Mawson Gold Limited (“Mawson”) or (the “Company”) (TSX:MAW) (Frankfurt:MXR) (PINKSHEETS:MWSNF - https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/mawson-gold-ltd/) is pleased to announce new results from three drillholes from the South Palokas prospect, completed during the recent 19.4 kilometre drill program at the Company’s 100%-owned Rajapalot project in Finland. These increase the mineralized footprint and improve continuity of previous high-grade intersections.
Highlights:
- Results are presented here for three diamond drill holes totalling 853.5 metres from the South Palokas prospect as part of the Company’s 76-hole, 19,422 metre 2020/21 drill program at the Company’s 100%-owned Rajapalot project in Finland (Figure 1).
- PAL0235 intersected 3 metres @ 3.0 g/t Au, 998 ppm Co, 3.9 g/t AuEq from 439.5 metres including 2.0 metres @ 11.2 g/t Au, 1,019 ppm Co, 12.0 g/t AuEq from 447.5 metres:
PAL0235 significantly opens up high-grade gold potential at depth at South Palokas. The closest high-grade drill hole, located 160 metres up plunge from PAL0235, was previously reported PAL0213 (17.7 metres @ 3.8 g/t Au, 880 ppm Co, 4.3 g/t AuEq from 293.0 metres and 6.0 metres @ 9.2 g/t Au, 1,364 ppm Co, 10.0 g/t AuEq from 317.0 metres;
PAL0235 was deepened this drill season following its early termination at 176.9 metres last drill season owing to the spring thaw in 2020;
- PAL0288 intersected 0 metres @ 4.0 g/t Au, 756 ppm Co, 4.6 g/t AuEq from 119.0 metres (vertical depth 105 metres), including 4.0 metres @ 9.6 g/t Au, 676 ppm Co, 10.1 g/t AuEq from 124.0 metres.
PAL0288 was drilled on a section between holes PAL0122 and PAL0204 (17.7 metres @ 3.8 g/t Au, 880 ppm Co from 293.0 metres) that lies within the confines of the Whittle Constrained pit published as part of the 2020 Inferred Mineral Resource.
- PAL0290 intersected 0 metres @ 1.7 g/t Au, 529 ppm Co, 2.1 g/t AuEq from 240.0 metres, including 11.6 metres @ 2.8 g/t Au, 541ppm Co, 3.2 g/t AuEq from 242.0 metres;
PAL0290 was drilled 30 metres to the west of PAL0173 (0 metres @ 3.0 g/t Au, 827 ppm Co, 4.3 g/t AuEq) to determine the grade and western extents of the mineralization beyond the 2020 Inferred Mineral Resource;
- A total of 47 drill holes for 11,746 metres from five individual prospect areas remain to be reported through July/August 2021, with a resource upgrade scheduled during August 2021;
- In other important news, new mise-á-la-masse geophysical work (physical property = electrical conductivity) at Palokas and South Palokas indicates electrical connectivity based on cross-hole measurements. The continuity of the stratabound gold-cobalt package between both prospects further enhances the prospectivity between the two locations.
Mr. Hudson, Chairman and CEO, states, "The South Palokas prospect has always held promise of delivering more high-grade gold and cobalt assays. These results add to the deeper and untested western limits of the South Palokas mineralization and show the potential to substantially grow the Rajapalot resource. As assay results from the 2021 drill season continue to flow in, the geological team is adding to, or building new, mineralized wireframes to form part of the updated Inferred Mineral Resource we expect to publish in Q3 this year.”
