Outback Identifies Large-Scale GOLD- Arsenic Anomalies at the O'Connors Target, Yeungroon GOLD Project, Victoria (
OUTBACK IDENTIFIES LARGE-SCALE GOLD-
ARSENIC ANOMALIES AT THE O'CONNORS
TARGET, YEUNGROON GOLD PROJECT,
VICTORIA
(
TSX.V: OZ, OTCQB: OZBKF, FSE: S600)
VANCOUVER, BC
,
Aug. 24, 2023
/CNW/ -
Outback Goldfields Corp
. (the "
Company
" or
"
Outback
") (TSXV: OZ) (OTCQB: OZBKF) is pleased to provide an update from
its reconnaissance-style, air-core drill program at its Yeungroon gold project, central
Victoria,
Australia
. The purpose of the wide-spaced, top of bedrock drilling was to expand on, and sample
fresh bedrock below a broad and open-ended, 3 kilometre long, near-surface pathfinder element
anomaly.
Highlights
Assays confirm broad gold-arsenic anomaly in bedrock samples over 3-kilometre strike
length:
Drilling across the O'Connors geophysical trend revealed broad zones of strongly
anomalous arsenic and gold comparable to that observed in alteration halos proximal to other
central Victorian gold-bearing quartz reefs.
Wide-spaced top-of-bedrock drilling effective first step:
Grid-based, shallow drilling across
numerous blind and concealed geophysical targets proved to be a key and cost-effective first
step at generating new drill targets.
Anomalies are open along strike:
Encouraging gold results at the northern and southern ends
of the anomalies supports the potential for further extensions along strike.
Planning for follow up drilling of high-potential drill targets now underway
: Results
suggest that drilling may have intersected low-grade gold halos proximal to high-grade gold
bearing quartz reef structures. Numerous targets have now been identified and planning is
underway for follow up drilling to test these targets at depth and along strike.
"We are very pleased with our exploration campaign and results at O'Connors. The wide-spaced,
air-core drill program was designed to explore below young cover rocks and sample the top of
fresh bedrock," commented
Chris Donaldson
, CEO. "Sampling of these chips, in places logged as
quartz-rich, revealed numerous areas with strongly anomalous gold values interpreted to be distal
mineralization related to concealed and potentially mineralized quartz reefs. The main O'Connors
multi-element trend is open to the north and south and has been defined for over 3 kilometres
along strike. This broad anomaly, as well as other parallel trends, warrants tighter spaced air-core
drilling and as well as deep diamond drilling to test for structurally controlled quartz-reef hosted
gold mineralization at depth below these shallow anomalies."
Program Overview
The focus of the grid-based, shallow reconnaissance-style drill program was to drill through barren
cover rocks and map and sample the top of bedrock (see
May 2
nd
, 2023 news release). This air-
core drill program (Phase 2), expanded on the previously reported Phase 1 air-core drill program
(see
October 19
th
, 2022 news release), comprised 2,400 metres of shallow, top of bedrock drilling
primarily along east-west oriented roads (Figure 1). A highly portable air-core drill rig was used to
sample and map the top of bedrock below cover. A footprint of approximately 6.0 kilometres wide
and 3.2 kilometres long was tested along three roads spaced approximately 1.5 kilometres apart.
Holes were vertical and collared on 100-metre centers along the roads and were drilled to an
average depth of 17 metres. Cuttings from each drill run were analysed using a portable x-ray
fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF). The focus for these analyses was pathfinder element
geochemical concentrations (e.g., arsenic). Based on these results, together with the identification of
quartz chips in the drill cuttings, a total of 1462 samples were then selected for follow up laboratory
testing using low-detection fire assay gold analyses. These analyses represent only 60% of total
metres drilled therefore additional gold analyses from other holes are warranted.
Figure 1 – Map showing the location of all the air-core holes with collars coloured by peak arsenic
contents. Gold results are also shown from holes with samples that were analysed via fire assay.
Gold results above 20 ppb Au are considered anomalous. Note the location of the A to B section line
in Figure 2. Background map is reduced to pole magnetic geophysical data. (CNW Group/Outback
Goldfields Corp.)
The program was successful at defining a new broad zone of gold anomalism associated with a
large-scale, open-ended arsenic anomaly. The coincident gold and arsenic anomalies are spatially
associated with the north-northeast trending O'Connors fault and related splay faults (Figure 1).
The Geological Survey of
Victoria
published a study in 2008 focused on the geochemistry of host
rocks and alteration halos surrounding central Victorian gold deposits. The study inferred that low-
grade gold halos may extend between 30 and 90 metres from primary mineralized structures (e.g.,
quartz reefs) with grade thresholds between 10 ppb and 100 ppb gold (Arne et al., 2008).The peak
gold values from the O'Connors air-core drill program of up to 0.43 g/t (432 ppb) Au and 0.27 g/t
(270 ppb) Au (Figures 1 and 2) are therefore considered highly anomalous and represent immediate
targets to systematically drill test. The O'Connors gold-arsenic anomaly extends for over 3
kilometres and remains open along strike. In addition, several zones of gold-arsenic anomalism to
the west of the O'Connors trend has also been identified (Western Trend, Figure 2).
