Western Alaska Minerals Refines Exploration Model Yielding System-Wide Targeting at Illinois Creek
NEWS RELEASE
WESTERN ALASKA MINERALS REFINES EXPLORATION MODEL
YIELDING SYSTEM-WIDE TARGETING AT ILLINOIS CREEK
TUCSON, ARIZONA, US – December 7, 2023 – Western Alaska Minerals (the “Company” or
“WAM”) (TSX-V: WAM) is pleased to provide an exploration summary for 2023 work completed
on its 100% owned, 30,000-hectare Illinois Creek (“IC”) Carbonate Replacement Deposit (“CRD”)
project in central Alaska.
The project hosts a continuous six-kilometer corridor of CRD-style alteration, favorable structure,
and permissive stratigraphy linking the past-producing gold-silver Illinois Creek Mine (“ICM”) in
the southwest and the high-grade silver -lead-zinc Waterpump Creek (“WPC”) massive sulfide
CRD deposit in the northeast (Figure 1).
The 2023 drilling season dedicated 5 holes totaling 1,706 meters to expand the high-grade sulfide
mineralization at Waterpump Creek and 3,412 meters in 9 holes to seek mineralization 700
meters to the south across a post-mineral fault into the Last Hurrah target area where geophysics,
surface sampling, and historical drilling indicated the mineralized corridor runs.
Waterpump Creek drilling extend ed massive sul fide mineralization at least 45 meters down -
plunge to the south and demonstrates lateral continuity of the mineralization for 495 meters to
where the body is apparently displaced by a n ENE-WSW trending fault. The best hole in 2023
was WPC23-30, (See press release dated August 14 ) which cut 40.2 meters core width (37.8
meters true width) of 262 g/t Ag (8.4 opt), 10.9% Pb and 4.5% Zn, including: 5.3 m of 729 g/t Ag
(23.4 opt), 24.1% Pb and 3.1 % Zn, and 8.6 m of 493 g/t Ag (15.8 opt), 22.9% Pb and 2.6% Zn .
Drilling then moved to Last Hurrah, testing the continuation of WPC mineralization across the
post-mineral fault. The drill holes there yielded broad zones of CRD alteration with dispersed
mineralization, which correlate well with 2005 and 2023 geophysical models. More importantly, 2
of the 3 Last Hurrah holes that were drilled through an underlying impermeable schist, hit similar
alteration in a limestone unit. This indicates that mineralization may also occur in this deeper unit,
opening it for exploration across the property (Figures 1-3). The technical team is integrating these
results into an enhanced district model, including reinterpretation of the geophysics, in preparation
for drilling next season.
“It is rare for a junior exploration company to control, in a stable mining jurisdiction, an entire,
intact system of this scale, that even at this early stage is showing the hallmarks of a well -
mineralized CRD system, ” stated CEO Kit Marrs. “It took several tries with the drill bit at WPC,
but once we intercepted the exceptionally high -grade silver-lead-zinc sulfides there, it took just
two seasons of drilling to flesh out a substantial zone, justifying the calculation of an initial mineral
resource estima te. Results to date suggest that WPC is just the fingertip of a 6 km -long
mineralized trend that runs back to Illinois Creek, of which only 8% has been drill tested to date.
With our updated understanding of the system, we are excited to be zeroing in at Last Hurrah and
continuing to trace high-grade mineralization back towards Illinois Creek.”
Key Takeaways
• In-fill and additional high-grade intercepts from step-out drilling at Waterpump Creek were
completed, adding 45 meters to the mineralization trend, allowing for an initial NI 43-101
complaint resource estimate, anticipated in Q1 2024.
• Exploration drilling at Last Hurrah yielded strong CRD alteration which correlates with both
the 2005 and 2023 modelled geophysics (Figures 1,3, and 4) . More importantly, the
alteration and anomalous geochemistry occur in two separate stratigraphic units,
effectively doubling the exploration potential.
