EX-96.1 21 ex96-1.htm

 

Exhibit 96.1

 

 

S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary

iNITIAL aSSESSMENT

for THE
Whistler Project

 

 

South Central Alaska

Centred at 6,872,000 N and 520,000 E (NAD 83)

 

  Submitted to:
  U.S. GoldMining Inc.
  1830-1030 West Georgia St.
  Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2Y3, Canada
  Tel: 604.630.1000
   
  Effective Date: 22 September 2022
  Date of Issue: 23 September 2022
 

Revised Date of Issue: 16 December 2022

   
  Submitted by:
  Moose Mountain Technical Services
  #210 1510-2nd St. North
  Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 3L2, Canada
  Tel: 250.489.1212
   
  Author:
  Sue Bird, P. Eng.
  Email: sueb@moosemmc.com

 

 Page 1 of 174
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 12
     
  1.1 Introduction 12
  1.2 Mineral Resource Estimate 12
  1.3 Terms of Reference 13
  1.4 Property Description 14
  1.5 Mineral Tenure 14
    1.5.1 Royalties and Encumbrances 14
  1.6 Surface Rights 15
  1.7 Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography 15
    1.7.1 Accessibility and Climate 15
    1.7.2 Local Resources and Infrastructure 15
    1.7.3 Physiography 15
  1.8 Geologic Setting and Mineralization 15
  1.9 Exploration 16
  1.10 Drilling 16
  1.11 Conclusions and Recommendations 17
    1.11.1 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis Conclusions 17
    1.11.2 Metallurgical Testwork Conclusions 17
    1.11.3 Resource Estimate Conclusions 17
    1.11.4 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis Recommendations 17
    1.11.5 Metallurgical Recommendations 17
    1.11.6 Resource and Exploration Recommendations 17
         
2 INTRODUCTION 18
       
  2.1 Terms of Reference 18
  2.2 Qualified Persons 18
  2.3 Site visits and Scope of Personal Inspection 18
  2.4 Effective Date 18
  2.5 Sources of Information 18
       
3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 19
     
  3.1 Royalties and Encumbrances 20
       
4 ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY 22
     
  4.1 Accessibility 22
  4.2 Climate 23
  4.3 Local Resources 23
  4.4 Infrastructure 23
  4.5 Physiography 25
       
5 HISTORY   26
       
6 GEOLOGICAL SETTING, MINERALIZATION AND DEPOSIT 27
     
  6.1 Geological Setting 27
  6.2 Property Geology 27
    6.2.1 Whistler Corridor 33
    6.2.2 Island Mountain 34
    6.2.3 Muddy Creek 36

 

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  6.3 Mineralization 38
    6.3.1 Whistler Area and Whistler Deposit Mineralization Overview 39
    6.3.2 Mineralization: Whistler Deposit 45
    6.3.3 Mineralization: Raintree West 49
    6.3.4 Mineralization: Island Mountain 52
    6.3.5 Mineralization: Muddy Creek 55
  6.4 Deposit Types 56
       
7 EXPLORATION 57
       
  7.1 Geological Mapping 57
  7.2 Airborne Geophysics 57
  7.3 Ground Geophysics 58
  7.4 Soil and Rock Sampling 60
  7.5 Drilling 62
  7.6 Drilling by Cominco Alaska Inc. 65
  7.7 Drilling by Kennecott 66
  7.8 Drilling by Geoinformatics 66
  7.9 Drilling by Kiska 66
    7.9.1 Whistler Deposit 67
    7.9.2 Raintree Deposit 67
    7.9.3 Whistler Area Exploration Drilling 67
    7.9.4 Island Mountain Drilling 68
         
8 SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES, AND SECURITY 71
     
  8.1 Sample Preparation and Analyses 71
    8.1.1 Sample Preparation and Analysis -Cominco 71
    8.1.2 Sample Preparation and Analysis – Kennecott and Geoinformatics 71
    8.1.3 Sample Preparation and Analysis – Kiska 72
  8.2 Security and Chain of Custody 73
  8.3 QAQC Summary 74
    8.3.1 QAQC Whistler Deposit 75
    8.3.2 QAQC Raintree Deposit 84
    8.3.3 QAQC Island Mountain Deposit 93
  8.4 Sample Preparation, Analyses and Security Conclusions and Recommendations 101
       
9 DATA VERIFICATION 102
     
  9.1 Site Visit 102
  9.2 Re-Assay Results 104
  9.3 Data Audit 106
    9.3.1 Certificate Checks and Database Corrections 106
    9.3.2 Check assays 107
  9.4 Collar Survey 107
  9.5 Data Verification Conclusions and Recommendations 107
  9.6 Statement on Adequacy of Data 107
       
10 MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING 108
     
  10.1 Summary of Preliminary Metallurgical Testing, Whistler Deposit (Phase One) 108
    10.1.1 Sample Preparation 108
  10.2 Testing 109
    10.2.1 Results from Preliminary Testing 109
    10.2.2 Preliminary Conclusions 110

 

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  10.3 Summary of Preliminary Metallurgical Testing, Island Mountain Deposit (August 21, 2010) (Phase 2) 111
    10.3.1 Introduction 111
    10.3.2 Sample Selection 111
    10.3.3 Feed Grade 112
    10.3.4 Test Program 112
    10.3.5 Metallurgical Results 113
    10.3.6 Whole Ore Leach 113
    10.3.7 Leaching of Selective Flotation Tails 114
    10.3.8 Overall Recoveries 114
    10.3.9 Conclusions 114
  10.4 Summary of Whistler Deposit Testwork (2012) (Phase 3) 115
    10.4.1 Metallurgical Samples 115
    10.4.2 Results 117
  10.5 Cyanidation 121
  10.6 Concentrate Specifications 121
  10.7 Conclusions 122
  10.8 Overall Metallurgical Observations and Comments for 2021 Resource Estimate 122
       
11 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES 124
     
  11.1 Mineral Resource Estimate 124
  11.2 Key Assumptions and Data used in the Estimate 127
  11.3 Geologic Modelling 128
  11.4 Capping   130
  11.5 Compositing 134
  11.6 Variography 135
  11.7 Block Model Interpolations 142
  11.8 Classification 144
  11.9 Block Model Validation 144
    11.9.1 Comparison of Tonnage and Grades 144
  11.10 Visual Validation 148
  11.11 Reasonable Prospects of Eventual Economic Extraction 154
  11.12 Statement on Prospect of Economic Extraction 155
  11.13 Factors That May Affect the Mineral Resource Estimate 156
  11.14 Risk Assessment 157
       
12 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES 157
     
13 MINING METHODS 157
     
14 PROCESS AND RECOVERY METHODS 157
     
15 INFRASTRUCTURE 157
     
16 MARKET STUDIES 157
     
17 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS, OR AREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS 158
     
18 CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS 159
     
19 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 159
     
20 ADJACENT PROPERTIES 159
     
21 OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION 159

 

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22 INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS 160
     
  22.1 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis 160
  22.2 Data Verification 160
  22.3 Metallurgical Testwork 160
  22.4 Resource Estimate 160
  22.5 Risks and Opportunities 160
    22.5.1 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis and Data Risks and Opportunities 160
    22.5.2 Metallurgical Testwork Risks and Opportunities 160
    22.5.3 Resource Estimate Risks and Opportunities 160
         
23 RECOMMENDATIONS 161
     
  23.1 Sample Preparation, Analyses and Security 161
  23.2 Data Verification 161
  23.3 Metallurgy 161
  23.4 Exploration and Resource 161
    23.4.1 Whistler 161
    23.4.2 Raintree 162
    23.4.3 Island Mountain 162
    23.4.4 Exploration Program and Budget 162
         
24 REFERENCES 164
       
25 RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT 166
     
  25.1 Mineral Tenure and Surface Rights 166
  25.2 Royalties and Incumbrances 166
       
26 DATE AND SIGNATURE PAGE 167
     
APPENDIX A: CLAIMS LIST 169

 

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LIST OF TABLES

 

Table 1-1 Mineral Resource Estimate For The Total Whistler Project (Effective Date: September 22, 2022) 13
Table 7-1 Summary of Exploration on the Whistler Project 61
Table 7-2 Summary of Diamond Drilling on the Whistler Project 62
Table 7-3 Examples of Significant Drill Results North of the Island Mountain Deposit 70
Table 8-1 QAQC Sample Summary (All Areas and Years) 75
Table 8-2 Summary of Gold Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit 76
Table 8-3 Summary of Copper Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit 77
Table 8-4 Whistler Deposit CRM Summary, Gold 78
Table 8-5 Whistler Deposit CRM Summary, Copper 79
Table 8-6 Whistler Field Duplicates Simple Statistics 80
Table 8-7 Whistler Coarse Duplicate Simple Statistics 82
Table 8-8 Summary of Gold Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit 85
Table 8-9 Summary of Copper Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit 86
Table 8-10 Raintree Deposit CRM Summary, Gold 87
Table 8-11 Raintree Deposit CRM Summary, Copper 88
Table 8-12 Raintree Field Duplicates - Simple Statistics 89
Table 8-13 Raintree Coarse Duplicates - Simple Statistics 91
Table 8-14 Summary of Gold Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit 93
Table 8-15 Summary of Copper Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit 94
Table 8-16 Island Mountain Deposit CRM Summary, Gold 95
Table 8-17 Island Mountain Deposit CRM Summary, Copper 96
Table 8-18 Island Mountain Field Duplicate Simple Statistics 97
Table 8-19 Island Mountain Coarse Duplicates Simple Statistics 99
Table 9-1 Certificate Check Results 106
Table 9-2 Summary of Data Supported by Certificate and QAQC 107
Table 10-1 Three Stage Cleaning Tests 110
Table 10-2 Summary of Analysis of Composites from IM09-001 and IM09-002 112
Table 10-3 Bulk Flotation Results 113
Table 10-4 Selective Cleaner Flotation 113
Table 10-5 Whole Ore Cyanidation 114
Table 10-6 Cyanidation of Selective Flotation Tailings 114
Table 10-7 Sample Head Grades 115
Table 10-8 Minor Element Data 122
Table 11-1 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Total Whistler Project (Effective date: September 22, 2022) 125
Table 11-2 Mineral Resource Estimate and Sensitivity – Whistler Deposit 126
Table 11-3 Mineral Resource Estimate and Sensitivity – Raintree Deposit 126
Table 11-4 Mineral Resource Estimate and Sensitivity – Island Mountain Deposit 127
Table 11-5 Summary of Whistler Project Drillhole Data within Block Models 127
Table 11-6 Summary of Capping and Outlier Restriction Values 133
Table 11-7 Capped Assay and Composite Statistics by Domain - Au 133
Table 11-8 Capped Assay and Composite Statistics by Domain - Cu 134

