October 7, 2024 – 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 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.
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.
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 5 displays the high chargeability and low resistivity features that encircle the primary zones of Sknown 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 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 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.
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 Atsulta 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 Gearailt
President 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.
References 1) 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=U4rWVjgbyrs
2) 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.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “understanding”, “has agreed to” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “would”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
September 16, 2024 – Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) (“Trailbreaker” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the results from surface sampling at the Liberty Property, central British Columbia (BC). Soil sampling defined a property-scale (~10 km in length and up to 1.8 km wide) arc shaped, copper (Cu)-in-soil anomaly (Figure 1). Prospecting near the southwestern extent of the soil anomaly resulted in rock samples assaying up to 15.62% Cu (float grab sample) and 23.71% Cu (subcrop grab sample). A continuous chip sample near these rock samples assayed 2.15% Cu over 3.0 m.
Subsequent to completion of the surface program, additional claims totalling 1,841 hectors were staked to the southwest to cover the open-ended soil anomaly and the strike extent of the high-grade copper mineralization. Results from this surface program are being utilized in the preparation and design of a new area-based permit application for Liberty, which will allow for advanced exploration beyond the limited area drilled in the spring.
Message from the President
“This surface program has demonstrated that there is a very large area of prospective geological setting at Liberty. It is clear that the drilling conducted in the spring tested only a small area within this large anomaly. High grade copper values from sampling provide further evidence of the potential for high-grade zones within the mineralized system. Results to date at Liberty show many similarities to early exploration results at the Gibraltar Mine, where a large low-grade copper – molybdenum (Cu-Mo) system is accentuated by zones of high-grade Cu-Mo mineralization.” -Daithi Mac Gearailt
High-Grade Copper
Prospecting in the southwestern portion of the property returned numerous rock samples with >1% Cu. including 23.71% Cu from a malachite vein striking 140° – 320° (Figure 2). This area displays iron-carbonate, talc, and actinolite alteration along the contact between ultramafic rocks to the northeast and an argillite unit to the southwest. This contact was also identified in outcrop 900 m to the northwest, with similar iron-carbonate alteration and elevated Cu values (up to 0.23% Cu in float around the contact). The Cu-in-soil anomaly is particularly strong along this contact and extends to the northeast, with an average width of 1.8 km.
The malachite mineralization in the southwest Liberty property area shares similarities with the highest-grade mineralization encountered from the Spring, 2024 drilling which returned 34.2 m* of 0.47% Copper Equivalent** (CuEq), including 5.9 m of 2.02% CuEq, in hole LIB24-003. The high-grade mineralization in LIB24-003 is located along the contact of a granodiorite intrusion with ultramafic rocks. This high-grade interval is part of a wider interval of mineralized granodiorite (194.3 m of 0.16% CuEq). In the southwestern area, where the high-grade malachite was sampled, mineralization also occurs along the contact of ultramafic rocks with the argillite unit, which display similar iron-carbonate, talc and actinolite alteration. This near-surface high-grade mineralization may be associated with a mineralized intrusion, similar to that encountered in drilling.
Figure 1: Contoured Cu-in-soil data across the Liberty property, highlighting the extensive property scale area of high mineral potential. High-grade Cu-bearing grab and chip samples in the southwestern area occur along a structural break (dashed lines are inferred faults are based on regional magnetic data) between ultramafic rocks to the northeast and argillites to the southwest. Wetland conditions defined by areas of deeper organic material and of high, near-surface groundwater content are outlined in the central and northern portions of the surveyed area. These soil conditions may result in locally subdued geochemical responses.
* Reported widths are drill width. Not enough geological information exists at this point to define true width. However, vein- hosted copper and molybdenum mineralization commonly occurs at high angles to core axis.
** Copper Equivalent formula used is:
CuEq = Cu grade in % + (Mo grade in % * (Mo recovery/Cu recovery) * (Mo price/lb*2200 lb) / (Cu price /lb*2200 lb) using copper price of US$3.75/lb and molybdenum price of US$25/lb. 100% metallurgical recoveries are assumed for both metals.
Figure 2: Photos of malachite mineralization along the contact between argillites and ultramafic rocks. Left: Grab sample from subcrop 1879956 assayed 23.71% Cu. Right: Grab sample from float 3831604 (~60 m southeast of sample 1879956) assayed 15.62% Cu.
