October 23, 2017, Vancouver, B.C., Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSX-V: MMG; US OTC: MMNGF)(“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company") is pleased to announce results from field exploration programs conducted at its 100% owned McKay Hill silver and gold project, located 50 kilometers (“km”) north of the historic Keno Hill silver district, adjacent to ATAC Resources Ltd.’s Rackla Gold project in Canada's Yukon Territory (see Figure 1 below).
The McKay Hill project occurs within a belt of silver-lead-zinc related deposits that stretch from the Alaska border to the southern part of the Yukon and includes the famous Keno Hill silver district. McKay Hill is an historic high-grade producer that shows potential to host a significant district scale vein system similar to Keno Hill, with at least 16 identified vein structures that have seen very limited modern exploration. McKay Hill was discovered in the 1920s and worked on between 1926-29, including a shallow drill program by Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada (now Teck Resources Limited). Between 1948 and 1949, East Bay Gold produced 143 tonnes of high-grade material from the No. 6 vein at McKay Hill, grading 390.8 g/t Ag and 74.1% Pb.1
Historic surface sampling at McKay Hill returned high-grade silver, lead and zinc mineralization associated with vein structures. More recent field work conducted by Metallic Minerals, and its predecessor, confirmed these historic high grades of silver, lead and zinc and also demonstrated the presence of significant associated gold and copper values. Exploration work in 2017 included follow up rock and soil sampling, reconnaissance and detailed mapping of veins in the Central Zone and Independence Ridge areas. In addition, high resolution satellite photography was collected over the entire property to provide mapping and topographic ground control for use in future programs. Soil sampling extended the existing soil grid in the Central Zone to cover open anomalies and a new soil grid was established at the Independence Ridge area. Mapping and prospecting noted some distinctive hydrothermal and structural characteristics to the mineralization, which suggests the potential for a large mineralized system.
Most of the exploration at McKay Hill to date has been conducted on the Central Zone where veins No. 1 to 9, Bella, Blackhawk and Snowdrift occur near the area of historic production. Much of the claim block remains under-explored, including in the Independence Ridge area to the east of the Central Zone, where at least four vein zones are exposed. Additional vein targets occur to the north and west of the Central Zone near the Falls, Red, and White Hill targets. Highlights from sampling to date at McKay Hill are shown below in Table 1, with 2017 samples denoted by an asterisk. Tables 2 and 3 provide a comprehensive summary of all significant rock sample results collected to date on the property. The locations of these samples are shown on Figure 2.
Table 1 - Highlight Rock Sample Values to Date from McKay Hill:
Sample | Vein | Type | Ag g/t | Au g/t | Pb % | Zn % | Cu % |
29887 | No. 1 W | Grab | 502 | 0.77 | 46.4 | 0.47 | 2.40 |
526147 | No. 2 | Grab | 608 | 0.22 | 35.2 | 3.50 | 3.22 |
526238 | No. 6 | 1.1m Chip | 683 | 0.83 | 40.5 | 0.40 | 0.78 |
1907517* | No. 6 | Grab | 988 | 24.4 | 37.7 | 3.71 | 7.97 |
1907519* | No. 6 | Grab | 742 | 2.36 | 40.0 | 14.72 | 2.92 |
MK002 | No. 8 | Grab | 646 | 16.8 | 27.0 | 0.14 | 0.64 |
29889 | Blackhawk | Grab | 484 | 0.9 | 54.7 | 3.33 | 0.53 |
526243 | Central | Grab | 360 | 3.3 | 21.8 | 10.30 | 4.10 |
MK006 | Snowdrift | Grab | 668 | 15.6 | 2.4 | 0.94 | 3.90 |
29886 | Snowdrift | Grab | 534 | 2.49 | 47.0 | 0.46 | 2.16 |
113852* | Independence | Grab | 706 | 0.18 | 77.8 | 0.38 | 1.63 |
526245 | Falls Vein | 1.1m Chip | 1.1 | 10 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
526241 | North | Grab | 372 | 1.84 | 22.7 | 7.01 | 1.96 |
1Geological and Geochemical Evaluation Report on the McKay Hill Project, Jean Pautler, P.Geo. JP Exploration Services Inc., 2009
Greg Johnson, CEO & Chairman stated, "We are very encouraged by the results we have seen thus far from McKay Hill with 23 samples from 12 of the 16 known vein structures running greater than 300 g/t silver, which is the average reserve grade of global primary silver producers2. The assay results from rock sampling and soil grid work have verified the potential for high-grade silver, lead, and zinc mineralization, as well as demonstrated very significant gold and copper in this emerging district scale property. Two distinct soil anomalies remain open to further expansion covering more than 1.5 kms of total length with elevatedsilver, gold, lead, zinc and copper values. Results from the SkyTEM EM survey in Figure 3 show several additional areas on the property with similar geophysical characteristics to the Central Zone. Based on our initial results, additional field work has been conducted this month to extend soil sampling over mineralized areas that remain open to expansion and further staking was undertaken to expand the property by another 20% to 35.4 km2. The results from McKay Hill support continued work on the project in 2018 and we are excited to have a second property in our portfolio that is advancing to the drill testing stage, substantiating the potential to develop numerous high-grade drill targets.”
