Silver Spruce and partner Colibri Resource complete 2024 drilling program on four polymetallic targets at Diamante Au-Ag project, Sonora, Mexico
Silver Spruce and partner Colibri Resource complete 2024 drilling program on four
polymetallic targets at Diamante Au-Ag project, Sonora, Mexico
December 20, 202 4 - Bedford, NS - (TSXV:SSE) - Silver Spruce Resources Inc. ("Silver
Spruce" or the "Company") along with our partner Colibri Resource Corp. (“Colibri” and
together with Silver Spruce, the “Companies”), jointly announce the completion of core drilling
operations at four polymetallic target s during our second drilling program at the Diamante
project (“Diamante or the “Property”). The 7-hole, 800-metre program tested extensions to two
2022 drilling sections and two new priority target areas resulting from the 2022 through 2024
exploration programs (Tables 1 and 2, Figure 1).
The discovery of mineralization following up on a ground resistivity survey at El Pillado South,
which includes an intercept of 94.80 g/t Ag, 0.08 g/t Au, 2.89% Pb, and 1.12 % Zn over an
intersection length of 2.50 metres (“m”), was a highlight of the drilling program.
Greg Davison, Silver Spruce Vice -President Exploration and Director stated, “We were pleased
to identify Ag-Pb-Zn±Au vein-controlled mineralization within extensions to the previously
drilled areas at La Prieta and El Pillado and two new opportunities for widening the target
testing at El Pillado South and Mezquite -Raizudo based on the geological and geophysical
interpretations and look forward to expanding future ground exploration of other known
anomalous areas.”
Ian McGavney, President & CEO of Colibri commented, “We encountered considerable
difficulties with core quality and recovery in this year’s drill program at Diamante. However,
we are very pleased with the result from our El Pillado South drilling which targeted a large
colour anomaly extending south of the Pillado zone. Both holes drilled at El Pillado South
intersected longer intercepts of highly anomalous mineralization and a higher grade intercept
of 94.80 ppm Ag, 2.89% Pb, and 1.12% Zn over a core length of 2.50 m. These results expand
the scope of our exploration model and targeting which we believe significantly enhances the
discovery potential at Diamante”.
The drill-ready 1,057-ha Diamante gold-silver (Au-Ag) property is located 8 km northwest of the
town of Tepoca, and 160 km southeast of the capital city of Hermosillo, eastern Sonora, Mexico
(Figure 1).
Diamante offers strong precious metal tenor with a polymetallic endowment, multiple quality
targets, styles of mineralization, limited artisanal mining and small -scale production, of
particular significance for our exploration moving forward, only one phase of reverse circulation
drilling prior to the Companies’ 2024 program.
Media Release
Table 1. Planned 2024 Diamante core drilling program
2024 Drilling Program
Two holes were drilled at each of El Pillado and La Prieta zones to follow up on previous positive drill
results. Two holes were drilled to test the results of an electrical (resistivity) survey covering part
of an extensive color anomaly located immediately south of El Pillado zone. One hole was
drilled to explore Mezquite -Raizudo target area located approximately 2.3 km south -southwest
of El Pillado.
Figure 1. Diamante 1 and 2 Concessions, north and south, respectively, showing current targets for 2024
program. Regional location shown in southeastern Sonora State, Mexico. Eight principal drill target
areas with 17 permitted pads and requisite access routes (DIA 1 (north block) - La Prieta, El Pillado-El
Caso-La Cruz, El Chon-El Chon Ouest, DIA 2 (south block)– Mezquite Raizudo, Calton, Anomalia Sur)
are shown on shaded topography (GMCA report, January 2024).