 

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Table 11-9 Capped Assay and Composite Statistics by Domain – Ag 134
Table 11-10 Variogram Parameters - Whistler 136
Table 11-11 Variogram Parameters - Raintree 136
Table 11-12 Variogram Parameters – Island Mountain 137
Table 11-13 Block Model Limits 142
Table 11-14 Search Rotation and Distances – Whistler 142
Table 11-15 Search Rotation and Distances – Raintree 143
Table 11-16 Search Rotation and Distances – Island Mountain 143
Table 11-17 Additional Search Criteria 144
Table 11-18 Classification Criteria 144
Table 11-19 Comparison of De-clustered Composite and OK Modelled Grades for Cu 145
Table 11-20 Comparison of De-clustered Composite and OK Modelled Grades for Au 145
Table 11-21 Economic Inputs and Metallurgical Recoveries 155
Table 11-22 List of Risks and Mitigations/Justifications 156
Table 23-1 Proposed Exploration Budget 163

 

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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

LIST OF FIGURES

 

Figure 3-1 Location of the Whistler Project (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a) 19
Figure 3-2 Tenement Map (Source: MMTS, 2015) 21
Figure 4-1 Layout of Built and Proposed (and permitted) Roads in the Whistler Area (Source: MMTS, 2015) 22
Figure 4-2 Layout of the U.S. GoldMining Camp and Facilities located adjacent to Whisky Bravo Airstrip (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a) 24
Figure 4-3 Layout of the Runway relative to Camp (2016, modified from Roberts, 2011a) 25
Figure 6-1 Regional Geological Map of South-central Alaska (Source: Trop and Ridgeway, 2007) 28
Figure 6-2 Regional Geology of the Whistler Project (Source: Wilson et al., 2009) 30
Figure 6-3 Stratigraphic column of the Whistler district and property (Source: Young, 2005 and Hames, 2014) 31
Figure 6-4 Geological Map of the Whistler Corridor, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a) 32
Figure 6-5 Whistler Project Geology (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a) 33
Figure 6-6 Property Geology of the Island Mountain Area (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011b) 35
Figure 6-7 Geological Map of Muddy Creek (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011c) 37
Figure 6-8 Prospect Areas (Source: MMTS 2016) 38
Figure 6-9 Photo of irregular M-veins in dark magnetite alteration of mafics (upper) and pervasive pink-black blotchy k-feldspar and magnetite alteration (lower) with wormy quartz + magnetite + chalcopyrite A-veins (Whistler Deposit) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 40
Figure 6-10 Photo of a classic B-style quartz vein with a chalcopyrite-filled centreline cutting an irregular, wormy A-style quartz vein (Whistler Deposit, WH 08-08, ~123.0 m) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 41
Figure 6-11 Photo or chlorite-sericite (+calcite) alteration overprinting potassic – magnetite alteration in a zone of quartz vein stockwork, subsequently cut by later Dpy veinlets with sericitic and iron-carbonate halos (Whistler Deposit) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 42
Figure 6-12 D-style pyrite veins with well-developed phyllic halos (Whistler Deposit), that cut and off-set B-style quartz veins (lower sample). Also note the local occurrence of hematite at the intersection of both vein types (magnetite>hematite?) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 43
Figure 6-13 Photo of quartz-carbonate vein from Raintree West (WH11-030) showing well-developed colliform banding and coarse-grained sphalerite and galena (Source: MMTS, 2015) 44
Figure 6-14 Common vein paragenesis in all porphyry occurrences in Whistler Area: dark grey quartz vein stockwork with chalcopyrite (A- and B-style), cut by quartz-calcite-carbonate-sphalerite-galena veinlet (Dbm veins, top left down to bottom right), cut by narrow Fe-carbonate veinlets with Fe-carbonate alteration halos (Raintree West example) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 44
Figure 6-15 Geological Map of the Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from AMC, 2012) 45
Figure 6-16 Geological Cross-section (6,871,350mN) of the Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from AMC, 2012) 46
Figure 6-17 Oblique view of geological domains and faults at the Whistler Deposit (the host Feldspathic Sandstone is not shown) (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from AMC, 2012) 48

 

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Figure 6-18 Plan Map of the Raintree West on a Background of greyscale airborne magnetic data, (magnetic high anomalies shown as lighter shades of grey) (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a) 51
Figure 6-19 Photo of monzonite-matrix intrusive breccia with patchy albite alteration, silicification and disseminated chalcopyrite (Source: MMTS, 2015) 52
Figure 6-20 Photos of various textures of actinolite-magnetite hydrothermal breccia (BXMA), showing strong albitization in monomict breccia (upper), pyrrhotite matrix in polymict breccia (lower) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 53
Figure 6-21 Schematic Model of Breccia Zone Alteration and Mineralization. (Source: Roberts, 2011b) 54
Figure 6-22 Detail view of Biotite Monzonite Northwest of Muddy Creek, cut by sub-vertical limonite-stained fracture fillings of chalcopyrite-arsenopyrite (~1-3 per metre) (Source: MMTS, 2015) 55
Figure 7-1 Depth slices (100m) of the chargeability (top) and resistivity (bottom) inversion model of the 3D IP data in the Whistler Area (with contours of the 400m line spacing AMAG RTP). WD, Whistler Deposit; RTW, Raintree West; RTN, Raintree North; RTS, Raintree South, DGW, Dagwood; RMK, Rainmaker. (Source: Roberts, 2011a) 59
Figure 7-2 From the Whistler Area looking North to the Snow Ridge Area (Source: MMTS, 2015) 61
Figure 7-3 From the Whistler Area looking South to the Rainmaker Area (Source: MMTS, 2015) 61
Figure 7-4 Plan View of Drillholes by Year/Owner – Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 63
Figure 7-5 Plan View of Drillholes by Year/Owner – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 64
Figure 7-6 Plan View of Drillholes by Year/Owner – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 65
Figure 7-7 Whistler Area Drilling (Source: MMTS, 2015) 68
Figure 7-8 Plan Map of Drillholes and Mineralization Style at the Breccia Zone (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011b) 69
Figure 8-1 Sample Bags with Security Tags (Source: Roberts, 2011a) 73
Figure 8-2 Sample Dispatch Form (Source: Roberts, 2011a) 74
Figure 8-3 Sequential Plot of Gold Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 76
Figure 8-4 Sequential Plot of Copper Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 77
Figure 8-5 Whistler Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 79
Figure 8-6 Whistler Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 80
Figure 8-7 Whistler Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 81
Figure 8-8 Whistler Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 82
Figure 8-9 Whistler Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold, no outliers (Source: MMTS, 2021) 83
Figure 8-10 Whistler Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 84
Figure 8-11 Sequential Plot of Gold Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 85
Figure 8-12 Sequential Plot of Copper Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 86
Figure 8-13 Raintree Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 87
Figure 8-14 Raintree Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 88
Figure 8-15 Process Control Chart Raintree OREAS-50c, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 89
Figure 8-16 Raintree Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 90
Figure 8-17 Raintree Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 91
Figure 8-18 Raintree Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 92
Figure 8-19 Raintree Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 93
Figure 8-20 Sequential Plot of Gold Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 94

 

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Figure 8-21 Sequential Plot of Copper Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 95
Figure 8-22 Island Mountain Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 96
Figure 8-23 Island Mountain Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 97
Figure 8-24 Process Control Chart Island Mountain CRM OREAS-50c, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 97
Figure 8-25 Island Mountain Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 98
Figure 8-26 Island Mountain Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 99
Figure 8-27 Island Mountain Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021) 100
Figure 8-28 Island Mountain Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021) 101
Figure 9-1 Aerial view of Whistler Camp (Source: MMTS, 2021) 102
Figure 9-2 Drillcore Boxes in Storage Area (Source: MMTS, 2021, 2022) 103
Figure 9-3 Core Logging Shed 104
Figure 9-4 Check Assay Results from 2022 Site Visit – Au (MMTS, 2022) 105
Figure 9-5 Check Assay Results from 2022 Site Visit – Cu (MMTS, 2022) 105
Figure 10-1 Flotation and Cyanidation Flowsheet and Test Conditions (MMTS, 2015). 116
Figure 10-2 Flotation Test Results (MMTS, 2015) 119
Figure 10-3 Copper Grade Recovery (MMTS, 2015) 120
Figure 10-4 Gold Grade Recovery (MMTS, 2015) 120
Figure 11-1 Domains – Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 128
Figure 11-2 Domains Modeled for Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 129
Figure 11-3 Domains Modelled for Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 129
Figure 11-4 CPP of Au Assay Data by Domain - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 130
Figure 11-5 CPP of Cu Assay Data by Domain – Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 130
Figure 11-6 CPP of Au Assay Data by Domain – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 131
Figure 11-7 CPP of Cu Assay Data by Domain – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 131
Figure 11-8 CPP of Au Assay Data by Domain – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 132
Figure 11-9 CPP of Cu Assay Data by Domain – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 132
Figure 11-10 Assay Lengths 135
Figure 11-11 Variogram Model for Cu in Domain 1 – Major and Minor Axes – Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 138
Figure 11-12 Variogram Model for Au in Domain 1 – Major and Minor Axes – Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 139
Figure 11-13 Variogram Model for Cu in Domain 5 – Major and Minor Axes – Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 140
Figure 11-14 Variogram Model for Au in Domains 1-6 – Major and Minor Axes – Island Mountain Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021) 141
Figure 11-15 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Au – Comparison of Interpolation Methods – Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 145
Figure 11-16 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Cu – Comparison of Interpolation Methods - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 146
Figure 11-17 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Au – Comparison of Interpolation Methods – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 146
Figure 11-18 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Cu – Comparison of Interpolation Methods - Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 147