Figure 1 - McKay Hill Location and Claims
McKay Hill Project Next Steps
The information provided by the 2017 field program, and a comprehensive review of historic data, has enabled theMetallic Minerals technical team to begin developing future programs which are expected to commence in 2018 and consist of:
- Additional prospecting and surface geochemical sampling on areas of the property not covered to date, particularly over the identified geophysical targets (see Figure 3);
- Mapping over the expanded soil grids and chip sampling of newly identified vein occurrences;
- Expansion of the existing soil grids of the Central Zone and Independence Ridge areas where the anomalous trends remain open;
- Trenching and geophysical surveys to define and prioritize potential drill targets on the most advanced prospects including the No. 1, 6, and 8 veins, and the Snowdrift, Blackhawk and Independence veins; and
- Potential drilling on the most advanced targets identified through preliminary surface work.
2 “New Explorer for High-Grade Silver Resources in the Prolific Keno Hill Silver District of Yukon, Canada”; September 5, 2017 - Michael Fowler, Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon Limited.
Figure 2 - Rock Sample Geochemistry and Soil Sample Location Map
Figure 3 - McKay Hill SkyTEM EM Survey
Circles indicate priority exploration targets.
Comprehensive Summary Tables of All Rock Sampling to Date at McKay Hill Project
Table 2 - Central Zone Rock Samples with Most Significant Results Highlighted in Grey
Sample | Vein | Type | Ag g/t | Au g/t | Pb % | Zn % | Cu % |
29887 | No. 1 W | Grab | 502 | 0.765 | 46.4 | 0.47 | 2.40 |
MK007 | No. 2 | Grab | 342 | 0.02 | 28.0 | 0.26 | 0.03 |
526195 | No. 2 | Grab | 342 | 0.11 | 29.3 | 1.29 | 0.32 |
526147 | No. 2 | Grab | 608 | 0.22 | 35.2 | 3.50 | 3.22 |
526148 | No. 2 | Grab | 366 | 0.02 | 46.8 | 0.03 | 0.02 |
MK004/5 | No. 4 | Grab | 70 | 0.05 | 23.0 | 10.10 | 0.18 |
526197 | No. 4 | 0.4m Chip | 9.7 | 0.035 | 3.3 | 11.30 | 0.09 |
MK008 | No. 6 | Grab | 324 | 0.065 | 32.0 | 3.20 | 0.04 |
526194 | No. 6 | Grab | 516 | 0.07 | 30.2 | 1.28 | 0.19 |
526238 | No. 6 | 1.1m Chip | 683 | 0.83 | 40.5 | 0.40 | 0.78 |
526239 | No. 6 | Grab | 528 | 0.565 | 50.6 | 8.66 | 1.52 |
56813 | No. 6 | Grab | 32.4 | 0.005 | 9.0 | 1.93 | 0.01 |
56814 | No. 6 | Grab | 156 | 0.03 | 58.3 | 6.30 | 0.09 |
1907517 | No. 6 | Grab | 988 | 24.4 | 37.7 | 3.71 | 7.97 |
1907518 | No. 6 | Grab | 442 | 0.618 | 43.9 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
1907519 | No. 6 | Grab | 742 | 2.355 | 40.0 | 14.72 | 2.92 |
MK001 | No. 8 | Grab | 234 | 0.06 | 26.0 | 0.11 | 0.28 |
MK002 | No. 8 | Grab | 646 | 16.8 | 27.0 | 0.14 | 0.64 |
MK003 | No. 8 | Grab | 710 | 0.39 | 33.0 | 0.50 | 0.49 |
526198 | No. 8 | Grab | 125 | 0.09 | 14.9 | 6.75 | 0.26 |
MK009 | No. 9 | Grab | 366 | 0.36 | 25.0 | 6.90 | 0.72 |
526199 | No. 9 | Grab | 18 | 0.02 | 2.0 | 0.43 | 0.09 |
526200 | No. 9 | 0.3m Chip | 51.8 | 0.025 | 2.1 | 0.30 | 0.45 |
29896 | No. 9 | Grab | 132 | 0.59 | 5.1 | 2.31 | 2.24 |
29889 | Blackhawk | Grab | 484 | 0.9 | 54.7 | 3.33 | 0.53 |
29890 | Blackhawk | Grab | 551 | 0.51 | 47.3 | 1.16 | 0.51 |
29891 | Blackhawk | 1.2m Chip | 112 | 0.34 | 16.5 | 4.13 | 0.29 |
56815 | Blackhawk | Grab | 139 | 1.29 | 9.9 | 3.18 | 0.90 |
526247 | Blackhawk E | Grab | 27.9 | 0.015 | 5.1 | 19.10 | 0.002 |
29888 | Blackhawk W | Grab | 26.1 | 0.025 | 4.3 | 21.60 | 0.02 |
526244 | Blackhawk W | Grab | 100 | 1.14 | 0.3 | 0.17 | 1.46 |
526243 | Central | Grab | 360 | 3.3 | 21.8 | 10.30 | 4.10 |
1907516 | Central | Grab | 297 | 0.271 | 34.1 | 30.84 | 0.81 |
MK006 | Snowdrift | Grab | 668 | 15.6 | 2.4 | 0.94 | 3.90 |
526196 | Snowdrift | 1.5m Chip | 57.2 | 1.37 | 1.5 | 4.70 | 0.63 |
29885 | Snowdrift | Grab | 470 | 0.085 | 46.5 | 0.29 | 0.60 |
29886 | Snowdrift | Grab | 534 | 2.49 | 47.0 | 0.46 | 2.16 |
526150 | Snowdrift | Grab | 174 | 2.61 | 0.4 | 0.13 | 0.69 |
Table 3. Independence Ridge and Northern Zone Rock Samples with Most Significant Results Highlighted in Grey
Sample | Vein | Type | Ag g/t | Au g/t | Pb % | Zn % | Cu % |
580077 | Independence | Grab | 16.1 | 0.074 | 1.3 | 0.83 | 0.09 |
