Western Copper and Gold announces Casino Copper-Gold Project Drilling Results
Press Release
Mar 24, 2022
VANCOUVER, B.C. Western Copper and Gold Corporation (“Western” or the “Company”) (TSX: WRN; NYSE American: WRN) is pleased to announce assay results from the remaining 13 holes of the 2021 diamond drilling program at its wholly-owned Casino Copper-Gold Project (“Casino”) in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The program, developed with input from Rio Tinto, comprised a total of 6,074.97 m in 22 holes. Highlights of the first nine drill holes were reported in Western’s Nov. 29, 2021 news release, and are included herein. Drill assay results are shown in Table 1 and collar data in Table 2.
Highlights
- Drilling in the deposit core area confirmed its importance to the overall resource at Casino as shown by long intercepts of grades higher than the average resource grades in the Leached Cap (“CAP”), Supergene (“SUP”), and Hypogene (“HYP”) zones:
- DDH21-13 returned a 300.23 m (length of hole) interval grading 0.70% CuEq1, including a 21.00 m sub-interval grading 1.50% CuEq1 within the HYP zone.
- DDH21-20 returned a 248.41 m (length of hole) interval grading 0.58% CuEq1, including a 21.00 m sub-interval grading 1.10% CuEq1 in the SUP zone.
- Drilling northeast of the deposit core returned values at or exceeding resource-grade levels.
- DDH21-17 returned a 300.23 m (length of hole) interval grading 0.57% CuEq1, including a 15.00 m sub-interval grading 1.09% CuEq1 in SUP mineralization.
- Review of lithological and mineralogical settings for holes DDH21-07, 21-08 and 21-09 indicate these holes were collared along or proximal to the NW – SE trending Casino Fault.
- A high-grade intercept grading 2.53% CuEq1 across 65.80 m in DDH21-09 (see News Release dated Nov 29) is hosted by brecciated rock that consistently hosts higher-grade mineralization in the Casino Deposit.
- Although grades from most exploration holes drilled outside of the current deposit area were lower than average resource grades, hole DDH21-14, collared east of the deposit, returned a 54.35 m interval grading 0.78% CuEq1, with the majority of contained value derived from anomalous gold and silver content.
Summary
The 2021 program was comprised of 16 holes within the Casino deposit resource boundaries, centered on the “Deposit Core” area (see news release dated Feb 2, 2021). Drilling within the resource area included 5 resource confirmation holes, 3 metallurgical testing holes, and 8 holes for geotechnical analysis. An additional 6 exploration holes were drilled outside of the deposit area. All holes within the deposit area returned values that confirmed or, in some cases, improved upon previous drilling. These positive results represent important achievements of the 2021 program.
At Casino, higher grades are hosted mostly by intrusive breccias and, in the Deposit Core, also by Patton Porphyry intrusive rock. Holes DDH21-07, -08 and -09, collared east of and at a significantly lower elevation than the deposit core, indicate that higher grades also occur in brecciated zones east of the deposit core. These high-grade intervals may be influenced by proximity to the Casino Fault.
Significant CuEq values have now been established for the various zones comprising the Casino deposit. Analysis of results within respective zones continue to support previous drilling results showing that the supergene enrichment zones host somewhat higher CuEq values than the underlying hypogene zone. Significantly higher supergene to hypogene ratios in DDH21-09 may reflect structurally-controlled enriched mineralization along and proximal to the Casino fault.
Table 1: Significant Results, 2021 drill program.
