Multiple Never-Before-Drilled Targets At The Hughes Property
VANCOUVER - Summa Silver Corp. reported the results from two geophysical surveys at its Hughes Property, near Tonopah Nevada. Key Highlights: First-Ever Exploration using Geophysics: Covering the unexplored hydrothermal alteration zones present on the eastern half of the property, these surveys are the first-ever known to have been done on the property, which consists of the eastern half of the historic Tonopah Mining District and its extension; Un-Drilled High Priority Targets: Numerous targets are defined which will be ranked and systematically evaluated by geological and structural mapping and as well as soil geochemical surveys which are now in progress; IP - Resistivity Surveys: 42 line kilometers of both 3D and 2D induced polarization (IP) and resistivity data were collected to identify zones of alteration at depth which may be associated with high-grade silver and gold mineralization; Drone-Magnetic Survey: 330 line kilometers of drone-based, high-resolution magnetic data were collected to refine the property-scale structural model; and Core Drilling Update: The previously announced 10,000 m drill program is well underway with 10 holes completed. Two core rigs are fully operational on the project. All holes have intersected zones of quartz veins, stockworks and breccias featuring visible silver-sulfosalt minerals, which is often a strong indication that the core is mineralized. Upon receipt of assays, the results will be compiled and announced in a timely manner.
Galen McNamara, CEO, said, "The presence of multiple, major and compelling targets that not only remain completely unexplored but also occur in the shadow of one of the richest silver districts in the United States is an exciting development. We look forward to integrating these new targets with geological and soil surveys that are now in progress as we advance them towards the drilling stage in the near future."
Based on an interpretation of the high-resolution magnetics data, several key faults are identified as well as new, previously unrecognized parallel-striking faults and structural intersections. These prospective northwest-trending faults transect the property and cross-cut Mizpah Formation volcanic rocks; host to high-grade silver and gold bearing veins throughout the district. The IP and resistivity data further outlined numerous coincident high-chargeability and high-resistivity features spatially related to these northwest-trending structures. These anomalies are interpreted to be structurally controlled silica alteration zones host to possible sulfide mineralization. One immediate target of interest is centered 500 meters east of the Ruby discovery where limited drilling has intersected broad zones of silica + clay alteration with local vein-hosted silver and gold mineralization in SUM20-10 (see News Release dated December 17th, 2020). This coincident broad high-chargeability and high-resistivity anomaly as well as anomalies B through D will be further investigated with detailed geological and soil geochemical surveys and possible exploration drilling.
A property-wide drone-based magnetic geophysical survey was conducted. The survey footprint covered the entire Hughes property and consisted of 330 line kilometers at an average height of ~35 meters above ground. Lines consisted of 50 meter spaced north-south oriented lines and 100 meter spaced east-west oriented lines. The purpose of the survey was to provide insights into the orientation and strike-extent of near-surface, property-scale structures.
Over 3 km2 of 3D IP data and over 21 line kilometers of conventional 2D dipole-dipole data were acquired by SJ Geophysics of Langley, Canada. Thirteen north-south oriented, 150 meter spaced lines comprised the 3D grid and 6 east-west oriented, 400 meter spaced lines and 3 north-south oriented lines comprised the 2D survey. The goal of both surveys was to investigate the mineralization potential of recently identified property-scale structures. High-chargeability anomalies are interpreted to represent zones of high-sulfide content, likely disseminated, as these minerals and textures may generate a strong IP-effect.