RIMOUSKI, Quebec, March 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA, OTCQB: PUMXF) (the “Company” or “Puma”) is pleased to report up to 12.03 g/t gold over 1.50 m in short (only 6 to 18 m depth) HQ holes drilled last fall at the Lynx Gold Zone (“LGZ”). The holes were drilled as part of an expanded metallurgical test announced on November 15, 2022. Static Acid Base Accounting and Total Sulphur testing also determined that the rock is non-acid-generating.
“These preliminary results from our expanded metallurgical test are very positive. Our gold-bearing quartz veins contain almost no sulphide or arsenic. Bulk sampling and potential mining would therefore be non-acid-generating. These results are significant as they enable us to further de-risk a potential mining operation at the Lynx Gold Zone,” notes Marcel Robillard, President and CEO of Puma Exploration.
The expanded metallurgical test was conducted to better define the gold mineralization found at surface (within the first 10 metres) at the Lynx Gold Zone, identify opportunities and potential challenges for gold recovery and help design the flowsheet (recipe) for processing the upcoming bulk sample. Test work on 300 kg of material collected on each of the 12 main quartz veins (3,300 kg total) at the LGZ is pending and will be released in the coming weeks.
HQ DRILLING
Eight (8) HQ holes, for a total of 102 m, were drilled on three (3) main quartz veins. Drilling targeted both high- and low-grade veins (see Figure 1). Since the veins are known to dip, the holes were collared vertically to hit both the quartz veins at surface and the rhyolite underneath. Sampling of the quartz veins and the host rock was undertaken to corroborate the gold results of grab samples collected during surface exploration, verify their acid-generating potential, identify any negative implications of an open pit operation and provide valuable information for planning the upcoming bulk sample.
Consistent with results to date, the gold grades of the outcropping quartz veins assayed in the drill core reflect the gold grades from grab samples collected at surface as shown in holes WB22-114 with 25.20 g/t Au over 0.45 m, WB22-118 with 19.65 g/t Au over 0.90 m and WB22-117 with 7.99 over 0.90 m (see Figure 2). Of note and as anticipated, gold mineralization was continuous from surface with assays returning 3.05 g/t Au over 6.00 m (WB22-114), 1.23 g/t over 10.00 m (WB22-117), and 2.52 g/t Au over 10.00 m (WB22-118) (see Table 1).
Figure 1: Location of HQ holes drilled at the Lynx Gold Zone for the metallurgical test
Figure 2: Gold grades from grab samples versus HQ drilling of outcropping quartz veins
Table 1: Assay results for the short HQ holes drilled at the Lynx Gold Zone
| DDH # | From | To | Length | Au-Best | *Sample |
| | (m) | (m) | (m) | (g/t) | rock |
| WB22-114 | 0.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 3.05 | Entire Hole |
| incl. | 0.00 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 12.03 | QV+RHY |
| incl. | 0.00 | 0.45 | 0.45 | 25.20 | QV |
| WB22-115 | 0.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.36 | Entire Hole |
| incl. | 0.50 | 3.95 | 3.45 | 0.50 | QV |
| and | 5.60 | 6.00 | 0.40 | 0.93 | QV |
| WB22-116 | 0.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 | 0.50 | Entire Hole |
| incl. | 0.40 | 5.15 | 4.75 | 0.92 | RHY+QV |
| incl. | 1.40 | 5.15 | 3.75 | 1.06 | RHY |
| incl. | 4.40 | 5.15 | 0.75 | 3.74 | QV |
| WB22-117 | 0.00 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 0.69 | Entire Hole |
| incl. | 0.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 1.23 | RHY+QV |
| incl. | 0.00 | 2.70 | 2.70 | 4.26 | QV |
| | 0.00 | 0.90 | 0.90 | 7.99 | QV |
| WB22-118 | 0.00 | 18.00 | 18.00 | 1.40 | Entire Hole |
| incl. | 0.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 2.52 | QV |
