OceanaGold Extends High-Grade Mineralization at Wharekirauponga and Receives Draft Decision and Conditions to Approve the Waihi North Project
Wharekirauponga Drilling Highlights (estimated true width):
- 13.9 m @ 25.8 g/t Au from 466.8 m, EG vein (WKP137A)
- 7.4 m @ 5.3 g/t Au from 396.0 m, EG HWS vein (WKP137A)
- 1.8 m @ 108.1 g/t Au from 514.7 m, EG vein (WKP124J)
- 2.5 m @ 17.0 g/t Au from 530.3 m, EG FW vein (WKP124J)
- 3.2 m @ 19.7 g/t Au from 532.6 m, EG vein (WKP124K)
- 1.5 m @ 28.8 g/t Au from 474.4 m, EG HW vein (WKP124K)
- 5.6 m @ 6.9 g/t Au from 534.2 m, EG vein (WKP124L)
We are also encouraged by the
Drill results can be viewed in 3D using VRIFY at the following link:
https://vrify.com/meetings/recordings/1ec83dd5-7af1-41de-b60b-4cedf4d94ffc
VRIFY note: Drill results reflect only those set forth in
Wharekirauponga Drill Results Overview
East Graben ("EG") Vein
Since the
Drilling from drill site 9 included the high-grade EG vein intercept from WKP137A (13.9 m @ 25.8 g/t Au), extending the high-grade mineralization at the southern end of the resource. This result is supported by previous intercepts WKP135 (6.3 m @ 8.7 g/t Au, released
To further test this, step out hole WKP140A at the southern-most trace of drilling returned an intercept of 2.6 m @ 0.6 g/t, confirming the continuation of the EG vein 135 m to the south of previously reported hole WKP139 (2.9 m @ 0.5 g/t Au, released
Drill site 1 results include WKP143, completed down dip on the EG vein, returning 2.3 m @ 4.6 g/t Au, similar to neighbouring holes, extending mineralization.
At drill site 8, five new directional holes have been completed from the WKP124 parent hole, which have infilled and tested the extents of the mineralization on the EG vein structure. Conversion drilling highlights include the high-grade intersection received in hole WKP124J with 1.8 m @ 108.1 g/t Au (EG vein). Drill hole intersections across the EG vein in holes WKP124K (3.2 m @ 19.7 g/t Au) and WKP124L (5.6 m @ 6.9 g/t Au) met expectations and increased resource confidence. Drill holes WKP124H (NSR) and WKP124I (NSR) defined the upper limit of the EG vein at this location (Figure 2).
Hanging Wall and Footwall Veins
Notably, the HW and FW vein structures that lie immediately to the east and west respectively of the EG vein zone also yielded strong results. Drill hole WKP137A returned an intercept of 7.4 m @ 5.3 g/t Au on the EG hanging wall splay ("HWS"), which extends the known mineralization on this structure, parallel to extensions on the EG vein, with other previously reported surrounding intercepts including WKP135 (1.7 m @ 24.6 g/t Au, released
High-grade Au was intersected across several other EG HW and FW structures including 2.5 m @ 17.0 g/t Au and 2.4 m @ 10.4 g/t Au from separate FW veins in drill hole WKP124J and 1.5 m @ 28.8 g/t Au from a HW vein in WKP124K, continuing to demonstrate the potential for additional resource growth at Wharekirauponga outside of the main EG vein structure.
Wharekirauponga Exploration Program
Exploration for the remainder of the 2025 program will continue to target resource growth on the EG vein zone from drill sites 8 and 9. In October, the Company received permits for two additional exploration drill sites. The Fast-track application includes a further increase in the number of exploration drill sites, expanding the program by 8 new sites (inclusive of two new sites added in October), as well as doubling the drilling effort, with up to 6 rigs operating at any one time, from the currently permitted 3 rigs. The doubling of the exploration drill sites and drill rigs will further accelerate both definition and conversion drilling at Wharekirauponga in 2026 and beyond.