• The 2023 and prior drilling results now indicate that three carbonate units exist, separated
by impermeable or unreactive units , and a progressive southwesterly shift of
mineralization focus from the uppermost carbonate at WPC, through the middle unit at LH
and the deepest known unit at Illinois Creek (Figure 2).
• This new geologic recognition, combined with advanced remodeling of the eleven square-
kilometer high-resolution 3D geophysical survey covering both WPC and L ast Hurrah, is
helping to determine the structural and stratigraphic controls on mineralizing fluid
migration from the probable porphyry source near the Illinois Creek Mine , through Last
Hurrah to WPC (Figure 3).
Follow this link to hear Andy West VP Exploration and Sage Langston Stewart, Project Geologist,
summarize the latest exploration results.
New Model of a large-scale sulfide target zone
Figure 1. Plan map and stratigraphic column of the greater Illinois Creek region: including the past -
producing the Illinois Creek Mine, and Waterpump Creek and Last Hurrah prospects . See our website for
the A to A’ Last Hurrah drill section.
Figure 2. Left: Conceptual CRD model illustrated by world-renowned CRD expert/WAM Technical Advisor,
Dr. Peter Megaw. Right: WAM’s conceptual “stair-stepping” of mineralization moving progressively through
different stratigraphic target horizons . Exploration is attempting to follow this from distal (WPC) t hrough
medial (LH) to proximal (ICM) and the undiscovered potential porphyry/skarn system.
Figure 3. 3D Block view showing the sulfide and gossan zones, permissive horizons, and target zones.
The Company believes that CRD-style mineralization and alteration is continuous and increasing in intensity
and scale to the south and west. This correlates well with the district zonation pattern which ranges from
distal low temperature silver-zinc-lead mineralization at WPC to proximal higher temperature copper-gold-
silver at IC as is expected in CRD systems.
This progressive metal zonation from Au-Ag-Cu at the Illinois Creek deposit to high grade Ag -Pb-Zn at
WPC with alteration and mineralization occurring in multiple and progressively higher
structural/stratigraphic “Stair Step” levels (Figure 2) demonstrates the excellent potential of the Illinois Creek
District as a large scale CRD system.
“Continuity of mineralization from the source outward with gradually diminishing volume, often over several
kilometers, has been recognized for over 100 years as a fundamental aspect of CRD systems, so it is highly
probable we’ll find the continuation of Waterpump Creek mineralization across the post-mineral fault,” said
Dr. Peter Megaw, Exploration Advisor to WAM. “Importantly, many CRD systems show “Christmas Tree”
patters of mineralization affecting more and more layers in the stratigraphy as the source is approached
and it looks like we’re beginning to see that progression at Last Hurrah”.
Last Hurrah Drilling (Phase II)
• 2023 exploration drilling in this new zone showed strong and abundant CRD alteration ,
characterized by broad CRD-style surrounding “fugitive” carbonate veins, in nearly all drill
holes. The modelled resistivity from the 2023 survey suggests that the alteration increases
in size to the south and west of Last Hurrah towards the Illinois Creek mine.
• Anomalous Pb and Zn values coincide with the CRD alteration , however, no massive
sulfides were intersected.
• BBQ rock” (UV fluorescent fugitive calcite) remains a key proximity vector to
mineralization and was intersected in all but 2 Last Hurrah holes (See Press Release of
August 14, 2023).
• The drilling and geophysical modelling at Last Hurrah shows conclusively that there are
three key permissive CRD host rock stratigraphic units present and that mineralization
seems to “stair-step” progressively from one to the other across the property from WPC
to: Last Hurrah, Warm Springs Creek, and the Illinois Creek zone.
Visit the WPC page on our website to view the cross section.
3D IP Geophysical Survey Modeling: Results show extensive alteration within three
potential permissive carbonate packages.
Figure 4. 3D view looking east of the 25 and 5 ohm -meter iso surfaces from the Dias 3D DCIP
Survey and inversion.
