Harfang Announces High-Grade Gold Discoveries at Menarik East, Québec
Harfang Announces High-Grade Gold Discoveries at Menarik East, Québec
MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2024 -- Harfang Exploration Inc. (“ Harfang” or the “Company”) (TSX.V: HAR) is pleased to announce
multiple high-grade gold discoveries at its wholly-owned Menarik East Property (the “Property”) in Eeyou Istchee James Bay,
Québec (Figure 1). These discoveries are highlighted by a newly identified gold trend, revealing the gold potential of an area
which has previously been known for its chromium endowment.
Highlights
◾ Multiple High-Grade Gold Discoveries and New Trend Delineated: The Company has made multiple high-grade
gold discoveries in previously underexplored areas leading to the delineation of a new gold trend. These discoveries are
within quartz-carbonate vein systems associated with shear zones.
◾ Grab Samples Returned Assay Result up to 44.3 g/t Au: Sixteen (16) grab samples returned assay results above
2.0 g/t Au with the top three samples returning 44.3 g/t Au, 28.5 g/t Au, and 22.5 g/t Au.
◾ Unlocking the Gold Potential of the Dyke Swarm: The discovery of gold-bearing sheared dykes highlights the
potential of a 20 km 2 area of gabbroic dykes at Menarik East and suggests that this entire area be prospected for
additional gold mineralization.
◾ Don’t Forget About the Ultramafics! Gold and copper-nickel-PGE discoveries have been made in the ultramafic zone
of the Menarik Igneous Complex, an area previously known to host chromium mineralization. While the geologic model
continues to unravel, these discoveries are indicative of the polymetallic potential across the entire Property.
◾ Increased Land Position at Menarik East: The Company has staked 18 additional claims in the eastern portion of
the Property to secure surrounding prospective ground related to the recent discoveries.
“This summer was the first time that Harfang geologists put boots on the ground at Menarik East," said Vincent Dubé-
Bourgeois, Interim President and CEO of Harfang Exploration Inc. "Between the newly discovered gold trend and the additional
gold discoveries made in the gabbroic dyke swarm, along with the presence of gold in the ultramafics, it’s quickly becoming
obvious that this property is not to be underestimated. We have learned a lot about the complex geology at Menarik East and
it’s clear that we still have a lot to learn. I want to thank and congratulate the entire technical team on their multiple discoveries
made this past summer in the James Bay at Menarik East and Serpent-Radisson. We look forward to updating the market on
the follow-up field program currently underway.”
New Gold Trend Discovered
The Company has delineated a significant new gold trend in a previously underexplored area of the Property ( Figure 2). This
new trend is N-S-oriented and is the product of four gold discoveries made during the summer 2024 exploration program (DV-
58, AG-33, DV-60, and DV-62; see Table 1). The summer program was heavily informed by a 2024 remote sensing study that
investigated newly captured high-resolution satellite images across the Property.
The main discovery (DV-58) was made on a N-S trending sheared contact between gabbro and tonalite (Figures 3 and 4). This
shear zone, composed of chlorite, actinote, and sericite schists, measures approximately 400 metres in strike length and 2
metres wide and was injected by quartz-carbonate veins. The quartz-carbonate veins are altered with hematite, calcite,
chlorite, up to 4% sulfides, and notably contain visible gold, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite. Grab samples from DV-58 returned
assay results highlighted by 44.30 g/t Au, 28.50 g/t Au, 20.60 g/t, 13.50 g/t Au, and 11.30 g/t Au.
Approximately 500 metres to the south of DV-58, and along the same lithostructural trend, the AG-33 discovery presents a
similar geology and mineralization style, with grab samples that returned assay results highlighted by 9.13 g/t Au and 3.97 g/t
Au over a 200-metre N-S-oriented trend.
Approximately 500 and 1,500 metres to the north of DV-58, two grab samples returned assay results highlighted by 1.60 g/t
Au and 1.37 g/t Au, respectively. These two grab samples, DV-60 and DV-62, respectively, are both quartz-carbonate veins
hosted in a N-S-trending fault.
Geological observations and geophysical data would suggest that DV-58, AG-33, DV-60, and DV-62 are all part of the same
gold trend.
Table 1. Select assay results from grab samples at the ten gold discoveries at Menarik East.
SAMPLE ID EASTING NORTHING Au (g/t) DISCOVERY
1344855 350376 5920440 44.3 DV-58
1344859 350308 5920626 28.5 DV-58
1344880 347808 5917830 22.5 RO-60
1345797 350212 5920359 20.6 DV-58
1345795 350365 5920276 13.5 DV-58
1344854 350354 5920463 11.3 DV-58
1345771 350314 5919757 9.13 AG-33
1344858 350331 5920479 8.45 DV-58
1345794 350386 5920325 7.23 DV-58
1346298 349119 5921025 4.35 RO-44
1346010 350360 5919564 3.97 AG-33
1344860 350312 5920619 2.91 DV-58
1345930 348264 5921258 2.32 DV-78
1346118 346676 5918138 2.12 PEM-11
1344936 348279 5918896 2.02 SM-20
1344887 348302 5917640 2.00 RO-64
1346297 349119 5921024 1.99 RO-44
1344865 350290 5921106 1.60 DV-60
1345782 349865 5922260 1.37 DV-62
1344885 348297 5917638 1.33 RO-64
*Coordinates are presented in NAD83 UTM Zone 18.