| Hole | Zone3 | From (m) |
To (m) |
Width2 (m) |
Cu (%) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Mo (%) |
CuEq1 (%) |
| DDH21-01 | All | 0.50 | 352.04 | 351.54 | 0.17 | 0.21 | 0.99 | 0.027 | 0.45 |
| Cap | 0.50 | 57.25 | 56.75 | 0.07 | 0.15 | 0.98 | 0.035 | 0.33 | |
| SUP | 57.25 | 177.98 | 120.73 | 0.28 | 0.26 | 1.11 | 0.038 | 0.65 | |
| HYP | 177.98 | 352.04 | 174.06 | 0.13 | 0.20 | 0.91 | 0.017 | 0.36 | |
| DDH21-02 | All | 5.20 | 350.22 | 345.02 | 0.20 | 0.45 | 3.06 | 0.038 | 0.74 |
| CAP | 5.20 | 109.93 | 104.73 | 0.01 | 0.47 | 3.92 | 0.010 | 0.46 | |
| Including | 88.10 | 91.10 | 3.00 | 0.00 | 5.20 | 9.23 | 0.033 | 4.36 | |
| SUP | 109.93 | 217.61 | 107.68 | 0.34 | 0.44 | 2.35 | 0.051 | 0.91 | |
| HYP | 217.61 | 350.22 | 132.61 | 0.24 | 0.44 | 2.96 | 0.050 | 0.82 | |
| DDH21-03 | All | 0.00 | 228.60 | 228.60 | 0.10 | 0.21 | 2.36 | 0.026 | 0.40 |
| CAP | 0.00 | 115.54 | 115.54 | 0.01 | 0.20 | 1.39 | 0.039 | 0.34 | |
| SUP | 115.54 | 228.60 | 113.06 | 0.19 | 0.22 | 3.34 | 0.012 | 0.45 | |
| DDH21-04 | All | 3.05 | 350.52 | 347.47 | 0.26 | 0.55 | 4.03 | 0.031 | 0.86 |
| CAP | 3.05 | 115.91 | 112.86 | 0.05 | 0.61 | 3.67 | 0.020 | 0.65 | |
| SUP | 115.91 | 301.41 | 185.50 | 0.39 | 0.56 | 4.87 | 0.033 | 1.01 | |
| HYP | 301.41 | 350.52 | 49.11 | 0.23 | 0.42 | 1.66 | 0.052 | 0.80 | |
| DDH21-05 | All | 3.05 | 300.23 | 297.18 | 0.16 | 0.37 | 1.98 | 0.013 | 0.53 |
| CAP | 3.05 | 82.00 | 78.95 | 0.04 | 0.49 | 2.23 | 0.008 | 0.48 | |
| SUP | 82.00 | 159.82 | 77.82 | 0.21 | 0.38 | 2.21 | 0.015 | 0.59 | |
| HYP | 159.82 | 300.23 | 140.41 | 0.21 | 0.30 | 1.72 | 0.015 | 0.53 | |
| DDH21-06 | All | 0.00 | 324.61 | 324.61 | 0.27 | 0.45 | 2.03 | 0.026 | 0.74 |
| CAP | 0.00 | 39.62 | 39.62 | 0.11 | 0.19 | 0.77 | 0.007 | 0.30 | |
| SUP | 39.62 | 73.41 | 33.79 | 0.21 | 0.34 | 1.24 | 0.015 | 0.55 | |
| HYP | 73.41 | 324.61 | 251.20 | 0.30 | 0.50 | 2.33 | 0.030 | 0.84 | |
| Including | 115.41 | 151.41 | 36.00 | 0.71 | 0.86 | 2.17 | 0.035 | 1.55 | |
| DDH21-07 | All | 18.29 | 326.14 | 307.85 | 0.42 | 0.52 | 2.14 | 0.030 | 0.98 |
| CAP | 18.29 | 36.58 | 18.29 | 0.05 | 0.53 | 2.82 | 0.019 | 0.58 | |
| SUP | 36.58 | 326.14 | 289.56 | 0.45 | 0.52 | 2.10 | 0.031 | 1.01 | |
| Including | 117.72 | 123.72 | 6.00 | 1.14 | 1.38 | 4.17 | 0.046 | 2.46 | |
| HYP | 145.72 | 326.14 | 180.42 | 0.38 | 0.47 | 2.06 | 0.032 | 0.90 | |
| DDH21-08 | All | 1.52 | 256.03 | 254.51 | 0.17 | 0.22 | 1.22 | 0.005 | 0.38 |
| CAP | 1.52 | 18.57 | 17.05 | 0.06 | 0.12 | 1.02 | 0.004 | 0.18 | |
| HYP | 18.57 | 256.03 | 237.46 | 0.17 | 0.21 | 1.21 | 0.005 | 0.37 | |
| DDH21-09 | All | 0.00 | 225.55 | 225.55 | 0.52 | 0.54 | 3.04 | 0.008 | 1.01 |
| CAP | 0.00 | 10.62 | 10.62 | 0.05 | 0.18 | 1.11 | 0.005 | 0.23 | |
| SUP | 10.62 | 52.42 | 41.80 | 1.60 | 1.61 | 8.92 | 0.018 | 3.04 | |
| Including | 10.62 | 76.42 | 65.80 | 1.32 | 1.33 | 7.09 | 0.019 | 2.53 | |
| Including | 25.67 | 52.42 | 26.75 | 2.18 | 1.92 | 10.80 | 0.020 | 3.90 | |
| Including | 34.67 | 35.67 | 1.00 | 3.27 | 4.20 | 112.00 | 0.018 | 7.74 | |
| HYP | 52.42 | 225.55 | 173.13 | 0.29 | 0.30 | 1.73 | 0.006 | 0.56 | |
