Sun Summit Reports Final Exploration Results from the JD Project: Extends Footprint of Creek Zone Mineralization and Defines New Porphyry and Epithermal Targets
Sun Summit Reports Final Exploration Results
from the JD Project: Extends Footprint of
Creek Zone Mineralization and Defines New
Porphyry and Epithermal Targets
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 18, 2024) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp.
(TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) announces final drilling, geochemical and geophysical results from the
inaugural summer 2024 exploration program across the JD Project in the Toodoggone District, north-
central B.C.
The latest exploration results further demonstrate the high-prospectivity for both epithermal-related gold-
silver mineralization as well as porphyry-related copper-gold mineralization across the JD project.
Follow-up targets at the emerging Creek Zone and priority new target areas have been identified and the
Company has began planning for a significant exploration program set to commence in spring 2025.
Key Highlights:
Mineralization intersected in every hole drilled in 2024:
All 12 holes drilled across multiple
targets intersected encouraging zones of mineralization.
Creek Zone mineralization remains open
: Results from 400 m step-out drill hole (JD-24-012)
demonstrate that gold mineralization is open along strike to the southeast. Considerable follow-up
drilling is required at Creek Zone to fully define gold mineralization extents and structural controls.
Near-surface high
-
grade gold mineralization at Creek Zone:
A grab sample returned
222 g/t
Au
, which supports the shallow, near-surface high-grade mineralization potential of the Creek
Zone.
Strong vein-hosted silver-gold mineralization discovered in reconnaissance holes along
the Finn to Creek Corridor:
Hole JD-24-011 intersected 2.4 metres of 114.39 g/t Ag with 0.40
g/t Au, which demonstrates the strong prospectivity for precious metal mineralization along the 4.5
km Finn to Creek Corridor.
Porphyry system intersected in two wildcat holes north of the Creek Zone:
A broad zone of
interpreted porphyry-related distal alteration and local mineralization was identified in two
exploration holes north of the Creek Zone. Further examination of existing airborne VTEM and
radiometric geophysical data, plus additional IP, is warranted at this target as well as other look-
alike targets north of the Creek Zone.
Numerous multi-element soil geochemical anomalies defined on the Creek Zone and
Belle Zone grids:
New soil geochemical anomalies are locally associated with geophysical
anomalies and represent possible epithermal or porphyry-targets.
Significant exploration program in preparation for 2025:
Planning is underway for an
aggressive program at JD in 2025 which will include infill and step-out drilling at the Creek and
Finn zones as well as exploration holes testing multiple priority targets. Additional geochemical
and geophysical surveys will also be conducted across priority target areas lacking coverage.
"The final results from our 2024 exploration program at the JD Project underscore the exceptional
potential of our project in the Toodoggone District," stated Sharyn Alexander, President of Sun Summit
Minerals. "The successful expansion of the Creek Zone and the identification of multiple high-priority
epithermal and porphyry targets highlight the extensive mineralization opportunities across the property.
With the Creek Zone remaining open along strike and newly identified areas showing high-grade
mineralization at surface, we're excited to prepare for an aggressive exploration program in 2025. Our
upcoming program will build on these discoveries, with targeted infill and step-out drilling and additional
geophysical and geochemical surveys to unlock the full potential of the JD Project. This next phase of
exploration will ensure Sun Summit is well positioned to capitalize on high-grade and bulk-tonnage
discoveries in this world-class mining district."
2024 Exploration Program
The summer 2024 exploration program at JD consisted of over 2,500 metres of diamond drilling in
twelve holes, the collection of over 1,200 soil samples and over 50 rock samples, and completion of over
20 line kilometres of induced polarization (IP) geophysical surveying (Figure 1). Work was carried out
with two main objectives, 1) confirm and expand on reported high-grade gold mineralization at the Creek
Zone (see
September 19
th
,
October 2
nd
, and
October 16
th
, 2024
news releases), and 2) define new
exploration targets to be evaluated in future exploration programs. Both objectives were met, highlighted
by:
1. Significant exploration potential at the Creek Zone
:
At the Creek Zone, broad zones of disseminated gold mineralization associated with moderate to
strong potassic alteration, are cored by high-grade quartz-carbonate-gold-base metal veins and
vein-breccias with strong potassium feldspar halos (e.g.,
122.53 metres of 2.11 g/t gold
including 4.04 metres of 46.78 g/t gold
, see
October 2
nd
, 2024
news release). Near-surface
mineralization, with strong continuity, has been intersected over a northwest-trending area of
approximately 650 by 300 metres where it remains open in most directions.
