SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSX: SIL) (NYSE American: SILV) is pleased to announce a new discovery and additional drill results from the Babicanora Norte Vein of the Las Chispas Project located in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Today’s release includes results for a total of 216 holes, 65% of which are in-fill holes and 35% expansion holes, and announces the new discovery of the Babi Norte southeast faulted extension named “Area 200 zone” or “Area 200” after the discovery drill hole BAN19-200, which intercepted 2.0 metres (true width) grading 6,418 grams per tonne silver equivalent (“AgEq”, defined in table below). With this discovery, the Babi Norte Vein becomes the highest-grade vein currently known on the property.
Expansion drilling has significantly increased the strike length of the Babi Norte Vein from 1.2 kilometres, as previously announced on February 25, 2019, to over 2.0 kilometres. Thirty-nine (39) of the 216 holes establish an initial high-grade footprint for Area 200 of 500 metres long by 125 metres in height (see attached Figures). Drill results for these 39 holes in Area 200 show an average est. true width of 1.5 metres with a weighted average grade of 16.11 gpt gold (“Au”) and 2,166.5 gpt silver (“Ag”), or 3,375 gpt AgEq (uncut undiluted). Area 200 is not included in the current resource estimate. For reference, the current Babi Norte Vein model includes 8.6M oz AgEq indicated resources (130,500 tonnes at 11.57 gpt Au and 1,180 gpt Ag, or 2,047 gpt AgEq) and 12.5M oz AgEq inferred resources (277,700 tonnes at 8.21 gpt Au and 780 gpt Ag, or 1,395 gpt AgEq) and is based on a high-grade footprint 125 metres in height and only 900 metres of the estimated 2.0 kilometres strike length. Please refer to the “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the Las Chispas Property, Sonora, Mexico”, dated effective May 15, 2019, as amended July 19, 2019, available on SEDAR. Babi Norte now has a total of 274 drill holes, including Area 200, which will be part of the updated resource and initial reserve estimate for the Feasibility Study (“FS”) to be released in late H1, 2020. The cutoff date for drill data to be included in the FS is the end of February 2020.
The most significant results for this release are Hole BAN19-274, at 1.4 metres (est. true width) grading 90.22 gpt Au and 9,422.3 gpt Ag, or 16,189 gpt AgEq, and Hole BAN19-213, which intersected 2.4 metres grading 45.71 gpt Au and 5,577.3 gpt Ag, or 9,006 gpt AgEq. Also, noteworthy is Hole BAN19-243 at 1.6 metres grading 75.78 gpt Au and 7,661.9 gpt Ag, or 13,345 gpt AgEq. The following table summarizes the most significant drill intercepts (uncut, undiluted);
Babicanora Norte Vein, Area 200 zone only:
Hole # | From (m) |
To (m) |
Drilled Width (m) |
True Width (m) |
Au gpt |
Ag gpt |
AgEq gpt* |
BAN19-137 | 118.9 | 119.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 91.20 | 12,844.5 | 19,684 |
ban19-148 | 154.1 | 154.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 4.20 | 373.0 | 688 |
BAN19-151 | 126.7 | 127.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 6.15 | 585.0 | 1,046 |
BAN19-156 | 143.2 | 144.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 10.42 | 1,403.8 | 2,186 |
Includes | 143.8 | 144.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 17.65 | 2,190.0 | 3,513 |
BAN19-170 | 161.4 | 163.3 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 10.06 | 1,962.1 | 2,717 |
Includes | 161.4 | 161.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 20.50 | 2,670.0 | 4,207 |
BAN19-177 | 100.0 | 100.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 5.30 | 1,110.0 | 1,508 |
BAN19-182 | 188.9 | 191.6 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 17.72 | 1,801.7 | 3,130 |
Includes | 188.9 | 189.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 52.00 | 5,270.0 | 9,170 |
BAN19-187 | 218.9 | 221.6 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 19.95 | 2,397.1 | 3,894 |
Includes | 220.0 | 221.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 55.00 | 5,770.0 | 9,895 |
BAN19-195 | 210.6 | 211.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.11 | 92.0 | 175 |
BAN19-200 | 231.5 | 234.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 39.27 | 3,472.5 | 6,418 |
Includes | 231.5 | 232.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 79.80 | 7,380.0 | 13,365 |
BAN19-209 | 214.6 | 215.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 8.55 | 2,527.5 | 3,169 |
