White Cliff Minerals Ltd (ASX:WCN), a multi-mineral exploration company, has reported the discovery of a new high-grade silver zone at its Great Bear project in Canada. This newly identified zone, known as the 'Slider,' is situated approximately 550 meters from historical mines that have a rich legacy of silver production. The Slider zone spans at least 1.5 kilometers by 1.5 kilometers, demonstrating significant potential in an area already steeped in mining history.
Discovery Highlights
Recent assay results from the Slider zone have revealed impressive silver grades, including:
- 7.54% silver (Ag), translating to 75,439 grams per tonne (g/t)
- 5.35% Ag (53,506 g/t)
- 13.6% copper (Cu)
These findings are particularly noteworthy, given the proximity of the Slider zone to two historic underground silver mines that collectively produced approximately 34.2 million ounces of refined silver. The historical significance and proximity to these past-producing mines underscore the potential of the newly discovered zone.
Geological Insights
White Cliff Minerals has highlighted several key geological features within the Slider zone. Notably, the company has identified a newly discovered east-west structural trend that extends over 450 meters in strike length. Assay results from this structural trend have returned grades of up to 904 g/t of silver, 6.5% copper, and 8.1% zinc, further enhancing the prospectivity of the area.
In addition to the structural trend, White Cliff has identified a westerly extension of the historical mines, which includes a zone of native silver-bearing breccias. This discovery points to the potential for additional high-grade mineralization within the Slider zone, further supporting the idea that the area is underexplored.
Early Success and Future Exploration
Troy Whittaker, Managing Director of White Cliff Minerals, emphasized the significance of these early exploration results. He noted that the discovery of the Slider zone, especially during the maiden field program, is a rare and remarkable achievement. Whittaker expressed excitement over the delineation of multiple high-grade copper, gold, and silver mineralized districts at the Great Bear project, with the Slider zone standing out as a particularly promising area.
Whittaker also highlighted the exceptional results achieved to date, which include:
- 42.6% Cu
- 42.2% Cu
- 39.5% Cu
- 38.2 g/t Au
- 29.7 g/t Au
- 716 g/t Ag
The discovery of the Slider zone potentially surpasses these previous results, positioning it as a focal point for future exploration activities. Whittaker underscored the significant upside potential within the 1.5 x 1.5 km Slider District, which remains largely underexplored despite these promising early findings.
Strategic Focus Moving Forward
With the Slider discovery still in its early stages, White Cliff Minerals is keen to build on the momentum generated by these initial results. The company plans to prioritize further exploration within the Slider zone, aiming to uncover additional high-grade silver structures and expand its understanding of the district's geological potential.
As exploration progresses, the proximity of the Slider zone to historic silver mines, coupled with the impressive assay results, positions White Cliff Minerals to potentially unlock significant value from the Great Bear project. The company's focus on systematically exploring and developing this area underscores its commitment to realizing the full potential of this promising Canadian asset.
White Cliff Minerals Ltd (ASX:WCN) remains a key player to watch as it continues to advance its exploration efforts at the Great Bear project, with the Slider zone offering a glimpse into the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.