Sun Summit Reports High Metallurgical Recoveries for Zinc Through Preliminary Scoping Scale Metallurgical Test Work at Buck Property
Sun Summit Reports High Metallurgical
Recoveries for Zinc Through Preliminary
Scoping Scale Metallurgical Test Work at
Buck Property
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 8, 2022) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV:
SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is pleased to announce the potential importance of zinc to future economic
analyses at the Buck Property, central B.C. Zinc will be included in future gold-equivalent calculations as
it has potential to be a significant economic contributor to the metal budget of the property. The results
for the remaining drill holes from the fall 2021 drill program will be released very shortly.
Highlights
Preliminary metallurgical test work from two ~10 metre composite samples from two drill holes
suggests zinc is highly recoverable using conventional methods and may contribute favourably to
future economic studies.
Preliminary data from the ongoing studies suggests gold responds well to conventional gravity and
cyanide leach testing (up to 94% recovery using a primary grind size k80 of 60 µm).
Complete gold and silver metallurgical test work is ongoing with more tests required to fully
evaluate recoveries.
Including zinc in gold-equivalent (AuEq) calculations provides a significant increase in gold-
equivalent grades. Recalculation of previously reported select intervals from broad zones of bulk
tonnage-style mineralization are as follows:
241 metres of 1.25 g/t AuEq
(0.69 g/t Au, 5.14 g/t Ag, 0.77% Zn),
including 45 metres of
2.36 g/t AuEq
(1.64 g/t Au, 7.69 g/t Ag and 0.96% Zn) in BK21-017.
409 metres of 0.87 g/t AuEq
(0.45 g/t Au, 3.97 g/t Ag and 0.57% Zn),
including
265
metres of 1.10 g/t AuEq
(0.58 g/t Au, 5.12 g/t Ag and 0.71% Zn) in BK21-033.
187 metres of 1.02 g/t AuEq
(0.67 g/t Au, 4.4 g/t Ag and 0.46% Zn),
including 54 metres
of 1.91 g/t AuEq
(1.02 g/t Au, 10.80 g/t Ag and 1.17% Zn) in BK21-032.
Note. Intervals were reported on
July 6
th
, 2021
. AuEq assumes metal prices of $1700/oz Au, $22/oz Ag and $1.60/lbs Zn using the equation:
AuEq(g/t) = ((Au(g/t)*$Au/oz*0.032151)+(Ag(g/t)*$Ag/oz*0.032151)+(Zn%*$Zn/lbs*22.0462))/($Au/oz*0.032151). Metallurgical test work is ongoing
and results are preliminary (see below).
"We initiated exploration-stage metallurgical studies to better understand the potential recoveries of
gold, silver and zinc at Buck. While the final results for gold and silver are pending, preliminary data
indicate zinc is highly recoverable using standard industry methods," stated Sharyn Alexander, President
of Sun Summit.
"All styles of intermediate sulfidation, epithermal-related gold mineralization at Buck include base
metals, however, zinc is the most prolific. Some areas assay greater than 7% zinc in sphalerite-
cemented breccias, and ~0.5 to 1% zinc is common throughout broad zones of disseminated, bulk-
tonnage style mineralization. We knew zinc was ubiquitous in the Buck mineralized zones but were
hesitant to include it in gold-equivalent calculations until we could confirm it was highly recoverable with
standard processing techniques. Now, with these preliminary metallurgical results for zinc, we are
confident it would be an important contributor to the metal budget of the system in a potential mining
scenario. For that reason, we will include zinc in AuEq calculations for drill intervals going forward."
Preliminary Metallurgical Test Work
Based on the presence of widespread sphalerite (zinc-sulfide) mineralization intersected in all drill holes
across the property (e.g., news releases dated
June 10
th
, 2021
and
November 30
th
, 2021
), it was
considered important to better understand zinc as a possible economic contributor to the metal budget
of the property. Three composite samples considered representative of the three main styles of gold
mineralization were submitted to Base Metallurgical Labs (Kamloops) for preliminary bench-scale
studies. A 14 metre (~48 kg) composite sample of sphalerite-cemented breccias from hole BK21-032,
and a 14 metre (~50 kg) composite sample of lapilli tuff with disseminated sphalerite from hole BK20-
010, were specifically selected for zinc-flotation studies.
These two composite samples responded well to zinc flotation tests using a primary grind size k80 of
100 µm, recovering up to 98% of the zinc to a 10% rougher mass concentrate that assayed 26% zinc.
Further development testing, including cleaning and primary grind optimization, will be required to take
full advantage of zinc together with gold and silver.
Preliminary data from the ongoing studies suggests gold responds well to conventional gravity and
cyanide leach testing (up to 94% recovery using a primary grind size k80 of 60 µm). Additional test work
is ongoing to fully evaluate and determine silver recoveries.
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
This news release has been approved by Sun Summit's CEO, Robert D. Willis, P. Eng. a "Qualified
Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101,
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
of the
Canadian Securities Administrators. He has also verified the data disclosed, including sampling,
analytical and test data, underlying the technical information in this news release.
Community Engagement
Sun Summit is engaging with First Nations on whose territory the Buck Property is located and is
discussing their interests and identifying contract and work opportunities, as well as opportunities to
support community initiatives. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with local and regional
First Nations as the project continues.
Health and Safety
The Company's exploration programs are being carried out in full compliance with federal, provincial,
and municipal guidelines established in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Sun Summit has a
rigorous infection prevention and control protocol in place to protect the health of employees and
contractors, as well as surrounding communities in which the Company works.
Buck Property
Sun Summit's flagship Buck Project is a high-grade and bulk tonnage gold, silver, and zinc property
located near the town of Houston in central B.C. The 100% controlled property has excellent developed
infrastructure and allows year-round exploration access.
About Sun Summit
Sun Summit Minerals is an exploration company focused on expanding its epithermal gold, silver, and
zinc discovery at its flagship Buck Project located in north-central British Columbia.
The Company is exploring multiple high priority targets through systematic exploration campaigns with
year-round drilling access. The Buck Project has high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold, silver, and zinc
potential and is located in an established mining region that includes many former operating mines and
current exploration projects.
Sun Summit is committed to environmental and social responsibility with a focus on responsible
development to generate positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Further details are available at
www.sunsummitminerals.com
.
For further information, contact:
Sharyn Alexander
President
Nancy Curry
Corporate Communications
Tel. 778-588-9606
Forward-Looking Information
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking
statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause
such differences, without limiting the generality of the following, include: risks inherent in exploration
activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations;
the impact of exploration competition; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings;
environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; unexpected geological or
hydrological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and
policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; weather and
other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory
risks. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113057