @ 1.1 g/t Au
including
217 220 3m @ 4.45 g/t Au
232 239 7m @ 0.29 g/t Au
FG22-003C 280.42 -90 360 160 201 41m @ 0.4 g/t Au
including
161 164 3m @ 1.7 g/t Au
197 201 4m @ 1.52 g/t Au
FG22-005C 249.94 -90 360 32 34 2m @ 0.37 g/t Au
119 120 1m @ 5.1 g/t Au
138 139 1m @ 2 g/t Au
154 159 5m @ 0.39 g/t Au
Including
155 156 1m @ 1.2 g/t Au
177.02 181 3.98m @ 0.36 g/t Au
FG22-006C 278.89 -90 360 129 131 2m @ 0.54 g/t Au
137 138 1m @ 0.72 g/t Au
153 158 5m @ 0.55 g/t Au
Including
153 154 1m @ 1.9 g/t Au
FG22-008C 255.73 -68 270 61 62 1m @ 2.69 g/t Au
139 140 1m @ 0.6 g/t Au
Including
152.2 157 4.8m @ 0.51 g/t Au
176.17 178 1.83m @ 0.85 g/t Au
182 185 3m @ 0.54 g/t Au
182 190 8m @ 0.35 g/t Au
FG22-011C 251.46 -70 270 17.06 20 2.94m @ 0.41 g/t Au
4
DRILL
HOLE
DEPTH
(METRES) DIP AZIMUTH FROM TO HIGHLIGHT
39 41 2m @ 1.4 g/t Au
127 193 66 m @ 0.61 g/t Au
including
158 163 5m @ 3.1 g/t Au
FG22-025C 268.99 -90 360 30 31 1m @ 1.49 g/t Au
88 89 1m @ 1.56 g/t Au
95 98 3m @ 1.2 g/t Au
110 112 2m @ 1.39 g/t Au
160 262 102m @ 0.22 g/t Au
Including
160 162 2m @ 1.78 g/t Au
170 175 5m @ 0.48 g/t Au
188 189 1m @ 1.69 g/t Au
193 195 2m @ 0.8 g/t Au
215 220 5m @ 0.47 g/t Au
227 232 5m @ 0.47 g/t Au
FG22-028C 289.56 -90 360 35 36 1m @ 1.32 g/t Au
146 156 10m @ 0.6 g/t Au
FG22-031 252.98 -90 360 133.08 239 105.92m @ 0.34 g/t Au
Including
136 143 7m @ 1.49 g/t Au
177 182 5m @ 1.38 g/t Au
FG22-033 204.98 -74 270 2 8 6m @ 0.48 g/t Au
46 48 2m @ 0.72 g/t Au
159 163 4m @ 0.4 g/t Au
176.55 198 21.45 @ 0.59 g/t Au
including
185 189 4m @ 1.18 g/t Au
FG22-035 258.32 -90 360 81 91 10m @ 0.96 g/t Au
including
81 83.21 2.21m @ 2.84 g/t Au
145 152 7m @ 0.83 g/t Au
159 167 8m @ 0.31 g/t Au
including
163 167 4m @ 0.51 g/t Au
172 177 5m @ 0.75 g/t Au
197 204.06 7.06m @ 0.39 g/t Au
FG22-036C 235.31 -75 270 15 23 8m @ 1.46 g/t Au
125 149 24m @ 1.2 g/t Au
*Intervals are core-length. True width is estimated between 90-95 percent (“%”) of core length.