 

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Figure 11-19 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Au – Comparison of Interpolation Methods – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 147
Figure 11-20 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Cu – Comparison of Interpolation Methods - Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 148
Figure 11-21 E-W Section Comparing Au Grades for Block Model and Assay Data - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 149
Figure 11-22 E-W Section Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021) 150
Figure 11-23 Section Looking SW - Comparing Au Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 151
Figure 11-24 Section Looking SW - Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021) 152
Figure 11-25 E-W Section Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 153
Figure 11-26 E-W Section Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021) 154

 

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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.1 Introduction

 

Moose Mountain Technical Services (MMTS) has prepared an inaugural Technical Report Summary (TRS, or Report) on the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), for U.S. GoldMining Inc. (‘U.S. GoldMining’), of the Whistler Project located in Alaska, U.S.A. U.S. GoldMining is an indirect subsidiary of GoldMining Inc. and holds the rights to the Whistler gold-copper property located 150 km northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. U.S. GoldMining is expected to be focused on the development and advancement of the Whistler Project. U.S. GoldMining does not have any operating revenues and does not expect to have any operating revenues in the near future.

 

The Whistler Project resource estimate is an update of the 2016 resource estimate which includes the Whistler, Raintree, and Island Mountain deposits, which estimate was then prepared under Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). The estimate contained herein was initially reported by GoldMining Inc. (GoldMining), the ultimate parent company of U.S. GoldMining, in July 2021 under NI 43-101.

 

This TRS provides an overview of the Whistler Project and includes recommendations for future work required to reach a decision point. It discloses an MRE including information about the geology, mineralization, metallurgy, exploration potential, Mineral Resources, and recommendations for the Whistler Project.

 

1.2 Mineral Resource Estimate

 

The Whistler Project total MRE includes the Whistler, Raintree and Island Mountain deposits and is summarized in Table 1-1 for the base case cut-off grade. The resource is prepared under direction of Independent Qualified Persons (QPs) and in accordance with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation S-K subpart 1300 (S-K 1300) for reporting mineral properties (CFR Title 17 § 229.1300-1305).

 

The resource utilizes pit shells to constrain resources at the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Raintree West gold-copper deposits, as well as an underground potentially mineable shape to constrain the mineral resource estimate for the deeper portion of the Raintree West deposit. The current estimate uses metal prices of US$1,600/oz gold price, US$3.25/lb copper and US$21/oz silver, updated recoveries, smelter terms and costs, as summarized in the notes to Table 1-1. Metal prices have been chosen based partially on market research by the Bank of Montreal (BMO, 2021a) for Au prices as quoted in numerous NI43-101 reports and for Cu and Ag (BMO, 2021b) based on mean prices from 2021 and forecast up to 2026 and for long term prices. The metal prices chosen also considered the spot prices and the three-year trailing average prices. For all three metals, the final prices used for this resource estimate are below both the spot metal price and the three-year trailing average, which is considered an industry standard in choosing prices.

 

Cut-off grades for open pit mining are based on Processing costs of US$10.50/tonne processed, this is the marginal cut-off for which mining costs are not included. Cut-off grades for underground mining are based on Processing costs plus an additional US$14.50/tonne for underground bulk mining, to define the marginal cut-off NSR grade. Geologic modelling has also been updated, with drilling and exploration work completed prior to 2016. No additional work has been completed on the project since 2016.

 

For the mineral resource cut-off grade determination, a 3.0% NSR was assumed. This is derived from the sum of a 2.75% royalty to MF2 plus a 1% royalty to Gold Royalty Corp., with an assumption that U.S. GoldMining can negotiate a buy back of a 0.75% NSR, for a net 3.0% NSR, as is customary to occur for similar project developments. In preparing the resource estimate herein, a sensitivity analysis has also been conducted by the author. Based on such analysis, utilizing a higher 3.75% NSR royalty rate in determining a cut-off grade would not materially impact the estimates contained herein and would be de minimis (approx. 0.7% differential of total metal in the Whistler pit on a gold equivalent basis).

 

These mineral resource estimates include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

The QP is of the opinion that issues relating to all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work. These factors may include environmental permitting, infrastructure, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant factors.

 

As a point of reference, the in-situ gold, copper and silver mineralization are inventoried and reported by intended processing method.

 

 Page 12 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

Table 1-1 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Total Whistler Project (Effective date: September 22, 2022)

 

      Cut-off Value   ROM tonnage   In situ Grades   In situ Metal 
Class  Deposit  (US$/t)   (ktonnes)   NSR (US$/t)   AuEqv (gpt)   Au (gpt)   Cu (%)   Ag (gpt)   AuEqv (koz)   Au (koz)   Cu (klbs)   Ag (koz) 
   Whistler   10.5    107,771    26.44    0.79    0.50    0.17    1.95    2,738    1,749    399,396    6,757 
   Raintree-Pit   10.5    7,756    20.61    0.67    0.49    0.09    4.88    166    121    14,893    1,216 
Indicated  Indicated Open Pit   10.5    115,527    26.05    0.78    0.50    0.16    2.15    2,904    1,871    414,289    7,973 
   Raintree-UG   US$25 shell    2,675    34.02    1.03    0.79    0.13    4.18    89    68    7,690    359 
   Total Indicated   varies    118,202    26.23    0.79    0.51    0.16    2.19    2,993    1,939    421,979    8,332 
   Whistler   10.5    153,536    19.17    0.57    0.35    0.13    1.48    2,829    1,706    455,267    7,306 
   Island Mountain   10.5    111,901    18.99    0.57    0.47    0.05    1.06    2,042    1,701    130,751    3,814 
   Raintree-Pit   10.5    11,774    24.28    0.77    0.62    0.07    4.58    291    235    17,988    1,732 
Inferred  Inferred Open Pit   10.5    277,211    19.32    0.58    0.41    0.10    1.44    5,162    3,642    604,006    12,851 
   Raintree-UG   US$25 shell    39,772    32.65    1.00    0.80    0.12    2.51    1,284    1,027    107,411    3,208 
   Total Inferred   varies    316,983    20.99    0.63    0.46    0.10    1.58    6,446    4,669    711,417    16,060 

 

Notes to Table 1-1:

 

1.Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves.
2.The Mineral Resource for the Whistler, Island Mountain, and the upper portions of the Raintree West deposits have been confined by an open pit with “reasonable prospects of economic extraction” using the 150% pit case and the following assumptions:
Metal prices of US$1,600/oz Au, US$3.25/lb Cu and US$21/oz Ag;
Payable metal of 99% payable Au, 90% payable Ag and 1% deduction for Cu;
Offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance) of US$136/wmt proportionally distributed between Au, Ag and Cu;
Royalty of 3% NSR has been assumed;
Pit slopes are 50 degrees;
Mining cost of US$1.80/t for waste and US$2.00/t for mineralized material; and
Processing, general, and administrative costs of US$10.50/t.
3.The lower portion of the Raintree West deposit has been constrained by a mineable shape with “reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction” using a US$25.00/t cut-off.
4.Metallurgical recoveries are: 70% for Au, 83% for Cu, and 65% Ag for Ag grades below 10g/t. The Ag recovery is 0% for values above 10g/t for all deposits.
5.The NSR equations are: below 10g/t Ag: NSR (US$/t)=(100%-3%)*((Au*70%*US$49.273g/t) + (Cu*83%*US$2.966*2204.62 + Ag*65%*US$0.574)), and above 10g/t Ag: NSR (US$/t)=(100%-3%)*((Au*70%*US$49.256g/t) + (Cu*83%*US$2.965*2204.62)) ;
6.The Au Equivalent equations are: below 10g/t Ag: AuEq=Au + Cu*1.5733 +0.0108Ag, and above 10g/t Ag: AuEq=Au + Cu*1.5733
7.The specific gravity for each deposit and domain ranges from 2.76 to 2.91 for Island Mountain, 2.60 to 2.72 for Whistler with an average value of 2.80 for Raintree West.
8.Numbers may not add due to rounding.

 

1.3 Terms of Reference

 

The TRS is being completed in connection with the strategy to have U.S. GoldMining operated as a separate public company through an initial public offering or similar transaction and related disclosures of U.S. GoldMining. U.S. GoldMining is a Nevada corporation and indirect subsidiary of GoldMining.

 

 Page 13 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

1.4 Property Description

 

The Whistler Project is a gold-copper exploration project located in the Yentna Mining District of Alaska, approximately 150 km northwest of Anchorage.

 

The Whistler Project comprises 304 State of Alaska mining claims covering an aggregate area of approximately 172 km2. The center of the property is located at 152.566° longitude west and 61.983° latitude north. The project is located in the drainage of the Skwentna River. Elevation varies from about 400m above sea level in the valley floors to over 5,000 m in the highest peaks resulting in quite a spectacular landscape. The Whiskey Bravo gravel airstrip established adjacent to the Skwentna River is compliant for wheel-based aircraft up to DC-3s. A fifty-person camp is equipped with diesel generators, a satellite communication link, tent structures on wooden floors and several wood-frame buildings. Although chiefly used for summer field programs, the camp is winterized.