BAN19-213 | 292.6 | 295.6 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 45.71 | 5,577.3 | 9,006 |
Includes | 292.6 | 293.4 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 181.50 | 18,048.0 | 31,600 |
BAN19-218 | 303.8 | 304.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 2.22 | 1,805.0 | 1,972 |
BAN19-223 | 314.6 | 316.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.05 | 3,034.2 | 4,613 |
Includes | 314.6 | 315.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 48.60 | 6,970.0 | 10,615 |
BAN19-227 | 152.9 | 154.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.55 | 194.6 | 236 |
BAN19-232 | 249.1 | 250.6 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 5.00 | 1,839.4 | 2,214 |
BAN19-233 | 268.4 | 268.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 4.19 | 423.0 | 737 |
BAN19-234 | 290.6 | 293.4 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 11.51 | 1,161.2 | 2,024 |
Includes | 290.7 | 291.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 50.80 | 4,500.0 | 8,310 |
BAN19-235 | 190.7 | 194.8 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.18 | 3,742.6 | 3,981 |
Includes | 192.3 | 193.3 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.05 | 6,520.0 | 6,524 |
BAN20-236 | 288.6 | 294.4 | 5.8 | 4.6 | 6.54 | 966.5 | 1,457 |
Includes | 290.7 | 291.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 50.80 | 4,500.0 | 8,310 |
BAN20-238 | 175.6 | 176.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 3.15 | 348.0 | 584 |
BAN20-239 | 212.2 | 213.4 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 10.79 | 1,514.5 | 2,324 |
BAN20-240 | 197.2 | 197.9 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.21 | 131.0 | 222 |
BAN20-243 | 253.5 | 255.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 75.78 | 7,661.9 | 13,345 |
Includes | 254.3 | 255.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 177.50 | 15,527.5 | 28,840 |
BAN20-245 | 175.4 | 176.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 2.55 | 690.0 | 881 |
BAN20-247 | 148.6 | 149.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 7.57 | 997.0 | 1,565 |
BAN20-251 | 196.3 | 198.1 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 6.31 | 1,208.9 | 1,682 |
Includes | 196.8 | 197.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 15.05 | 2,640.0 | 3,768 |
BAN20-252 | 296.4 | 297.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 39.70 | 4,790.0 | 7,768 |
BAN20-253 | 273.7 | 278.1 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 12.58 | 1,741.3 | 2,685 |
Includes | 274.5 | 275.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 36.90 | 5,110.0 | 7,878 |
BAN20-256 | 275.6 | 278.6 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 3.60 | 732.8 | 1,003 |
Includes | 275.6 | 276.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 9.65 | 1,375.0 | 2,098 |
BAN20-257 | 299.8 | 300.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 5.00 | 478.0 | 853 |
BAN20-258 | 279.0 | 284.4 | 5.4 | 4.4 | 6.67 | 1,244.3 | 1,744 |
Includes | 281.4 | 282.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 33.60 | 7,130.0 | 9,650 |
BAN20-259 | 296.8 | 297.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 105.00 | 9,630.0 | 17,505 |
BAN20-261 | 301.5 | 307.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 6.58 | 1,025.5 | 1,519 |
BAN20-264 | 264.5 | 265.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.54 | 130.0 | 171 |
BAN20-265 | 297.3 | 297.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 45.40 | 3,470.0 | 6,875 |
BAN20-268 | 341.5 | 343.9 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 7.84 | 1,007.2 | 1,595 |
Includes | 343.4 | 343.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 26.60 | 3,200.0 | 5,195 |
BAN20-269 | 326.5 | 327.7 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 5.49 | 734.0 | 1,146 |
BAN20-274 | 343.7 | 345.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 90.22 | 9,422.3 | 16,189 |
Weight Average | 1.5 | 16.11 | 2,166.5 | 3,375 |
Babicanora Norte Vein, Babicanora Area (all new significant holes greater than 1,000 gpt AgEq):
Hole # | From (m) |
To (m) |
Drilled Width (m) |
Est. True Width (m) | Au gpt | Ag gpt | AgEq* gpt | Location |
BAN19-102 | 95.5 | 96.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 11.90 | 1,790.0 | 2,683 | BAN |
BAN19-103 | 143.5 | 144.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 34.86 | 3,617.2 | 6,231 | BAN NW |
BAN19-104 | 212.0 | 213.4 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 6.33 | 833.9 | 1,309 | BAN CENTRAL |