Surface Sampling Program
Soil sampling and prospecting were designed to cover prospective geological and regional structural settings across the entire property. A total of 1,601 soil samples and 47 rock samples were collected. Cu-in-soil values are anomalous through an arcuate zone that transects the center of the property. This zone extends northeast for 4.1 km (~1.8 km width) from the southwestern limit of sampling to the centre of the property. From there, it extends northwest for an additional 6.3 km (~1.0 km width) to the northern property boundary.
This extensive Cu-in-soil is locally coincident with anomalous gold (Au), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), and arsenic (As) values, defining more constrained multi-element soil anomalies. The most significant of these occur in the southwestern area, the area of Spring, 2024 drilling, and the northern area. The multi-element anomalies align well with the highest Cu-in-soil anomalies.
Two areas within the soil survey are marked by wetland conditions, with deeper organic horizons and shallow groundwater levels with water-saturated soil. These areas may cause a subdued geochemical response in soil, as the soil development has occurred in a different environment than elsewhere on the property. They are outlined in Figure 1, and occur in the central and northern boundary areas of the property.
Liberty Property Description
The 6,895-hectare Liberty Property is located approximately 60 km northwest of Quesnel, BC. The property is fully accessible by resource roads.
Drilling at Liberty has encountered widespread Cu-Mo porphyry-style mineralization at the northeastern margin of a large Cu-in-soil geochemical anomaly. Mineralization is coincident with an Induced Polarization (IP) chargeability feature. However, historic IP surveying covered only a small portion of the much larger geochemical anomaly. Highlights of drill results include: 34.2 m of 0.47% CuEq, including 5.9 m of 2.02% CuEq in LIB24-003; 13.5 m of 0.33% CuEq, including 6.6 m of 0.67% CuEq in LIB24-001; and 6.0 m of 0.45% CuEq and 2.3 m of 0.36% CuEq in LIB24-004.
Prospecting within the southwestern portion of the property-scale geochemical anomaly has defined an area of high-grade copper mineralization, with grab samples assaying up to 23.71% Cu.
For more information on this target see the Liberty Project webpage.
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 Gearailt
President 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.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “understanding”, “has agreed to” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “would”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
August 12, 2024 – Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) (“Trailbreaker” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that recent surface sampling at the Watchtower zone has outlined a continuous gold (Au)-in-soil anomaly covering a 350 m by 200 m area. The zone trends northwest-southeast along a more extensive 3 km long gold-in-soil trend. Rock sampling from this zone returned assay values up to 2.19 g/t Au, 0.54% copper (Cu), and 6.2 g/t silver (Ag) from an outcrop with a ‘wormy’ quartz vein stockwork. The ‘wormy’ vein texture indicates a ductile deformational environment, with emplacement of quartz veining under high‑temperature conditions, potentially in proximity to an intrusive body.
Surface sampling was conducted at the Castle Rock property, northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC) as follow-up exploration based on 2023 results. A total of 339 soil and 72 rock samples were collected across the property. Trailbreaker has now applied for an advanced exploration permit at Castle Rock.
The Watchtower zone was discovered in 2023 through systematic soil sampling. Follow-up sampling in 2024 shows the potential scale of this zone. The Watchtower soil anomaly is oblique to the Heart zone and may interconnect at the southern extents of these anomalies. Mineralization at the Heart zone is hosted by Jurassic granodiorite dykes emplaced along a regional-scale structure. The Watchtower zone may represent a buried intrusive center similar to the Heart zone.
Infill soil sampling at the Kokummi zone, southeast of the Heart zone, indicates continuity of the Au-in‑soil trend over an 850 m strike extent with a 250 m width. The Kokummi zone occurs along a north-northwest striking fault near its contact with the Kokummi stock. ‘Wormy’ quartz veining with potassic alteration selvages occur in this zone, together with anomalous Cu values from rock sampling, indicating that a potential buried intrusion may be the source of the Au-in-soil anomaly.
First-pass prospecting was conducted at the Moakwa zone, on the eastern side of Castle Rock property, where elevated Au values from moss-mat sampling were returned in 2023. Numerous rock samples were taken over an 800 m strike extent, returning anomalous Cu assays up to 0.282%. Anomalous copper-in-rock values at the Moakwa zone indicate potential for further mineralization at the Castle Rock property.
Message from the President
“The work at the Castle Rock property continues to show potential for multiple zones of mineralization across the property. In particular, the robust soil anomaly outlined at the Watchtower zone indicates that two potential zones, the Heart and Watchtower zones, may occur subparallel and in close proximity to one another.” – Daithi Mac Gearailt
Figure 1: Au-in-soil anomaly and 2024 rock sample results at the Watchtower and Heart zones.