The Company's systematic approach to evaluating compelling new geophysical anomalies and
lineaments concealed below young cover rocks has proved very effective at defining numerous new
target areas. The current exploration thesis is that drilling to date has intersected multiple low-grade
gold halos within the broader arsenic anomaly possibly associated with proximal and concealed high-
grade gold bearing quartz reefs. Numerous high-potential targets have now been identified. A multi-
phase program consisting of infill air-core holes to constrain the spatial extent of the near-surface
geochemical footprint(s) together with deeper diamond core holes to gain valuable structural
information is being planned to better evaluate the high-grade gold potential of the area and test for
proximal gold-bearing quartz reefs (e.g., Figure 2).
Figure 2 – Section A to B showing the near-surface Phase 1 arsenic drill results as well as Phase 2
top of bedrock air-core gold results. The interpreted gold reef targets are shown in red. Note, drilling
vertical holes using air-core drilling techniques does not return core which can be oriented to allow
an estimation of true widths of intercepts. All intercepts reported are at downhole lengths, no true
width has been estimated. (CNW Group/Outback Goldfields Corp.)
Yeungroon Project
The 698 km
2
Yeungroon property is transected by the north-trending, crustal-scale Avoca fault,
which separates the western Stawell zone from the Eastern Bendigo zone. The western side of the
Yeungroon property contains the historic Golden Jacket hard-rock reef mine associated with the
regional-scale, northwest-trending Golden Jacket fault. Historical mining records indicate the Golden
Jacket mine produced quartz-rich ore with grades of up to 250 grams per tonne gold (Bibby and
More, 1998), however, the vertical and lateral extent of mineralization remains unknown.
The eastern side of the project is underlain by Ordovician rocks of the Castlemaine group and
comprises the northern extent of the Wedderburn Goldfield, where numerous small-scale, historical
alluvial and hard-rock mines are located.
Data Collection, Verification and QA/QC
Air core samples were collected in 1 metre intervals down hole from surface to end of hole for all
holes drilled. A representative sample of each 1 metre interval was collected in chip trays as drilling
was undertaken, as well as a larger sample (nominally 1.5kg) which was retained for additional
testing where required. Basic chip logging was carried out in the field by Company geologists. This
included sample lithologies, colour, quartz veining and mineral observations, and was completed
concurrent with sampling. All samples were transported from the drill site to the Company's
exploration office in Ballarat by Outback staff.
Preliminary analysis of the samples collected in chip trays was carried out using an Olympus Vanta
portable XRF. Analysis was carried out in "Geochem mode" running three beams for a total of 30
seconds each. Based on the results of the preliminary XRF Geochemical analyses, two batches of
samples were selected and sent for low detection gold analysis. The first batch of samples was
analysed by the SGS laboratory on Orange, the second was submitted to the Gekko Assay
laboratory in Ballarat.
The assay process used at both the SGS laboratory and involved the complete pulverisation of
approximately 1.5kg samples such that 80% of the sample passed through a 75µm mesh. A 30g
charge was then fire assayed with final analysis completed via ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma
mass spectroscopy)
The Gekko laboratory involved the complete pulverisation of approximately 1.5kg samples such that
80% of the sample passed through a 75µm mesh. A 50g charge was then fire assayed with final
analysis completed via AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy).
For pXRF analysis and assay submissions to both SGS and Gekko Laboratories, QA/QC protocols
involved the insertion of Certified Reference materials at a minimum rate of 1 for every 50 samples
tested. Reference material was routinely tested with the portable XRF for arsenic concentrations
and the results were deemed acceptable for the scope of the exploration program and specifically
identifying anomalous results above background levels.
The Qualified Person has supervised all stages of the exploration program relevant to this news
release. This includes regular visits to the drill site to supervise, drilling, logging and sample
collection practices. The Qualified Person also supervised the analysis of samples using the pXRF.
Community Engagement
Outback recognises the importance of open and honest community engagement in all our exploration
activities. We approach all our exploration activities in a sustainable manner and ensure our activities
comply with the Victorian Code of Practice for Mineral Exploration. As such, community consultation
with local landowners has commenced and is ongoing.
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
This news release has been approved by Mr.
Matthew Hernan
(FAusIMM(CP), MAIG) an
independent consultant and "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101,
Standards
of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
References
Bibby, L.M., and Moore, D.H., 1998, Charlton 1:100,000 map area geological report, Geological
Survey of Victoria Report 116, 95 p.
Arne, D.C., House, E., and Lisitsin, V., 2008, Lithogeochemical haloes surrounding central Victorian
gold deposits: Part 1 – Primary alteration, Geoscience Victoria Gold Undercover Report 4, 95 p.
About Outback Goldfields Corp.:
Outback Goldfields
Corp.
is a well financed exploration mining company that is actively exploring
its package of highly prospective gold projects located around the Fosterville Gold Mine in
Victoria
.
The goldfields of
Victoria
are home to some of the highest grade and lowest cost mining in the
world.
~signed
Chris Donaldson
, CEO and Director
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information"
under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking
statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results,
performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are
not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business and prospects; the Company's
objectives, goals or future plans; resumption of trading in the Company's common shares; and the
business, operations, management and capitalization of the Company. Forward-looking statements
are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may
cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic
and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political
and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory
approvals; those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com
; and other matters discussed in this news release. Accordingly, the forward-looking
statements discussed in this release, including the resumption of trading, may not occur and could
differ materially as a result of these known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the
companies. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these
statements, which only apply 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. Except where required by law, the
Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
SOURCE
Outback Goldfields Corp.
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For further information:
Enquiries: Email: [email protected], Tel:
+1.604.604.813.3931
CO: Outback Goldfields Corp.
CNW 08:00e 24-AUG-23