A comprehensive geological study conducted by the Colorado School of Mines has revealed promising findings at the Surebet discovery within the Golddigger Property in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, highlighting substantial untapped gold potential. The research identified two distinct high-grade gold environments: shear-hosted quartz-sulfide veins and gold-bearing felsic to intermediate dykes. Both settings demonstrate widespread visible gold that increases in abundance and coarseness with depth, suggesting significant mineralization potential.
Notably, the study's mineralization age analysis revealed dates between 50.7 and 52.0 million years, confirming a common Eocene-age magmatic origin. Researchers observed melt droplet inclusions and fluid textures that unveiled a previously unrecognized phase separation process in CO₂-rich hydrothermal fluids. This discovery provides crucial insights into the formation mechanisms of gold deposits in the region and represents a significant advancement in understanding hydrothermal processes.
Drill data from 243 holes substantiates the scale of the gold system, with notable intercepts reaching as high as 34.52 g/t AuEq over 39 meters. These findings challenge previous geological assumptions, which historically focused on Jurassic-era mineral targets in the region. The research underscores the potential of Reduced Intrusion-Related Gold (RIRG) systems and provides a compelling geological model for future exploration efforts.
McEwen Mining views these results as a significant validation of the region's prospectivity and an important step in understanding the area's geological complexity. The identification of these high-grade gold environments and the confirmation of Eocene-age mineralization represent a paradigm shift in exploration approaches for the Golden Triangle region. The study's findings have substantial implications for mineral exploration companies operating in similar geological settings worldwide.
