Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (TSX:KL) (NYSE:KL) (ASX:KLA) today reported new drill results from underground exploration drilling at the Macassa Mine in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The new results include 71 drill holes (29,207 m) of drilling from the east and west exploration drifts on the 5300-foot level as well as from the 5600 Level Ramp Development. Results being reported today are from four underground drill rigs focused on three key target areas, the SMC East, SMC West and the Amalgamated Break. Drilling from the 5300 Level and 5600 Ramp will continue throughout the remainder of 2019, with an additional two drill rigs having recently been added to the exploration program.

A total of 41 drill holes for 18,943 m drilled to the east of the SMC from the 5300 Level east exploration drift intersected high-grade mineralization approximately 200 m northeast of the existing Mineral Resource (Figure 2).  A total of 16 drill holes for 6,401 m of drilling were completed from the 5300 Level west exploration drift targeting zones west of the SMC as well as in the Lower SMC. Results from this drilling include high-grade intersections up to 275 m west of existing Mineral Resources (see Figure 2) and 25 m further west of high-grade intersections reported in the Company’s news release dated May 2, 2019.  An additional 14 drill holes for 3,863 m of drilling were completed from the 5300 Level west exploration drift and the 5600 Ramp targeting the Amalgamated Break and associated hanging wall mineralization (Figure 3). This drilling resulted in new high-grade intersections up to 175 m west of existing SMC Mineral Resources and within previously identified high-potential target areas along the Amalgamated Break (see news release dated May 2, 2019 for more information).

Tony Makuch, President and CEO of Kirkland Lake Gold, commented: “Today’s results continue to highlight the significant potential we have to grow Mineral Resources at Macassa to the east and west of the SMC, as well as in the Lower SMC. Very importantly, today’s results also include new high-grade intersections along the Amalgamated Break, in two key target areas we identified earlier this year. The results support our view that the Amalgamated Break offers substantial exploration potential and represents a whole new chapter for exploration in the area, given that it extends parallel to the Main and “04” Breaks through the Kirkland Lake gold camp. We will follow up on today’s results over the balance of this year and look to expand our exploration efforts along the Amalgamated Break going forward.”    

SMC East

A total of 41 drill holes for 18,943 m of drilling has recently been completed from the 5300 Level east exploration drift targeting the SMC East (Figure 2). The SMC East comprises a shallow dipping (~30 degrees) mineralized horizon including localized high-grade gold bearing quartz veins and/or structural features. Exploration drilling intersected high-grade gold mineralization approximately 200 m northeast of the current resource area, further supporting the potential for resource growth.  Key intersections from the new drill results include: 111.8 g/t over 2.1 m true width in Hole 53-3790 (SMC East), 53.0 g/t over 2.1 m true width in Hole 53-3853 (SMC East), 49.2 g/t over 2.0 m core length in Hole 53-3818 (Footwall Zone, true width unknown). Refer to Table 1 for a complete list of drill hole results. Diamond drilling from this current drill platform has been ongoing since Q1 2019 and will continue through the end of the year. Exploration development will be ongoing to the east on 5300 Level for the remainder of 2019 and will continue into 2020 to support further exploration efforts on the SMC East and other targets.

SMC West

A total of 16 drill holes for 6,401 m of drilling has recently been completed from the 5300 Level west exploration drift targeting the SMC West (Figure 3). Results from this drilling include high-grade intersections up to 275 m west of existing Mineral Resources and 25 m further west of high-grade intersections reported in the Company’s news release dated May 2, 2019.  The SMC West comprises shallow and steep dipping mineralized zones including localized high-grade gold bearing quartz veins and/or structural features. As drilling continues to extend the mineralized area further west and away from the current Mineral Resource, follow up infill drilling will be required to confirm the geometry of individual zones.  As such, true widths have not yet been calculated for assay composites during this phase of the drill program. Drill holes of note in this area include: 46.5 g/t over 2.0 m core length in Hole 53-3784 (true width unknown), 24.4 g/t over 2.0 m core length in Hole 53-3781 (true width unknown) and 17.7 g/t over 2.2 m core length in Hole 53-3752 (true width unknown). Refer to Table 2 for a completed list of drill hole results. Exploration development during the first half of 2019, as well as the excavation of a diamond drill bay an additional 165 m west of the current platform in early Q3, will allow for additional exploration drilling on SMC West targets during the second half of the year.