** Using 0.2 g/t Au cut-off.
5
Table 2 – Select Drill Results – Lemhi East*
DRILL
HOLE
DEPTH
(METRES) DIP AZIMUTH FROM TO HIGHLIGHT
FG22-002C 398.68 -90 360 114.78 126 11.22 m @ 0.28 g/t Au
174.88 176 1.12 m @ 1.04 g/t Au
230.3 231.88 1.58m @ 0.96 g/t Au
326 363.09 37.09m @ 0.26 g/t Au
Including
337 363.09 26.09m @ 0.33 g/t Au
Including
340.6 348.08 7.48m @ 0.73 g/t Au
FG22-004C 356.01 -90 360 99 102 3m @ 0.31 g/t Au
167 171.26 4.26 m @ 0.56 g/t Au
227.69 242 14.31m @ 0.23 g/t Au
Including
227.69 232 4.31m @ 0.42 g/t Au
241 242 1m @ 0.46 g/t Au
252 262.89 10.89m @ 0.33 g/t Au
Including
255.88 257 1.12m @ 0.97g/t Au
FG22-007C 287.73 -90 360 68 213 145m @0.21 g/t Au
Including
71.22 81 9.78m @ 0.36 g/t Au
94.12 94.51 0.39m @ 5.5 g/t Au
129.55 142 12.45 m @ 1.02 g/t Au
including
130 133 3m @ 2.98 g/t Au
144.93 152 7.07m @ 0.26 g/t Au
163 172 9m @ 0.2 g/t Au
FG22-012C 332.69 -90 360 114 118 4m @ 0.55 g/t Au
126 128.63 2.63m @ 2.14 g/t
136 141 5m @ 0.41 g/t
160.63 162.39 1.76m @ 0.9 g/t Au
186 192 6m @ 0.35 g/t Au
FG22-014C 352.96 -90 360 113 154 41 m @ 0.94 g/t Au
Including
113 130 17m @ 1.67 g/t Au
FG22-016C 250.85 -90 360 49 208 159m @ 0.22 g/t Au
Including
50 52 2m @ 2.2 g/t Au
116 122.87 6.87m @ 0.47 g/t Au
138 152 14m @ 0.56 g/t Au
FG22-018C 278.43 -90 360 10 14 4m @ 0.21 g/t Au
6
DRILL
HOLE
DEPTH
(METRES) DIP AZIMUTH FROM TO HIGHLIGHT
47 63 16m @ 2.1 g/t Au
including
55 57.3 2.3m @ 5.35 g/t Au
129 145 16m @ 0.83 g/t Au
184 194 10m @ 0.3 g/t Au
FG22-019C 229.82 -90 360 68.51 75 6.49m @ 1.4 g/t Au
91 95 4m @ 0.98 g/t Au
FG22-021C 247.95 -90 360 69 72 3m @ 0.37 g/t Au
103 197 94m @ 0.31 g/t Au
Including
137 149 12m @ 1.1 g/t Au
137 176 39m @ 0.52 g/t Au
FG22-029C 297.48 -90 360 144 147 3m @ 0.65 g/t Au
223.35 253 29.65m @ 0.45 g/t Au
Including
223.5 232 8.65m @ 1.2 g/t Au
277 279 2m @ 0.6 g/t Au
INFILL
FG22-009C 229.51 -90 360 10 100 90m @ 0.61 g/t Au
including
10 22 12m @ 1.1 g/t Au
44 49 5m @ 2.26 g/t Au
63.09 73 9.91m @ 0.95 g/t Au
78.03 94 15.97m @ 0.92 g/t Au
INFILL
FG22-010C 202.69 -90 360 29 34 5m @ 0.35 g/t Au
48 49.17 1.17 m @ 1.44 g/t Au
62 71 9m @ 1.5 g/t Au
104 106 2m @ 0.47 g/t Au
136 141 5m @ 0.32 g/t Au
*Intervals are core-length. True width is estimated between 90-95 percent (“%”) of core length. Numbers
rounded to one decimal place.
** Using 0.2 g/t Au cut-off.
Remaining assay results are expected to be received by January 2023 and will be released in batches,
including the Beauty Zone follow-up holes. In addition to the comprehensive 2022 drill program, Freeman
has advanced the Lemhi gold project with the objective of completing a robust economic study in early
2023.
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Metallurgy:
SGS Mineral Services (“SGS”) of Burnaby, BC, performed metallurgical laboratory testing beginning in
January 2021 and ending in January 2022. The test work comprised of three phases is detailed in a n SGS
Report dated February 28, 2022. The laboratory study ran a total of 38 drill hole intervals and composite
samples. Initial optimization test work began on archived assay rejects originating from 2012 diamond drill
core (Phase 1) and then proceed ed to 2020 PQ diamond drill core intervals (Phase 2), followed by 26
variability composite drill core samples originating from 2020 assay rejects (Phase 3). These samples were
used for comminution, gravity recovery, leaching, and liquid/solid separation studies, as well as ongoing
environmental evaluation.
The laboratory testing used composite samples averagin g close to the predicted current resource grade of
1.01 g/t Au (see below), resulting in average gold extractions of 95%. This comprised of a wide range of
potential mill feed grades of between 0.4 g/t to 10.9 g/t resulting in 91% to 99% gold leach dissolu tion.
Gold recovery continued to hold up well even below potential cut -off grade material. This included down
to the lowest grade sample at 0.19 g/t Au, which resulted in 89% gold leach dissolution. Cyanide tailing
residues typically analyzed <0.5 g/t Au and were often below detection limit of 0.02 g/t Au. Leaching was
achieved under moderate operating conditions using a retention time that varied between 36 to 48 hours,
depending on head grade. The majority of gold dissolution was shown to occur in the fi rst 24 hours.
Following optimization studies, the grind targeted a leach feed particle size of 80% passing 106 microns.
Preliminary comminution work index testing has shown the resource rock at depth having average hardness
for crushing and grinding, then becoming softer closer to surface.