An important outcome from the 2024 drilling at the Creek Zone is the recognition of previously
undocumented, near-surface bulk-tonnage style disseminated gold mineralization (Figure 3). Most
historical holes at the Creek Zone were not continuously sampled which resulted in a failure to
recognise the bulk-tonnage potential of the target area (Figures 2 and 3).
Similar to the Finn Zone, 4.5 km to the east, epithermal-related mineralization at the Creek Zone is
interpreted to have been emplaced proximal to a porphyry system. Future exploration programs
will target both near-surface gold mineralization as well as related and deeper porphyry copper-
gold mineralization.
2. Numerous new targets have been defined across the project area, including:
Fericrete
- strong porphyry-related alteration associated with open-ended coincident high-
chargeability and resistivity anomalies (Figure 5).
Creek North
- strong Cu-Au-Zn soil anomaly coincident with a high-chargeability and magnetic-high
geophysical anomaly (Figure 5).
Belle North
- strong Au-As-Cu-Zn soil anomaly associated with a defined magnetic lineament
(Figure 7).
Belle South
- strong Cu-Zn-Ag-Au soil anomaly associated with local high-grade Au veins
discovered in historic trenching programs
1
(Figure 7).
Figure 1. Map showing the location of exploration work completed in 2024 at the JD project
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/230373_81336d515433a811_001full.jpg
Planning for a significant exploration program in 2025 has commenced. Work is anticipated to include
significant drilling at the Creek and Finn zones as well as initial and follow-up drill tests at additional high-
priority epithermal and porphyry targets. Additional geophysical and geochemical surveys will also be
completed.
Creek Zone Exploration
The last hole of the drill program (JD-24-012) targeted the southeast extension of the modelled Creek
Zone controlling fault system as well as a recently defined strong coincident chargeability-resistivity-high
IP anomaly (Figures 2 and 4). Hole JD-24-012 was collared 400 metres southeast of holes CZ-24-003
(
95.50 metres of 0.70 g/t gold
including
34.0 metres of 1.32 g/t gold
and including
18.0 g/t gold over
0.50 metres
, see
September 19
th
, 2024
news release) and CZ-24-004 (
122.53 metres of 2.11 g/t
gold
including
4.04 metres of 46.78 g/t gold
, see
October 2
nd
, 2024
news release), and 375 metres
southeast of hole CZ-24-005 (
57.95 metres of 2.69 g/t gold
from 145.05 metres including
19.50
metres of 7.31 g/t gold
, see
October 16
th
, 2024
news release) and drilled to the southwest.
Figure 2. Plan map of Creek Zone showing drill collar locations with selected highlights
as well as soil
and rock geochemistry
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6142/230373_81336d515433a811_002full.jpg
Hole JD-24-012 collared in disseminated gold mineralization (Figures 2 and 3). The mineralized zone
started at 4.5 metres and returned
17.8 metres of 0.59 g/t gold
and 10.0 metres of 0.75 g/t gold
including 1.8 metres of 2.49 g/t Au from 40.5 metres. Similar to the first five holes drilled at the Creek
Zone, JD-24-012 intersected a bedded sequence of volcaniclastic and intermediate volcanic rocks
interpreted to be a sequence within the McClair Member of the Early Jurassic Toodoggone formation.
Near-surface, bulk-tonnage style disseminated gold mineralization is associated with selectively
pervasive, epidote-chlorite-pyrite alteration.
It is interpreted that JD-24-012 collared in the footwall to the Creek Zone controlling fault system and only
intersected peripheral disseminated mineralization. Step-out drilling to the northeast of JD-24-012 is
warranted to fully test the structural model and confirm the extension of high-grade, vein-hosted
mineralization along trend to the southeast.
Figure 3. Oblique view through Creek Zone drill holes
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Table 1. Creek Zone Assay Results
1,2, 3
Hole ID
From
(m)
To
(m)
Interval
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Zn
(%)
Cu
(%)
CZ-24-01*
63.0
124.5
61.5
1.07
0.80
0.09
inc.
78.0
121.5
43.5
1.40
1.10
0.12
inc.
104.0
107.6
3.6
7.28
9.40
0.98
inc.
104.0
104.5
0.5
24.30
43.70
4.46
CZ-24-02*
41.9
71.0
29.1
1.64
1.40
0.45
inc.
48.7
58.3
9.5
3.89
3.60
1.10
inc.