Figure 2: Examples of ‘wormy’ quartz veins. Left: from the Watchtower zone (sample ID: 3871962), which assayed 2.19 g/t Au, 0.54% Cu, and 6.2 g/t Ag. Right: from the Kokummi zone (sample ID: 3871973) displaying potassic alteration on selvages and strong quartz-sericite alteration of the rock groundmass and assay results of 0.07% Cu.
About the Castle Rock property
The Castle Rock property covers 3,108 hectares of land on northern Vancouver Island, approximately 70 km northwest of Campbell River, BC. It was acquired by Trailbreaker in 2022 and consolidated through an option agreement. Trailbreaker conducted initial exploration assessment work in 2022 and followed up with a second surface exploration program in 2023.
The claims cover five BC Minfile occurrences located along a district-scale structure that is >5 km-long, with newly identified gold ± copper-enriched intrusions. These Minfile occurrences represent relatively new discoveries, mostly due to access created by recent logging activity.
Northern Vancouver Island is host to several large Cu-Au porphyry deposits, including Northisle Copper and Gold’s Hushamu deposit (Inferred resource of 5.57 Moz AuEq)3, and BHP Billiton’s past producing Island Copper porphyry copper deposit (produced >2.7 B lb Cu and >1.0 Moz Au) 3.
At the Castle Rock property, gold is dominantly hosted by Jurassic granodiorite dykes which have been emplaced along a regional-scale fault zone separating Lower to Middle Triassic Daonella Bed sedimentary rocks from Upper Triassic Karmutsen Formation basalts.
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 Gearailt
President 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.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “understanding”, “has agreed to” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “would”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
July 22, 2024 – Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) (“Trailbreaker” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that drilling from the inaugural program at the Liberty property has intersected a copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) porphyry system. All drill holes from the recently completed 2,442 m diamond drill program at the Liberty property in central British Columbia (BC) intersected Cu and Mo mineralization. Composited drill results are presented in Table 1, with highlight drill intervals including:
LIB24-003 intersected:
34.2 m* of 0.47% Copper Equivalent** (CuEq) from 385.0 m;
Including 14.7 m of 0.94% CuEq from 404.5 m;
Including 5.9 m of 2.02% CuEq from 410.2 m.
LIB24-001 intersected:
13.5 m of 0.33% CuEq from 257.5 m;
And 6.6 m of 0.67% CuEq from 300.9 m.
LIB24-004 intersected:
6.0 m of 0.45% CuEq from 431.0 m;
and 2.3 m of 0.36% CuEq from 500.0 m.
This first-pass drilling has confirmed that porphyry and related skarn mineralization is widespread at Liberty. The use of induced-polarization (IP) chargeability features proved to be a useful exploration tool for targeting at Liberty. Mineralization remains open to the southeast, north, and at depth. Copper grades increase toward the southeast, as shown near the end of hole LIB24-004 (Figure 1). This mineralization is south of the historic IP survey area and the mobile metal ion (MMI) soil anomaly, and represents a large, underexplored portion of the property requiring additional exploration to vector toward a potential higher-grade core of the system.
The location and number of drill pads used in the 2024 program were restricted by an existing permit covering a small portion of the property. Based on these results, a new permit application is being prepared to conduct work beyond the current permit area, where mineralization is open.
Message from the President
“We are very excited to have hit porphyry and skarn mineralization in our inaugural drill program at Liberty. We recognize the significance of these results and understand that we may be looking at a large Cu-Mo system, with indications of the grade improving to the southeast. There is strong potential for further significant mineralization in this underexplored region. A property wide surface exploration program is currently underway that will help unlock the potential at Liberty.” -Daithi Mac Gearailt
Table 1: Table of Drill Results with composite intervals >0.10% CuEq and > 0.05% Cu
* Reported widths are drill width. Not enough geological information exists at this point to define true width. However, vein bearing copper and molybdenum mineralization was commonly encountered at high angles to core axis.
** Copper Equivalent formula used is:
CuEq = Cu grade in % + (Mo grade in % * (Mo recovery/Cu recovery) * (Mo price/lb*2200 lb) / (Cu price /lb*2200 lb) using copper price of US$3.75/lb and molybdenum price of US$25/lb. 100% metallurgical recoveries are assumed for both metals.
