Identification Of High Priority Carbonate Replacement Targets (CRD) At Tombstone Project

VANCOUVER - Aztec Minerals Corp. reported recent drilling and 3D data modelling at the Tombstone Property in Southeastern Arizona has generated an enhanced understanding of potential CRD mineralization below the near-surface gold-silver oxide mineralization discovery zone.  Aztec has previously identified several large, strong, conductive bodies, underneath the historic gold-silver district through NSAMT (natural-source audio-frequency magneto-telluric surveys) anomalies1.  Aztec has now integrated recent drilling and 3D modelling exploration data with the NSAMT geophysics data producing several high-priority drill-ready CRD targets at the property.

The 2024 exploration program has developed a stronger understanding of the district’s CRD potential and has substantiated the 2020 geophysical NSAMT survey identification of anomalous conductivity as possible mineralization at depth in the southern portion of the project.  The geologic modelling for the Westside zone was successful with blind targeting and confirmed the historic reporting of underground mine workings as well as Aztec’s modelling.  The Westside zone’s first pass exploration drilling program encountered oxide silver-gold mineralization in every drillhole to-date and nearly doubled the area of drill demonstrated exploration potential from the Contention zone alone.

The Tombstone gold-silver district was historically focused on mining relatively shallow, oxidized silver-gold CRD-related deposits formed in a complex structural and intrusive environment. The construction of the Tombstone 3D model of the mine workings and geology of the principal portion of the Tombstone district consists of the digitization of the historic maps and sections of the underground workings, stopes, drill holes and geology, geolocating them to the current surface and geology and geochemistry, and then interpreting/analyzing the results and developing both shallow and deep targeting.  It has been a successful tool in the targeting of the 2024 RC drilling program, such as the discovery hole TR24-13 on the Westside Anticline.

Drillhole TR24-16 was RC (reverse circulation) drilled targeting the southern portion of the Contention zone and to prepare a pre-collar for a deep core hole to test the AMT anomaly to 600m depth. The drill hole encountered Bonanza grade Silver intersecting 7,269 gpt AgEq (233.7 opt AgEq – 3,669 gpt Ag, 44.7 gpt Au) over 1.52 m, within a zone of 569 gpt AgEq (18.3 opt AgEq – 290 gpt Ag, 3.48 gpt Au) over 25.8.  This was part of 106.4m of 147.9 gpt AgEq (1.85 gpt AuEq – 76.2 gpt Ag and 0.90 gpt Au). TR24-16 cut across multiple fault structures of the Contention fault zone in the South Extension of the Contention pit.  Notably, drillhole TR24-16 was extended from a planned 183m to 263.7m as the drill hole was surprisingly, extensively altered throughout its lower half by silicification and moderate to strong oxide mineralization, suggesting proximity to a large hydrothermal system.

TR24-16 Cross SectionTR24-13, like TR24-16, was also designed as a pre-collar drill hole to target the historic 600+m T-8 CRD intercept.  Using the 3D model, TR24-13 was drilled where it was thought the Sulphuret stope mineralization of the Westside anticline could be intercepted as well as the deep, historic T-8 CRD mineralization (7.16 m @ 1 opt Ag, 6.5% Pb, 2.6%Zn, 0.61% Cu).  TR24-13 discovered a new body of significant oxidized silver-gold mineralization away from the Contention pit mineralization in the Westside anticline consisting of 85.4 m of 47.3 gpt AgEq (0.281 gpt Au and 24.79 gpt Ag) including intersecting a 0.5 m portion of a stope within 0.5-1.0 meters of where it was modelled.  Results of the drilling suggest that the drillhole has a reasonable chance of encountering more mineralization further on the way down to the T-8 intersection following the axis of the Westside anticline, and the oxidized silver-gold mineralization found in the hornfels and quartzites above the Blue Limestone member of the Bisbee formation supported the concept that the area of the axis of the anticlines in the district are preferential for disseminated mineralization.