Silver Spruce Reports Final Assays from Phase 1 Drilling at El Mezquite Au-Ag Project, Sonora, Mexico
Silver Spruce Reports Final Assays from Phase 1 Drilling at El Mezquite Au-Ag Project,
Sonora, Mexico
September 21, 2021 - Bedford, NS - (TSXV:SSE) - Silver Spruce Resources Inc. ("Silver Spruce"
or the "Company") announce s the receipt of all assays from the twenty holes of its Phase 1
exploration drilling at the El Mezquite Au-Ag property (“El Mezquite” or the “Property”).
“We are pleased to report encouraging precious metal assays in nineteen of the first twenty holes
drilled at El Mezquite. The second group of results returned gold values to 1.435 g/t Au. As noted
previously, the drilling data are consistent with our exploration expectations for a low-grade, heap-
leachable target with mineralization in the range of 0.1 g/t Au to 1.0 g/t Au,” stated Greg Davison,
Silver Spruce Vice -President Exploration and Director. “The latest drilling identified more and
thicker intervals, the best assays to date and significant low-grade multi-metal haloes which point
to the importance of the structural targets generated from the geological data compilation. Many
of these targets remain to be drilled in a proposed Phase 2 program.”
Figure 1. El Mezquite property showing RC rig from Layne de Mexico.
The Phase 1 RC program (see Figures 1 and 2) comprised 20 holes with a combined depth of 2,485
metres and utilized eight drill pad locations focused around a 400m x 600m area with elevated
surface precious metal values to 3.41 g/t Au and 387 g/t Ag. Collars were defined by several
northeast-trending veins, structural lineaments and oxide/sulphide transitions interpreted from
geological mapping, precious metal assays, multi -element geochemistry, alteration assemblages
and coincident 3D IP chargeability anomalies.
A total of 77 sampling intervals, ranging from surface to 146.4 metres depth downhole, are shown
in Tables 1a and 1b. Individual sections of >0.1 g/t Au include s ample composites of up to five
Media Release
intervals (3.1 metres to 7.7 metres) with weighted grades from 0.121 g/t Au to 0.955 g/t Au. Silver
values were generally low (98th percentile – 17 g/t Ag) and ranged from <1 g/t Ag to 241 g/t Ag.
Elevated Ag occurred commonly with higher Au and base metals.
“The mineralized intervals noted above reflected the observed scale estimated from current surface
sampling on outcropping vein and structurally -controlled showings . Of importance to the
geochemical interpretation, the pathfinder elements (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb and As) with low grade
Au often displayed well-defined metal haloes adjacent to notable Au values. These zones, which
occurred in fourteen (14) drill holes, ranged from ten (10) to forty-three (43) metres, with seven
intervals over 20 metres in apparent thickness downhole, within and peripheral to the multiple gold
and silver-bearing intervals and potentially are indicative of a significant structurally-influenced,
precious metal mineralizing system with vein, stockwork and disseminated sulphides and/or
secondary oxides,” said Greg Davison, Silver Spruce Vice-President Exploration and Director.
“Targets for Phase 2 drilling are being prepared from our ongoing geological, hyperspectral,
LANDSAT and LiDAR compilation for inclusion in a revised environmental report submitta l to
the Mexican Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources ( SEMARNAT) for permitting,”
said Mr. Davison.
Figure 2. Drill collar location map for the El Mezquite property.
The Company’s first -ever drilling program at El Mezquite (see Press Releases of August 5 and
September 7, 2021) was completed in July with samples being submitted to ALS Global in
Hermosillo in daily batches of 3 -4 holes. The first seven (7) drill holes w ere completed on June
14th. The remaining thirteen (13) holes were drilled with two RC rigs from Layne de Mexico and
completed as scheduled on July 28th.
Local drill management and oversight, packaging and shipping, logging, splitting and packaging
of geochemical samples, quality control protocols and delivery to ALS Global were conducted
under Servicios Geológicos IMEx (“IMEx”) supervision at the El Mezqui te property and at our
option partner Colibri Resource’s (“Colibri”) office facilities in Hermosillo.