Soil Sampling
Trailbreaker has begun a property-scale soil sampling and prospecting program to better define additional mineralized zones across the property. Sampling will extend toward the southeast, where mineralized zones identified from drilling remain open for expansion. Sampling will also cover both the Cu Skarn and Epithermal zones that have been identified by previous operators, as well as underexplored portions of the granodioritic intrusion, particularly where property-scale structures have been identified in the regional magnetic data.
Figure 1: Plan view map of composited Cu intervals annotated with highlight drill results. Note that the Cu grade increases toward the southeast from LIB24-001 to LIB24-004. LIB24-004 did not encounter the ultramafic contact, and mineralization remains open to the southeast of this hole.
Geological Description of Drilling
Drilling toward the east, through the chargeability high, encountered moderate to strong chlorite-altered (propylitic) granodiorite with porphyry-style chalcopyrite ± molybdenite-pyrite-pyrrhotite stringers and quartz veins containing chalcopyrite ± molybdenite-pyrite-pyrrhotite (Figure 2). Intermittent quartz-sericite ± clay (phyllic) alteration overprints the propylitic alteration zones. The phyllic alteration is associated with increased quartz-vein content, with individual veins reaching up to 0.75 m in core width and associated with fault zones. Late-stage molybdenite-bearing veinlets with sericitic selvages overprint other alteration and veining.
Figure 2: Porphyry-style quartz-sulphide and sulphide veining, associated with weak phyllic alteration overprinting propylitic alteration within the granodiorite intrusion. Photo is from LIB24-004 between 497.5 m and 501.3 m.
Fine grained ultramafic rocks of the Cache Creek Complex are encountered at the bottom of LIB24-001 and LIB24-003. In LIB24-003, the contact of the ultramafic rocks and the granodiorite intrusion displays localized skarn-style alteration and mineralization (Figure 3), with fine grained light green and pink mottled alteration and heavily disseminated to semi-massive chalcopyrite-molybdenite-pyrite mineralization. This alteration assemblage transitions into talc and asbestos alteration distal from the contact, and contains molybdenite ± chalcopyrite mineralization.
Figure 3: Ultramafic-hosted skarn-style alteration and heavily disseminated to semi-massive chalcopyrite-molybdenite-pyrite mineralization in LIB24-003 between 411 m and 412 m. NQ drill core is ~48 mm in diameter for scale.
Cu and Mo mineralization is associated with elevated gold, silver, and rhenium (Re). Higher grades of these metals, potentially in economic quantities, may occur in various parts of the overall mineralized system. The presence of these elements is in line with the gold and silver (Ag) anomalies in the MMI surveying.
Alteration and veining notably decrease in LIB24-002, although are still present. LIB24-002 was drilled toward the west, targeting the margin of the chargeability anomaly, where it is coincident with high resistivity and strong multi-element soil anomalies. This drilling shows that the decreasing chargeability coincides with decreasing chalcopyrite and molybdenite mineralization as well as decreasing pyrite content. In addition, the lower grade mineralization in drill core occurs below the strongest MMI soil anomalies, suggesting that the anomalous soil material has been transported from its bedrock source toward the northwest. This is an important observation regarding vectoring from soil anomalies on the property.
Historic IP surveying was conducted directly over the strongest MMI soil geochemical anomalies, and does not extend southeast, where copper grades in drill core are increasing. This area may be the source of the MMI soil anomaly. Future IP surveying should be conducted “up-ice” of significant soil geochemical anomalies, to better define the source of mineralization.
Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC)
Drill core samples were cut in half lengthwise using a core cutting saw at the logging facility near the Liberty property. The resulting half-core samples were shipped via bonded courier to the Bureau Veritas Minerals (BV) analytical lab in Vancouver, BC, which is a certified and accredited laboratory (ISO 17025). Samples were prepared using industry-standard preparation methods, which involved crushing the entire sample until a minimum of 70% passed through a 2 mm screen. A resulting 250 g split was pulverized enabling > 85% to pass through a 75-micron screen. All samples were analysed using analytical processes FA350 (50 g fire assay fusion, ICP-ES analysis) for gold (Au), and MA300 (4-acid digest, ICP-ES analysis) for a 35-element suite. Overlimit copper values (>10,000 ppm) and molybdenum values (>4,000 ppm) were re-analysed using MA370 (4-acid digest, ICP‑ES analysis).