South Palokas lies approximately 400 metres southwest of the discovery outcrop at the Palokas prospect (Figure 1). Gold and cobalt assay results are reported here from three holes for 853.5 metres from the 2020/21 drill program, which is now complete. In total, since drilling commenced in September 2020, Mawson drilled 76 drillholes for 19,422 metres. Eleven holes for 2,345 metres were reported in late 2020 and a further 15 holes for 4,478 metres were reported in April 2021 (Table 1). A total of 47 drill holes for 11,746 metres from five individual prospect areas remain to be reported through to July/August 2021, with a resource upgrade scheduled for July-August 2021. Specifically, holes released here are from South Palokas (PAL0235, PAL0288, PAL0290). A full set of reported results and assay data are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
Technical and Environmental Background
Four diamond drill rigs from Kati Oy, Nivalan Timanttikairaus Oy and MK Core Drilling Oy all with water recirculation and drill cuttings collection systems are used in the drill program. Core diameter is NQ2 (50.7 mm). Core recoveries are excellent and average close to 100% in fresh rock. After photographing and logging in Mawson’s Rovaniemi facilities, core intervals averaging one metre for mineralized samples and two metres for barren samples are cut in half at the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) core facilities in Rovaniemi, Finland. The remaining half core is retained for verification and reference purposes. Analytical samples are transported by commercial transport from site to the CRS Minlab Oy facility in Kempele, Finland. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the PAL1000 technique which involves grinding the sample in steel pots with abrasive media in the presence of cyanide, followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (including cobalt) are pulped at CRS Minlab, then transported by air to the MSA labs in Vancouver, Canada and analyzed using four acid digest ICP-MS methods. The QA/QC program of Mawson consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, duplicate samples by quartering the core, and blanks the within interpreted mineralized rock. In addition, CRS inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.
Spot gold and cobalt prices have been used to calculate AuEq values according to the following:
- Average gold price $1,599 per oz
- Average cobalt price $19.93 per pound
- Resulting in gold equivalent formula of AuEq g/t = Au g/t + (Co ppm/1,170).
The host rocks to the gold and cobalt mineralization comprise sulphides (pyrrhotite>>pyrite) with biotite-muscovite-chlorite schists and Mg-Fe amphibole-biotite-chlorite rocks. Veining and fracture fill minerals include pyrrhotite, magnetite and magnetite-pyrrhotite (+/- quartz, tourmaline). Retrograde chlorite after biotite, generations of secondary muscovite (“sericite”) and vein-controlled chlorite+/- tourmaline and magnetite are also present. Preliminary hand-held XRF analysis confirms the presence of associated scheelite and molybdenite, the former visible under UV light as tiny veinlets and disseminations. The silicate mineral alteration assemblages associated with the gold are clearly post-metamorphic, reduced, and most likely driven by hydrothermal fluids from nearby granitoid intrusions. Chlorite and fine muscovite are regarded as the lowest temperature silicate minerals with gold, structurally controlled in apparent spatial association with quartz and/or K-feldspar veins. Altered rocks enclosing the mineralized package contain locally abundant talc and tourmaline.
All maps have been created within the KKJ3/Finland Uniform Coordinate System (EPSG:2393).
Tables 1–2 provide collar and assay data. Assuming a predominant stratabound control, the true thickness of the mineralized interval is interpreted to be approximately 90% of the sampled thickness. Table 3 gives detailed individual assays of all intervals reported in this press release. Intersections are reported with a lower cut of 0.3 g/t AuEq over two metre lower cut, except where noted no lower cut was applied. No upper cut-off was applied, and higher-grade intersections use a 1.1 g/t AuEq lower cut over two metres.
NI 43-101 Technical Report: On September 14, 2020, an updated resource estimation was completed by Rodney Webster of AMC of Melbourne, Australia, and Dr. Kurt Simon Forrester of Arn Perspective of Surrey, England. Each of Mr. Webster and Dr. Forrester are independent “qualified persons” as defined by NI 43-101. The NI 43-101 technical report is entitled “Rajapalot Property Mineral Resource Estimate NI 43-101 Technical Report” and dated September 14, 2020 (the “Updated Technical Report”). The Updated Technical Report may be found on the Company’s website at www.mawsongold.com or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are encouraged to read the entire Updated Technical Report.
Qualified Person
Dr. Nick Cook (FAusIMM), Chief Geologist for the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure or Mineral Projects and has reviewed and verified the scientific and technical information in this release.
About Mawson Gold Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, OTCPINK:MWSNF)
Mawson Gold Limited is an exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic Arctic exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rajapalot gold-cobalt project in Finland. Mawson also owns or is joint venturing into three high-grade, historic epizonal goldfields covering 470 square kilometres in Victoria, Australia and is well placed to add to its already significant gold-cobalt resource in Finland.