 

1.5 Mineral Tenure

 

Rights to the Whistler Project were acquired by GoldMining, through its subsidiary U.S. GoldMining, formerly named BRI Alaska Corp., in August 2015 pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase”) with Kiska Metals Corporation (“Kiska”) in exchange for the issuance of 3,500,000 common shares in the capital of GoldMining as disclosed by news releases of GoldMining on July 21 and August 6, 2015. The project is subject to three underlying agreements, which were assigned to U.S. GoldMining under the transaction.

 

1.5.1 Royalties and Encumbrances

 

The first underlying agreement is a Royalty Purchase Agreement between Kiska Metals Corporation, Geoinformatics Alaska Exploration Inc. and MF2, LLC, dated December 16, 2014. This agreement grants MF2 a 2.75 percent NSR royalty over all 304 claims and extending outside the current claims over an Area of Interest defined by the maximum historical extent of claims held on the project as indicated on Figure 3-1. There is a right, currently held by Gold Royalty Corp, to buy back 0.75 percent of the 2.75 percent NSR royalty for a payment of US$5,000,000 to MF2.

 

The second underlying agreement is an earlier agreement between Cominco American Incorporated and Mr. Kent Turner, (whose rights and obligations thereunder were assumed by U.S. GoldMining) dated October 1, 1999. This agreement concerns a 2.0 percent net profit interest to Teck Resources, recently purchased by Sandstorm Gold, in connection with an Area of Interest specified by standard township sub-division as indicated in Figure 3-2.

 

The third underlying agreement is a Purchase and Sale agreement between Kent Turner, Kiska Metals Corporation and Geoinformatics Alaska Exploration Inc. (whose rights and obligations thereunder were assumed by U.S. GoldMining) dated December 16, 2014 that terminates the “Turner Agreement” (an agreement that grants Kennecott and its successors a 30-year lease on twenty-five unpatented State of Alaska Claims; see Figure 3-2) and transfers to Kiska and Geoinformatics, and their successors, an undivided 100 percent of the legal and beneficial interest in, under, to, and respecting the Turner Property free and clear of all Encumbrances arising by, through or under Turner other than the Cominco American net profit interest.

 

 Page 14 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

In addition to the above royalties, pursuant to a royalty agreement dated January 11, 2021, between U.S. Gold Mining and Gold Royalty U.S. Corp, Gold Royalty U.S. Corp holds a 1 percent NSR royalty covering the Whistler Project.

 

1.6 Surface Rights

 

Under AS 38.05.255, the surface uses of land or water included within a state mining location that the owners, lessees, or operators of the location may undertake by virtue of such location are (a) are limited to those necessary for the prospecting for, extraction of, or basic processing of minerals and (b) shall be subject to reasonable concurrent uses (Stoel Rives, 2021).

 

1.7 Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography

 

1.7.1 Accessibility and Climate

 

The Whistler Project is in the Alaska Range approximately 150 km northwest of Anchorage and 76km west of the township of Skwentna as illustrated in Figure 3-1. Access to the project area is by fixed wing aircraft to a gravel airstrip located adjacent to the Whistler exploration camp. The project area is between regions of maritime and continental climate and is characterized by severe winters and hot, dry summers. Annual precipitation ranges from 500 to 900 mm. Winter snow accumulation usually begins in October and by mid to late May the snow has melted sufficiently to allow for fieldwork.

 

1.7.2 Local Resources and Infrastructure

 

The nearest public infrastructure for the Whistler Project is the town of Petersville, located approximately 100 km east of Whistler; Petersville is connected to Anchorage by an all-weather road and highway. The Whistler Project is supported by a fifty person, all season camp located on the banks of the Skwentna River approximately 2.7 km from the Whistler Deposit and 22km from the Island Mountain prospect. The camp is connected to the Whistler Deposit by a 6km access road.

 

1.7.3 Physiography

 

The project is in the drainage of the Skwentna River that forms a large network of interconnected low-elevation U-shaped valleys cutting through the rugged terrain of the southern Alaska Range. Elevation varies from about 400 m above sea level in the valley floors to over 5,000 m in the highest peaks resulting in a quite spectacular landscape.

 

1.8 Geologic Setting and Mineralization

 

Alaskan geology consists of a collage of various terrains that were accreted to the western margin of North America because of complex plate interactions through most of the Phanerozoic. The southernmost Pacific margin is underlain by the Chugach–Prince William composite terrain, a Mesozoic-Cenozoic accretionary prism developed seaward from the Wrangellia composite terrain. It comprises arc batholiths and associated volcanic rocks of Jurassic, Cretaceous, and early Tertiary age.

 

The Alaska Range represents a long-lived continental arc characterized by multiple magmatic events ranging in age from about 70 million years (“Ma”) to 30 Ma and associated with a wide range of base and precious metals hydrothermal sulphide bearing mineralization. The geology of Whistler Project is characterized by a thick succession of Cretaceous to early Tertiary (ca. 97 to 65 Ma) volcano-sedimentary rocks intruded by a diverse suite of plutonic rocks of Jurassic to mid-Tertiary age.

 

 Page 15 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

Two main intrusive suites are important in the Whistler Project area:

 

1)The Whistler Igneous Suite comprises alkali-calcic basalt-andesite, diorite, and monzonite intrusive rocks approximately 76 Ma with restricted extrusive equivalent. These intrusions are commonly associated with gold-copper porphyry-style mineralization (Whistler Deposit).
2)The Composite Suite intrusions vary in composition from peridotite to granite and their ages span from 67 to about 64 Ma. Gold-copper veinlets and pegmatitic occurrences are characteristics of the Composite plutons (e.g., the Mt. Estelle prospect, the Muddy Creek prospect).

 

The Whistler Project was acquired for its potential to host magmatic hydrothermal gold and copper mineralization. Magmatic hydrothermal deposits represent a wide clan of mineral deposits formed by the circulation of hydrothermal fluids into fractured rocks and associated with the intrusion of magma into the crust. Exploration work completed by Kennecott, Geoinformatics, and Kiska has discovered several gold-copper sulphide occurrences exhibiting characteristics indicative of magmatic hydrothermal processes and suggesting that the project area is generally highly prospective for porphyry gold-copper deposits.

 

1.9 Exploration

 

Kennecott completed airborne helicopter geophysical surveys during 2003 and 2004. Results from these airborne surveys were used to interpret geological contacts, fault structures and potential mineralization in the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek areas. In particular, the airborne magnetic data showed that the Whistler Deposit displays a strong 900 m by 700 m positive magnetic anomaly attributed to the magnetic Whistler Diorite intrusive complex (host to the Whistler Deposit) in addition to a contribution from secondary magnetite alteration and veining associated with Au-Cu mineralization.

 

Cominco acquired 8.4 line-km of 2D Induced Polarization geophysics with results used to target the deposit area with subsequent drilling. From 2004 to 2006, Kennecott completed 39.4 line-km of 2D IP geophysics in the Whistler area. Subsequent lines targeted magnetic anomalies at the Round Mountain, Canyon Creek, Canyon Ridge, Canyon Mouth, Long Lake Hills, Raintree, and Rainmaker prospects. In 2007-2008, Geoinformatics completed 8.8 line-km of 2D IP from six separate reconnaissance lines in the Whistler area targeting airborne magnetic highs. Anomalous results from this survey in the Raintree area led to the Raintree West discovery. In 2009, Kiska completed 224 line-km of a 3D Induced Polarization geophysical survey. This was executed on two grids (Round Mountain; Whistler Area). This survey reaffirmed that the Whistler Deposit is coincident with a discrete 3D chargeability anomaly.

 

1.10 Drilling

 

No drilling has been done on the Whistler Project by U.S. GoldMining or GoldMining since the date of their acquisition of the Whistler Project in 2015.

 

A total of 70,247 m of diamond drilling in 257 holes are documented in the Whistler database for drilling on the Whistler Project by Cominco, Kennecott, Geoinformatics, and Kiska from 1986 to the end of 2011. Of these drillholes 21,132 m in 52 holes have been drilled in the Whistler Deposit area, 20,479 m in 94 holes have been drilled in the Raintree area, and 14,410 m in 36 holes comprise the Island Mountain resource area. There are 14,226 m in 75 holes in areas outside the three resource areas.

 

 Page 16 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

1.11 Conclusions and Recommendations

 

The QPs make the following conclusions regarding sampling, analysis, metallurgical testwork and the resource estimate.

 

1.11.1 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis Conclusions

 

In the opinion of the QP, sampling preparation, analysis, and security by previous operators are consistent with industry standard practices. Review and analysis of the assay database and QAQC data shows the assay database is of sufficient quality for resource estimation.

 

1.11.2 Metallurgical Testwork Conclusions

 

The recoveries used for Resource estimate are reasonable for this level of study based on the metallurgical testing to date.

 

1.11.3 Resource Estimate Conclusions

 

In the opinion of the QP the block model resource estimate and resource classification reported herein are a reasonable representation of the global gold, copper, and silver mineral resources found in the Whistler, Raintree West, and Island Mountain deposits. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve.

 

The QPs make the following recommendations regarding sampling, analysis, metallurgical testwork and the resource estimate.

 

1.11.4 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis Recommendations

 

QAQC for silver was not available, data for blanks and duplicates should be collected from the database. Future drilling should include CRMs for silver.
Future programs should ensure that QAQC sample failures are identified and affected samples are re-assayed.
Survey of 10% of collar locations be accomplished and all resurveyed as necessary.
U.S. GoldMining continues to amend the assay database with certificate numbers and locate missing certificates as necessary.

