American Tungsten Corp. announced the ongoing advancement of its IMA mine project, a past-producing underground tungsten mine in Idaho, where ongoing surface and underground drilling continues to support resource conversion, resource expansion and engineering studies as the company progresses development of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
Drilling results from initial surface exploration holes completed in the base of the canyon successfully intercepted a newly identified vein – the 360 portal vein. The 360 portal vein is a moderately northeast-dipping hubnerite-tetrahedrite mineralized quartz vein, which was mined near-surface historically and extends over 200 feet (ft) at depth based on recent drilling results. The structure is projected along strike with historically reported vein occurrences on the south side of the canyon. The presence of significant tungsten-silver mineralization over significant widths establishes the vein as an additional exploration target which is open at depth and along strike. Current drilling has intersected the vein over 200 ft along strike and down-dip.
The company believes resource conversion drilling represents an important step in advancing the IMA mine project. By increasing confidence within known mineralized zones while concurrently progressing the PEA, American Tungsten is continuing to build upon the foundation established by the recent MRE and further position IMA as a potential domestic source of tungsten for North America.
“The recently announced Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) marked an important milestone for the IMA mine project, confirming the scale, grade and strategic importance of this domestic tungsten asset. With the discovery of the 360 Portal Vein and continued positive infill drilling results, we are demonstrating both the growth potential of the deposit and the continuity of mineralization within key resource areas. Our current program is focused on advancing resource conversion, supporting future resource expansion opportunities and providing critical inputs for the PEA, expected before year-end. Together, these initiatives continue to de-risk the project and strengthen our vision of developing a secure, long-term North American source of tungsten,” said Ali Haji, CEO of American Tungsten Corp.
Following the company’s recently announced MRE and successful step out drilling, the company said it is transitioning exploration work towards in-fill and resource conversion drilling to increase geological confidence within known mineralized zones and convert inferred mineral resources to measured and indicated confidence categories.
Recent exploration work has focused on expanding the No.3-5-7-9 vein system to the northeast, up-dip from the D-level. In August and September, the company completed approximately 9300 feet of drilling in six surface holes and thirteen underground holes. Underground drilling was completed from newly developed footwall crosscuts on the D level driven 300 feet northeast of previous D-level drill stations.
The next exploration phase will involve in-fill and resource delineation drilling in the down dip extension of the No.3-5-7-9 vein system. American Tungsten said a new crosscut has been completed from the D level mine workings 230 ft to the northwest into the hanging wall of the 9 vein. An additional crosscut is being driven from the 7 vein drift to establish a second drill station in the hanging wall. Approximately 24 holes totaling 12,000 ft are currently planned from these stations, targeting the down-dip extension of the principal veins where they extend from the Ima onto the Mazda claim group.
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