51.1
52.0
0.9
16.60
11.60
4.47
and
111.0
123.0
12.0
0.33
0.20
0.01
CZ-24-03*
4.0
138.0
134.0
0.57
0.40
0.07
inc.
4.0
99.5
95.5
0.70
0.50
0.09
inc.
58.0
92.0
34.0
1.32
1.10
0.22
inc.
58.0
66.5
8.5
2.82
1.90
0.61
inc.
61.5
62.0
0.5
18.00
2.90
1.37
inc.
84.0
92.0
8.0
1.83
2.00
0.14
CZ-24-004*
3.0
125.5
122.5
2.11
0.30
inc.
53.0
111.0
58.0
4.00
0.50
inc.
66.0
66.7
0.7
16.70
1.10
inc.
91.0
111.0
20.0
10.01
0.90
inc.
107.0
111.0
4.0
46.78
3.10
inc.
108.0
109.5
1.5
121.00
7.30
and
146.5
159.0
12.5
0.32
0.10
CZ-24-005*
46.8
111.0
64.2
0.69
0.61
0.00
0.08
inc.
46.8
57.0
10.2
1.93
1.58
0.01
0.27
and
145.1
203.0
58.0
2.69
1.72
0.01
0.17
inc.
170.5
203.0
32.5
4.54
2.92
0.02
0.27
inc.
179.5
199.0
19.5
7.31
4.66
0.04
0.44
inc.
179.5
179.8
0.3
362.00
121.00
2.23
18.15
inc.
196.9
199.0
2.1
21.63
26.58
0.06
1.45
inc.
196.9
197.5
0.6
53.60
53.60
0.12
4.06
inc.
198.5
199.0
0.5
21.60
33.90
0.03
0.15
JD-24-012
4.5
22.3
17.8
0.59
2.00
and
34.0
44.0
10.0
0.75
3.18
inc.
34.9
42.3
7.4
0.92
3.74
inc.
40.5
42.3
1.8
2.49
3.97
Hole ID
From
(m)
To
(m)
Interval
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Zn
(%)
Cu
(%)
* Previously released results
1
.
Intervals are downhole core lengths. True widths are unknown.
2
.
Calculations are uncut and length-weighted using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off.
3
.
Grades have not been capped in the length-weighted averaging.
Prospecting while geological and structural mapping across the Creek Zone resulted in the collection of
over 20 grab samples. Rock samples were preferentially collected from outcrop when available,
however, outcrop was generally scarce at lower elevations. Float samples in the Creek Zone trench and
talus at higher elevations are angled pieces that are likely locally derived. Mapped geology in the Creek
Zone area indicated rocks are dominantly andesitic tuffs with varying degrees of propylitic alteration. The
Creek Zone showing outcrop is a silica-flooded breccia with euhedral quartz lining vugs and pervasive
silicification of the surrounding rock, possibly a fault plane based on limited slickensides. The breccia is
angular, monomictic, and poorly sorted, with a jigsaw-fit texture and a silica matrix that contains pyrite
blebs.
Structural mapping suggests there is a steeply-dipping northwest orientation that aligns the surface
Creek Zone exposure to distinct mineralized veins encountered in recent drilling (e.g., CZ-24-001 to
005). The vein and fault system can be traced over a strike length of at least 650 metres, with the
possibility of an extension to the southeast by either fault off-set or a second, parallel, splay fault/vein
system.
Surface sampling at the Creek Zone was focused mostly along a creek bed that transects the target
area (Figure 2). Sample B03976, a frost-heaved flat slab laying directly on exposed bedrock is
comprised of a vuggy quartz-carbonate cemented breccia that ran
222 g/t Au with 46.4 g/t Ag and
0.09 % Zn
(Figure 2, Table 2). Other samples collected from outcrop along the creek bed returned
grades up to
4.7 g/t Au
(Table 2). These assay results demonstrate the strong near-surface, high-grade
gold potential of the Creek Zone.