| DDH21-10 | All | 13.76 | 123.6 | 109.84 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.91 | 0.004 | 0.36 |
| CAP | 13.76 | 18.49 | 4.73 | 0.18 | 0.24 | 1.30 | 0.004 | 0.40 | |
| HYP | 18.49 | 123.60 | 105.11 | 0.18 | 0.20 | 0.89 | 0.004 | 0.36 | |
| DDH21-11 | All | 1.52 | 251.46 | 249.94 | 0.17 | 0.44 | 2.44 | 0.012 | 0.59 |
| CAP | 1.52 | 76.52 | 75.00 | 0.04 | 0.50 | 2.89 | 0.013 | 0.52 | |
| SUP | 76.52 | 142.52 | 66.00 | 0.24 | 0.48 | 2.04 | 0.012 | 0.69 | |
| Including | 97.52 | 115.52 | 18.00 | 0.28 | 0.69 | 2.29 | 0.019 | 0.92 | |
| HYP | 142.5 | 251.46 | 108.94 | 0.23 | 0.36 | 2.36 | 0.012 | 0.59 | |
| DDH21-12 | n/a | 162.80 | 168.80 | 6.00 | 0.09 | 0.26 | 3.70 | 0.000 | 0.34 |
| DDH21-13 | All | 0.00 | 300.23 | 300.23 | 0.19 | 0.54 | 4.09 | 0.010 | 0.70 |
| CAP | 0.00 | 152.00 | 152.00 | 0.01 | 0.48 | 3.90 | 0.013 | 0.49 | |
| HYP | 152.00 | 300.23 | 148.23 | 0.37 | 0.59 | 4.29 | 0.008 | 0.92 | |
| Including | 179.00 | 200.00 | 21.00 | 0.23 | 1.51 | 5.86 | 0.005 | 1.50 | |
| Including | 207.65 | 223.35 | 15.70 | 0.99 | 1.31 | 8.68 | 0.017 | 2.18 | |
| Including | 216.65 | 218.79 | 2.14 | 2.29 | 5.88 | 23.90 | 0.016 | 7.26 | |
| DDH21-14 | n/a | 114.04 | 120.04 | 6.00 | 0.07 | 0.18 | 0.90 | 0.000 | 0.22 |
| n/a | 141.04 | 150.04 | 9.00 | 0.05 | 0.18 | 1.56 | 0.000 | 0.20 | |
| n/a | 191.00 | 203.00 | 12.00 | 0.04 | 0.96 | 0.20 | 0.000 | 0.81 | |
| n/a | 269.00 | 323.35 | 54.35 | 0.02 | 0.86 | 5.45 | 0.000 | 0.78 | |
| DDH21-15 | All | 4.57 | 225.55 | 220.98 | 0.19 | 0.33 | 2.36 | 0.015 | 0.54 |
| CAP | 4.57 | 60.62 | 56.05 | 0.09 | 0.59 | 3.00 | 0.014 | 0.64 | |
| SUP | 60.62 | 167.59 | 106.97 | 0.25 | 0.26 | 1.93 | 0.011 | 0.52 | |
| HYP | 167.59 | 225.55 | 57.96 | 0.18 | 0.21 | 2.54 | 0.024 | 0.46 | |
| DDH21-16 | n/a | 149.5 | 150.5 | 1.00 | 0.01 | 0.20 | 18.75 | 0.000 | 0.34 |
| DDH21-17 | All | 0.00 | 300.23 | 300.23 | 0.24 | 0.28 | 1.38 | 0.021 | 0.57 |
| CAP | 0.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 | 0.15 | 0.40 | 2.12 | 0.017 | 0.56 | |
| SUP | 21.00 | 36.00 | 15.00 | 0.51 | 0.55 | 2.49 | 0.028 | 1.09 | |
| CAP | 36.00 | 94.00 | 58.00 | 0.14 | 0.37 | 1.88 | 0.017 | 0.53 | |
| SUP | 94.00 | 154.00 | 60.00 | 0.46 | 0.31 | 1.18 | 0.029 | 0.84 | |
| HYP | 154.00 | 300.23 | 146.23 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 1.04 | 0.020 | 0.42 | |
| DDH21-18 | n/a | 191.05 | 206.05 | 15.00 | 0.05 | 0.28 | 2.04 | 0.000 | 0.29 |
| DDH21-19 | n/a | No significant intervals | |||||||
| DDH21-20 | All | 0.00 | 248.41 | 248.41 | 0.16 | 0.45 | 2.15 | 0.011 | 0.58 |
| CAP | 0.00 | 75 | 75.00 | 0.04 | 0.48 | 2.95 | 0.012 | 0.50 | |
| SUP | 75.00 | 143.05 | 68.05 | 0.25 | 0.57 | 2.24 | 0.011 | 0.77 | |
| Including | 101.05 | 122.05 | 21.00 | 0.33 | 0.84 | 3.04 | 0.017 | 1.10 | |
| HYP | 143.05 | 248.41 | 105.36 | 0.19 | 0.35 | 1.53 | 0.009 | 0.52 | |
| DDH21-21 | n/a | No significant intervals | |||||||
| DDH21-22 | SUP | 13.72 | 118 | 104.28 | 0.19 | 0.16 | 0.92 | 0.007 | 0.35 |
1CuEq Metal Prices: US$2.75/lb copper, US$1,500/oz gold, US$11/lb molybdenum, US$18/oz silver with no adjustment for metallurgical recovery.