Table 1: Wharekirauponga drill intersections subsequent to the
|
Drill Hole ID |
From (m) |
To (m) |
True width (m) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Vein |
Activity |
|
WKP124H |
520.5 |
521.0 |
0.4 |
NSR |
EG Vein |
Definition |
|
|
WKP124I |
520.2 |
520.5 |
0.2 |
NSR |
EG Vein |
Conversion |
|
|
WKP124J |
514.7 |
516.9 |
1.8 |
108.1 |
71.9 |
EG Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124J |
530.3 |
533.7 |
2.5 |
17.0 |
16.1 |
EG FW Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124J |
577.1 |
580.2 |
2.4 |
10.4 |
18.4 |
EG FW Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124K |
474.4 |
476.4 |
1.5 |
28.8 |
30.7 |
EG HW Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124K |
532.6 |
537.1 |
3.2 |
19.7 |
11.8 |
EG Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124K |
585.4 |
586.5 |
0.8 |
16.3 |
9.3 |
EG FW Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124L |
534.2 |
542.9 |
5.6 |
6.9 |
5.3 |
EG Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP124L |
626.5 |
628.9 |
1.4 |
8.3 |
12.1 |
EG FW Vein |
Conversion |
|
WKP137A |
396.0 |
404.2 |
7.4 |
5.3 |
5.7 |
EG HWS Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP137A |
417.6 |
420.7 |
2.8 |
7.0 |
6.1 |
EG HW Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP137A |
427.9 |
433.3 |
4.7 |
2.3 |
1.9 |
EG HW Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP137A |
439.3 |
440.1 |
0.6 |
33.4 |
20.8 |
EG HW Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP137A |
466.8 |
481.2 |
13.9 |
25.8 |
18.9 |
EG Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP140 |
Hole abandoned prior to reaching EG vein target |
||||||
|
WKP140A |
543.8 |
547.0 |
2.6 |
0.6 |
3.3 |
EG Vein |
Growth |
|
WKP141 |
220.5 |
222.4 |
1.5 |
10.2 |
35.3 |
EG HW Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP141 |
248.5 |
248.9 |
0.3 |
48.9 |
31.5 |
EG HW Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP141 |
376.3 |
378.0 |
1.6 |
1.7 |
14.9 |
EG Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP141 |
472.0 |
476.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
24.4 |
EG FW Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP142 |
398.3 |
401.0 |
2.4 |
1.5 |
14.2 |
EG Vein |
Definition |
|
WKP143 |
467.8 |
470.5 |
2.3 |
4.6 |
11.5 |
EG Vein |
Definition |
|
Notes: |
|
"Growth" intercepts are associated with early-stage exploration drilling, "Definition" drilling intercepts are intercepts outside the current resource model shell directed at defining mineralization to an Inferred Resource category and "Conversion" drilling are intercepts converting Inferred Resources to Indicated Resources category. NSR = No Significant Result. |
Waihi North Project Fast-track Approval and Early Works Activities Update
The Company also continues to advance early works, design and project activities at WNP, including construction of the services trench and expansion of the water treatment plant, and expects to spend
For further information relating to drill hole data please refer to the Company's website at https://investors.oceanagold.com/additional-drillhole-data.
About
Qualified Person Statement
The scientific and technical information relating to Waihi exploration results in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC")
All exploration samples are assayed for gold by 30g fire assay with AAS finish. Since mid-2022, drill core sample intervals where visible electrum is logged are followed up by a subsequent screen fire assay after the routine 30g fire assay. Core samples were prepared and analyzed at
Quality of exploration assay results has been monitored in the following areas:
- Sample preparation at the SGS Waihi and Westport labs through sieving of jaw crush and pulp products;
- Monitoring of assay precision through routine generation of duplicate samples from a second split of the jaw crush and calculation of the fundamental error; and
- Monitoring of accuracy of the primary SGS assay and ALS results through insertion Certified Reference Materials ("CRMs") and blanks into sample batches.
Blank, duplicate and CRM results are reviewed prior to uploading results in the AcQuire database and again on a weekly basis. The protocol at Waihi requires CRMs to be reported to within 2 standard deviations of the certified value. The criterion for preparation duplicates is that they have a relative difference (R-R1/mean RR1) of no greater than 10%. Blanks should not exceed more than 4 times the lower detection value of the assay method. Failure in any of these thresholds triggers an investigation and, if appropriate, re-assay. Drill core is stored within secure facilities on site to which access is controlled. Site employees transport samples to the analytical laboratory which is also a secured facility.
Technical Report
For further information, please refer to the following NI 43-101 technical report available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.com under the Company's profile or on the Company's website at www.oceanagold.com: "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Waihi District Study Pre-feasibility Study, New Zealand" dated December 11, 2024, with an effective date of June 30, 2024, prepared by D. Townsend, L Crawford-Flett,
Cautionary Statement for Public Release
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to costs and timing of future exploration and drilling programs and the timing and receipt of Fast-track approval. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future performance and reflect the Company's expectations regarding the generation of Free Cash Flow, execution of business strategy, future growth, future production, estimated costs, results of operations, business prospects and opportunities of
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