 

1.11.5 Metallurgical Recommendations

 

Mineralogical studies to better understand the gold associations
Comminution testing specifically to address SAG mill power requirements and design
Variability testing
Confirmatory locked cycle flotation testing at the coarser primary grind size
Testwork to include feed material containing Pb, Zn sulphide, and higher Ag grade material

 

1.11.6 Resource and Exploration Recommendations

 

Further step-out and infill drilling at Raintree West and Island Mountain to upgrade the resource classification and to potentially add new resources.
Construction of a geological model and mineral domains at Raintree West.
Preliminary metallurgical testwork for Raintree West.
Additional geological modelling and mineral domain definition at the Whistler Deposit to further determine potential lithological and structural controls on mineralization, with potential updates to the resource estimate.
The collection of additional specific gravity measurements from existing drillholes at all deposits to augment the database.
Additional in-fill drilling at the Whistler Deposit to upgrade the classification of Inferred to Indicated with 50 m drillhole spacing.
Top-of-bedrock grid drilling in the Whistler area to define new targets.
A new and full review of all exploration data, with an outlook to review, and rank all targets for further exploration drilling.

 

 Page 17 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

2 INTRODUCTION

 

U.S. GoldMining is an indirect subsidiary of GoldMining Inc. and holds the rights to the Whistler gold-copper property located 150 km northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. U.S. GoldMining will be focused on the development and advancement of the Whistler Project.

 

Moose Mountain Technical Services (MMTS) was retained by U.S. GoldMining to produce an updated resource estimate on the Whistler Project for the Whistler, Raintree West, and Island Mountain deposits. MMTS was initially retained by GoldMining to conduct NI 43-101 technical reports on the project in 2016 and 2021. The effective date for this TRS resource estimate is September 22, 2022. This report is an update to the previously filed NI 43-101 report completed in 2016 for GoldMining (Giroux, 2016). This update was previously reported by GoldMining in a NI 43-101 technical report issued by MMTS in 2021.

 

This Report is the inaugural TRS developed for the Whistler Project in accordance with United States SEC S-K 1300 regulations. The TRS summarizes a 2021 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) Technical Report that was completed under NI 43-101 guidelines for GoldMining. All technical analyses, design information, capital, and operating cost information, permitting and legal assumptions, conclusions and recommendations are consistent between this S-K 1300 TRS and the GoldMining 2021 NI 43-101 report.

 

2.1 Terms of Reference

 

The purpose of this report is to support a proposed initial public offering of U.S. GoldMining Inc. and related disclosures on the Whistler Project.

 

All measurement units used in this Report are metric, and currency is expressed in US dollars unless stated otherwise.

 

2.2 Qualified Persons

 

The following serve as the qualified person (QP) for this Technical Summary Report:

 

Sue Bird, P.Eng., Moose Mountain Technical Services is responsible for all Sections of the report.

 

2.3 Site visits and Scope of Personal Inspection

 

Sue Bird, P.Eng., of MMTS, visited the Whistler Project site on September 14, 2022. During the site visit collar locations at Whistler and Raintree were validated. The core storage at both Whiskey Bravo camp and Rainy Pass core storage site visited. The core from each deposit was examined for mineralization with 4 samples for re-assay obtained. The buildings at the previous camp at Rainy Pass were also investigated with most of the buildings found to be in good shape to be re-vamped for future drill programs.

 

2.4 Effective Date

 

The overall Report effective date is September 22, 2022.

 

2.5 Sources of Information

 

Sources of information are listed in the references, Section 24 of this report, with the sources provided by U.S. GoldMining and its parent, GoldMining, regarding property ownership and environmental permitting listed in Section 25.

 

 Page 18 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

 

The Whistler Project is in the Alaska Range approximately 150 km northwest of Anchorage as illustrated in Figure 3-1 below. The centre of the property is located at 152.57 degrees longitude west and 61.98 degrees latitude north.

 

 

Figure 3-1 Location of the Whistler Project (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a)

 

The Whistler Project comprises 304 State of Alaska mining claims covering an aggregate area of approximately 172 km2 in the Yentna Mining District of Alaska. All the claims are owned by U.S. GoldMining. The property boundaries have not been legally surveyed.

 

An all-season camp facility exists near the confluence of Portage Creek and the Skwentna River, approximately 15 km southeast of the Rainy Pass Hunting Lodge. The camp is serviced with a 1,000 m gravel airstrip for wheel-based aircraft. The camp is equipped with diesel generators, a satellite communication link, tent structures on wooden floors, and several wood-framed buildings.

 

GoldMining, through its subsidiary U.S. GoldMining (then known as BRI Alaska Corp.), acquired the rights to the project on August 5, 2015, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement date August 5, 2015, between GoldMining, U.S. GoldMining, Kiska Metals Corporation, and Geoinformatics Alaska Exploration, Inc. in exchange for the issuance of 3,500,000 GoldMining shares as set out in Gold Mining’s news release of August 6, 2015.

 

 Page 19 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

A full Claims List can be found in Appendix A at the end of this report. Annual Labor requirements:

 

$400 for each quarter section MTRS claim
$100 each for any other type of claim

 

Labor must be performed by September 1 of each year and the statement of annual labor must be recorded by November 30. Excess labor from previous years may be carried forward.

 

3.1 Royalties and Encumbrances

 

The first underlying agreement is a Royalty Purchase Agreement between Kiska Metals Corporation, Geoinformatics Alaska Exploration Inc. and MF2, LLC, dated December 16, 2014. This agreement grants MF2 a 2.75 percent NSR royalty over all 304 claims and extending outside the current claims over an Area of Interest defined by the maximum historical extent of claims held on the project as indicated on Figure 3-1. There is a right, currently held by Gold Royalty Corp, to buy back 0.75 percent of the 2.75 percent NSR royalty for a payment of US$5,000,000 to MF2.

 

The second underlying agreement is an earlier agreement between Cominco American Incorporated and Mr. Kent Turner (whose rights and obligations thereunder were assumed by U.S. GoldMining) dated October 1, 1999. This agreement concerns a 2.0 percent net profit interest to Teck Resources, recently purchased by Sandstorm Gold, in connection with an Area of Interest specified by standard township sub-division as indicated in Figure 3-2.

 

The third underlying agreement is a Purchase and Sale agreement between Kent Turner, Kiska Metals Corporation and Geoinformatics Alaska Exploration Inc. (whose rights and obligations thereunder were assumed by U.S. GoldMining) dated December 16, 2014 that terminates the “Turner Agreement” (an agreement that grants Kennecott and its successors a 30-year lease on twenty-five unpatented State of Alaska Claims; see Figure 3-2) and transfers to Kiska and Geoinformatics, and their successors, an undivided 100 percent of the legal and beneficial interest in, under, to, and respecting the Turner Property free and clear of all Encumbrances arising by, through or under Turner other than the Cominco American net profit interest.

 

In addition to the above royalties, pursuant to a royalty agreement dated January 11, 2021, between U.S. GoldMining and Gold Royalty U.S. Corp, Gold Royalty U.S. Corp holds a 1% NSR royalty covering the Whistler Project.

 

 Page 20 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

 

Figure 3-2 Tenement Map (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

 Page 21 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

4 ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

 

4.1 Accessibility

 

The Whistler Project is in the Alaska Range approximately 150 km northwest of Anchorage and 76 km west of the township of Skwentna as illustrated in Figure 3-1. Access to the project area is by fixed wing aircraft to the Whiskey Bravo gravel airstrip located adjacent to the Whistler exploration camp. In the winter of 2011, Kiska had constructed a temporary winter trail to the Whistler Project that was then used for the inbound transportation of fuel, earth moving equipment, and bulk items for the camp and exploration programs. A 1,000 m compacted gravel runway provides a near year round landing surface. The runway is capable of landing DC-3 class aircraft and smaller and is currently shared with the Estelle Gold Project by Nova Minerals (Figure 4-1).

 

 

Figure 4-1 Layout of Built and Proposed (and permitted) Roads in the Whistler Area (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

 Page 22 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

4.2 Climate

 

The project area is between regions of maritime and continental climate and is characterized by severe winters and warm, dry summers. The maritime climatic influence provides for dry, mild, and temperate summers. Fog and low clouds are common in mid-summer and fall especially around higher elevation areas. Average summer temperatures range between 5° and 20° C, whereas winter temperatures range from -15° to -5° C. Occasionally, arctic cold fronts will propagate across the Alaska Range from the interior, causing cold dry air to seep into the watershed. These infrequent stationary high-pressure systems can lead to clear days with temperatures dropping to a low of -35° C during the winter. Strong winds persist during the winter months. Annual precipitation ranges from 500 to 900 mm. Winter snow accumulation usually begins in October and by mid to late May the snow has melted sufficiently to allow for fieldwork.

 

4.3 Local Resources

 

The nearest public infrastructure for the Whistler Project is the town of Petersville, located approximately 100 km west of Whistler; Petersville is connected to Anchorage by an all-weather road and highway. The project is also located approximately 150 km north of the Beluga coalfield project and the Tyonek gas power station on the Cook Inlet coast.

 

4.4 Infrastructure

 

When last operating, the Whistler Project was supported by a fifty person, all season camp located on the banks of the Skwentna River approximately 2.7 km from the Whistler Deposit and 22 km from the Island Mountain prospect. The camp has been maintained in good condition, although some of the tent-based structures have been damaged by heavy snow loads and will need to be repaired or replaced. The camp is connected to the Whistler Deposit by a 6 km access road, as illustrated in Figure 4-2. On October 27, 2021, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority announced the receipt of $8.5 million in funds for the advancement of predevelopment work for the West Susitna Access Road project, which would extend into areas west of Cook Inlet in Southcentral Alaska in the vicinity of the Whistler Project.