Table 2. Select assay highlights of rock chip sample results from the Creek Zone
Sample
ID
Description
Sample Type
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Zn
(ppm)
UTM E
UTM N
Elevation
B03976
quartz vein in volcanic
breccia
subcrop
222
46.4
862
608462
6368044
1576
B01501
quartz vein in volcanic
breccia
subcrop
4.74
3.09
779
608462
6368044
1576
B03954
silicified breccia
outcrop
3.68
2.24
409
608461
6368043
1578
B03999
quartz vein in volcanic
breccia
subcrop
1.795
0.64
606
608462
6368044
1576
B03958
silicified breccia
outcrop
1.79
1.52
530
608459
6368054
1573
B03955
altered andesite
outcrop
1.565
0.44
529
608462
6368044
1576
B03953
altered andesite
outcrop
1.37
0.26
616
608462
6368054
1572
B03990
altered andesite
outcrop
0.399
3.21
29900
608448
6368074
1567
B04000
quartz vein in volcanic
breccia
subcrop
0.378
1.38
614
608462
6368044
1576
B03988
altered andesite
outcrop
0.305
0.34
513
608463
6368055
1571
Sample
ID
Description
Sample Type
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Zn
(ppm)
UTM E
UTM N
Elevation
In addition, over 20 line kilometres of induced polarization (IP) geophysical surveying was completed
across the Creek Zone and surrounding areas to the north (Figures 4 and 5). Lines were spaced 200
metres with reading on 25 to 50 metres stations covering a footprint of 2.3 by 1.3 kilometres. Results of
the survey confirm the presence of a coincident high-chargeability and high-resistivity anomaly spatially
associated with the core of the Creek Zone as presently defined by limited drilling (Figure 4). A similar
intensity high-resistivity anomaly was defined to the southeast and slightly offset. A significant ~1.4 km by
1.2 km high-chargeability and resistivity, open-ended anomaly was defined north of the Creek Zone
associated with the margins of the Fericrete Porphyry target considered prospective for concealed
porphyry-related copper-gold mineralization (Figure 5). Additional IP lines are warranted north and
northeast of the Creek Zone survey.
Figure 4. Section through the Creek Zone showing 2024 drill holes in relation to an untested
chargeability anomaly defined in the 2024 IP survey.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Figure 5.
A. Map showing historical project-wide magnetic data, the location of key targets and the
2024 IP chargeability data. Based on geological mapping and recent drilling a broad zone of strong
argillic and quartz-sericite-pyrite (QSP) alteration is observed north of the Creek Zone in an area with
subdued magnetic response (mag-low). Two prominent magnetic-high anomalies exist north of the
completed IP grid and represent possible concealed porphyry targets. Intermediate sulfidation Creek
and Finn zones are proximal and topographically higher than the porphyry targets. B. Photograph of
the Fericrete zone showing the location of holes CZ-24-006 and JD-24-007. C. Core photos of hole
JD-24-007 at 110 m of strongly QSP altered monzonite breccia cut by anhydrite veins and vein-
stockwork. Early potassic alteration is observed in areas of lesser intensity QSP alteration.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Fericrete Epithermal-Porphyry Target
Two holes (CZ-24-006 and JD-24-007) were drilled northeast of the Creek Zone targeting a broad zone
of strong argillic + pyrite alteration, formerly known as the Fericrete Gossan target (Figure 5).
Outcropping, texture-destructive hydrothermally altered andesite is associated with a broad magnetic-
low and a newly defined coincident high-chargeability and resistivity anomaly (Figures 4 and 5). The
holes were designed to test for epithermal-related gold-base metal mineralization as well as deeper and
concealed porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization. A similar targeting rationale by a former
operator led to the discovery of the JD Porphyry in 2013 near the Finn Zone, ~3.2 km to the east of
Fericrete (Figure 1).
Hole JD-24-006 intersected porphyritic intrusive rocks to 170 metres followed by andesite and
volcaniclastic rocks to bottom of hole, whereas JD-24-007 intersected mostly andesites, volcaniclastic
rocks and a breccia interpreted to be comprised of strongly altered monzonitic clasts (Figure 5c). The
volcanic and intrusive rocks contain local zones of early-potassic alteration associated with zones of
variable propylitic alteration (epidote-chlorite-pyrite) overprinted by local intervals of strong silicification
with sooty pyrite with minor clots of sphalerite and galena (phyllic alteration) and locally intense anhydrite-
carbonate veins and stockwork zones. Zones of anomalous gold mineralization were intersected in both
holes (e.g., 6.0 metres of 0.69 g/t Au in CZ-24-006 and 10.0 metres of 0.48 g/t Au in JD-24-007, Table
3) associated with strong silicification. Based on observed lithology, alteration assemblages and
mineralization styles in holes CZ-24-006 and JD-24-007, it is interpreted that the drilling intersected a
potential zone of hydrothermal telescoping (e.g., lower-temperature alteration with epithermal-related
mineralization overprinting early high-temperature, porphyry-related alteration).