Sample splits (50%) were collected for geochemical analysis from 1.53 metre intervals throughout
the length of each hole. Chip samples were split for logging from each interval, packaged in vials
and organized in trays by drill hole. The remaining splits (50%) were stored at the project site and
at Colibri’s storage facility in Suaqui Grande.
Laboratory assay results were submitted between June 17 th and August 5th. Data were received
between July 15th and August 24th. Despite laboratory workloads which have impacted turnaround
timelines, our samples were analysed in Vancouver and Lima, Peru to expedite completion.
Table 1a. Select assay intervals (>0.1 g/t Au) for the Phase 1 drilling program (MEZ001-MEZ-010).
Collar Sample ID Geol_From Geol_To Au_ppm Ag_ppm Cu_ppm Pb_ppm Zn_ppm
MEZ-21-001 853032 42.7 44.225 0.196 13.7 263 3970 9980
MEZ-21-001 853061-062 82.35 85.4 0.114 2.0 60 689 965
MEZ-21-001 853090 123.525 125.05 0.146 4.3 95 591 1665
MEZ-21-002 853159 86.925 88.45 0.239 14.5 29 228 396
MEZ-21-002 853170 102.175 103.7 0.165 17 3200 1040 8590
MEZ-21-003 853271 30.5 32.025 0.129 3.7 61 1710 1065
MEZ-21-003 853305 77.775 79.3 0.189 0.7 71 289 756
MEZ-21-005 853408 6.1 7.625 0.706 11.5 133 2300 845
MEZ-21-005 853409 7.625 9.15 0.955 11.4 148 5560 1770
MEZ-21-005 853432-433 39.65 42.7 0.487 1.2 34 22 114
MEZ-21-005 854465, 467 85.4 88.45 0.191 8.8 242 768 1356
MEZ-21-005 853494-495 125.05 128.1 0.494 166.2 4158 4643 4195
MEZ-21-005 853509 144.875 146.4 0.162 12.3 354 364 1080
MEZ-21-006 853616-617, 619 83.875 88.45 0.398 15.1 155 1352 2319
MEZ-21-007 853665 18.3 19.825 0.667 101 2610 >10000 >10000
MEZ-21-007 853716 88.45 89.975 0.23 1.3 39 669 1235
MEZ-21-008 853743-745 19.825 24.4 0.179 17.9 413 3468 5753
MEZ-21-009 855003 1.525 3.05 0.103 1.8 49 45 114
MEZ-21-009 855013 15.25 16.775 0.112 1 17 19 81
MEZ-21-010 855087 10.675 12.2 0.1 2.6 34 14 50
MEZ-21-010 855147-148 93.025 96.075 0.128 23.8 277 6267 8348
MEZ-21-010 855158 108.275 109.8 0.122 65.5 3110 4000 >10000
Table 1b. Select assay intervals (>0.1 g/t Au) for the Phase 1 drilling program (MEZ011-MEZ-020).
RC Drill – Geological Logging
The drill hole geology was recurrent and logged primarily as light to dark green to grey -green,
fine-grained phaneritic to porphyritic -textured andesite and dark grey mafic dykes exhibiting
surface oxidation and transitional zones, weak to moderate propylitic alteration and at depth,
abundant disseminated sulphides, chiefly pyrite, and/or magnetite. The andesite dykes contained
elevated magnetite. Minor rhyolitic units may be feldspar-quartz intrusive dykes.
Oxidation reached depths of 3 metres to 24.4 metres above transitional intervals also measuring
from 3 metres to 24.3 metres; hematite and manganese oxides identified as pyrolusite were noted
in red to orange to orange-grey altered andesite with silicification and incipient argillic alteration
noted in several drill holes (e.g., MEZ-21-17 and MEZ-21-19). The sulphide zone andesites were
intersected at overall downhole depths of 12.2 metres to 36.6 metres and continued throughout to
the base of the holes.
Pyrite (estimated 1 -2 wt.%, max. 5 wt.%) was the dominant sulphide species with minor
chalcopyrite, sphalerite and possible galena. Sulphides also occurred in quartz and quartz -
carbonate veinlets with a stockwork-style distribution. Minor calcite-chlorite and quartz-gypsum
vein sets were noted.