 

The camp is served by a 38-kilowatt generator, water well, septic system, showers and flush toilets, and a modern kitchen. A smaller 16-kilowatt backup and low peak need generator is also installed in the well/generator house. The camp has 37 sleeper tents, 3 wood frame cabins, a cook tent, a recreational tent, First Aid Tent, a wood frame well/generator house and a wood frame men’s and women’s shower/restroom building.

 

Core processing facilities consist of one insulated core cutting tent that houses two core saws. The core logging facilities consist of two 7 m by 14 m structures. One is an insulated tent and the other is a well-insulated, well lit, wood-frame building. All core cutting and logging facilities have decks that are designed for ease of handling large volumes of core with skid steer forklifts. All areas around camp have graveled travel ways that connect camp facilities with runway facilities.

 

There is a wood-frame shop building that is for general camp maintenance and all rolling stock. The shop and core cutting facilities are supplied electricity by a separate generator building. A 20-kilowatt generator supplies power during peak months when both saws are running. A 16-kilowatt generator is available for lower peak needs and back-up.

 

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Heavy equipment and ground transport machines at the Whistler Project include one Cat D6 bulldozer; one Cat 226B track skid-steer; one Bobcat skid-steer; one Volvo A-30 haul truck; ten snowmobiles; five ranger-style ATVs; and three 4-wheeler “Quad” ATVs.

 

An area, the size of a sports field, has been cleared and graveled for core storage. Adjacent areas can be cleared for more storage as the project grows. There are also two wooden-deck helicopter pads with a small building for helicopter support.

 

 

Figure 4-2 Layout of the U.S. GoldMining Camp and Facilities located adjacent to Whisky Bravo Airstrip (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a)

 

The runway for the camp is illustrated in Figure 4-3. A 113,400-litre fuel storage facility is located at the northeast end of the runway. All tanks are stored in separate lined containments. They are designed to contain at least 1.5 times the volume of the largest tank in the containment. All pumping is done through aircraft approved filter systems. Two buildings are located just off the runway for drilling company shop/warehouses and there is ample room for lay down areas for parts and materials storage.

 

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Figure 4-3 Layout of the Runway relative to Camp (2016, modified from Roberts, 2011a)

 

Communications is provided by a wireless satellite system. There is also a cell phone repeater at the satellite communications station located on Whistler Ridge. It provides fair-quality cell phone service in camp.

 

4.5 Physiography

 

The project is in the drainage of the Skwentna River that forms a large network of interconnected low-elevation U-shaped valleys cutting through the rugged terrain of the southern Alaska Range. Elevation varies from about 400 m above sea level in the valley floors to over 5,000 m in the highest peaks resulting in a quite spectacular landscape. The Alaska Range is a continuation of the Pacific Coast Mountains extending in an arc across the northern Pacific. Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak at 6,194 m, is located approximately 130 km northeast of the project area. The vegetation in the Whistler region is quite variable. The valley floors and lower slopes are usually characterized by dense vegetation giving way above about 750 m elevation to dense bushy shrubs rendering ground access difficult. At higher elevations, vegetation is absent and active glaciers with terminal and lateral moraines are present. The timber line is located at elevations varying between 800 m to 1,100 m. Bedrock exposures within the project area are scarce except at elevations above 1,000 m and along incised drainage.

 

The Whistler Project mineral claims provide the area that is sufficient for the development of a potential open pit project, including tailings storage, waste disposal, potential processing plant sites and water sources. A source of power has yet to be determined and mining personnel would likely have to be housed in a camp.

 

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5 HISTORY

 

During the late 1960s, regional mapping and geochemical sampling by the United States Geological Survey (“USGS”) identified several base and precious metal occurrences over a very large area in the southern Alaska Range including southern portions of the Whistler project area.

 

Following the results of that work, limited exploration was conducted in the area during the 1960s and 1980s. Falconbridge (or their operator St. Eugene) was involved in exploring the nearby Stoney Vein in the late 1960s. A local prospector, Arne Murto (deceased), was active in the Long Lake Hills area from at least 1964 and AMAX staked at least four claims over the Lower Discovery showing at Mount Estelle (circa 1982).

 

Mineral exploration in the Whistler area was initiated by Cominco Alaska in 1986 and continued through 1989. During this period, the Whistler and the Island Mountain gold-copper porphyry occurrences were discovered and partially tested by drilling. In 1990, Cominco’s interest waned and all core from the Whistler region were donated to the State of Alaska. The property was allowed to lapse.

 

In 1999, Kent Turner staked twenty-five State of Alaska mining claims at Whistler and leased the property to Kennecott. From 2004 through 2006 Kennecott conducted extensive exploration of the Whistler region, including geological mapping, soil, rock, and stream sediments sampling, ground induced polarization and they conducted an evaluation of the Whistler gold-copper occurrence with fifteen core boreholes (7,948 m) and reconnaissance core drilling at other targets in the Whistler region (4,184 m). Over that period, Kennecott invested over USD$6.3 million in exploration.

 

In June 2007, Geoinformatics Exploration Inc. (“Geoinformatics”) announced the conditional acquisition of the Whistler Project as part of a strategic alliance with Kennecott Exploration Company (“Kennecott”). Between July and October 2007, Geoinformatics drilled seven core boreholes (3,321 m) to infill the deposit to sections spaced at seventy-five metres and to test for the north and south extensions of the deposit.

 

In August 2009, Geoinformatics acquired Rimfire Minerals Corporation and changed its name to Kiska Metals Corporation (“Kiska”). In 2009 and 2010, Kiska completed three phases of exploration on the property to fulfill the terms of the Standardization of Back-In Rights (“SOBIR”) Agreement between Kennecott Exploration Company and Kiska Metals Corporation.

 

In total, Kiska completed 224 line-km of 3D induced polarization (“IP”) geophysics, 40 line-km of 2D IP geophysics, 327 line-km of cut-line, geological mapping on the 3D IP grid, detailed mapping of significant Au-Cu prospects, collection of 109 rock samples and 61 soil samples, 8,660 m of diamond drilling from 23 drillholes (all greater than 200 m in total length), petrographic analysis of mineralization at Island Mountain, a preliminary review of metallurgy at the Whistler Resource, and metallurgical testing of mineralization from the Discovery Breccia at Island Mountain. This program was executed by Kiska geologists, independent geologists, and multiple contractors, under the supervision of Kiska personnel. All aspects of the exploration program were designed and monitored by a Technical Committee comprised of two Kennecott employees and two Kiska employees. In August of 2010, Kiska delivered a Technical Report (Roberts, 2010) to Kennecott summarizing the results of the completed Trigger Program. In September of 2010, Kennecott informed Kiska that it would not exercise its back-in right on the project and hence retained a 2% Net Smelter Royalty on the property.

 

From this point forward, Kiska continued to drill and explore the Whistler Project for the duration of the 2010 and 2011 field seasons. The majority of this work included shallow grid drilling (25 m to 50 m top of bedrock drilling) in the Whistler Area (also referred to as the Whistler Corridor), conventional step-out drilling from prospects in the Whistler Area, step-out drilling at the Island Mountain Breccia Zone, an airborne EM survey of the Island Mountain area, reconnaissance drilling at Muddy Creek, and minor infill drilling at the Whistler Deposit, followed by the publication of an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate (MMTS, 2011).

 

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6 GEOLOGICAL SETTING, MINERALIZATION and DEPOSIT

 

6.1 Geological Setting

 

The Whistler Project is situated within the Wrangellia Composite Terrane (“WCT”), one of three composite terranes accreted to the Alaskan portion of the North America Cordilleran margin in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. This margin records a complex history of terrane accretion, basin formation, basin exhumation, subduction, and multiple pulses of magmatism.

 

In south-central Alaska, the WCT is comprised of three significant tectono-magmatic assemblages (Figure 6-1): 1) the Paleozoic-Triassic basement rocks upon which the Early to Late Jurassic Talkeetna island arc was built, including volumetrically significant plutonic rocks; 2) the Kahiltna assemblage, consisting of Jura-Cretaceous flysch sediments that formed in basins initiated by the convergence of Wrangellia with the former continental craton; and 3) voluminous Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene-Oligocene igneous rocks, dominantly plutons, that stitch the Wrangellia composite terrane with the inboard autochthonous terranes. The latter two assemblages dominate the regional geology of the Whistler area.

 

The Kahiltna assemblage occurs as a broad 100 km by >300 km belt extending across the Alaska Range. This assemblage is comprised of mostly marine sediments with fossils indicating deposition from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous.

 

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Figure 6-1 Regional Geological Map of South-central Alaska (Source: Trop and Ridgeway, 2007)

 

The black inset box shows the location of Whistler area and map extent in Figure 6-1 above.

 

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Uplift and shortening of the Kahiltna basin were followed by the construction of a continental-margin arc as defined by an extensive belt of 80 - 60 Ma plutons extending from the Alaska Range south-eastwards into the Coast Range of Canada. In the Alaska Range, these arc rocks are dominated by plutons interpreted to be the deeper roots of subvolcanic and volcanic centres; however extrusive sections are locally preserved.

 

There are four intrusive suites associated with this epoch of magmatism that are recognized in the Whistler region, including (from oldest to youngest): 1) the Whistler Intrusive Suite or “WIS” (host to the Whistler Deposit); 2) the Summit Lake Suite; 3) the Composite Suite; and 4) the Crystal Creek Suite, as illustrated in Figure 6-2. A stratigraphic column in Figure 6-3 illustrates the timing relationship of intrusive suites in the district, and their relationship to host country rocks.