Pre-treatment of the leach feed by centrifugal gravity concentration suggests on average 1/3 of the gold
might be recovered into rougher gravity concentrate that is suitable for intense cyanidation. This is relevant
given the corresponding head analyses indicate a significant portion of gold can occur as coarse particles.
Laboratory data also suggests that sulphide bearing material that is occasionally identified in the current
resource, including pyrite and chalcopy rite intervals, could produce a potentially marketable flotation
concentrate containing gold and copper. Flotation tailing would then be forwarded as feed to the CIP leach
process resulting in overall process recoveries in line with whole rock tank leachin g. This could become
more important should future exploration identify a resource with oxide gold transitioning into sulphide
materials at depth.
In conclusion, these results suggest that Lemhi is well suited with respect to metallurgical response for
project advancement, based on the current resource grade range.
As part of the current PEA, Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. (“Ausenco”) has commenced a muti-phased
metallurgical program . Their current multi -phased metallurgical program is designed to confirm and
potentially improve on the SGS program and will include: feed assaying and unsized particle mineral
analysis mineralogy; gravity recoverable gold, whole ore leach effects of grinding and cyanide dosage
optimization; diagnostic leaching; gravity concentration carbon in leach and carbon in leach tails; bulk leach
and detox; solid-liquid separation; BMA and gold deportment mineralogy on overall composites;
comminution; and diagnostic leaching of whole ore leach tail.
Environmental & Permitting:
With respect to permitting , Freeman is in receipt of permanent water rights which will allow for enough
water for developing an anticipated 2,000,000 tonne per year mine (5,000 tonne/day). Permit No. 75-15005
was approved May 23, 2022, by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Freeman’s water rights are the
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only registered groundwater rights in the Lemhi Gold Deposit’s basin. This is a crucial step in de -risking
the project and demonstrates the value of mining-friendly tier one jurisdictions such as Idaho.
On May 23, 2022, Freeman received an approved Plan of Operations (“POO”) application from the USDA-
Forest Service (“ USFS”), Salmon and Challis National Forests, North Fork Ranger District. The P OO
(POO-2021-081646) was instrumental in allowing Freeman to drill north and south of the existing in pit
mineral resource estimate as part of its resource expansion program. The POO allowed drilling on 28 new
pads off patented claims. A subsequent POO was also filed with the USFS.
During 20 21-2022, Freeman completed quarterly surface and groundwater sampling and flow
measurements as part of baseline data required for mine permitting.
Economic Assessment:
Ausenco has been selected as the p rincipal engineering firm to undertake a comprehensi ve Preliminary
Economic Assessment (“PEA”) specific to the Lemhi Gold Deposit outlining an open pit mining operation.
The PEA will provide a detailed financial model including required capital expenditures and operation
capital requirements; mine plan scenarios for open pit mining and ore treatment; pit optimization; process
plant and infrastructure; an updated geological model and mineral re source estimate; and confirmatory
metallurgy.
APEX Geoscience Ltd. has been engaged to complete an updated mineral resource estimate to be included
in the PEA. This will include an updated geological model and updated in -pit mineral resource update
including all the 2021-2022 drilling to date.
All will culminate in an updated National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43- 101”) report.
Lemhi Gold Deposit:
As at November 30, 2022, a total of 71 drill holes have been completed at Lemhi for a total of 1 5,349
metres. These holes have been primarily designed to test on strike extensions of the known resource as well
as infill in certain parts of the gold deposit. In particular, the drill program has focused on areas currently
modelled as pit waste because o f no or sparse drill data. All ounces added in these areas, even if close to
the cut-off grade, will add value to the project as they come from zones in the resource shell that may now
be upgraded to resources. The drill programs have now concluded and all drill holes from the project have
been logged, sampled and sent to the laboratory. Analytical results are pending.
All drill core samples have been sent to ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division), an independent
and fully accredited laboratory (ISO 9001:2008), in Vancouver, Canada, for analysis for gold by Fire Assay
and multi-element Induction Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (select drill holes). Freeman has a regimented
Quality Assurance, Quality Control (“QAQC”) program where at least 10% duplicates, blanks and
standards are inserted into each sample shipment.
About the Company and Project
Freeman Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of its 100% owned
Lemhi Gold property (the “ Project”). The Project comprises 30 square kilometres of highly prospective
land, hosting a near-surface oxide gold resource. The pit constrained NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource
estimate is comprised of 749,800 oz gold (“ Au”) at 1.02 grams per tonne (“ g/t”) in 22.94 millio n tonnes
(Indicated) and 250,300 oz Au at 1.01 g/t Au in 7.83 million tonnes (Inferred). See the NI 43-101 technical
report titled “Maiden Resource Technical Report for the Lemhi Gold Project, Lemhi County, Idaho, USA”