Exploration Program Exceeds Expectations at Black Raven
Churchill Resources Inc. has reported significant progress on its fall evaluation program at the Black Raven Property in Central Newfoundland. The company is actively exploring the historic Frost Cove Antimony Mine and Stewart Gold Mine areas, with assay results from both drilling and channel sampling expected imminently.
The comprehensive program, which began in mid-September, represents the first thorough exploration for antimony, gold, and silver across the property. The ambitious initiative includes approximately 5,000 metres of drilling, collection of 2,200 soil samples, and extensive trenching operations.
Critical Assay Results Pending
According to the company's latest update, assay data for the first two batches of drill core and surface trench samples are anticipated shortly. These samples were collected along the northern 500-metre section of the Frost Cove trend and from the Taylor's Room prospect.
The delay in receiving these critical results stems from the need for specialized ore-grade assay procedures required for samples where initial analyses exceeded detection limits, particularly for antimony concentrations above 10%.
To date, Churchill has submitted 363 core samples and 89 channel samples to SGS Lakefield for analysis. Many of these samples are undergoing supplemental testing after initial analyses indicated metal concentrations beyond standard detection limits.
Drilling Program Success and Expansion
The initial fall exploration has proceeded exceptionally well, with 48 short holes totaling 4,602 metres completed as of November 24. The program has targeted four key prospects:
- Frost Cove Antimony Mine Prospect: 30 boreholes totaling 2,742.5 metres with eighteen channel samples over an 800-metre strike length
- Taylor's Room Au-Ag-Pb-Zn Prospect: 11 boreholes totaling 1,130.5 metres with six channel samples over 300 metres of strike length
- Stewart Gold Mine Prospect: 6 boreholes totaling 585 metres with samples from the historical shaft over 300 metres of strike length
- Pomley Cove Pond Au-Ag-Pb-Zn Prospect: 1 borehole of 142 metres with nine channel samples from newly discovered veins
The operations have successfully located and sampled historically described mineralization at the Frost Cove Mine, Taylor's Room, and Stewart Mine Prospects. Notably, at Pomley Cove, the company has discovered several new polymetallic veins previously unrecognized.
Program Extension and Future Plans
Encouraged by these initial results, Churchill has decided to extend the drilling program beyond the originally planned 5,000 metres into December. Operations will then pause before restarting in February 2026.
This supplemental program will be fully funded from existing cash reserves, demonstrating the company's financial capacity to continue exploration without additional financing requirements.
Paul Sobie, President of Churchill Resources, expressed enthusiasm about the program's success: "We're extremely pleased with the success of our first program at Black Raven, which includes our soil work and the drilling and trenching that is confirming considerable strike lengths and continuity to shallow depths for the prospects."
Sobie further highlighted the importance of soil analysis, noting that the Beaver Brook Mine antimony deposits located 100 kilometres south of Black Raven were originally discovered using similar techniques. The company is particularly excited about emerging trends in the soil data and looks forward to receiving results from around Frost Cove and further along strike to the south.
The first batch of soil results has already been received and reported, providing additional context for the ongoing exploration efforts as the company awaits the critical assay results that will determine the next phases of development at Black Raven.