Forward-Looking Statement. This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, including that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labor. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates; changes in world metal markets; changes in equity markets; ability to achieve goals; that the political environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; reliance on a single asset; planned drill programs and results varying from expectations; unexpected geological conditions; local community relations; dealings with non-governmental organizations; delays in operations due to permit grants; environmental and safety risks; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Mawson, in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Mawson can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
Highlights:
- Results are presented here for three diamond drill holes totalling 853.5 metres from the South Palokas prospect as part of the Company’s 76-hole, 19,422 metre 2020/21 drill program at the Company’s 100%-owned Rajapalot project in Finland (Figure 1).
- PAL0235 intersected 3 metres @ 3.0 g/t Au, 998 ppm Co, 3.9 g/t AuEq from 439.5 metres including 2.0 metres @ 11.2 g/t Au, 1,019 ppm Co, 12.0 g/t AuEq from 447.5 metres:
PAL0235 significantly opens up high-grade gold potential at depth at South Palokas. The closest high-grade drill hole, located 160 metres up plunge from PAL0235, was previously reported PAL0213 (17.7 metres @ 3.8 g/t Au, 880 ppm Co, 4.3 g/t AuEq from 293.0 metres and 6.0 metres @ 9.2 g/t Au, 1,364 ppm Co, 10.0 g/t AuEq from 317.0 metres;
PAL0235 was deepened this drill season following its early termination at 176.9 metres last drill season owing to the spring thaw in 2020;
- PAL0288 intersected 0 metres @ 4.0 g/t Au, 756 ppm Co, 4.6 g/t AuEq from 119.0 metres (vertical depth 105 metres), including 4.0 metres @ 9.6 g/t Au, 676 ppm Co, 10.1 g/t AuEq from 124.0 metres.
PAL0288 was drilled on a section between holes PAL0122 and PAL0204 (17.7 metres @ 3.8 g/t Au, 880 ppm Co from 293.0 metres) that lies within the confines of the Whittle Constrained pit published as part of the 2020 Inferred Mineral Resource.
- PAL0290 intersected 0 metres @ 1.7 g/t Au, 529 ppm Co, 2.1 g/t AuEq from 240.0 metres, including 11.6 metres @ 2.8 g/t Au, 541ppm Co, 3.2 g/t AuEq from 242.0 metres;
PAL0290 was drilled 30 metres to the west of PAL0173 (0 metres @ 3.0 g/t Au, 827 ppm Co, 4.3 g/t AuEq) to determine the grade and western extents of the mineralization beyond the 2020 Inferred Mineral Resource;
- A total of 47 drill holes for 11,746 metres from five individual prospect areas remain to be reported through July/August 2021, with a resource upgrade scheduled during August 2021;
- In other important news, new mise-á-la-masse geophysical work (physical property = electrical conductivity) at Palokas and South Palokas indicates electrical connectivity based on cross-hole measurements. The continuity of the stratabound gold-cobalt package between both prospects further enhances the prospectivity between the two locations.
Mr. Hudson, Chairman and CEO, states, "The South Palokas prospect has always held promise of delivering more high-grade gold and cobalt assays. These results add to the deeper and untested western limits of the South Palokas mineralization and show the potential to substantially grow the Rajapalot resource. As assay results from the 2021 drill season continue to flow in, the geological team is adding to, or building new, mineralized wireframes to form part of the updated Inferred Mineral Resource we expect to publish in Q3 this year.”
South Palokas lies approximately 400 metres southwest of the discovery outcrop at the Palokas prospect (Figure 1). Gold and cobalt assay results are reported here from three holes for 853.5 metres from the 2020/21 drill program, which is now complete. In total, since drilling commenced in September 2020, Mawson drilled 76 drillholes for 19,422 metres. Eleven holes for 2,345 metres were reported in late 2020 and a further 15 holes for 4,478 metres were reported in April 2021 (Table 1). A total of 47 drill holes for 11,746 metres from five individual prospect areas remain to be reported through to July/August 2021, with a resource upgrade scheduled for July-August 2021. Specifically, holes released here are from South Palokas (PAL0235, PAL0288, PAL0290). A full set of reported results and assay data are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
Technical and Environmental Background
Four diamond drill rigs from Kati Oy, Nivalan Timanttikairaus Oy and MK Core Drilling Oy all with water recirculation and drill cuttings collection systems are used in the drill program. Core diameter is NQ2 (50.7 mm). Core recoveries are excellent and average close to 100% in fresh rock. After photographing and logging in Mawson’s Rovaniemi facilities, core intervals averaging one metre for mineralized samples and two metres for barren samples are cut in half at the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) core facilities in Rovaniemi, Finland. The remaining half core is retained for verification and reference purposes. Analytical samples are transported by commercial transport from site to the CRS Minlab Oy facility in Kempele, Finland. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the PAL1000 technique which involves grinding the sample in steel pots with abrasive media in the presence of cyanide, followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (including cobalt) are pulped at CRS Minlab, then transported by air to the MSA labs in Vancouver, Canada and analyzed using four acid digest ICP-MS methods. The QA/QC program of Mawson consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, duplicate samples by quartering the core, and blanks the within interpreted mineralized rock. In addition, CRS inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.
