en.Wedoany.com Reported - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. has received approval from SEMARNAT, Mexico's federal environmental permitting agency, to commence drilling operations in the eastern zone of its La Guitarra gold-silver mine complex. The permit covers 22 drill platforms, each capable of accommodating multiple drill holes.
The company has developed a 3D model of the eastern zone vein system using detailed surface mapping, accessible historical underground workings, historical data, and maps. The first phase of its fully budgeted 30,000-meter drilling program aims to test up to 30 mapped vein systems.
Sierra Madre stated that it is currently receiving bids from multiple drilling contractors for the first phase and expects drilling to begin within 60 days of selecting a contractor.
Chief Operating Officer Greg Liller noted in the company's press release that the exploration team has completed a very thorough job of surface and underground mapping, locating and compiling old reports, maps, and sections, and developing structural models. The team identified multiple vein systems from the initial surface mapping of the eastern zone and now has a deeper understanding of the complex structural systems controlling mineralization. This information will be used to build the 3D model guiding the upcoming drilling program.
The 2023 NI 43-101 La Guitarra report includes an exploration potential estimate for five vein systems in the eastern zone, with conceptual target ranges of 770,000 to 1.54 million tonnes at grades of 2.4 to 3.6 g/t gold and 440 to 670 g/t silver, with a combined strike length of 7.7 kilometers. The report states that the potential quantities and grades are conceptual in nature, that insufficient exploration has been conducted to define a mineral resource, and that it is uncertain whether further exploration will delineate the target as a mineral resource.
The 2023 mineral resource estimate also includes the eastern zone portion of Mina de Agua, with indicated resources of 761,000 tonnes at grades of 159 g/t silver and 0.19 g/t gold, and inferred resources of 545,000 tonnes at grades of 178 g/t silver and 0.13 g/t gold.
The initial drilling program begins in the Tlacotal area, where Sierra Madre stated it holds surface rights and is permitted for mining activities. The first seven drill holes are planned as near-horizontal holes ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 meters in length. Four holes on one drill platform are designed to test the Magdalena vein system below historical mining areas, while three additional holes from different platforms will target previously mined veins at Los Locos. The company stated that assay results from these holes will be used to guide wedge drilling, infill drilling, and offset holes.
Sierra Madre also stated that it is in discussions to secure surface access to the Rincon mining area for a separate drilling permit. Initial drilling there will include nine holes ranging from 600 to 1,000 meters in length, designed to intersect multiple veins. A second round of drilling will be based on results from these initial holes. The company added that it also plans to drill at the Inca and La Palma vein systems north of the Guitarra mine, areas for which permits have been obtained.
