August 30, 2023 View PDF
Highlights:
- Phase one drilling at Northwest Expo has been completed with multiple intercepts of silica-clay-pyrite and chlorite-magnetite alteration as observed in previous drilling in Zone 1
- Initial assays are anticipated shortly and will guide a fully financed phase two program this year
- Drilling completed at Goodspeed where initial logging and spot PXRF scanning has identified the presence of sulphides and anomalous copper values of up to 4,900 ppm
- 5-year area-based drilling permit received at Pemberton Hills
Vancouver, B.C. – Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. (TSX-V:NCX) (“Northisle” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has successfully concluded its phase one drill program at Northwest Expo and Goodspeed. In addition, the Company has received a 5-year area-based exploration permit covering its Pemberton Hills exploration targets on the North Island Project. Receipt of this permit, as well as the Northwest permit received earlier this year, followed a robust engagement process which included extensive information sharing and discussions with impacted First Nations in advance of and throughout the permitting process.
Robin Tolbert, Vice President Exploration, commented “We are pleased that our program at Northwest Expo has intercepted the anticipated alteration in multiple holes drilled in Zone 1, based on preliminary visual inspection of core. Our team is in the process of completing visual, x-ray fluorescence and spectroscopic analysis and several holes have already been sent for assay. We eagerly await the results in the coming weeks and will leverage these results to assist in the targeting of our second phase program. In addition, the presence of sulphides and anomalous copper at Goodspeed is encouraging.”
Northwest Expo 2023 Phase One Preliminary Results
Northisle has completed a total of 8 holes for a total of 4,188m in its 2023 Phase One program at Northwest Expo. These holes were drilled with the objective of defining a preliminary resource in the gold-enriched copper porphyry mineralization found in Zone 1 occurring in silica-clay-pyrite (“SCP”) and altered Jurassic Bonanza Formation andesitic volcanoclastic rocks.
Based on visual interpretation, drilling has intercepted SCP and/or chlorite-magnetite alteration zones in holes NW23-09 to NW23-15, which were drilled on a grid designed to in-fill and step out from historical and 2022 drilling in Zone 1.
In addition, a large step out to the west was also completed in NW23-16 where a 102m intercept of silica-clay-pyrite alteration was logged in this distal zone.
Samples from all 8 holes have been submitted for analysis and the last hole’s results are anticipated by early October.
Figure 1 shows the locations of the drill holes from this 2023 drill program, and the related table provides the coordinates, azimuth, dip and depth of these holes.
Drilling at Goodspeed Completed
Following the completion of the Phase 1 program at Northwest Expo Zone 1, the drill was moved to the Goodspeed target area, where five holes totalling 1,626m were drilled to test targets outlined by the interpretation of surface alteration mapping, historical drilling and induced polarization and magnetic geophysics surveys completed in 2022. These holes are currently being logged and sampled for assaying. Sulphides were visible in GS23-01, GS23-03, GS23-04 and GS23-05 and spot PXRF scans indicated anomalous copper values of up to 4,900 ppm. These values are encouraging and the results of assays will be reported once received. The location of the drill holes in the Goodspeed area are shown in Figure 2 and collar data is shown in Table 1. The turnaround of core sample assays, once shipped, is currently 4 weeks.
Table 1: Goodspeed Drill Hole Collar Data
Hole ID | Azimuth | Dip | Easting UTM | Northing UTM | Hole Depth (m) |
GS23-01 | 310 | -60 | 574565 | 5617740 | 318 |
GS23-02 | 360 | -90 | 574746 | 5617413 | 330 |
GS23-03 | 320 | -60 | 574380 | 5617640 | 300 |
GS23-04 | 225 | -80 | 574380 | 5617640 | 384 |
GS23-05 | 90 | -55 | 574637 | 5617468 | 294 |
Pemberton Hills Permit Received
Northisle has now received a 5-year area-based permit for its Pemberton Hills target. As described in the company’s press release on January 23, 2023, the company has demonstrated a compelling picture of a massive, tilted porphyry system through surface alteration and mapping, geophysics and previous drilling. Fourteen geophysical targets based on induced polarization (“IP”) and magnetic surveys have been identified, extending northeast of the 6.5km long by 1.5km wide southwest tilted lithocap, within a 2.5km long by 1.5km wide quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration zone which has been mapped at surface and which overlies coincident IP and magnetic anomalies as shown in Figure 3.
2023 Catalysts
In January, Northisle announced several key catalysts for 2023. We have continued to make progress against our milestones and are on track for the remaining items for this year.
- COMPLETED – Results from Fall 2022 surface exploration program including geophysics, mapping and sampling
- COMPLETED – Advancement of Pemberton Hills thesis
- COMPLETED – Signed agreement with Tlatlasikwala First Nation in addition to existing Quatsino First Nation agreement
- COMPLETED – Northwest Expo resource definition drilling targeting gold-enriched Zone 1
- COMPLETED – Goodspeed scout drilling
- Q3 2023 – Commence Phase II fully funded drill program
- Q4 2023 – Inaugural Northwest Expo Zone 1 resource estimate
- ONGOING – Metallurgical testing results
- ONGOING – Continued progress on relationships with indigenous rightsholders and local stakeholders
UPCOMING INVESTOR RELATIONS EVENTS
During the fall, the Company will continue to be very active in reaching out to new and existing investors via virtual and in-person channels. The Company has also recently concluded several site visits to the North Island Project. Northisle will be attending several external investor events including:
- September 12-15: Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek
- September 17-20: Gold Forum Americas, Colorado Springs
- November 13-15: Precious Metals Summit, Zurich
Northisle is finalizing a new investor relations website. Keep an eye on our social media for the announcement of the new website. You can follow us on X(formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook or on YouTube.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Robin Tolbert, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Northisle and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.
Neither the 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 news release.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the reasonable beliefs of Northisle and its management as of the date of this news release; however, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based upon factors that may change and assumptions that may prove, with the passage of time, to be incorrect as a result of exploration and other risk factors associated with mineral exploration and development that are beyond the control of Northisle. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon such statements. If factors materially change or assumptions are materially incorrect, the actual results, performance or achievements of Northisle may be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Northisle does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.