Collar Sample ID Geol_From Geol_To Au_ppm Ag_ppm Cu_ppm Pb_ppm Zn_ppm
MEZ-21-011 853860 22.875 24.4 0.141 41.1 4660 2110 5170
MEZ-21-011 853934 123.525 125.05 0.126 0.25 87 134 685
MEZ-21-012 853944-946 6.1 10.675 0.502 24.7 97 1506 98
MEZ-21-013 855295 86.925 88.45 0.141 4.1 62 2290 3680
MEZ-21-013 855300 94.55 96.075 0.298 99.4 987 >10000 >10000
MEZ-21-014 855381 105.225 106.75 0.182 26.1 624 1065 2160
MEZ-21-015 854033-034, 036-038 24.4 32.025 0.229 17.2 385 3214 8183
MEZ-21-015 854067 70.15 71.675 0.157 4.9 156 868 1240
MEZ-21-016 854108, 111-112 24.4 30.5 0.152 4.1 110 1403 1536
MEZ-21-016 854136-139 62.525 68.625 0.537 2.5 27 717 1110
MEZ-21-016 854152 83.875 85.4 0.107 7.5 136 1050 1035
MEZ-21-016 854155 88.45 89.975 0.104 12.2 134 910 1215
MEZ-21-016 854158 93.025 94.55 0.188 1.1 52 370 563
MEZ-21-017 855464-465, 467-469 65.575 73.2 0.177 12.4 353 2203 3510
MEZ-21-017 855473-474 77.775 80.825 0.121 7.9 151 1489 1537
MEZ-21-018 854199 45.75 47.275 0.278 8.4 231 666 923
MEZ-21-018 854200 47.275 48.8 0.127 3.8 86 1035 1625
MEZ-21-018 854232 91.5 93.025 0.111 2.2 34 139 278
MEZ-21-019 855518-519 36.6 39.65 0.470 31.7 1277 2771 6353
MEZ-21-019 855525-526 45.75 48.8 0.176 52.9 501 4549 6752
MEZ-21-019 855546 74.725 76.25 0.162 20.7 500 6820 >10000
MEZ-21-020 854259, 854261 25.925 28.975 0.127 1.6 82 675 632
MEZ-21-020 854272-275 42.7 48.8 0.187 4.5 204 1873 3820
MEZ-21-020 854306 89.975 91.5 0.101 0.25 9 53 304
Project Background
El Mezquite, a drill-ready precious metal project located 10 km northwest of the town of Tepoca,
and 170 km southeast of the capital city of Hermosillo, eastern Sonora, Mexico, is very well
situated in terms of logistics for exploration and is located only twelve kilometres northwest of the
Nicho deposit currently under mine development by Minera Alamos (see Figure 3).
The 180-hectare Property is easily accessible from Mexican Highway #16 via a southerly-trending
unpaved road which traverses through the centre of the known gold mineralization. High voltage
power lines are positioned along Highway #16.
The El Mezquite Project is located within the west-central portion of the Sierra Madre Occidental
Volcanic Complex within the prominent northwest -trending “Sonora Gold B elt” of northern
Mexico and parallel to the precious metals-rich Mojave-Sonora Megashear.
Figure 3. Location Map for El Mezquite, Jackie and Diamante Concessions. Nicho mine development by
Minera Alamos located 10 km SE of El Mezquite, 5km SE of Jackie.
The Company undertook an exploration program including environmental permitting for drilling,
geological mapping of geologic structures and lineaments , ortho-mosaic photography, rock
geochemical and hyperspectral analysis, data compilation and GIS modeling, and a LiDAR survey.
Ground truthing of the Au-Ag system with geological mapping and rock sampling was completed
in three campaigns between July 2020 and March 2021. All aspects of the exploration program
are conducted with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols for personal safety.