Planned HOLE ID Easting Northing Elevation Depth Plan Inclination Azimuth TARGET
PDO24-001 665051 3149556 880 125 45 135 El Pillado follow-up
PDO24-002 665073 3149586 888 125 45 135 El Pillado follow-up
PTA24-001 664393 3150340 949 100 55 140 La Prieta follow-up
PTA24-002 664408 3150358 958 125 70 140 La Prieta follow-up
PilResS24-001 665175 3149445 950 100 55 0 Pillado Resistivity Survey targets
PilResS24-002 665175 3149480 953 100 45 180 Pillado Resistivity Survey targets
PilResS24-003 665172 3149322 892 75 45 0 Pillado Resistivity Survey targets
PDH-013 664486 3147343 900 100 45 0 North Diamante II targets
PDH-014 664351 3147241 939 100 45 315 North Diamante II targets
PDH-015 664233 3147144 969 100 45 315 North Diamante II targets
La Prieta El Pillado
Pillado Sud
Mezquite Raizudo
El Pillado
El Pillado zone is located at the northwestern end of the southeasterly trending, 17-hectare colour
anomaly (defined by argillic and iron oxide response by hyperspectral analysis) measuring
approximately 550 m x 350 m (see Figure 2) . Colibri and Silver Spruce have completed
geological mapping and sampling at El Pillado and in 2022 completed 1,065 m in nine (9)
reverse circulation (“RC”) drill holes. Highlights of the 2022 drilling include:
• 0.18 g/t Au, 145 g/t Ag, 1.35% Zn and 1.01 % Pb over an intersection length of 12.0 m
• 0.21 g/t Au, 42 g/t Ag, 2,14 % Zn, and 0.68% Pb over an intersection length of 16.5 m
• 0.04 g/t Au, 6.27 g/t Ag, 0.78 % Zn, and 0.12 % Pb over an intersection length of 10.5 m
The 2024 drilling at El Pillado was planned to intersect a northeasterly trend of mineralization
evident in the 2022 drilling. Both holes drilled in the 2024 program intersected multiple
mineralized intervals indicated by the occurrence of fault rocks hosting vein quartz with or
without galena, sphalerite, or pyrite and sericite alteration. Significant intercepts from 2024 El
Pillado, El Pillado South and Mezquite-Raizudo areas drilling are contained in Table 2.
AgEq is calculated using the following metal prices: US$2654 per ounce Au, US$30.61 per
ounce Ag, US$0.92 per pound Pb, and US$1.40 per pound Zn. No metallurgical recoveries have
been applied.
Table 2. Significant assay highlights from 2024 Diamante diamond drilling program
El Pillado South
During 2024, Colibri and Silver Spruce completed 2 lines of electrical exploration (resistivity)
located approximately 125 m southeast of the historical Pillado mine workings. Two holes were
planned to test a domain characterized by sharp, moderately north dipping (apparent), resistivity
gradients (see Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5). Both holes intersected significant lengths of anomalous
mineralization, 22.5 m in hole DIA24-03 and 8.2 m in hole DIA24-04. Hole DIA24-03 included
an intercept of 0.08 g/t Au, 94.80 g/t Ag, 2,89 % Pb, and 1.12 % Zn.
TARGET HOLE ID From To Length Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) AgEq (g/t)
El Pillado DIA24-001 32.00 33.00 1.00 0.15 84.40 5.98 3.89 342.50
El Pillado DIA24-001 71.25 72.90 1.65 0.03 9.00 0.26 0.39 29.02
El Pillado DIA24-001 115.50 117.40 1.90 0.59 3.44 0.01 0.02 55.36
El Pillado DIA24-002 38.50 44.50 6.00 0.04 12.98 1.04 0.40 50.80
El Pillado DIA24-002 71.40 73.00 1.60 0.05 11.40 0.39 2.37 97.98
El Pillado DIA24-002 86.50 87.00 0.50 0.04 15.30 0.37 3.60 139.12
El Pillado DIA24-002 107.50 116.50 9.00 0.05 43.60 0.85 0.94 95.24
El Pillado South DIA24-003 31.50 54.00 22.50 0.01 6.88 0.02 0.06 9.97
El Pillado South incl 31.50 33.00 1.50 0.00 29.96 0.02 0.05 32.19
El Pillado South DIA24-003 76.50 79.00 2.50 0.08 94.80 2.89 1.12 196.53
El Pillado South DIA24-004 44.20 52.40 8.20 0.01 5.84 0.04 0.06 9.06
La Prieta DIA24-005 74.50 79.00 4.50 0.20 0.72 0.00 0.01 18.28
La Prieta DIA24-006 89.00 90.50 1.50 0.13 9.80 0.10 0.09 26.22
Mezquite-Raizudo DIA24-007 No Significant Assays
Figure 2. El Pillado and El Pillado South drilling target areas showing colour anomaly (see Figure3
below), resistivity survey lines and preliminary ENE-trending structure interpretation.
Figure 3. El Pillado south target showing distinct colour anomaly (argillic and iron oxide hyperspectral
response from LANDSAT 8 OLI interpretation) and collar location for DDH DIA24-004 at apex of ridge
along western resistivity survey line.
Drill Collar (2022)
Drill Collar (2024)
Resistivity Survey Line
Resistivity Structure
El Pillado Area
Colour Anomaly
N
Dec 17, 2024
Figure 4. El Pillado and El Pillado South drilling target areas showing drill collars, AgEq values for
core intervals, resistivity survey lines and preliminary ENE-trending structure interpretation.
