Barksdale Resources Corp. (TSX-V: BRO) (OTCQX: BRKCF) is pleased to provide an update on the SUN-003 drill hole, completed as part of the ongoing Phase I drill program at the Sunnyside copper-lead-zinc-silver exploration project in Arizona. Barksdale has intercepted multiple intervals of carbonate replacement style mineralization at Sunnyside, extending the footprint of previously known mineralization approximately 90m to the northeast of historic drilling. Additional assay results are expected from the lower portion of SUN-003 over the coming weeks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• SUN-003 intersected the host carbonate stratigraphy as projected by the current exploration model.
• Thirteen zones of disseminated polymetallic CRD mineralization with narrow intervals of semi-massive sulfides were encountered within carbonate rocks between 65 and 95m north-northwest of historic hole TCH-2. A full table of results from the upper ten zones can be found on the following pages with highlights including:
  • 4.97m grading 1.54% zinc, 1.54% lead, 14.90 g/t silver, and 0.01 g/t gold from 1354.97m
  • 5.95m grading 1.67% copper, 0.44% lead, 0.10% zinc, 40.64 g/t silver, and 0.04 g/t gold from 1383.33m
    • Including 0.98m grading 8.18% copper, 0.12% lead, 0.21% zinc, 114 g/t silver and 0.04 g/t gold from 1385.77m
  • 1.77m grading 0.96% copper, 3.04% zinc, 2.09% lead, 26.69 g/t silver, and 0.08 g/t gold from 1394.52m
    • Including 0.49m grading 1.42% copper, 9.19% zinc, 5.61% lead, and 67.7 g/t silver and 0.04 g/t gold from 1395.8m
  • 0.76m grading 1.3% copper, 4.99% zinc, 3.56% lead, and 50.6 g/t silver and 0.13 g/t gold from 1405.04m
  • Assays are pending on the lower three zones
• Weak calc-silicate alteration and the stratigraphically controlled nature of mineralization suggests that the hole was outboard of the main structural feeder zone that focused heat and mineral-bearing fluid flow.
• A new hole, SUN-004, has been initiated from surface that targets the projected intersection of host carbonate units and the controlling structure approximately 100m to the east of historic hole TCH-2 and 90m to the southeast of SUN-003.

Rick Trotman, President and CEO states, “We’re excited to share the initial assay results from the Boundary Zone CRD, which show promising signs of a significant mineralizing system, that includes high grade copper from drill hole SUN-003. These results are particularly impressive given the intersections are characterized by stratiform mineralization, which typically occurs peripheral to a higher-grade feeder structure. In addition to returning significant assays, SUN-003 has bolstered our geologic model, providing a refined vector to the feeder structure which is now being drilled with SUN-004.”

ABOUT SUN-003

SUN-003 is a vertical hole collared 2m from historic hole TCH-2 and was drilled to a total depth of 1,652. It drifted slightly to the north-northeast and intersected the top of the Paleozoic carbonate rocks at 1,239m depth, approximately 65m to the north and 80m deeper than discovery hole TCH-2. This confirms the general dip of the carbonate stratigraphy to be approximately 35 degrees to the north.

Figure 1. Plan map showing the location of current drilling in the Boundary zone including SUN-003 and SUN-004 (projection).

Twelve distinct horizons of strata-bound sulfide mineralization were intersected, which correlate with intercepts of historic hole TCH-2, located approximately 65m to the southwest, as measured from the top of the carbonate sequence, and roughly 95m distant at the bottom of SUN-003. TCH-2 displays intense calc-silicate alteration (i.e. garnet and epidote, with frequent quartz veins), suggesting a closer proximity to a heat and fluid source. Based on mineral assemblages present in SUN-003 and weak calc-silicate alteration seen, it is interpreted to be distal to the mineralizing feeder structure/intrusion source.

SUN-003 encountered the Concha, Scherrer and Epitaph Formations within the carbonate sequence, with mineralized horizons present in all three units. The Concha Formation contained two zones of disseminated polymetallic mineralization (Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn) which was hosted by favorable porous “dirty” limestones. Calc-silicate alteration was weak and included minor garnet (Ca/Fe), diopside, saponite, smectite, epidote, chlorite, and actinolite.

Below the Concha, the Scherrer Formation, which is well-correlated across the region, contains distinct intercalated marker beds of sandstone beds within the limestone unit. Within the Scherrer Formation SUN-003 intersected eight zones of polymetallic mineralization (Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn) that contained weak calc-silicate alteration including garnet (both Mn/Al and Ca/Fe), diopside, smectite, saponite, epidote, chlorite, actinolite, and irregular veinlets of pink calcite. Mineralization is stratigraphically controlled and commonly forms ‘patchy’ textures.

Figure 2. Cross section (108 degrees, looking northeast) showing the CRD mineralization encountered in SUN-003 relative to historic hole TCH-2 and TCH-2a. SUN-004 is shown as a dashed red line and is approximately 90m from TCH-2 to the east (into the page). Mineralization intervals are shown using a 0.2% CuEq cutoff utilizing 100% recovery and commodity prices of copper ($3.70/lb), zinc ($1.05/lb), lead ($0.95/lb), silver ($20/oz), and gold ($1900/oz).

The final carbonate unit encountered was the Epitaph Formation, which contained three visually confirmed narrow zones of polymetallic base metal (Pb, Zn > Cu) mineralization in silty limestone (assays pending). Mineralization is typically associated with weak calc-silicate alteration including the presence of smectite, saponite, diopside, green garnet, reddish hematite, rhodochrosite, and potassium feldspar in patches. The hole was terminated at 1,653m depth.

Table 1: Mineralization intervals in SUN-003 that exceed a 0.2% CuEq cutoff utilizing 100% recovery and commodity prices of copper ($3.70/lb), zinc ($1.05/lb), lead ($0.95/lb), silver ($20/oz), and gold ($1900/oz). Additional assays from SUN-003 are pending.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Drilling on SUN-003 was completed using PQ and HQ size diamond drill core. The core was logged by experienced geologists engaged by the Company. Drill holes are logged and marked for sampling prior to being sawn in half using a diamond blade saw, with one half of the sawn core being placed in a cloth sample bag, with a unique sample tag, while the second half was returned to the core box for storage on site. Sample assays are being performed by ALS Geochemistry, an accredited (ISO 9001) laboratory. Core samples are analyzed for total copper and gold as well as a multi element ICP Analysis.

In addition to the ALS Quality Assurance program, Barksdale has an internal QA/QC program that includes certified reference standards from OREAS North America. These standards are of similar composition to mineral deposits found at Sunnyside. Several different standards are included in each batch of samples submitted to the lab. These controls are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data.

Scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lewis Teal, Senior Consultant to the Company and a ‘Qualified Person’ as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

Barksdale Resources Corp., a 2023 OTCQX BEST 50 Company, is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver and San Antonio copper projects, both of which are in the Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, as well as the San Javier copper-gold project in central Sonora, Mexico.