2Widths are core length, not true width of mineralized intersection
3Zone refers to oxidation zone. CAP designates material from the “Leached Cap” zone, SUP to material from the “Supergene” zone, and HYP to material from the hypogene zone. Oxidation zones for holes drilled outside the main deposit area were not logged and are designated as “n/a”.
Table 2: Collar data, 2021 program.
| Drill Hole | Easting | Northing | Elevation (masl) | Azimuth | Inclination | Location |
| DDH21-01 | 611067 | 6958785 | 1239.2 | 225 | -60 | NE of Deposit Core |
| DDH21-02 | 611101 | 6958375 | 1286.8 | 195 | -60 | Deposit Core |
| DDH21-03 | 611222 | 6958506 | 1269.1 | 315 | -60 | E. Edge Deposit Core |
| DDH21-04 | 610941 | 6958341 | 1359.0 | 35 | -60 | Deposit Core |
| DDH21-05 | 610894 | 6958219 | 1393.1 | 240 | -60 | Deposit Core |
| DDH21-06 | 610974 | 6958744 | 1287.6 | 215 | -60 | Deposit Core |
| DDH21-07 | 611432 | 6958707 | 1177.1 | 170 | -55 | E. Edge Deposit Core |
| DDH21-08 | 611522 | 6958674 | 1168.5 | 60 | -60 | E. Edge Deposit Core |
| DDH21-09 | 611512 | 6958620 | 1161.9 | 100 | -60 | E. Edge Deposit Core |
| DDH21-10 | 611431 | 6958530 | 1165.0 | 220 | -45 | E. Edge Deposit Core |
| DDH21-11 | 610862 | 6958314 | 1371.5 | 240 | -60 | W. Edge Deposit Core |
| DDH21-12 | 611202 | 6959465 | 1323.0 | 335 | -30 | Expl. Hole N of Deposit |
| DDH21-13 | 611023 | 6958445 | 1345.5 | 140 | -60 | Deposit Core |
| DDH21-14 | 612101 | 6958659 | 1132.1 | 225 | -60 | Expl. Hole E of Deposit |
| DDH21-15 | 610852 | 6958652 | 1321.4 | 260 | -60 | NW edge, Deposit Core |
| DDH21-16 | 612351 | 6958250 | 1087.0 | 215 | -60 | Expl. Hole SE of Deposit |
| DDH21-17 | 611117 | 6958659 | 1256.5 | 55 | -60 | NE edge, Deposit Core |
| DDH21-18 | 612702 | 6958499 | 1171.7 | 225 | -60 | Expl. Hole E of Deposit |
| DDH21-19 | 613902 | 6954801 | 1041.8 | 315 | -60 | Outlying expl. Hole to SE |
| DDH21-20 | 610863 | 6958312 | 1371.1 | 240 | -60 | Twin hole of DDH21-11 |
| DDH21-21 | 611707 | 6954702 | 864.7 | 135 | -60 | Outlying expl. Hole to S |
| DDH21-22 | 611432 | 6958530 | 1164.1 | 220 | -55 | Twin hole of DDH21-10 |
Figure 1: Casino Project 2021 Drilling Program
QUALIFIED PERSON
Carl Schulze, P.Geo. is the qualified person responsible for the execution of the Casino Project exploration program and the preparation of the technical information in this news release.
QA/QC protocol, including assurance of chain of custody, has been implemented. Core samples are evenly cut by rock saw, then prepared and analyzed by ALS Geochemistry. Prepared samples are initially run using a four acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-AES analysis. Additional assaying for total copper and molybdenum is run using a 4-acid digestion – AES or AAS method to a 0.001% detection limit. Gold assays are run using 30-gram samples by fire assay with an AA finish to a 0.005 ppm detection limit, with samples greater than 10 ppm finished gravimetrically. The QA/QC procedure involves regular submission of Certified Analytical Standards and property-specific duplicates.
ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION
Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada’s premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.
The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.
For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.
On behalf of the board,
“Paul West-Sells”
Dr. Paul West-Sells
President and CEO
For more information, please contact:
Sandy Noyes,
Director, Investor Relations
604.638.2520 or [email protected]
IBF4
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