Figure 5. El Pillado South drilling target area showing drill collars, AgEq values for core intervals,
resistivity section and preliminary ENE-trending structure interpretation. Inset map on photomosaic from
LiDAR survey.
El Pillado and
El Pillado South
Drilling
N
Dec 17, 2024
< 25
25 - 100
100 - 250
250 - 500
> 500
AgEq (g/t)
DIA24-001
DIA24-002
DIA24-003
DIA24-004
El Pillado
El Pillado South
Resistivity Survey Line
50m
N
N
El Pillado South
Resistivity with
Drilling
Dec 17, 2024
Section Looking East
Western Survey Line
DIA24-003
DIA24-004
La Prieta
La Prieta target consists of a southwest-striking, steeply northwest -dipping vein and vein splay
structure. Colibri and Silver Spruce completed 941 m in nine (10 ) reverse circulation (“RC”)
drill holes. Highlights of the previous drilling include:
• 2.48 g/t Au and 56.7 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 9.0 m
• 1.76% Zn, 38.5 g/t Ag and 0.56 g/t Au over an intersection length of 13.5 m
• 1.61% Zn, 38.5 g/t Ag and 0.63 g/t Au over an intersection length of 10.5 m
During the 2024 program, two holes were drilled to test down dip and along trend to the
northeast of previously intersected mineralization (Figure 6. Mineralized intervals consisting of
vein quartz in altered and highly fractured andesite was intersected. However, core quality and
recovery in the mineralized zones was poor and grades were anomalous.
Figure 6. La Prieta drilling target areas showing drill collars and AgEq values for core
intervals. Inset map on high resolution LIDAR base.
Diamante - Recent Exploration
The Diamante property hosts numerous historical artisanal and small -scale mining sites and
combined with mineralization on the nearby Jackie property exhibit the geological characteristics
of epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation Ag -Au (Pb -Zn), high sulfidation Au -Cu, and
potential transition zones within and peripheral to porphyry style Au-Cu mineralization.
Sporadic surface exploration since 2011 has resulted in several surface showings comprised of
epithermal precious and base metal mineralization (Au -Ag+/-Cu, Pb, Zn). Colibri and Silver
Spruce commenced geochemical and geological exploration activities on Diamante during 2021.
The 2022 exploration plans included a 2,000 metre reverse circulation drill program on Diamante
1 and 2 to evaluate four to seven of the principal targets exhibiting high grades of polymetallic
El Pillado and
El Pillado South
Drilling
N
Dec 17, 2024
< 25
25 - 100
100 - 250
250 - 500
> 500
AgEq (g/t)
DIA24-005
DIA24-006
50m
N
Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu mineralization with coincident alteration, shearing and veining.
Mineralization was reported visually as pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite,
argentiferous galena, argentite, hematite and probable metal oxides, carbonates and sulphates,
including copper carbonate (malachite), copper sulphates and plumbojarosite.
Colibri (operator) and Silver Spruce completed the first-ever drill program on Diamante at the El
Pillado and La Prieta targets located on Diamante 1. Results from the 2022 drilling include 2.48
grams per tonne ("g/t") Au and 56.7 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 9.0 metres ("m") from
La Prieta and 0.26 g/t Au and 184.5 g/t Ag over an intersection length of 6.0 m from El Pillado.
Drilling at both targets intersected highly anomalous base metals in highlighted drill assay
intervals. Through the fall of 2023, Colibri and Silver Spruce completed a program of geological
mapping, rock sampling and stream sediment sampling on Diamante resulting in the discovery of
two new surface showings (see Colibri press release January 9, 2024). The prioritization of
targets and drill plan for the 2024 program at Diamante was based on this work combined with
comprehensive compilation and interpretation of historical exploration information.
The targets under consideration for current and future drilling include Aguaje, El Chon-El Chon
Oeste, La Olla -La Cruz, El Caso, Calton, El Cumbro and additional Mezquite-Raizudo targets
(see Silver Spruce press releases of April 26, 2021 , January 24, 2022, and April 10, 2024, and
Colibri press release January 9, 202 4). Disseminated and stockwork mineralization at Anomalía
Sur and El Puerto offer two known bulk tonnage targets for subsequent drilling programs.