BAN19-124 | 101.1 | 101.9 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 6.55 | 883.0 | 1,374 | BAN CENTRAL |
BAN19-129 | 179.7 | 180.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 10.30 | 1,640.0 | 2,413 | BAN NW |
BAN19-135 | 137.7 | 139.1 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 11.62 | 1,247.7 | 2,119 | BAN NW |
BAN19-137 | 118.9 | 119.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 91.20 | 12,844.5 | 19,684 | Area 200 |
BAN19-138 | 103.3 | 105.0 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 7.52 | 1,050.0 | 1,614 | BAN NW |
BAN19-151 | 126.7 | 127.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 6.15 | 585.0 | 1,046 | Area 200 |
BAN19-153 | 132.6 | 133.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 7.56 | 727.0 | 1,294 | BAN CENTRAL |
BAN19-156 | 143.2 | 144.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 10.42 | 1,403.8 | 2,186 | Area 200 |
BAN19-165 | 146.9 | 147.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 17.25 | 1,495.0 | 2,789 | BAN CENTRAL |
BAN19-166 | 132.9 | 134.6 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 9.66 | 739.4 | 1,464 | BAN NW |
BAN19-170 | 161.4 | 163.3 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 10.06 | 1,962.1 | 2,717 | Area 200 |
BAN19-178 | 166.5 | 168.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 29.11 | 2,663.2 | 4,846 | BAN CENTRAL |
BAN19-182 | 189.0 | 191.6 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 17.72 | 1,801.7 | 3,130 | Area 200 |
BAN19-187 | 218.9 | 221.6 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 19.95 | 2,397.1 | 3,894 | Area 200 |
BAN19-189 | 94.3 | 95.8 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 18.07 | 2,356.6 | 3,712 | BAN NW |
BAN19-192 | 106.4 | 108.0 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 8.02 | 991.3 | 1,593 | BAN NW |
BAN19-200 | 231.5 | 234.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 39.27 | 3,472.5 | 6,418 | Area 200 |
BAN19-209 | 214.6 | 215.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 8.55 | 2,527.5 | 3,169 | Area 200 |
BAN19-211 | 109.5 | 110.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 31.90 | 1,140.0 | 3,533 | BAN NW |
BAN19-213 | 292.6 | 295.6 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 45.71 | 5,577.3 | 9,006 | Area 200 |
BAN19-218 | 303.8 | 304.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 2.22 | 1,805.0 | 1,972 | Area 200 |
BAN19-223 | 314.6 | 316.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 21.05 | 3,034.2 | 4,613 | Area 200 |
BAN19-232 | 249.1 | 250.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 5.00 | 1,839.4 | 2,214 | Area 200 |
BAN19-234 | 290.6 | 293.4 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 11.51 | 1,161.2 | 2,024 | Area 200 |
BAN19-235 | 190.7 | 194.8 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 3.18 | 3,742.6 | 3,981 | Area 200 |
BAN20-236 | 288.6 | 294.4 | 5.8 | 4.6 | 6.54 | 966.5 | 1,457 | Area 200 |
BAN20-239 | 212.2 | 213.4 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 10.79 | 1,514.5 | 2,324 | Area 200 |
BAN20-243 | 253.5 | 255.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 75.78 | 7,661.9 | 13,345 | Area 200 |
BAN20-247 | 148.6 | 149.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 7.57 | 997.0 | 1,565 | Area 200 |
BAN20-251 | 196.3 | 198.1 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 6.31 | 1,208.9 | 1,682 | Area 200 |
BAN20-252 | 296.4 | 297.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 39.70 | 4,790.0 | 7,768 | Area 200 |
BAN20-253 | 273.7 | 278.2 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 12.58 | 1,741.3 | 2,685 | Area 200 |
BAN20-256 | 275.6 | 278.6 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 3.60 | 732.8 | 1,003 | Area 200 |
BAN20-258 | 279.0 | 284.4 | 5.4 | 4.4 | 6.67 | 1,244.3 | 1,744 | Area 200 |
BAN20-259 | 296.8 | 297.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 105.00 | 9,630.0 | 17,505 | Area 200 |
BAN20-261 | 301.5 | 307.5 | 6.0 | 4.8 | 6.58 | 1,025.5 | 1,519 | Area 200 |
BAN20-265 | 297.3 | 297.9 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 45.40 | 3,470.0 | 6,875 | Area 200 |
BAN20-268 | 341.5 | 343.9 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 7.84 | 1,007.2 | 1,595 | Area 200 |
BAN20-269 | 326.5 | 327.7 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 5.49 | 734.0 | 1,146 | Area 200 |
BAN20-274 | 343.7 | 345.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 90.22 | 9,422.3 | 16,189 | Area 200 |
Note: all numbers are rounded. Based on a cutoff grade of 150 gpt AgEq with no minimum width.
