Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V)
(“Trailbreaker” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the
delineation of a donut-shaped chargeability high feature (15-35
mV/V) from an induced polarization (IP) survey completed at the
Swan zone. The Swan Zone is a gold (Au) - copper (Cu) - silver (Ag)
porphyry target within Trailbreaker’s Atsutla Gold Project,
northwestern British Columbia (BC). The IP chargeability high is
coincident with a 900 m by 700 m Au-Ag ± Cu - molybdenum (Mo) soil
and rock (grab samples assaying up to 11.7 g/t Au, 95 g/t Ag, and
0.81% Cu) geochemical anomaly within a zone of advanced argillic
(clay mineral) alteration of a granodiorite stock.
In combination with a historic IP survey to the
northwest, the 2024 IP survey defines a donut-shaped chargeability
high feature, with external dimensions of approximately 2.1 km by
1.4 km (Figure 1). The thickness of the chargeability high is
approximately 200 m to 500 m. The chargeability signature is
strongest near-surface and extends to at least 300 m of depth. The
southern portion of the chargeability high feature is correlated
with a wider (~700 m) zone of low resistivity (<800 ohm-m)
(Figure 2). The high chargeability anomaly may represent
distribution of disseminated pyrite, and the low resistivity
feature may be caused by alteration minerals, including sericite,
pyrophyllite and clay minerals, identified during geological
mapping. The combination of these features commonly occurs in the
phyllic alteration assemblage surrounding porphyry deposits1.
Message from the President
“The IP survey at the Swan zone provides another
layer of data which indicates we may be exploring the upper parts
of an Au-Cu-Ag porphyry system. This is in conjunction with results
from geological mapping and identification of a multi-element
geochemical anomaly which occurs on a gossanous hill. 2024 has been
a pivotal year for advancing the Swan zone, as we’ve also received
an exploration permit that will allow us to further test this zone,
including by diamond drilling.” – Daithi Mac Gearailt
Induced Polarization Survey
Parameters
Trailbreaker contracted Aurora Geosciences Ltd.
(Aurora) to complete an induced polarization survey on the Swan
Au-Cu-Ag target at the Atsutla Gold project. The IP survey was
designed to extend a historic (1976) IP survey that defined a
semi-circular chargeability high feature (Figure 1). The survey
also covers the Swan multi-element geochemical anomaly that was
defined by Trailbreaker between 2021 and 2024.
A total of 21 line-kilometers were surveyed
across seven 200-metre spaced IP lines, each 3 km in length,
covering an area of 3.75 km2. The survey used an inline pole-dipole
(2D survey) array with a 100-metre dipole spacing. The estimated
depth of investigation of the survey is 300 m below surface.
Equipment used by Aurora for the IP survey
included IRIS Instruments’ FullWaver System of 21 dual-channel
voltage receivers (V-FullWaver) and two current receivers
(I-FullWaver), as well as a GDD TX IV 5 kW IP transmitter
powered by a 7 kW mobile generator. Stainless steel electrodes were
used to provide ground contact, occasionally with the use of salt
water to improve contact resistance in talus material.
Once collected, IP data underwent quality
assurance and quality control (QA/QC) validation and data
processing. Campbell & Walker Geophysics reviewed the validated
data, completed inversions as 2D sections and interpolated the data
to produce a pseudo 3D model, including a 3D voxel model, as well
as iso-surfaces and depth slice maps.
Figure 1: Coincident geophysical,
geochemical, and geological features on the Swan target. Data
displayed includes: the 100 m depth slice of the interpolated
chargeability data from the 2024 IP survey; the outline of the
historic chargeability high shown to the northwest; interpretation
of alteration zonation from 2022 geological mapping; Au and
Ag-in-soil values from 2021-2023 (transparent) and 2024 (opaque).
The chargeability high likely represents additional extensions of
the phyllic alteration zone beyond the outcrop exposures mapped in
2022. The strong Au-in-soil anomaly is coincident with the advanced
argillic alteration and an east-west break in chargeability which
aligns with the secondary Au-in-soil anomaly to the
east.
Figure 1 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3db316ce-1c47-43b5-847e-74576ca622d1
Figure 2: Data displayed includes: a 100
m depth slice of the interpolated resistivity data from the 2024 IP
survey; Cu and Mo-in-soil values from 2021-2023 (transparent) and
2024 (opaque); the outline (black lines) of the historical and 2024
chargeability anomalies (>15 mV/V) and interpretation of
alteration zonation from 2022 geological mapping. The resistivity
low (red and pink) coincides with the southern portion of the
chargeability high and the mapped phyllic alteration zone.
