Walter Storm, President and CEO
The HC Zone shows elevated concentrations of gold, silver, Sb-sulfosalts hosted between a pervasively sericite-pyrite-chlorite altered volcaniclastic sequence (bimodal mafic-felsic affinity), and restricted sedimentary basins where mudstones host sulfide mineralization underlying stockwork base metal and precious metal veins. These characteristics are similar and unique to the nearby Eskay Creek deposit. The highest grade, and most continuous precious-metal mineralization within the HC Zone, occurs as an apparent stratabound zone at the contact of the footwall mudstone and the hydrothermally altered volcaniclastic sequence. This is interpreted as being the product of a mineralizing growth-graben fault, proximal to felsic flows, ash tuffs, and felsic conglomerates.
During the ongoing 2017 season, TUDOR GOLD has drilled 13 holes in the vicinity of, and to the north of the 9 holes drilled in 2007 and 11 holes in 2009 by American Creek Resources. Together, these 33 holes have produced consistent geology demonstrating the continuity of the feeder vein system, the vent structure, and the sedimentary basin within the area bounded by these holes (assays received up to HC-17-07, awaiting assays on all remaining 2017 holes).
The holes drilled by TUDOR GOLD and American Creek Resources cover approximately 400m along strike and 450m down dip at 50m space increments in the direction of the main mineralized structure. Historical surface sampling carried out by previous operators to both the north and south of the HC Zone indicates that the main mineralized structure extends at least for 3,000m along strike. The entire 3,000m mineralized structure which hosts HC remains open to the north, south beyond the existing drill holes, and down dip.
Assay results
The Feeder Vein System
It is comprised of discordant veins hosted mainly in pervasively sericite-pyrite-chlorite altered volcaniclastic sequence. Two types of veins are recognized: silver dominant Mn-rich carbonates and sulphides (semi-massive yellow to light brown zoned sphalerite, galena, pyrite and minor chalcopyrite can add to >50% of the veins) and gold dominant chalcedonic quartz veins. Textures include those more typical of the epithermal suite (banded, crustiform, breccia/vein).
The Vent Structure
It is comprised of silica flooded and altered mudstone and volcanic conglomerates along with breccias and semi-massive sulphide replacements. Several stages of silica can be recognized cementing and replacing successive events of brecciation. Silica alteration occurs as silicification and chalcedonic silica, usually gray to bluish in color, obliterating previous textures. Pyrite and Sb-sulphosalts are the dominant sulphides as veinlets, stringers and semi-massive replacements. Stibnite, galena, sphalerite and arsenopyrite are also common in veinlets and disseminations
The Sulphides in Sedimentary Basins
Fine grained pyrite and Sb-sulphosalts have been identified as finely laminated sedimentary beds and patchy pyrite/quartz replacements within mudstones/siltstones in the proximity of the venting structures intersected in core, particularly around holes HC-17-01, 04, 05, 08, 10, 11 and 12 (as per visual inspection of the drill core). The mineralization appears to be hosted in the immediate contact of the underlying footwall mudstone unit and the upper altered volcaniclastic sequence.
Quality Control and Data Verification
Samples were assayed by Activation Labs in Kamloops, BC. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the submission of blanks, certified standard samples and duplicate samples inserted at regular intervals into the sample train by TUDOR GOLD personnel. Activation Lab’s quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 9001: 2000 and ISO 17025: 1999.
Qualified Person
This press release has been prepared and verified by Raul Sanabria, M.Sc., P.Geo, EurGeol, Exploration Manager and Qualified Person for the 2017 Treaty Creek Project field season and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.