WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD ANNOUNCES CASINO COPPER-GOLD PROJECT DRILLING RESULTS

2022-03-24 / @newswire

 

VANCOUVER, BC, March 24, 2022 /CNW/ - 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


S c8UP

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

1

CuEq 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.

2

Widths are core length, not true width of mineralized intersection

3

Zone 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 (CNW Group/Western Copper and Gold Corporation)

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

Cautionary Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in Western's operations in future periods. Statements that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward looking information" as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 ("NI 51-102") of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and resource estimates; capital expenditures; feasibility study results (including projected economic returns, operating costs, and capital costs in connection with the Casino Project); exploration results at the Company's property; budgets; permitting or other timelines; economic benefits from the mine and/or the access road; strategic plans; market price of precious and base metals; or other statements that are not statement of fact. In making the forward-looking statements herein, the Company has applied certain material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumptions that the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, although evolving, will stabilize or at least not worsen; that the extent to which COVID-19 may impact the Company, including without limitation disruptions to the mobility of Company personnel, increased labour and transportation costs, and other related impacts, will not change in a materially adverse manner; that all regulatory approvals required to complete the Company's planned exploration and development activities will be received in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration and development activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; and that general business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Western and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in fluctuations in gold, copper and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; COVID-19 risks to employee health and safety and a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations in geographic locations impacted by an outbreak; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in Western's AIF and Form 40-F, and other information released by Western and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.

Western's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and Western does not assume, and expressly disclaims, any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Western Copper and Gold Corporation

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