Integra Resources Corp has officially published the latest update from its infill, geotechnical-metallurgical, and exploration drill program at the Wildcat Deposit located in Nevada.
Going by the available details, this 2024 drill program consisted of 10 holes, totaling 1,940 meters. More on the same would reveal how it was designed to gather data from the heap-leachable material within the existing mineral resource, to test the potential blind high-grade breccia targets which are believed to be the feeder source of gold mineralization at Wildcat, as well as to demonstrate the continuity of mineralization.
Markedly enough, the effort was found to significantly improve the team’s geological, geotechnical, and metallurgical understanding of the deposit. The infill and geo-metallurgical holes intersected mineralization, and at the same time, provided excellent data to support a future feasibility study.
Not just that, Integra’s program also helped to advance permitting efforts at Wildcat and delivered valuable insight for future exploration programs. All in all, exploration holes drilled outside the main resource area generate a solid indication regarding the presence of a potential feeder breccia pipe hidden below post-mineralization basalts.
Talk about the published update on a slightly deeper level, we begin from how a total of 3 infill and geo-metallurgical focused holes were drilled, a process where significant oxide mineralized material were intercepted to effectively confirm excellent grade continuity at Wildcat. You see, around the given area, WCCD-0017 returned an intercept of 0.52 grams per tonne (“g/t”) oxide Au over 62.5m, WCCD-0018 returned an intercept of 0.38 g/t oxide Au over 64.6m, and WCCD-0019 returned an intercept of 0.27 g/t oxide Au over 147.5m.
Beyond that, we must mention that piezometers were installed in the drill holes to gather important data on the water table elevation at Wildcat.
Moving on, a total of 7 highly prospective exploration holes were drilled materially outside the 2023 PEA pit shell and primary mineral resource area. These included Breccia Pipe: which had 4 holes (totaling ~1,230m) targeting the high-grade breccia pipe interpreted from geophysics and perceived to be located below post-mineralization basalts (step-out drilling from ~200m to ~800m north of Main Hill area).
Now, while no significant high-grade interval was intercepted, WCCD-0016 returned 0.25 g/t non-oxide Au over 213.8m with pervasive alteration, hydrothermal brecciation, and visible Quartz veins (1-20 centimeters). WCCD-0015 intersected lake sediments beneath post-mineralization basalts. To give you some context, this shows that the hole could be potentially within the targeted diatreme.
Joining that is an intercept of 0.22 g/t non-oxide Au over 12.2m which ended within post-mineralization felsic dykes. You see, the stated dykes have, so far, proven themselves as capable of exploiting pre-existing structures that have the potential to carry high-grade gold mineralization.
Apart from that Breccia Pipe, the mix had Rhyolite Ridge, where 3 holes were drilled to test grade extensions ~300m east of the 2023 PEA pit. Upon execution, the drilling found thick layer of oxidized brecciated tuff mineralization. Among other things, it must be mentioned that, even though intercepts returned low grades, drilling confirmed the presence of mineralization well outside the PEA main pit, highlighting Wildcat’s significant growth potential.
Another detail we cannot go without mentioning is rooted in the fact that Wildcat currently hosts a mineral resource of 746,297 ounces Au and 6,437,869 oz of silver or 829,152 oz of gold equivalent in the Measured and Indicated Category (59,872,806 tonnes at 0.39 g/t Au and 3.34 g/t Ag).
“The 2024 drill program at Wildcat was a technical success on many levels. We greatly increased our confidence in the existing mineral resource and confirmed the growth potential of the Wildcat Deposit. The geological observations from the exploration holes, particularly the extensive alteration and mineralization intersected beneath post-mineral basalt cover, are extremely encouraging and suggest that our drilling is nearing the potential breccia pipe system. Wildcat remains one of the most prospective deposits within Integra’s portfolio and its proximity to our recently acquired Florida Canyon Mine offers potential for significant development,” said Jason Kosec, President, CEO and Director at Integra.
