Western Copper and Gold Corporation (“Western” or the “Company”) announces its 2022 exploration and drilling program (the “Program”) at its fully owned Casino Copper-Gold Project (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) (“Casino”).
As stipulated in the Investor Rights Agreement and Subscription Agreement signed into as part of Rio Tinto Canada’s investment in Western Canada, the Program was established in partnership with Rio Tinto (see news release dated May 17, 2021). The Program is made up of numerous parts, which are listed below:
Drilling for Exploration
A deep magnetotelluric (“MT”) low-resistivity anomaly, first found in 2009 by a Titan IP-MT survey and better defined by data reprocessing in 2018, will be the Program’s primary exploration target. The anomaly, which runs NE-SW and is about 1,300 m long and 500 m wide, is predicted to be found at around 800 m depth in the position depicted in Figure 1. Above and northwest of this MT anomaly is a similarly large induced polarization (“IP”) anomaly. Low-grade copper and gold values were found in previous drill holes that pierced that anomaly. The results of the first deep drill hole will determine the location of a second deep drill hole, which will be positioned roughly 175 meters southwest.
Logging with Enersoft
The program also includes scanning drill core with Enersoft Inc.’s GeologicalAI robotic scanning system, which was developed in Calgary, Alberta. LIDAR scanning, X-ray fluorescence (“XRF”) analysis, hyperspectral analysis, high-resolution photography, and various geotechnical assessments are all part of the scanning. The main focus will be on maintaining the consistency of rock types drilled throughout all completed programs. Scanning will take place on roughly 50,000 meters of historical drill core, as well as the 2022 exploration drilling targeting the MT anomaly, which will be prioritized for scanning throughout the Program.
Drilling for Geotechnical Purposes
Knight-Piesold Consulting will design about 1,500 meters of geotechnical and hydrological drilling for the program. This will focus on the proposed tailings management facility, heap leaching and milling facilities, and the new airstrip’s ground conditions. A number of test pits are also being developed for the projected heap-leach area.
“We’re excited to start our exploration and drilling program for 2022,” said Paul West-Sells, President and CEO. “The deep MT anomaly is a target we’ve wanted to drill for a number of years, and the geotechnical program will be critical to the development of our ESE statement, which is on track for submission next year.”