Anomalous Mo-in-soil values extend beyond the Au-Ag-Cu soil
geochemical anomaly.
Figure 2 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f0c2ba4-56f1-47bb-b3e1-28cdd5220d53
Soil Sampling and
Prospecting
A total of 1,165 soil and 28 rock samples were
collected on the eastern side of the Atsutla Gold project
concurrently with the completion of the IP survey. Soil sampling
was completed on a north-south grid extension of previous Swan soil
surveying, as well as along ridge and spurs of nearby mountains
within the Upper Cretaceous Glundebery batholith.
Sampling extended the Swan multi-element soil
anomaly 400 m to the west. In addition, sampling has improved
definition of an Au-Ag ± Cu-in-soil anomaly ~1 km east of the Swan
zone, and a pathfinder element anomaly, including arsenic (As)
-bismuth (Bi) ± Mo ± Au ± Ag ± Cu, ~2 km across a valley to the
west. These anomalies, including the Swan zone, define an east-west
corridor of prospective geology across 4.5 km.
Prospecting on the southwestern side of the
chargeability-resistivity anomaly focussed on an area of rock float
containing quartz-veins with disseminated to blebby molybdenite ±
chalcopyrite ± arsenopyrite (Figure 2&3). These samples
may have originated from a porphyry hydrothermal system.
Figure 3: (a) Float sample (5233605)
containing molybdenite along a fracture surface, assaying
326 ppm Mo; (b) Float sample (5233609) containing
molybdenite in quartz veining (>2000 ppm Mo); (c)
Float sample (5233611) containing arsenopyrite + molybdenite in a
quartz vein (6.3 g/t Au, 1,273 ppm Mo, and 0.14% Pb). For
scale reference, assay tags are all 9 cm tall.
Figure 3 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/daff94c3-0d50-4106-b8ce-f951db3a8e82
Examples of Porphyry-Related Geophysical
Responses
This section is intended to present case studies
of chargeability and resistivity features from known porphyry
deposits. Geophysical characteristics are important components of
exploration, but they are not necessarily indicative of economic
mineralization alone, and require additional exploration (such as
drilling) to define the source of geophysical anomalies. All of the
examples presented below are from public sources on deposits and
properties that are not affiliated with Trailbreaker. Trailbreaker
did not collect the data, prepare these figures, nor validate the
data presented within. The reader is also cautioned that although
these examples are from mineral deposits, there is no guarantee
that similar geophysical features on Trailbreaker’s property will
represent a mineral resource in compliance with standards under
National Instrument 43-101.
Figure 4, left image, provides an idealized
cross-section of porphyry alteration and sulphide mineral zonation
from Lowell and Guilbert’s 1970 model2. On the right is a depth
slice of the moderate IP chargeability response surrounding the
Poison Mountain copper porphyry, central BC2.
Figure 4: (a) Lowell and Guilbert’s 1970
model showing idealized porphyry alteration and mineral zonation;
(b) IP chargeability response of the Poison Mountain copper
porphyry, BC.2
Figure 4 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/908cdcd5-bb0f-4a30-a6fb-1540537693ea
Figure 5 displays the high chargeability and low
resistivity features that encircle the primary zones of known
mineralization at American Eagle’s NAK porphyry project near
Smithers, BC3. Coincident magnetic and ZTEM resistivity highs are
indicative of the potassic alteration zone3.
Figure 5: (a) 50 m depth slice of IP
chargeability and (b) 200 m depth slice of resistivity at the NAK
copper-gold porphyry project near Smithers,
BC3.
Figure 5 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cdca9b7f-40e3-4227-a790-24498ce7deb7
Figure 6 displays the cross-sectional
distribution of pyrite and chalcopyrite (a and b) and how these
compare to the donut-shaped chargeability high (c) at the Batu
Hijau porphyry copper system in Indonesia4. The chargeability best
reflects the distribution of the pyrite content, with the central
high feature coincident with the chalcopyrite-rich core.
Figure 6: (a) chalcopyrite and (b)
pyrite distribution along an east-west cross-section through the
Batu Hijau copper porphyry deposit in
Indonesia4; (c) Plan view map of
the gradient array chargeability; (d) Chargeability section of a
dipole-dipole IP survey across the deposit with drillhole sulfur
results.
Figure 6 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7e3ebfe-c537-4962-b920-bafaf3e6dded
Figure 7 presents the alteration zonation,
magnetic response, resistivity, and chargeability features
surrounding the Elang copper porphyry deposit in Indonesia1. There
is a strong correlation between the high chargeability and low
resistivity features where associated with the
pyrophyllite-dickite-kao-alunite and sericite-illite-kaolinite
alteration assemblages.