 

The Whistler Intrusive Suite consists of intermediate to mafic extrusive and intrusive rocks, including diorite porphyries. These diorite porphyries are host to, and genetically associated with, gold-copper porphyry mineralization in the Whistler Project area. This is the only suite where comagmatic extrusive rocks and shallow subvolcanic intrusive rocks are recognized in the region. On a district scale the intrusions generally occur as sills and less commonly as dikes and small stocks. Hornblende Ar-Ar dating of Whistler diorite porphyry gives an age of 75.5 +/- 0.3 Ma (Layer and Drake, 2005) and mapping shows Whistler diorite intruding extrusive andesite. Subsequent U-Pb age dating of zircons from the mineralized diorite porphyry in the Whistler Deposit, and other mineralized porphyries on the Whistler Project, indicate igneous ages of 76.36 Ma ±0.3 Ma (Hames, 2014). One of the least-altered diorite porphyry intrusions located on the Whistler Ridge has a hornblende Ar-Ar age date of 75.5 ± 0.3 Ma (Young, 2005).

 

The Summit Lake intrusions are regionally represented by 74 to 61 Ma calc-alkaline granodiorite to diorite, becoming more monzonitic and of alkali-calcic affinity in the Whistler area. East and northeast from Whistler, these intrusions are associated with local gold prospects and have been called the Kichatna plutons and more locally, the “Old Man Diorite”.

 

The Composite Plutons include the Emerald, Mount Estelle, Stoney, and Kohlsaat plutons, and are locally associated with gold mineralization. The Composite Plutons are seen to be somewhat concentrically zoned magmatic series, with an early border phase of alkaline mafic to ultramafic rock, inwards towards less alkaline monzonites to granites. The common age range is 67 to 64 Ma.

 

The regional geology of the Whistler deposit area is shown in Figure 6-2. The Crystal Creek sequence, located south of Whistler, is mainly calc-alkaline granite or rhyolite and ranges in age from 61 to 56 Ma. More mafic rocks, including the 61Ma Porcupine Butte andesite and Bear Cub (diorite) pluton, may represent higher level/border phases to the Crystal Creek sequence.

 

Continental arc magmatism in the Latest Cretaceous is responsible for some of the most significant gold and copper-gold deposits in Alaska. These include the Pebble gold-copper porphyry deposit (89 Ma; Schrader et al, 2001), the Donlin Creek gold deposit (70 Ma, Szumigala et al, 2000), the Fort Knox gold deposit (95 – 89 Ma, Mortenson et al, 1995), and the Livengood gold deposit (Late Cretaceous).

 

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Figure 6-2 Regional Geology of the Whistler Project (Source: Wilson et al., 2009)

 

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Figure 6 3 Stratigraphic column of the Whistler district and property (Source: Young, 2005 and Hames, 2014)

 

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6.2 Property Geology

 

The property geology of the Whistler area is well documented and described in detail by Young (2005) and Franklin (2007). A stratigraphic column in Figure 6-3 illustrates the timing relationship of intrusive suites and their relationship to host country rocks at the property scale. The property can be subdivided into three main areas based on distinctive intrusive rocks and their association with gold-copper and gold-only mineralization: 1) The Whistler Corridor; 2) Island Mountain; and 3) Muddy Creek as illustrated in Figure 6-4.

 

 

Figure 6-4 Geological Map of the Whistler Corridor, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a)

 

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6.2.1 Whistler Corridor

 

The bulk of the Whistler property is underlain by flysch sediments of the Kahiltna assemblage, while the Whistler Corridor is dominated by a largely fault bounded block of andesitic volcanic rocks, interpreted to represent a local volcanic-dominated basin as illustrated in Figure 6-5. The sedimentary and volcanic rocks are host to a variety of dioritic to monzonitic dykes, sills, and stocks of the WIS. Much of the low-lying areas in this region are covered by 5 to 15 m of glacial till, and hence much of the geological map is based on drilling and interpretation of geophysical data.

 

 

Figure 6-5 Whistler Project Geology (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a)

 

The Whistler Deposit is hosted by a multi-phase diorite porphyry intrusive complex of the WIS nested within sediments of the flysch package, whereas prospects in the Whistler Area (Raintree, Rainmaker) are hosted by similar diorite porphyry intrusive centres within the volcanic basin. Age dating of mineralized and barren diorite porphyry units on the Whistler ridge indicates that magmatism occurred at approximately 75 to 76 Ma (Layer & Drake, 2005; Young, 2005; Hames, 2011). The mineralogy and composition of the intrusive rocks and the andesitic volcanic rocks are quite similar, suggesting that they are broadly comagmatic (Young, 2005). Mapping implies monzodiorite porphyry and hornblende diorite suites intruded prior to eruption of extrusive andesites and therefore is older than the Whistler diorite porphyry. Hornblende Ar-Ar dating indicates unmineralized diorite porphyry is likely a later phase of Whistler diorite porphyry (Hames, 2014). Andesitic porphyry is observed to cut all phases of diorite porphyry (Young, 2005) and can be assumed to be the youngest intrusive rock at the Whistler property.

 

Inversion modeling of the airborne geophysical data suggests that there is a large 5 km diameter batholith possibly situated 1 km below the surface and that some of the diorite porphyry intrusive centres are cupolas at the peaks of the batholith.

 

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The detailed geology of the volcanic stratigraphy remains uncertain, largely due to glacial cover and the extensive amount of texturally destructive, hydrothermal alteration. Volcanic rocks are comprised of coherent andesites and volcanic breccias that define a variety of depositional facies. Based on the occurrence of common argillaceous interflow sediments Young (2005) inferred a sub-aqueous marine setting for the bulk of the volcanic rocks. In the eastern Long Lake Hills area, volcanic flows are interbedded with Feldspathic Sandstones, and Young (2005) interpreted this to represent the onset of volcanism in a shallower marine setting. In addition to these extrusive rocks, a large volume of the volcanic rocks is interpreted to be comprised of porphyritic, subvolcanic units, as either large sills or stocks. These subvolcanic units can be difficult to differentiate from coherent volcanic rocks, particularly porphyritic flows, and in areas of intense texturally destructive phyllic alteration. The stratigraphy of the volcanic rocks is currently unresolved. The current geological map only differentiates “least-altered” from “altered” volcanic rocks based on the extrapolation of airborne magnetic data from the grid and scout drilling. All the volcanic and subvolcanic rocks encountered in drilling are magnetic when they are least altered, and magnetism is generally destroyed by sulphidation during phyllic alteration.

 

In addition to least-altered volcanic rocks, magnetic high anomalies also occur in association with northwest-elongated linear to oval-shaped diorite dykes and stocks hosted by flysch sediments and in association with zones of near-surface secondary magnetite alteration and veining, such as the Whistler Deposit, and the Rainmaker and Raintree North deposits.

 

The bulk of the flysch sediments on the Whistler Project area have north to northeast striking and steeply dipping bedding orientations due to compressional deformation that resulted in chevron-style folding. These folds are north-east striking, and fold limbs are typically moderate to steep or overturned (Young, 2005). A dioritic sill exposed on the Whistler Ridge is likewise folded, suggesting that a component of dioritic magmatism pre-dated regional deformation.

 

Several northeast-trending faults have been interpreted based on topographic linear features and the truncation and offset of magnetic features. These are the earliest structure features on the property since they are truncated by north-northwest-oriented faults with left-lateral offset, such as the Alger Peak Fault.

 

6.2.2 Island Mountain

 

The Island Mountain area is comprised of a suite of nested intrusions, ranging compositionally from hornblende diorite to hornblende-biotite monzonite, emplaced within flysch sediments of the Kahiltna assemblage as illustrated in Figure 6-6. Texturally, these intrusions range from equigranular to strongly porphyritic, suggesting a relatively high level of emplacement typical of the porphyry environment. Unlike the Whistler area, no coeval volcanic rocks are recognized. Based on limited whole-rock geochemistry (Young, 2005) the Monzonite at Island Mountain plots within the silica-saturated alkalic field of Lang et al. (1995) and is the intrusive equivalent of trachyandesite on a total alkali versus silica diagram. This suite of intrusions is mapped as part of the circa 67 to 64 Ma Composite Suite of intrusions, like the Muddy Creek area, however recent age dating suggests some complexity with dates ranging from 77 Ma down to 64 Ma (Gross, 2014). Compared to Muddy Creek, the intrusive rocks at Island Mountain are generally more mafic (diorite and monzonites as opposed to quartz monzonite and granites at Muddy Creek), are magnetite-bearing rather than ilmenite-bearing, are commonly more porphyritic rather than coarse equigranular, lack the strong, pervasive gold-arsenic association, and lack the evenly distributed northwest-oriented sheeted fracture set that typifies mineralized structures at Muddy Creek. For these reasons, it is likely that igneous rocks at Island Mountain represent a unique intrusive suite separate from the Composite Suite.

 

This unique intrusive centre is broadly situated at the intersection between the regionally significant northwest-striking Timber Creek Fault, which can be traced for 10’s of kilometres, and the Skwentna River valley, postulated as a possible fault zone (Young, 2005). The bulk of the nested intrusions occur on the southeast side of Island Mountain, and this is where sediments in the contact metamorphic aureole of these intrusions are hornfelsed. The hornfels, especially on the southwest corner of Island Mountain, occur as irregular rafts and possibly roof pendants that appear to form a slope-parallel skin of country rock that demarks the roof zone of this intrusive complex. Sediments consist of dark mudstone, shale, thin-to-medium-bedded siltstone and dark grey sandstone and minor dirty calcareous sedimentary beds and a few local thin pebble conglomerate units. These units predominate on the northwest portion of Island Mountain.

 

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Figure 6-6 Property Geology of the Island Mountain Area (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011b)

 

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The earliest recognized intrusive phase is the Island Mountain Diorite Porphyry. This unit has been observed to be cut by all other igneous units and is the host to gold-copper porphyry mineralization associated with intrusive and hydrothermal breccias at the Island Mountain Deposit (previously referred to as the “Breccia Zone”).

