Benchmark Resumes Gold-Silver Drill Program
Benchmark Resumes Gold-Silver Drill
Program
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2022) -
Benchmark Metals Inc.
(TSXV: BNCH)
(OTCQX: BNCHF) (WKN: A2JM2X) (the "
Company
" or "
Benchmark
") - is pleased to report
resumption of drilling to expand gold-silver zones during January, 2022. The program will continue from
the 83,570 metres completed in 2021. The Company anticipates drilling 20,000 metres during the winter
drill program to expand and define the existing resource areas and to advance the new discovery -
Marmot Zone. 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, "Benchmark is leveraging its road accessible project by drilling
during the winter months to deliver more results in early 2022 and to expedite the project towards a
mining a decision. The Company anticipates near-term results to be distributed from 2021 drilling with a
focus on resource expansion areas."
Benchmark is planning to mobilize drill crews and its geological team to the Project in anticipation of a
drill start during January 2021. Drilling will focus on multiple areas of near-surface gold and silver
mineralization that remain open along-strike and at-depth (see Figure 1), including:
Cliff Creek Mid Deposit
- 2021 infill drilling along a 50 metre strike-length intersected near-
surface high-grade and bulk-tonnage mineralization in a portion of the Mid Zone that was thought to
be weakly to modestly mineralized, based upon intermittently sampled historical drilling. These
results have the potential to add significant, higher-grade gold and silver ounces in an updated
mineral resource estimate;
Connector Zone
- This new zone is located partially outside of and marginal to the existing
resource, currently extending over ~300 metres in strike-length and ~130 metres vertical depth.
The new results at the Connector Zone have significant potential to add gold-silver ounces laterally
and at depth, as well as optimize pit shell design to positively impact the project economics;
Dukes Ridge Deposit
- The discovery of new high-grade material at surface generates flexibility
and potential for higher-grade starter pits and provides significant rewards to potential future mine
production schedules. Drilling in 2021 also showed the potential for Dukes Ridge expansion at
depth? as well as conversion of material previously modeled as waste in the resource model (see
news release May 14, 2021);
Marmot Zone
- The mineralizing system at Marmot continues to display similarities to the
resource deposit areas on the property, with both bulk tonnage and high-grade mineralization
intercepted in multiple drill holes. The drill results align with significant surface mineralization that
delineates a mineralized footprint that currently extends an approximate 400 metres in strike-
length. Continued drilling is designed to define at-surface material as well as identify structural
controls of the system.
Figure 1
- Winter drill program target areas with select 2021 drill intercepts.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6169/109233_efaf9da764be7a78_001full.jpg
2022 Plans and Milestones
The Company remains on track to deliver major milestones in 2022 and has begun planning for a larger
drill program following delivery of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate. Plans for 2022 include:
Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, expanding beyond its maiden 2.1 million ounces at 1.62 g/t
AuEq* Indicated and 821,000 ounces at 1.57 g/t AuEq Inferred;
Preliminary Economic Assessment;
Technical and engineering work to support a Feasibility Study;
Continue environmental assessment baseline data collection;
Engineering, permitting, and drilling to advance the project towards mining, and;
Drill testing new targets for satellite deposit potential.
Eric Sprott Equity Ownership
Benchmark is pleased to report that Mr. Eric Sprott exercised 1,130,000 common share purchase
warrants of Benchmark at $0.40 per share for aggregate consideration of $452,000 (
December 30,
2021
) through his investment holding company, 2176423 Ontario Limited. Mr. Sprott now beneficially
owns and controls 26,082,309 shares and 3,846,154 warrants representing approximately 12.9% of the
outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 14.6% on a partially diluted basis
assuming exercise of all warrants held. The exercise of warrants resulted in a partially diluted ownership
change of greater than 2%. Mr. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional
securities including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the securities including on
the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions,
reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.
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.
*Gold equivalent (AuEq) calculated using 90:1 silver to gold ratio
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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