580078 | Independence | Grab | 23.2 | 0.018 | 12.4 | 4.48 | 0.03 |
580079 | Independence | 1.1m Chip | 59.7 | 0.024 | 10.7 | 9.04 | 0.04 |
580080 | Independence | Grab | 20.7 | 0.033 | 9.8 | 18.86 | 0.05 |
580081 | Independence | Grab | 9.2 | 0.015 | 4.9 | 11.03 | 0.03 |
580082 | Independence | Grab | 288.8 | 0.031 | 10.9 | 0.15 | 0.03 |
580083 | Independence | Grab | 55.9 | 0.054 | 10.2 | 19.70 | 0.004 |
113852 | Independence | Grab | 706 | 0.178 | 77.8 | 0.38 | 1.63 |
113351 | Snowdrift E | Grab | 80 | 0.28 | 0.1 | 0.93 | 3.40 |
580076 | Snowdrift E | Grab | 98.5 | 0.336 | 0.1 | 0.95 | 3.01 |
113851 | Snowdrift E | Grab | 3 | 0.007 | 0.04 | 5.20 | 0.01 |
526241 | North | Grab | 372 | 1.84 | 22.7 | 7.01 | 1.96 |
526245 | Falls Vein | 1.1m Chip | 1.1 | 10 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
29897 | Falls Vein | Grab | 42.3 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.04 | 1.33 |
29895 | Bella | Grab | 84 | 0.445 | 15.2 | 1.00 | 1.06 |
29892 | Red 1 | Grab | 29 | 0.48 | 3.7 | 0.01 | 0.004 |
56853 | White Hill | Grab | 0.2 | 0.005 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.50 |
Grab samples are selective and are may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the property.
Keno Silver Project Update
The 2017 field exploration program at the Company’s flagship high-grade Keno Silver Project, adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp., in the Keno Hill silver district was completed in September. All materials from surface sampling, trenching and drilling have been sent for analysis. Assay results are anticipated in the coming weeks, following one of the busiest Yukon exploration seasons in years.
About Metallic Minerals Corp.
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a growth stage exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of high-grade silver and gold in the Yukon within under explored districts proven to produce top-tier assets. Our objective is to create value through a disciplined, systematic approach to exploration, reducing investment risk and maximizing probability of long-term success. Our core Keno Silver Project is located in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada's Yukon Territory, a region which has produced over 200 million ounces of silver and currently hosts one of the world’s highest-grade silver resources. The Company’s McKay Hill project, northeast of Keno Hill, is a high-grade historic silver-gold producer. Metallic Minerals is also building a portfolio of gold royalties in the historic Klondike gold district. Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success, including large scale development, permitting and project financing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Website: www.metallic-minerals.com
Email: chris.ackerman@metallic-minerals.com
Phone: 604-629-7800
Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Analytical work in 2017 was done by Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analysis in Vancouver, British Columbia. Each rock (grab) sample was analyzed for 36 elements using an Aqua Regia digestion with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled Plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (AQ202). Samples with over limit silver and gold were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish (FA530-Ag, Au). Over-limit lead and zinc samples were analyzed by multi-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (MA404) or titration (GC516, GC8917). All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab.
Qualified Person
Scott Petsel, P.Geo, Vice President, Exploration and an Officer of Metallic Minerals Corp., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Petsel has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release and approves the disclosure contained herein. Mr. Petsel has reviewed the results of the sampling programs and confirmed that all procedures, protocols and methodologies used conform to industry standards.
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
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