* AgEq based on 75 (Ag):1 (Au) calculated using long-term silver and gold prices of US$17 per ounce silver and US$1,225 per ounce gold, with average metallurgical recoveries of 90% silver and 95% gold.
All assays were completed by ALS Chemex in Hermosillo, Mexico, and North Vancouver, BC, Canada and Bureau Veritas (Inspectorate Ltd.) in Hermosillo, Mexico.
In summary, of the 216 newly reported holes, 115 holes were below the cutoff grade. Specifically, holes BAN19-57, 58, 61 to 63, 65, 67 to 70, 72, 73, 75, 76, 81, 82, 84 to 86, 88, 89, 91 to 93, 96, 97, 100A, 105, 106, 112, 114 to 118, 121 to 123, 125 to 128, 131 to 134, 136, 139 to 144, 149, 152, 154, 155, 157, 159, 162 to 164, 168, 169, 171 to 173, 175, 176, 179 to 181, 184 to 186, 188, 190, 191, 193, 194, 196, 197, 199, 201, 203 to 205, 208, 212, 215, 217, 220 to 222, 224, 229 to 231 and BAN20-237, 241, 242, 244, 246, 248 to 250, 254, 255, 260, 262, 263, 266 and 270 to 272 intersected veining but were below the Company’s cutoff grade of 150 gpt AgEq. BAN20-267 and BAN20-273 are pending assays and will be reported when available.
While drilling for the Babi Norte Vein, several intercepts were made in unnamed veins (hangingwall and footwall veins), with the most significant results below:
Further work will be completed on these unnamed veins for possible inclusion into the ongoing updated resource and FS.
The discovery of Area 200 provides a better understanding of the Las Chispas epithermal vein mineralization, which should help to refine “the Nature of Multiples” testing of the next vein targets (see attached Figures). The Babi Norte Vein and Area 200 zone are still open to depth and down plunge. Current drilling focus is on expanding Area 200 and applying similar exploration methods which discovered Area 118 and Area 200 to the adjacent Babi Vista and unnamed Babicanora Norte HW and FW veins. SilverCrest has identified 36 veins on the Las Chispas project, with only 11 veins sufficiently drill-tested to-date for resource estimation and reserve consideration. The number of veins to be included in the FS is still being determined.
The Company now has 19 drill rigs operating at site and allocated as follows:
The Company has delivered the updated drill hole database as of February 13, 2020 for the Babicanora Area veins, excluding Babi Norte, to independent consultant, GMining Services Inc. for updated resource estimation and reserve estimation in the ongoing Feasibility Study anticipated in late H1, 2020. The remaining data including Las Chispas Area veins and Babi Norte Vein will be submitted to GMining by the end of February 2020.
The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, and CEO for SilverCrest, who has reviewed and approved its contents.
ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC.
SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico’s historic precious metal districts. The Company’s current focus is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico. The Las Chispas Project consists of 28 100%-owned mineral concessions where all of the resources are located. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Project, resulting in numerous discoveries that are being evaluated for economic viability and potential production in the future. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production.
Figure 1: Babicanora Area Plan Map – February 2020
Figure 2: Babicanora Area, Looking Southwest
Figure 3: Long Section (Inclined) of Babicanora Norte (BAN) Vein Looking Southwest
Figure 4: Insert 1 – Long Section (Inclined) Babicanora Norte Vein, BAN Area 200 Looking Southwest
Figure 5: Insert 2 – Long Section (Inclined) Babicanora Norte Vein, BAN Central Looking Southwest
Figure 6: Insert 3 – Long Section (Inclined) Babicanora Norte Vein, BAN NW Looking Southwest
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