Spot gold and cobalt prices have been used to calculate AuEq values according to the following:
- Average gold price $1,599 per oz
- Average cobalt price $19.93 per pound
- Resulting in gold equivalent formula of AuEq g/t = Au g/t + (Co ppm/1,170).
The host rocks to the gold and cobalt mineralization comprise sulphides (pyrrhotite>>pyrite) with biotite-muscovite-chlorite schists and Mg-Fe amphibole-biotite-chlorite rocks. Veining and fracture fill minerals include pyrrhotite, magnetite and magnetite-pyrrhotite (+/- quartz, tourmaline). Retrograde chlorite after biotite, generations of secondary muscovite (“sericite”) and vein-controlled chlorite+/- tourmaline and magnetite are also present. Preliminary hand-held XRF analysis confirms the presence of associated scheelite and molybdenite, the former visible under UV light as tiny veinlets and disseminations. The silicate mineral alteration assemblages associated with the gold are clearly post-metamorphic, reduced, and most likely driven by hydrothermal fluids from nearby granitoid intrusions. Chlorite and fine muscovite are regarded as the lowest temperature silicate minerals with gold, structurally controlled in apparent spatial association with quartz and/or K-feldspar veins. Altered rocks enclosing the mineralized package contain locally abundant talc and tourmaline.
All maps have been created within the KKJ3/Finland Uniform Coordinate System (EPSG:2393).
Tables 1–2 provide collar and assay data. Assuming a predominant stratabound control, the true thickness of the mineralized interval is interpreted to be approximately 90% of the sampled thickness. Table 3 gives detailed individual assays of all intervals reported in this press release. Intersections are reported with a lower cut of 0.3 g/t AuEq over two metre lower cut, except where noted no lower cut was applied. No upper cut-off was applied, and higher-grade intersections use a 1.1 g/t AuEq lower cut over two metres.
NI 43-101 Technical Report: On September 14, 2020, an updated resource estimation was completed by Rodney Webster of AMC of Melbourne, Australia, and Dr. Kurt Simon Forrester of Arn Perspective of Surrey, England. Each of Mr. Webster and Dr. Forrester are independent “qualified persons” as defined by NI 43-101. The NI 43-101 technical report is entitled “Rajapalot Property Mineral Resource Estimate NI 43-101 Technical Report” and dated September 14, 2020 (the “Updated Technical Report”). The Updated Technical Report may be found on the Company’s website at www.mawsongold.com or under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are encouraged to read the entire Updated Technical Report.
Qualified Person
Dr. Nick Cook (FAusIMM), Chief Geologist for the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure or Mineral Projects and has reviewed and verified the scientific and technical information in this release.
About Mawson Gold Limited (TSX:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, OTCPINK:MWSNF)
Mawson Gold Limited is an exploration and development company. Mawson has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic Arctic exploration company with a focus on the flagship Rajapalot gold-cobalt project in Finland. Mawson also owns or is joint venturing into three high-grade, historic epizonal goldfields covering 470 square kilometres in Victoria, Australia and is well placed to add to its already significant gold-cobalt resource in Finland.
Forward-Looking Statement. This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, including that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labor. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates; changes in world metal markets; changes in equity markets; ability to achieve goals; that the political environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; reliance on a single asset; planned drill programs and results varying from expectations; unexpected geological conditions; local community relations; dealings with non-governmental organizations; delays in operations due to permit grants; environmental and safety risks; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedar.com. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Mawson, in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, Mawson can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
