Deep Semi-Massive Sulphide Zinc, Silver and Gold Intersection at Berrigan Property
Chibougamau Independent Mines Inc. has announced a significant update regarding recent drilling activities conducted by TomaGold Corporation on the Berrigan property, located west of Chibougamau, Quebec. The company has released assay results from two drill holes that reveal a major new semi-massive sulfide zone, named Berrigan Deep, which remains open at depth.
Transformative Drill Results
The most notable discovery comes from drill hole TOM-25-015, which intersected 5.75% zinc equivalent over 98.5 meters, including several high-grade intervals. This includes:
- 26.67% zinc equivalent over 4.90 meters
- 7.26% zinc equivalent over 49.35 meters
- 10.26% zinc equivalent over 14.60 meters
- 9.94% zinc equivalent over 3.25 meters
- 14.82% zinc equivalent over 6.20 meters
TomaGold Corporation stated that this drill hole is "truly transforming the Berrigan Mine project" and highlights a new semi-massive sulfide zone that extends beneath previously known mineralized areas.
Additional Significant Intersections
Drill hole TOM-25-014 also returned impressive results, including 28.69% zinc equivalent over 2.10 meters. Both drill holes contain significant secondary silver and gold mineralization, with detailed assay results provided in the company's technical report.
Technical Parameters and Calculations
The reported widths represent core lengths, with true width estimated to be approximately 80-85% of the core length depending on deviation angles. The zinc equivalent and gold equivalent calculations were made using the company's standard parameters:
Gold equivalent calculation was based on US$4,150 per ounce gold, $51.36 per ounce silver, US$5.044 per pound copper, and $1.398 per pound zinc. The formula used was: AuEq = Au g/t + (Ag g/t × 0.01237) + (Cu ppm × 0.000083) + (Zn ppm × 0.000023).
Zinc equivalent calculation was based on US$4,047 per ounce gold, $50.22 per ounce silver, US$4.796 per pound copper, and $1.390 per pound zinc. The formula used was: ZnEq = Zn ppm + (Ag g/t × 527) + (Au g/t × 42,466) + (Cu ppm × 3.45) / 10,000.
Exploration Context
The company emphasized that these calculations are for exploration purposes to determine cut-off grades, with no adjustments made for metal recovery. Chibougamau Independent Mines is currently in the initial exploration phase following historical drilling. At this stage, the company does not have metallurgical data and no comparative studies have been conducted due to the geological complexity of the ultramafic host rock.
The discovery suggests the presence of a large mineralized system that remains open at depth, representing a potentially significant development for the Berrigan property and the broader Chibougamau mining district in Quebec.