Figure 7: (a) plan view alteration; (b)
reduced-to-pole (RTP) magnetic response; (c) 200 m depth slice of
resistivity; (d) 200 m depth slice of chargeability at the Elang
copper porphyry deposit in
Indonesia1. The black polygons
show the surface projection of interpreted magnetic
bodies.
Figure 7 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18dc1578-de2f-473c-9b42-7939a796ad34
About the Swan Target
The Swan target is located on the eastern side
of the Atsutla Gold project in northwestern BC. The Swan is a
potential Au-Ag-Cu porphyry system, defined by a 900 m by 700 m
Au-Ag-Cu-As – antimony (Sb) –Mo – lead (Pb) soil geochemical
anomaly along a gossanous ridge. The host setting is a granodiorite
porphyry intrusion with zoned advanced argillic and phyllic
alteration assemblages. Bedrock sampling by Trailbreaker in the
centre of the soil anomaly has returned values up to 11.5 g/t Au
and 16.8 g/t Ag, associated with sulphide-rich veins. A near
in-situ (“subcrop”) rock sample returned values of 11.7 g/t Au, 95
g/t Ag, and 0.81% Cu. The surface geochemical anomalies are
associated with mapped advanced argillic alteration, which may
represent the upper portion of a porphyry system.
IP surveying around the Swan target defined a
donut-shaped chargeability high feature. The southern portion of
this chargeability high is coincident with a resistivity low
feature. The combined chargeability high and resistivity low
features are interpreted to potentially represent the outer phyllic
alteration zone of a porphyry system.
About the Atsutla Gold
Project
The Atsutla Gold project covers over 40,000
hectares of underexplored and prospective ground in northwestern
BC. The project covers a portion of the Atsutla mountain range 70
km south of the BC-Yukon border. Placer gold was recorded in the
area during the early 1900s, with very little subsequent mineral
exploration.
The project is centered along the crustal-scale
Teslin-Thibert fault system that marks the division between the
Quesnel and Cache Creek terranes. Gold mineralization is associated
with Mesozoic intrusive batholiths that are the predominant
geological unit on the property. Trailbreaker has discovered five
significant zones of gold mineralization across the property. These
are:
- Swan
Zone – discussed above – Au-Cu-Ag porphyry target defined
by a 900 m by 700 m multi-element soil geochemical anomaly. Rock
samples grading up to 11.5 g/t Au and 16.8 g/t Ag are coincident
with a 2.1 km x 1.4 km donut-shaped chargeability high
feature.
- Highlands
Zone – A 750 m by 600 m area in the western Atsutla Gold
project region, with veins containing coarse visible gold and
assaying up to 630 g/t Au and 1,894 g/t Ag.
- Christmas
Creek Zone – Gold-bearing quartz veins 2 km east of the
Highlands Zone, with rock samples assaying up to 102 g/t Au and 524
g/t Ag.
- Snook
Zone – High-grade veins 3.5 km northeast of the Highlands
Zone, with rock samples assaying up to 53.3 g/t.
- Willie Jack
Zone – 1.25-km long gold-in-soil anomaly with soil samples
assaying up to 3.77 g/t Au and rock samples up to 9.9 g/t Au.
About Trailbreaker
Resources
Trailbreaker Resources is a mining exploration
company focused primarily on mining-friendly British Columbia and
Yukon Territory, Canada. Trailbreaker is committed to continuous
exploration and research, allowing maintenance of a portfolio of
quality mineral properties which in turn provides value for
shareholders. The company has an experienced management team with a
proven track record as explorers and developers throughout the
Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alaska and Nevada.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac GearailtPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with
Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon
exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical
information in this release.
Other
For new information about the Company’s
projects, please visit Trailbreaker’s website at
TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further
information, follow Trailbreaker’s tweets at
Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd, use the ‘Contact’ section of our
website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at
info@trailbreakerresources.com.
References1) Hoschke, T., 2015.
Pathways to Porphyries: Mapping Alteration and Related
Mineralisation: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
(ASEG) Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4rWVjgbyrs2) Seraphim, R.H. and
Rainboth, W. 1976. Poison Mountain, in Brown, S.A., Ed., porphyry
deposits in the Canadian Cordillera: Canadian Journal of Earth
Sciences 15, pp. 323-328.3)
https://americaneaglegold.ca/projects/nak-property-1/4) Arif, J.
2002. Gold distribution at the Batu Hijau porphyry copper gold
deposit, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia: M.Sc. Thesis, Queensland,
Australia, James Cook University.
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are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or
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reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect
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