March 16, 2022
West Mining Announces First Phase of 2022 Exploration Program for the Kena Gold-Copper Project, BC
Vancouver, BC – March 16, 2022 – West Mining Corp. (“West” or the “Company”) (CSE: WEST) (OTC: WESMF) is pleased to announce initial drill targets for the 2022 exploration program on its 100% owned Kena Gold-Copper project in southeastern British Columbia. The over 9,000 hectare Kena Project, consists of the Kena, Daylight and Athabasca Properties which trend along a 20 kilometre long favourable mineralized belt.
The 2022 exploration program will focus on various drill targets of which the first phase objective is the expansion of the gold resource, concentrating on high grade structures.
The large Kena Property hosts several gold mineralized zones, most notably the Kena Gold and Gold Mountain, both included in the recent resource estimate hosting 2.77 million ounces of gold inferred and 0.56 million ounces of gold indicated at 0.25 g/t Au cutoff (see News Release dated May 11, 2021). 3D modelling and imagery is currently being utilized to identify precise drill targets for expansion of the open ended gold resource on the Kena Gold and Gold Mountain Zones. The South Gold Zone, located 2 kilometres south along the same structure hosting the Kena Gold and Gold Mountain Zones, is likely a continuation of those mineralized zones. Prior drilling from 2002 at the South Gold Zone returned 0.9 g/t gold over 90 metres core length (true width unknown) (BC ARIS Report #27240).
The Gold mineralization in the resource area consists of high grade shoots surrounded by broad silicified alteration envelopes with disseminated gold mineralization. The resource estimation was calculated from drilling programs completed predominantly between 2001 and 2017.
West’s new and ongoing 3D imagery, conducted by Peter E. Walcott and Associates Ltd., combines drilling results with geochemistry and 3D geophysical models (magnetics and induced polarization). This 3D modelling has recently identified a structural trend with a coincident geological contact and strong magnetic susceptibility gradient, along which many of the highest grade gold drill intercepts in the Gold Mountain Zone are located. The low magnetic feature, caused by magnetite destruction, is part of the alteration signature which introduced gold into this zone.
“Assessing the data that West Mining Corporation has in its possession from many previous work seasons, has given the Company new insight on historic results. Using a far more modern approach to delineation, a High Grade Gold structure was identified which is open at length and depth and represents an excellent target to expand upon the current gold resource with a targeted drill program,” states Nicholas Houghton, CEO of West Mining Corporation.
The target magnetic gradient, coincidental with elevated resistivity readings trends for 400 metres to the north of the main cluster of historic high grade drill intercepts. A priority for the 2022 diamond drilling program is to test the continuity of the gold mineralization along this trend in the Gold Mountain Zone, with a goal to expand and upgrade the current gold resource estimate.
Initial drilling, completed in 2001-2002, on the Gold Mountain Zone by previous owner Apex Resources Inc. (formerly Sultan Minerals Inc.), was concentrated largely in this newly remodelled area. Post-2002 drilling consisted predominantly of step out holes throughout the property’s large gold geochemical anomalies, and continued to intercept significant gold values. However, the most prominent cluster of high grade gold intervals is located in the central Gold Mountain Zone, as tablulated below. The high grade Gold Mountain drill intervals exhibit surrounding gold envelopes, previously described as “bulk tonnage” gold intersections. The following tables show the historic drill intercepts that are targets for along strike testing during the 2022 drilling program. The plan map and section view of the Gold Mountain resource area displays drill holes largely completed in 2001 and 2002.