Prefeasibility Study For Hasbrouck Gold Project
VANCOUVER, BC - West Kirkland Mining Inc. reported results of its phase two exploration drilling program at Hasbrouck and Three Hills, two outcropping, all-oxide gold deposits located near Tonopah, Nevada. The exploration results indicate good potential for expansion, particularly of the Three Hills deposit. A prefeasibility study for the Hasbrouck Project, which encompasses both deposits, is on-plan and on-budget with results expected to be announced during the first quarter of 2015.
Drilling of 610 meters in four holes at Three Hills was highlighted by hole TH14R-007 which intercepted 16.8 meters of 1.24 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) starting from 106.7 meters down the hole. This intercept compares to a Three Hills deposit grade of 0.62 g/t Au in 7.7 million measured and indicated tonnes and 0.48 g/t Au in 10 million inferred tonnes at a 0.17 g/t Au cutoff grade. The gold intercept in TH14R-007 is located approximately 70 meters from the current conceptual open pit boundary.
The targeted high grade gold structure has been traced by drilling approximately 300 meters to the east of the presently established resource. Previously disclosed Hole MW14-01 returned 39.6 meters grading 1.36 g/t Au starting 54.9 meters down the hole from the target structure. Other previously disclosed holes in this target area have returned significant results including 50.3 meters of 0.73 g/t Au and 66.0 meters grading 3.33 g/t Au. Recent holes TH14R-007 to TH14R-009 tested this high grade structure; hole TH14R-010 tested an additional structure 175 meters to the south.
Drilling at the Hasbrouck deposit confirmed additional shallow gold mineralization on the northeast flank of the deposit. Three meters from surface, hole HSB14R-011 cut 7.6 meters of 0.55 g/t Au.
The four recent holes totaling 365 meters were drilled on the underexplored northeast flank of Hasbrouck Peak where an additional zone of near surface mineralization has developed. Previously disclosed drilling at this location returned 0.66 g/t Au over 4.57 meters at shallow depths and within 100 meters of the conceptual pit rim. West Kirkland believes this area has the potential to add additional gold resources to the Hasbrouck deposit.
Located near Tonopah, Nevada, the Hasbrouck Project consists of two oxidized gold-silver deposits eight kilometers from each other, Three Hills and Hasbrouck. West Kirkland has a 75% controlling interest in the project; 25% held by Allied Nevada. West Kirkland has the option of acquiring the remaining 25% interest held by Allied Nevada Gold Corp.
Both deposits have at-surface and near-surface mineralization with the potential for open pit mining at low overall stripping ratios and minimal pre-stripping.
West Kirkland and its independent consultants, Mine Development Associates, are on track to complete a prefeasibility study on the project in the first quarter of 2015. Work on obtaining construction permits for the Three Hills deposit is well advanced with the submission of a plan of operations to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in November, 2014. The plan is currently under review and the Company anticipates beginning the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in early 2015.