A Legacy of Discovery: The Exploration History of the Ishkõday Project
Summary of Exploration History
The Ishkõday Project has a rich history of exploration spanning nearly a century, characterized by advancements in geological understanding, mining, and modern exploration techniques.
Early Exploration and Sturgeon River Mine Development (1925-1942)
- Prospecting began in 1925, leading to the establishment of the Sturgeon River Mine in 1936.
- The mine operated until 1942, producing 73,322 ounces of gold and 15,929 ounces of silver from narrow quartz veins at grades of 10.28 g/t Au.
- Underground development reached a depth of 642 metres, with significant lateral work uncovering additional veins.
Mid-Century Exploration (1972-1990)
- 1972: Jupiter Minerals conducted geophysical surveys and soil sampling, identifying a sheared zone with base metal mineralization.
- 1983-1986: Phoenix Gold Mines identified over 100 new gold-bearing veins and conducted bulk sampling and trenching, confirming high-grade quartz vein potential with grades up to 86.63 g/t Au.
- 1988: Placer Dome conducted diamond drilling on several veins, with grades reaching 18.5 g/t Au over 0.9 metres.
Modern Exploration by LAURION (2007-Present)
2007-2014:
- LAURION acquired the property in 2007 and initiated extensive geophysical surveys, mapping, trenching, and drilling.
- Significant discoveries included the Marge Vein (grades of up to 54.43 g/t Au) and the Tehya Zone, indicating polymetallic and gold-rich zones.
2018-2022:
- LAURION launched a multi-stage exploration program targeting near-surface gold and base metal mineralization.
- Key Achievements:
- Stockpile Resource Estimate (2013): 281,571 tonnes at 1.14 g/t Au, containing 10,327 ounces of gold.
- Drilling: Over 14,211 metres in 2022, confirming a mineralized strike of 1.6 km between the A-Zone and McLeod Zone.
- New Discoveries: Identification of the Niish Zone, Behzik Shear Zone, and sub-parallel horizons hosting sulphide lenses.
Advanced Techniques:
- LAURION employed televiewer surveys in 2022 to enhance geological models, providing insights into structural controls and guiding future exploration.
Exploration Potential
The Ishkõday Project has evolved into a premier exploration target, combining historical data with modern techniques to uncover its dual mineralizing systems:
- Polymetallic Mineralization: Associated with epithermal/porphyry systems.
- Orogenic Gold Systems: High-grade gold-bearing quartz veins open at depth and along strike.
With 445 drill holes totaling 90,009 metres completed to date, Ishkõday’s potential remains untapped, promising new discoveries as exploration advances.