El Mezquite
Concession
Location
Map
5 km
Diamante 1
Diamante 2
El Mezquite
Jackie
All current samples from the 2020-2021 field programs were submitted to ALS Global for gold,
multi-element and hyperspectral analysis. Historical samples (>400) from the 2010 -2019
programs also were submitted to provide complementary multi -element and hyperspectral data
over the Property database. The LiDAR survey data and satellite hyperspectral interpretat ion
results are being updated into the project ArcGIS database.
The environmental permit, required to drill the Property, was received from SEMARNAT (see
Press Release April 20, 2021) and granted to the concession holder, Yaque Minerals S.A. de C.V.
(“Yaque”) by SEMARNAT. The permit allows for fourteen (14) drill pads over the targets in the
northern area of the concession. Individual holes achieved depths of 100-200 metres to intersect
the target intervals.
Land surface agreements were signed with three ranchers to facilitate full access to the Phase 1
collar locations.
Geochemical Analysis, Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Drill chip sample splits were delivered from the drill site to an in -house storage facility in
Hermosillo for logging and QA/QC by IMEx, and then to the ALS sample preparation facility in
Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. 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. Local chain of custody was monitored and maintained by a professional senior
geologist with IMEx.
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) are submitted for Au analysis by Fire
Assay with Atomic Absorption finish (Au-AA24).
The retained pulps also w ere analysed by Four Acid Digestion followed by Inductively Coupled
Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) multi-element analyses (ME-ICP61m) with Hg
by Aqua Regia and ICP-MS (Hg-MS42).
Over-limit Au and Ag samples are analyzed by Fire Assay with Gravi metric 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).
In-house quality control samples (blanks, standards, duplicates, preparation duplicates) were
inserted into the sample set by IMEx. ALS Global conducts its own internal QA/QC program of
blanks, standards and duplicates, and the results were provided with the Company sample
certificates. The results of the ALS control samples were reviewed by IMEx and the Company's
QP and evaluated for acceptable tolerances.
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.
Sample grades reported by element in the technical documentation and analytical certificates range
from detection limit (based on the specific instrume ntation and by element) to anomalous values
which represent and include select samples and are reported as ‘up to’ the maximum values and/or
ranges presented. Average or weighted values may be reported for select suites of samples in
which the sample frequency is indicated , and which only represent metal grades from those
samples.
Qualified Person
Greg Davison, PGeo, Silver Spruce VP Exploration and Director, is the Company’s internal
Qualified Person for the El Mezquite 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.
About Silver Spruce Resources Inc.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior exploration company which has signed
Definitive Agreements to acquire 100% of the Melchett Lake Zn -Au-Ag project in northern
Ontario, and with Colibri Resource Corp. in Sonora, Mexico, to acquire 50% intere st in Yaque
Minerales S.A de C.V. holding the El Mezquite Au project, a drill -ready precious metal project,
and up to 50% interest in each of Colibri's early stage Jackie Au and Diamante Au -Ag projects,
with the three properties located from 5 kilometres t o 15 kilometres northwest from Minera
Alamos's Nicho deposit, respectively. The Company is acquiring 100% interest in the drill-ready
and fully permitted Pino de Plata Ag project, located 15 kilometres west of Coeur Mining's
Palmarejo Mine, in western Chi huahua, Mexico. Silver Spruce recently signed a Definitive
Agreement to acquire 100% interest in three exploration properties in the Exploits Subzone Gold
Belt, located 15 -40 kilometres from recent discoveries by Sokoman Minerals Corp. and New
Found Gold Corp., central Newfoundland. Silver Spruce Resources Inc. continues to investigate
opportunities that Management has identified or that have been presented to the Company for
consideration.
Contact:
Silver Spruce Resources Inc.
Greg Davison, PGeo, Vice-President Exploration and Director
(250) 521-0444
Michael Kinley, CEO and Director
(902) 402-0388
www.silverspruceresources.com
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Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward -looking statements," Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are
forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future,
including but not limited to, statements regarding the private placement.
Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include,
among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with m ineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing
on acceptable terms. We are not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-
looking statements are made as of the date of this news r elease, and we assume no obligation to update the forward -looking
statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward -looking statements.
Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and int entions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can
be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate.