The 2020 -2022 program focussed on the delineation of deeper, higher-grade mineralization. Drilling continues to focus on further expanding and defining the higher-grade Cleary Vein System (CVS). The CVS is interpreted to be a broader zone of higher-grade mineralization which encompasses the down-dip extent of the higher-grade vein zones found within the historic Cleary, Colorado, Wackwitz, and Wyoming veins as well as their broader enveloping stockwork zones. The CVS which extends from west of the Cleary Hill Mine workings through to the Dolphin Intrusive. The program successfully demonstrated the potential for more extensive and higher-grade gold mineralization on the project at depth.
The 2023 program confirmed the potential to further expand the resource along strike to the west within a 1.5 kilometre-long gold-in-soil geochemical anomaly at potentially shallower depths and highlighted the potential to increase the overall resource grade by further expansion drilling. Significant mineralization, including broad zones of higher-grade mineralization, was consistently intersected during the 2023 drill program. One of the highest-grade intercepts was seen in hole GS2333, located 250 meters west of the main Dolphin area. This hole intersected multiple zones with over 2 g/t of gold over a significant width (2.12 g/t over 197.3m) within a broader interval of 1.76 g/t Au over 276.5 meters. Mineralization is still open up-dip, down-dip, and to depth. The up-dip projection of GS2333 coincides with a strong surface gold-in-soil anomaly, part of a 1.5km soil anomaly to the west of Willow Creek. It's worth noting that soil anomalies have been useful in identifying mineralization at Golden Summit since the area was not glaciated.
The 2024 program is expected to continue expanding the mineralization to the west. The potential for higher grades at shallower depths to the immediate west is substantial and could significantly alter the overall project economics. Drilling will commence shortly, and an updated mineral resource based on the 2023 drilling is expected later this quarter.
Saddle Zone lying 4 kilometres east of the central Dolphin/Cleary Zone, shows further expansion potential to the east. The Saddle Zone comprises an extensive vein system mapped on the surface, covering a 3km by 1km area. Unlike the Dolphin/Cleary Zone, where mineralization occurs within broad, continuous lower-grade halos surrounding higher-grade veins, mineralization in the Saddle Zone is hosted within discrete higher-grade veins, often with attractive silver values. The 2023 program tested an 800-metre strike length of this vein swarm and successfully intersected attractive gold and silver mineralization in all seven reconnaissance holes. The program also tested the depth potential. In 2024 limited drilling is expected in the Saddle Zone, 4 kilometres east of the central Dolphin/Cleary Zone, which shows further expansion potential to the east.
