Kirkland Lake Gold reported new drill results from 19 holes (9,522 meters) of underground exploration drilling as well as 15 holes (29,085 m) of previously drilled (not reported) and reinterpreted holes from the Macassa mine in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. All of the new holes being reported were collared within two platforms located on the east portion of the 5300 Level, with 18 of the 19 new holes (8,760 m) being focused on confirmation and extension of the South Mine Complex (SMC) to the east.
Results from the drilling included 43.1 grams per metric ton (g/mt) over 2.1 m from hole 53-4016, 31 g/mt over 2.3 m from hole 53-4052 and 16.4 g/mt over 2.1 m from hole 53-4088, which define a minimum 75-m extension of the SMC complex east of the current resource as well as 19.3 g/mt over 4.2 m from hole 53-4086 located 25 m to the south.
One of the new holes (762 m) was designed to test the Main Break below the Kirkland Minerals shaft near the east limit of previous drilling. The hole (53-4052) was highly successful, intersecting 141.1 g/mt over 2.4 m and 9.7 g/mt over 2 m near the 6,850 Level, 300 m below the deepest level off the Kirkland Minerals shaft, and 50 m east of previous drilling.
Very importantly, the high-grade intersection is located within 650 m of the company’s new No. 4 Shaft location (currently under development) and is believed to be part of a newly identified corridor of high-grade mineralization 700 m long and 300 m high along the Main Break. The new corridor has been identified based on the results of new drilling as well as the interpretation of previously drilled but not reported holes along the Main Break on the Kirkland Minerals property, which is wholly owned by Kirkland Lake Gold.
“We have a truly unique and very exciting opportunity at Macassa to add substantial new mineral resources and, ultimately, mineral reserves through the continued growth of the SMC, the identification of high-grade mineralization along the largely unexplored Amalgamated Break, and also by drilling along the Main Break, which accounts for most of the 25 million ounces of historic production in the Kirkland Lake camp,” President and CEO Tony Makuch said. “While the resurgence of mining in Kirkland Lake over the last 10 to 15 years has been driven by the discovery and growth of the SMC, we have always recognized that the Main Break remains a highly prospective target for additional exploration success and Mineral Resource growth. The fact that the new corridor of high-grade mineralization along the Main Break is located close to planned infrastructure adds significantly to the value creating potential of today’s results.”
Exploration drilling at Macassa has temporarily ceased as part of the company’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Upon the resumption of full operations at Macassa, exploration drilling will resume with up to six underground and surface drills.