A high-resolution 3-D resistivity and induced polarization survey (“3D IP”) covering Waterpump
Creek and Last Hurrah target areas was conducted by DIAS Geophysical during the summer field
season. Inversion modeling reveals distinct structural, stratigraphic controls to CRD
mineralization and outlines the increasing alteration halo to the south. Figure 4 above shows the
modeled 25 ohm-m zone, which can be used as a proxy for alteration and the 5 ohm-meter zones
that show district breaks that define syn- and post-mineralization structures.
• Detailed inversion modeling defines the fault structures that offset the WPC mineralization
and the (likely) vertical north-south fault(s) that control the CRD mineralizing fluids.
• Importantly, the resistivity modeling shows a <25 ohm -meter signature that corresponds
directly with extensive sanding and clay alteration surrounding the CRD mineralization.
• The IP modeling, in tandem with the drilling in WPC and Last Hurrah also shows an
increasing scale in alteration to the south that extends through all three permissi ve
carbonate horizons.
Waterpump Creek: Initial Resource Estimate (Phase 1 2023 drilling)
Five holes were drilled at Waterpump Creek, two step-out holes and three infill holes, for a total
of 1706 meters.
2023 drilling returned more high-grade silver-lead-zinc infill and expansion drilling, sufficient for a
preliminary NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate. The report is well-underway and is expected
to be published in early 2024. Expansion highlights include:
• WPC23-29: 19.5 m @ 158 g/t (5.1 opt) Ag, 5.3% Pb, and 11.5% Zn
• WPC23-30: Cumulative 71.6 meters of multiple high-grade zones
o 22.0 m of 146 g/t Ag (4.7 opt), 3.3% Pb and 9.8% Zn
o 40.2 m of 262 g/t Ag (8.4 opt), 10.9% Pb and 4.5% Zn, including:
▪ 5.3 m of 729 g/t Ag (23.4 opt), 24.1% Pb and 3.1 % Zn, and
▪ 8.6 m of 493 g/t Ag (15.8 opt), 22.9% Pb and 2.6% Zn
• Extends the mineralization at least 45 meters down plunge to the south and demonstrates
continuity of the system for 495 meters in length, cut off on the southern fault . See press
release dated August 14.
Qualified Person
The Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release is
Andrew West, Certified Professional Geologist, a Qualified Person as defined under National
Instrument 43 -101. Mr. West is the Vice President for Western Alaska Minerals with a MS in
Geology and 30 years of experience in mineral resources, mine, and exploration. He is a Certified
Professional Geologist with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG CP-11759).
His review verified the technical data disclosed, including geology, sampling, analytical and
QA/QC data underlying this news release, including reviewing the reports of ALS, methodologies,
results, and all procedures undertaken for quality assurance and quality control in a manner
consistent with industry practice.
About WAM
WAM is an Alaska and Arizona based company, listed on the TSX -V and focused on discovery
of high-grade, district -scale ore systems in the historic Illinois Creek Mining District located in
western Alaska. WAM’s 100% owned claims cover 73,120 acres (114.25 square miles or 29,591
hectares), approximately 45 km from the Yukon River. WAM’s land position encompasses at least
five prospects, including the past producing Illinois Creek gold-silver mine, Waterpump Creek
silver-lead-zinc deposit the Honker gold prospect and the Round Top copper prospect, all
originally discovered by Anaconda Minerals Co. in the early 1980's. Since 2010, WAM, along with
precursor Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company, has reassembled the Anaconda property
package and been engaged in exploring the district.
On behalf of the Company
“Kit Marrs”
Kit Marrs
President & CEO
Phone: 520-200-1667
For further information please contact:
Vanessa Bogaert, Director of Corporate Communications/IR at
Or visit our website at: www.westernalaskaminerals.com.
Forward Looking Information
Certain statements made, and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking
information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts
currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet
management's expectations. Forward -looking statements and information may be identified by
such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estim ates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will",
"could" or "would". Forward -looking statements and information contained herein are based on
certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral
resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation,
the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating
costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title
disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as
of the date hereof, forward -looking statements and information are not guaranteeing of future
performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual
events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by
applicable securities laws.
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.