Trailbreaker inserted certified reference material (CRM) standards and blanks at regular intervals into the sample stream. Additionally, BV undertakes internal CRM standard, blank, and coarse and pulp-duplicate procedures to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Review of all QA/QC data was undertaken by Trailbreaker to ensure that all results are accurate.
Batches containing sample intervals with potentially significant assay results that also included Certified Reference Material (CRM) values outside of industry-standard acceptable ranges of three standard deviations from certified values were re-analysed to verify accuracy of results.
Liberty Property Description
The 5,054-hectare Liberty Property is located approximately 60 km northwest of Quesnel, BC. The property is fully accessible by resource roads.
The primary target of the Liberty project is a northwest-trending Cu-Mo ± Au ± Ag MMI soil anomaly. This overlaps an IP chargeability feature on the margin of the granitic intrusion. A historic drill hole to the south of this coincident anomaly returned an interval of 123.1 m of 0.11% Cu and 0.04% MoS2. For more information on this target see our news release dated January 22, 2024 and the Liberty Project webpage.
In addition to the Cu-Mo porphyry target and the Cu-skarn target, which returned assay values of >8.0% Cu from historic trenching, the property also covers an epithermal gold target, where epithermal vein textures have been observed in a road cut. Nearby soil and test pit samples returned anomalous grades of gold and arsenic. These may represent a lower-temperature epithermal portion of the hydrothermal system.
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 Gearailt
President 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.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “understanding”, “has agreed to” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “would”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
June 10, 2024 – Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) (“Trailbreaker” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the completion of our first-pass diamond drill program focusing on the copper-molybdenum (Cu‑Mo) porphyry target at its 100% owned Liberty property in central British Columbia (BC).
The program comprised 2,442 m of diamond drilling in seven holes, ranging from 183 m to 505 m of depth (see Table 1 for collar info and Figure 1 for drill plan map). Permitting conditions constrained drilling to existing areas of disturbance over the target. Drill core is being logged, sampled, and prepared for analysis.
The drill program was focused on testing a copper-molybdenum ± gold ± silver (Cu-Mo ± Au ± Ag) geochemical soil anomaly1 coincident with an induced polarization (IP) chargeability and resistivity anomaly. A historic drillhole by Rio Tinto returned an interval of 123.1 m grading 0.11% Cu and 0.04% MoS21 from surface to end of hole. This hole is located approximately 300 m directly south of the geophysical and geochemical targets that were the focus of the 2024 drill program. The historic drill hole is interpreted by the company as collared at the margin of a mineralized porphyry body. Reprocessing and 3D inversion imaging of the historic IP data were completed earlier this year and were heavily utilized in the drill planning process.
Soil Sample Orientation Survey
A soil sample orientation survey was conducted over the historic Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil anomaly. Soil material was collected for field-based portable X-ray florescence (pXRF) and traditional ICP-MS analysis with aqua regia digestion. A second sample was collected at each site for MMI analysis. The purpose of this orientation survey is to determine the most efficient and effective sampling and analysis method for additional surficial exploration.
Message from the President
“This was a well-executed drill program that provided great coverage of our target area while maintaining a low-impact environmental footprint. The drill program exceeded the planned meterage and stayed under budget. I would like to thank our drill contractor, Dorado Drilling, for helping achieve our goals at the Liberty property.” -Daithi Mac Gearailt
Figure 1: Plan map of the 2024 drill program
Liberty Property Description
The 5,054-hectare Liberty Property is located approximately 60 km northwest of Quesnel, BC. The property is fully accessible by resource roads.
The primary target of the Liberty project is a northwest-trending Cu-Mo ± Au ± Ag MMI soil anomaly1. This overlaps an IP chargeability1 feature on the margin of the granitic intrusion. A historic drill hole to the south of this coincident anomaly returned an interval of 123.1 m of 0.11% Cu and 0.04% MoS21. For more information on this target see our news release dated January 22, 2024 and the Liberty Project webpage.
In addition to the Cu-Mo porphyry target and the Cu-skarn target, which returned assay values of >8.0% Cu from historic trenching2, the expanded property also covers an epithermal gold target, where epithermal vein textures have been observed in a road cut2. Nearby soil and test pit samples returned anomalous grades of gold and arsenic2. These may represent a lower-temperature epithermal portion of the hydrothermal system.
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 Gearailt
President 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.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “Forward-Looking Information”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “anticipates”, “expects”, “understanding”, “has agreed to” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “would”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.