2024 Exploration Results

A re-evaluation of data from all previous exploration on the Ainsworth Silver Project revealed a strong association of subtle conductive trends with the No. 1 Mine silver mineralization, as well as with limestone meta-sediment contacts that often host the silver mineralization. During the 2024 field season Goldcliff planned and executed a three-week ground exploration program to delineate conductive targets that may be associated with metallic mineralization for trenching and drilling. The program consisted of detailed geological mapping, soil sampling, concentrated Lithic Drainage Sediment sampling (LDS) method) and geophysical surveys. 

Geophysics included VLF electromagnetic surveys (VLF-EM) and Self Potential (SP) follow-up surveys. The results from VLF-EM surveys over specific anomalous areas were surveyed using the SP method to test its effectiveness for discriminating between non-bedrock conductive sources and those commonly associated with bedrock mineralization.

The purpose of the program was to examine in detail the areas immediately around the old high grade mines, the No 1 and Dellie for indications of possible extension of mineralization that did not outcrop, and to establish exploration signatures for use in defining promising anomalous features along the strike of silver mineralization. Twelve sampling lines were run east to west, perpendicular to the north south trend of geology and mineralization. Geophysical measurements were taken at stations along these lines as were soil samples. During the 2024 work program a total of 277 soil samples were analyzed along with 30 LDS (Lithic Drainage Sediment) samples and  41 rock samples. As expected, all samples taken immediately around the No 1Mine returned high values. For soil samples the highest value was 1,971 ppm Ag, for rocks, 733 ppm Ag and for LDS 73.98 ppm Ag.

The compilation of all data suggests that there is a sheared structural trend hosting silver mineralization in both the No 1 and Dellie mines and that the structural trend strike extension between the two mines, as well as north of the Dellie and south of the No 1, constitute high priority targets for follow up exploration and trenching. A limited budget in 2024 precluded detailed sampling between the two mines. This is a prime area for follow up exploration using the same methodology.

Finally, and of high importance, is the fact that detailed mapping indicates much more of the host limestone than is shown by historic B.C. government mapping. The presence of this unmapped limestone is highly encouraging for the longer term, bigger picture potential for discovery of significant silver mineralization on the property.