Amalgamated Break and Hanging Wall

A total of 14 holes for 3,863 m of drilling is being reported from drilling off of the 5300 Level west exploration drift and the 5600 Ramp targeting the Amalgamated Break and South SMC (Figure 3).  This early-stage drilling program is focused on mineralization associated with the steeply dipping Amalgamated Break deformation zone.  The current phase of the exploration drilling program has been successful in intersecting additional high-grade mineralization within the deformation zone, as well as in localized zones outside of the main deformation zone.  Drill holes of note in this area include: 108.2 g/t over 3.3 m core length in Hole 56-735A (true width unknown), 51.3 g/t over 2.0 m core length in Hole 56-749 (true width unknown) and 20.1 g/t over 5.4 m core length in Hole 53-3839 (true width unknown). The shallow dipping SMC is bounded to the south by the Amalgamated Break and the area drilled during this phase occurs where the shallow dipping SMC transitions into the Amalgamated Break.  Further drilling and interpretation work are necessary to confirm geometries of individual intercepts. Refer to Table 2 for a completed list of drill hole results.  The Amalgamated Break has been largely untested and represents an important emerging exploration target which remains open and represents a highly prospective target area for the addition of new Mineral Resource ounces. Drilling to follow up on the down dip and eastern and western extent of this mineralization will continue throughout 2019.

To view the figures accompanying the press release, please click on the following links:

Figure 1. Mine Plan View – South Mine Complex: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f1224c3-9d54-4813-ba6f-4ea037e534c7

Figure 2. Plan View – SMC East: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa39d1d1-337c-4135-9b07-28f4bfdfc185

Figure 3. West Drilling – Longitudinal View (Looking Northwest): 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef39826d-b8aa-4480-b531-d7a78632c467

2019 Underground Exploration Development

Underground development on the 5300 Level will be ongoing throughout 2019 and is scheduled to include 350 m of advancement to the east and 429 m of advancement to the west, including all track development and the excavation of diamond drill bays.  This development is part of an ongoing effort to expand the SMC in all directions and to test for, and define, new target areas.

Two more drills have recently been added to the underground exploration program at Macassa to expedite the current drilling program and test additional areas of the SMC and Amalgamated Break.  It is anticipated that exploration drilling will continue with six underground diamond drills for the remainder of the year.

Qualified Person

The Company’s exploration programs at Macassa are conducted under the supervision of Eric Kallio, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration. Eric Kallio is the ‘qualified person’ for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, of the Canadian Securities Administrators, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

QA/QC Controls

The Company has implemented a quality assurance and control program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with best practices. The drill core is sawn in half with one half of the core samples shipped to Swastika Laboratories in Swastika, Ontario. The other half of the core is retained for future assay verification. Other QA/QC includes the insertion of certified reference standards, blanks and the regular re-assaying of pulps and rejects at alternate certified labs. Gold analysis is conducted by fire assay using atomic absorption or gravimetric finish. The laboratory re-assays at least 10% of all samples and additional checks may be run on anomalous values.

About Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. is a growing gold producer operating in Canada and Australia that produced 723,701 ounces in 2018 and is on track to achieve significant production growth over the next three years, including target production of 950,000 – 1,000,000 ounces in 2019, 930,000 – 1,010,000 ounces in 2020 and 995,000 – 1,055,000 ounces in 2021. The production profile of the Company is anchored by two high-grade, low-cost operations, including the Macassa Mine located in Northern Ontario and the Fosterville Mine located in the state of Victoria, Australia. Kirkland Lake Gold’s solid base of quality assets is complemented by district scale exploration potential, supported by a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise.

Table 1. Complete List of Reported Drill Holes – SMC East

NSV = No significant value
Cut = cut to 274.3 g/t for SMC East Horizon.
The top cut only applies to SMC East horizon where a statistical cut has been calculated. All other zones remain uncut.

Table 2. Complete List of Reported Drill Holes – SMC West and Amalgamated Break

NSV = No significant value