Additional Significant Gold Discoveries
In addition to the gold trend discovery described above, the Company has made several other high-grade gold discoveries on
the Property. Grab samples from six different prospects returned assay results including 22.50 g/t Au, 4.35 g/t Au, 2.32 g/t
Au, 2.02 g/t Au, 2.00 g/t Au, and 1.99 g/t Au. The gold-bearing quartz-carbonate veins are all hosted within sheared and
altered gabbro dykes, at the contact with the tonalite. The dykes are commonly 15 to 20 metres wide and may be interpreted
as late-stage intrusive phases within the ~2.7 Ga Menarik Igneous Complex (the “MIC”).
These results further highlight the gold potential at Menarik East and support the Company’s hypothesis that the MIC offers
promising exploration opportunities. The extensive gabbroic dyke swarm likely associated with the MIC intruded an area of
approximately 20 km 2. Prospecting in this territory has revealed a continuous geological setting similar to the main DV-58
discovery.
The Company has also discovered gold mineralization within the ultramafic zone of the MIC. While this zone was previously
known for its chromium endowment, grab samples have returned assay results highlighted by 2.12 g/t Au and 2.11% Cu in
PEM-11. This gold mineralization was observed in stringers of chalcopyrite and disseminated pyrite in a 3-metre-wide E-W-
oriented sheared and quartz-carbonate altered serpentinite, proximal to the Lake Menarik Fault.
This particular style of gold mineralization at Menarik East, known as listwaenite-type, suggests that the ultramafic zone of the
MIC has gold potential in addition to the known chromium potential. The Company continues to develop the complex geologic
model of this highly prospective and underexplored area.
Copper, Nickel, and PGE Potential
Rock sampling within the ultramafic zone of the MIC led to the discovery of Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization associated with
chromitite layers (magmatic-type PGE mineralization) and altered peridotite (hydrothermal-magmatic-type Cu-Ni-PGE
mineralization). Grab samples returned assay results highlighted by 11.20% Cu, 1.72% Cu, 0.89% Cu, 2.36 g/t Pd+Pt, 1.82
g/t Pd+Pt, 1.43 g/t Pd+Pt, 1.35 g/t Pd+Pt, 1.29 g/t Pd+Pt, 1.14 g/t Pd+Pt, 0.25% Ni, and 0.24% Ni.
The ultramafic zone of the MIC measures approximately 3 km by 2 km and clearly presents exploration potential for magmatic
- and hydrothermal-magmatic-type Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization in addition to the above-mentioned listwaenite-type gold
mineralization.
Increased Land Position
As a result of these discoveries, the Company has increased its land position at Menarik East to secure additional prospective
ground associated with the extensive gabbroic dyke system. Eighteen (18) new claims were designated by map on the
eastern part of the existing land package that cover 9.25 km 2 bringing the total Property area to approximately 42 km 2.
Recall that the Menarik East Property is already surrounded by claim blocks currently controlled by the Company including
Lake Menarik to the north and west, and Taiga to the south.
Next Steps
The Company is preparing a Fall 2024 exploration program that will include prospecting, channel sampling, and detailed
mapping. All results have been received from the Menarik East summer exploration program.
Sampling Protocols and Quality Control
Each rock sample collected in the field was identified and sent to ActLabs (Val-d’Or, Québec), a certified commercial
laboratory, to be analyzed for gold and a suite of other chemical elements. These samples were prepared using the RX1
method and analyzed by ICP-OES & ICP-MS (UT-6M) for 49 elements, and by fire assay on 30-gram fractions with ICP-OES
finish for gold, palladium and platinum, following a 4-acid (near-total) digestion. Overrange assays for gold (>30 g/t Au) were
reanalyzed by fire assay on 30-gram fractions with a gravimetric finish. A strict QA/QC procedure was implemented, with one
certified reference material (CRM) and one blank sample inserted into the sample stream for every batch of 50 samples.
Qualified Person
Ludovic Bigot, P.Geo., VP Exploration of Harfang, has prepared and approved the technical information contained in this news
release. Mr. Bigot is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral
projects.
About Harfang Exploration Inc.
Harfang Exploration Inc. is a well-financed technically driven mineral exploration company with the primary mission to discover
ore deposits in Québec and Ontario. The Company is managed by an experienced team of industry professionals with a
proven track record of success and controls a portfolio of highly prospective projects. Harfang is dedicated to best practices
through engagement with all stakeholders and a commitment to the environment.
For further information, please contact:
Vincent Dubé-Bourgeois
Interim President and CEO
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management’s view of future events,
expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon
assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result
of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those
anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although Harfang believes that the expectations
reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking
statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Harfang disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events,
changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.
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 release.