| incl. | 0.00 | 3.25 | 3.25 | 6.60 | QV |
| incl. | 0.00 | 1.90 | 1.90 | 10.40 | QV |
| incl. | 0.00 | 0.90 | 0.90 | 19.65 | QV |
| WB22-119 | 0.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 | 0.36 | Entire Hole |
| incl. | 1.00 | 4.80 | 3.80 | 0.81 | RHY+QV |
| incl. | 1.00 | 1.85 | 0.85 | 1.59 | QV |
* QV: Quartz Vein, RHY: Rhyolite
Table 2: Technical information for the short HQ holes drilled at the Lynx Gold Zone
| DDH | East UTM | North UTM | Azimuth | Dip | length | Core size |
| | Nad83 z19 | Nad83 z19 | (N) | (-) | (m) | |
| WB22-114 | 660 263 | 5 259 312 | 360 | 90 | 6.00 | HQ |
| WB22-115 | 660 271 | 5 259 304 | 360 | 90 | 6.00 | HQ |
| WB22-116 | 660 275 | 5 259 305 | 350 | 80 | 9.00 | HQ |
| WB22-117 | 660 279 | 5 259 306 | 350 | 70 | 18.00 | HQ |
| WB22-118 | 660 281 | 5 259 307 | 360 | 90 | 18.00 | HQ |
| WB22-119 | 660 268 | 5 259 314 | 360 | 90 | 9.00 | HQ |
| WB22-120 | 660 271 | 5 259 348 | 360 | 90 | 18.00 | HQ |
| WB22-121 | 660 279 | 5 259 348 | 360 | 90 | 18.00 | HQ |
| Total: | | | | | 102.00 | |
CONFIRMATION OF NON-ACID-GENERATING ROCK
Acid mine drainage (“AMD”) is a major environmental concern for mining operations. Mining companies must determine if weathering/oxidation of rock at their mine site produces acid and must devise and deploy a mitigation strategy to counteract acid production if present.
RPC tested 33 selected samples from the HQ holes drilled on the surface veins and on another 2 holes drilled in 2022 that intercepted the sediment hanging wall. All samples were subjected to static Acid Base Accounting (ABA) test work. None were found to be potentially acid-producing. In addition, the total sulphur content in all samples was either very low or below the detection limit of 0.005%. The ratio between Neutralizing Potential and Acid Production Potential along with the Total Sulphur results indicate that none of the 33 submitted samples were acid-producing.
UPCOMING GOLD INVESTOR EVENTS
Puma invites shareholders and interested parties to schedule a meeting at the upcoming conferences to discuss the Company's recent news and proposed developments:
ABOUT THE WILLIAMS BROOK GOLD PROJECT
Puma's flagship Williams Brook Gold Project covers more than 50,000 ha in Northern New Brunswick, an established and mining-friendly jurisdiction, near paved roads and with excellent infrastructure nearby. Since 2021, Puma has made four (4) significant gold discoveries at Williams Brook, with gold mineralization hosted in quartz veins at surface.
An aggressive exploration program is planned for 2023, including a minimum of 6,000 m of drilling and a 4,000 T bulk sample.
QUALIFIED PERSON
Dominique Gagné, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 standards, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release.
ABOUT PUMA EXPLORATION
Puma Exploration is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with precious metals projects near New Brunswick, Canada's Famous Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC"). The Company is committed to deploying its DEAR strategy (Development, Exploration, Acquisition, and Royalties) to generate maximum value for shareholders with low share dilution.
Connect with us on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn
Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact:
Marcel Robillard, President and CEO, (418) 750-8510; president@explorationpuma.com
Mia Boiridy, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Development, (250) 575-3305; mboiridy@explorationpuma.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration.
Figures accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/901f4dd5-7e99-4f99-99bf-8fbcc39a8f75
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2450cb43-f673-43bc-b1bc-8eab69cbb96b