Project Background
Silver Spruce can acquire up to 50% interest in the Diamante concessions with a cumulative land
position of 1,057 hectares (see Press Release of April 29, 2021). The Diamante property consists
of the Diamante 1 and Diamante 2 concessions located adjacent to the Jackie property which
covers 1,113 hectares providing Silver Spruce with a total of 2,170 hectares of exploration
ground. The Property is very well situated in terms of resource and logistics for exploration and
is easily accessible from Sonora state Highway 16 which transects Diamante 1 and on several
ranch trails and dry river beds to Diamante 2.
The Property is located within the west -central portion of the Sierra Madre Occidental Volcanic
Complex within the northwest -trending “Sonora Gold Belt” of northern Mexico. Mining and
exploration in the surrounding area is very active with adjacent and nearby properties held by
Alamos Gold, Argonaut, Agnico Eagle, Evrim, Newmont, Garibaldi, Kootenay Silver and
Penoles among others. Diamante is located approximately 12 km north west of Minera Alamos'
Santana Au development project which is nearing commercial production.
Geochemical Analysis, Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Drilling samples ( ½ splits of sawn core ) were delivered by the Project Geologist from the
Property to the ALS sample preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The remaining
½ splits were transported to Colibri’s storage facilities in Suaqui Grande, south of Tecoripa,
Sonora, Mexico.
Sample shipments comprising a total of 368 samples in four shipments , including 37 QA/QC
insertions, to ALS Global in Hermosillo were delivered on a regular basis during the program.
The samples were crushed to 70% passing 2mm (PREP -31) and a split of up to 250 grams
pulverized to 85% passing 75 micrometres ( -200 mesh). The sample pulps and crushed splits
were transferred internally to ALS Global's North Vancouver, Canada or Lima, Peru analytical
facility for gold and multi-element analysis.
Pulps (50gram split) were submitted for Au analysis by Fire Assay with Atomic Absorption
finish (Au-AA24). The retained pulps also were processed by Four Acid Digestion followed by
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP -AES) multi-element analyses
(ME-ICP61). Over -limit Au and Ag samples were analyzed by Fire Assay with Gravimetric
Finish Ore Grade (Au-GRA21 or Au-GRA22, Ag-GRA21). Overlimit base metals are analyzed
by Four Acid Digestion followed by Ore Grade Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission
Spectrometry (ICP -AES) for Cu, Pb and Zn (Cu -OG62, Pb -OG62, Zn -OG62). High grade
samples above the range of the Ore Grade OG62 analysis are digested, as above, and analyzed
using Titration (e.g., Pb-Vol70).
Local chain of custody was monitored and maintained by the Project Geologist under the general
direction of the QP. In -house quality control samples were inserted into the sample set by the
Project Geologist. ALS Global conducts its own internal QA/QC program of blanks, standards
and duplicates, and the results are provided with the Company sample certificates. The results of
the internal and ALS control samples will be reviewed by the Company's QP and evaluated for
acceptable tolerances prior to disclosure. All sample and pulp rejects will be stored at ALS
Global pending full review of the analytical data, and future selection of pulps for independent
third-party check analyses, as requisite. ALS Global in North Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada, is a facility certified as ISO 9001:2008 and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 from the
Standards Council of Canada.
Difficult drilling conditions were encountered on the 2024 program at Diamante. In general,
core quality, as measured by RQD, was poor. This was especially evident in mineralized or
potentially mineralized intervals characterized by alteration, veining and micro veining, and
oxidized and partially oxidized fractures. Similarly, core recovery in the mineralized intervals
was less than 100% and locally was less than 40%. The core provides for the recognition of rock
types and the recognition of alteration, vein quartz, and sulphide minerals comprising
mineralization. However, the core quality precludes detailed evaluation, including quantitative
structural analysis, and limits interpretation integrating previous drilling and geological mapping
and sampling. The sampling and assaying provide a clear indication of the presence of
mineralization consistent with the visual recognition. However, given the poor recovery,
particularly in the anticipated mineralized intercepts in La Prieta, the drill core assays are not
considered representative of in-situ grades.
Additional m etal values disclosed herein by the Companies are reported from representative
splits of drill chip samples whereas those reported from grab and channel samples from earlier
programs may not be representative of the metal grades. The Company’s Qualified Person
believes that the sampling documentation, analytical protocols and quantitative data will
withstand scrutiny for inclusion.
Qualified Persons
Greg Davison, PGeo, Silver Spruce VP Exploration and Director, is the Company’s internal
Qualified Person for the Diamante Project and is responsible for approval of the technical
content of this press release within the meaning of National Instrument 43 -101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), under TSX guidelines.