Benchmark Drills 13 Metres of 23.72 g/t Gold and 212.84 g/t Silver Within a Broader Zone of 101.60 Metres of 4.68 g/t Gold and 89.89 g/t Silver or 5.80 g/t Gold Equivalent from Surface at the AGB Deposit
Benchmark Drills 13 Metres of 23.72 g/t Gold
and 212.84 g/t Silver Within a Broader Zone of
101.60 Metres of 4.68 g/t Gold and 89.89 g/t
Silver or 5.80 g/t Gold Equivalent from Surface
at the AGB Deposit
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 11, 2022) -
Benchmark Metals Inc.
(TSXV: BNCH)
(OTCQX: BNCHF) (WKN: A2JM2X) (the "
Company
" or "
Benchmark
") is pleased to announce new
results from 3 multi-purpose drill holes at the AGB Deposit including
101.60 metres (m) of 4.68 grams
per tonne (g/t) gold
and
89.89 g/t silver
or
5.80 g/t gold equivalent (AuEq*)
with
13.00 m of 23.72
g/t gold
and
212.84 g/t silver or 26.38 g/t AuEq
in drill hole 21AGBDD040 (Figure 1). In addition to
testing the near-surface continuity of mineralization, drill holes 21AGBDD054 and 21AGBDD055 were
designed to evaluate the geotechnical properties of the rock mass as well as hydrogeological regime of
the pit area. These cost-effective multi-purpose drill holes were successful in continuing to delineate
high-grade continuity of near-surface mineralization at the southernmost extent of the AGB zone (Figure
2) while also providing the geotechnical and hydrogeological data necessary to design the overall pit
slope for future engineering studies. Benchmark's flagship Lawyers Gold-Silver Project is located within
a road-accessible region of the prolific Golden Horseshoe area of north-central British Columbia,
Canada.
John Williamson, CEO, commented, "The 2021 drill program has intersected near-surface high-grade
mineralization within the pit shells modeled in 2021 and could potentially add significant resources in the
near-term Mineral Resource update. As these results continue to expand the limits of the mineralization,
further drilling in 2022 will continue to expand resource potential in all directions."
Highlights
Robust mineralization near the southernmost extent of the AGB zone and south of historical mining
including
37.50 m of 2.15 g/t gold
and
46.76 g/t silver
or
2.74 g/t AuEq
with
at-surface 2.50 m
of 22.62 g/t gold
and
120.26 g/t silver
or
24.13 g/t AuEq
in drill hole 21AGBDD054, and;
Potential for improved economics and reduced strip ratio by adding near-surface, open-pittable
gold and silver ounces to the AGB Deposit, and;
Last of the drill results from AGB that will support the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE),
future drilling will go towards the Feasibility Study.
Multi-Purpose Geotechnical Drillholes
Over the 2021 drill program, a total of (7) PQ and HQ sized geotechnical drill holes were drilled at the
Cliffs Creek and AGB Deposits, totaling 2415 metres. In addition to testing for near-surface
mineralization, with the potential to positively impact an updated MRE, these drill holes were conducted
to collect data for slope analysis and pit slope design that will impact the overall size and shape of the
future pit design. Work included in-situ permeability (packer) tests, geotechnical logging, down-hole
televiewer mapping, sampling for geotechnical test work such as unconfined compressive strength,
sampling for comminution test work, piezometer installation for groundwater baseline towards
engineering design and environmental baseline. By executing this work with multi-purpose drilling and
data collection the project is on pace to a construction decision.
Figure 1: Plan map at the AGB Zone
highlighting new 2021 drill results.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6169/113522_ecff843f14e40bc5_001full.jpg
Figure 2: Long-section at the AGB Zone
showing gold and silver results from a series of drill holes.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6169/113522_ecff843f14e40bc5_002full.jpg
Table 1: Drill results summary from the AGB Zone
Drillhole
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)*
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
AuEq (g/t)**
21AGBDD040
3.40
105.00
101.60
4.68
89.89
5.80
incl.
24.15
37.15
13.00
23.72
212.84
26.38
incl.
24.15
29.93
5.78
41.59
320.90
45.60
21AGBDD054
1.50
39.00
37.50
2.15
46.76
2.74
1.50
4.00
2.50
22.62
120.26
24.13
21AGBDD055
11.32
47.00
35.68
1.22
37.32
1.68
incl.
25.00
27.00
2.00
5.95
125.20
7.52
*
Gold equivalent (AuEq) calculated using 80:1 silver to gold ratio.
** Intervals are core-length. True width is estimated between 80 to 90% of core length.
Quality Assurance and Control
Results from samples were analyzed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Vancouver,
Canada (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). The sampling program was undertaken by
Company personnel under the direction of Rob L'Heureux, P.Geol. A secure chain of custody is
maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic
emission spectrometry and gravimetric finish when required (+10 g/t Au). Analysis by four acid digestion
with 48 element ICP-MS analysis was conducted on all samples with silver and base metal over- limits
being re-analyzed by atomic absorption or emission spectrometry. Rock chip samples from
outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on
the project.
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc,
P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Benchmark Metals
Benchmark Metals Inc. is a Canadian based gold and silver company advancing its 100% owned
Lawyer's Gold-Silver Project located in the prolific Golden Horseshoe of northern British Columbia,
Canada. The Project consists of three mineralized deposits that remain open for expansion, in addition
to +20 new target areas along the 20 kilometre trend. The Company trades on the TSX Venture
Exchange in Canada, the OTCQX Best Market in the United States, and the Tradegate Exchange in
Europe. Benchmark is managed by proven resource sector professionals, who have a track record of
advancing exploration projects from grassroots scenarios through to production.
www.metalsgroup.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
s/ "John Williamson"
John Williamson
, Chief Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Jim Greig
Email:
Telephone: +1 604 260 6977
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT
TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-
looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by
applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
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https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/113522