 

The next most volumetrically significant intrusive phase is a Monzonite Porphyry (IFMIP) that occurs in the northeast corner of Island Mountain, and which is generally the host of gold-copper porphyry-style mineralization at the Cirque and the Howell zones. Unlike the Diorite Porphyry, this unit contains magnetite phenocrysts and is thus well delineated by airborne magnetic survey data.

 

In the Breccia Zone, Diorite- and Monzonite-cemented intrusive breccias occur as sub-vertical, 100-150 metre diameter, sub-circular to irregularly shaped pipes that grade into actinolite-magnetite-cemented hydrothermal breccias with pyrrhotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization, which together define magmatic-hydrothermal conduits that host the bulk of gold-copper porphyry mineralization in this area. Not all the Intrusive Breccia bodies are altered or mineralized, suggesting that either some of these breccias post-date the main phase of mineralization, or that some pre-mineral intrusive breccias were not affected by hydrothermal fluid. Together, these intrusive and hydrothermal breccias have been the focus of the majority of the exploration drilling at Island Mountain since 2009. A series of these breccias extend discontinuously for 700m from the “Breccia Zone” on a north-northwest trend along the south-western slope of Island Mountain. The Breccia Zone also contains narrow, pencil-like bodies of Coarse Porphyritic Hornblende Diorite that are syn to post gold-copper mineralization.

 

This corridor of breccias is flanked by strong pervasive albite alteration with local zones of vein and disseminated pyrrhotite that constitutes significant Au-only mineralization within and flanking the Breccia Zone. Similar intrusive and hydrothermal breccias with peripheral sodic alteration and pyrrhotite mineralization occur in areas of gold and copper soil anomalies at the Howell Zone, suggesting the occurrence of multiple magmatic-hydrothermal centres. The Howell Zone remains untested by drilling.

 

The last volumetrically significant phase of magmatism is represented by a coarse grained equigranular monzonite that occurs as a northwest-striking dyke or sill exposed near the base of slope on the south-western side of Island Mountain. This unit lies adjacent and strikes parallel to the regional Timber Creek Fault, suggesting a possible regional control on the emplacement of this unit. Likewise, all the above-mentioned units are cut by narrow, post-mineral, fine-grained mafic to intermediate dykes that generally strike to the northwest and dip steeply.

 

6.2.3 Muddy Creek

 

Muddy Creek is in rugged terrain along the western edge of the Whistler Project and is comprised of several steep, north-east facing U-shaped glacial valleys separated by razor-back ridges with small remnant glaciers at the heads of each valley. This prospect is largely underlain by a monzonitic intrusive complex, part of the Composite Suite (or Estelle Suite) of intrusions that were emplaced within sediments of the Kahiltna Assemblage in the late Cretaceous (Figure 6-7). An argon-argon analysis of igneous biotite from a granodiorite on the western margin of the intrusive complex returned an age date of 67.4Ma ± 0.4Ma (Solie et al., 1991a). A steep, east-west trending contact between the intrusive complex and hornfels sediments is well-exposed in the ridgelines in the northern portion of the prospect and is comprised of a conspicuous and extensive red-brown colour anomaly. Hornfels also comprises the eastern contact of the intrusive complex.

 

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The bulk of the geological mapping at Island Mountain was completed by Kennecott and the following descriptions are from Young (2005). The core of the intrusive complex is monzonitic, grading outwards to progressively more mafic and older intrusive phases (Crowe et al, 1991), with pendants of ultramafic rocks at the margins (Millholland, 1998). The pluton intrudes very steeply north-dipping sedimentary rocks of the middle Graywacke Sandstone subunit and Tabular Sandstone unit. Local matrix-supported pebble conglomerate and spherical concretions along Muddy Creek support a correlation with the Tabular Sandstone unit.

 

The majority of the Mount Estelle pluton consists of biotite-monzonite, with an increasing proportion of augite phenocrysts towards the margins. Monzonite is medium- to coarse-grained and idiomorphic granular and occurs at the central and southern portions of the mapped area at Muddy Creek. Mafics, principally biotite books (to 5 mm) and subordinate to absent stubby dark augite generally constitute 15 to 35% of the monzonite. Twinned 3mm to 1cm orthoclase phenocrysts are a fundamental component. Groundmass consists of a medium-grained equigranular mixture of feldspar and quartz. Rounded xenoliths are rare, but widespread, and consist of biotitized sediments and more strongly mafic (biotite and augite)-rich intrusive rock of earlier intrusive phases. Intrusion breccia’s with rounded clasts are a very local feature as are sinuous to linear aplitic dikes.

 

 

Figure 6-7 Geological Map of Muddy Creek (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011c)

 

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6.3 Mineralization

 

Exploration on the Whistler Project by Kennecott, Geoinformatics and Kiska has identified three primary exploration targets for porphyry-style gold-copper mineralization. These include the Whistler Deposit, Raintree West, and the Island Mountain Breccia Zone as shown in Figure 6-8. The Whistler Raintree and Island Mountain areas also host multiple secondary porphyry-like prospects defined by drilling, anomalous soil samples, alteration, veining, surface rock samples, induced polarization chargeability/resistivity anomalies, airborne magnetic anomalies, and airborne electromagnetic anomalies. These include the Raintree North, Rainmaker, Round Mountain, Puntilla, Snow Ridge, Dagwood, Super Conductor, Howell Zone, and Cirque Zones. The Muddy Creek area represents an additional exploration target with the potential to host a low-grade, bulk tonnage, Intrusion-Related Gold mineralization.

 

 

Figure 6-8 Prospect Areas (Source: MMTS 2016)

 

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6.3.1 Whistler Area and Whistler Deposit Mineralization Overview

 

The Whistler Deposit and prospects in the Whistler Area (Raintree West, Raintree North and Rainmaker) display a common pattern of alteration, vein paragenesis, and mineralization styles that suggest these spatially separate porphyry centres share a common genetic association. These features are hosted by, and genetically linked to, pulses of diorite porphyry intrusive bodies that are nested in pipe-like centres. Geophysical inversion models of the airborne magnetic data suggest that these pipes may be cupolas that occur above a common batholith. That these porphyry centres are genetically associated is corroborated by common alteration assemblages, vein types, mineralization styles and paragenetic relationships. At the Whistler Deposit, the earliest Diorite Porphyry phase (Main Stage Whistler Diorite Porphyry) is associated with the main stage of gold-copper mineralization, whereas subsequent phases are less mineralized, and thus are either weak metal contributors or diluting bodies.

 

The earliest recognized alteration event recognized at the Whistler Deposit and the porphyry prospects in the Whistler Area, referred to as “Magnetite” alteration, occurs as patchy magnetite alteration of mafic minerals (dominantly hornblende and possibly pyroxenes) and narrow, irregular magnetite veinlets (“M-veins”). Magnetite in this event is occasionally intergrown with trace chalcopyrite. This stage may include the partial replacement of feldspars by secondary K-feldspar, particularly in the selvages to M-veins, and hence may be part of the earliest, weakest stage of Potassic alteration (see Figure 6-9 below). This stage is recognized in both the Main Stage and Inter-mineral Stage Diorite Porphyry generally in the core zone of mineralization at the Whistler Deposit. In addition, it has been observed to occur within andesitic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks within 50 m of similarly altered diorite intrusions in the Whistler Area, however not within the Feldspathic Sandstones that host the Whistler Deposit.

 

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Figure 6-9 Photo of irregular M-veins in dark magnetite alteration of mafics (upper) and pervasive pink-black blotchy k-feldspar and magnetite alteration (lower) with wormy quartz + magnetite + chalcopyrite A-veins (Whistler Deposit) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

The subsequent stage of alteration is “Potassic” alteration, defined by the occurrence of pinkish K-feldspar replacing plagioclase and matrix, which generally occurs as halos to, or pervasively in zones of, A-style and B-style quartz veins. Potassic alteration also includes the replacement of mafic phases by fine-grained secondary “shreddy” biotite, however this is generally difficult to observe due to overprinting Chlorite-Sericite alteration (see Figure 6-10, below). Strong Potassic alteration (pink rock) is generally accompanied by strong patchy magnetite alteration, and overall this leads to strong textural destruction such that the rock is mottled pink-black without an obvious porphyritic texture. Potassic alteration is associated with the bulk of gold-copper mineralization, which occurs as chalcopyrite and rare bornite in A- and B-style quartz veins and as fine-grained disseminations in adjacent wall rock. At the Whistler Deposit, gold occurs predominantly as electrum associated with chalcopyrite. There exists a spectrum of A- and B-style quartz veins. A-veins are millimetre wide, sugary quartz ± magnetite with wormy margins. These are generally observed to cut M-veins, however occasional M-veins have been seen to transition into A-like quartz veins. B-veins are generally comprised of slightly coarser, equigranular quartz with centre-line septa of chalcopyrite, and have straight sides. Intense zones of B-style veining form strong stockwork zones are associated with high-grade zones (>1 gpt Au, >0.5% Cu). Potassic alteration and quartz veining may include minor pyrite, yet these zones have relatively low total sulphide content (<1-2%).

 

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Figure 6-10 Photo of a classic B-style quartz vein with a chalcopyrite-filled centreline cutting an irregular, wormy A-style quartz vein (Whistler Deposit, WH 08-08, ~123.0 m) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

In general, core zones of Potassic alteration and Au-Cu mineralization are partially to completely overprinted by “Chlorite-Sericite” alteration. This “green rock” alteration is ubiquitous and the most macroscopically obvious alteration in zones of Au-Cu mineralization, even though it is a later event. As shown in Figure 6-11, bright green chlorite replaces secondary biotite and any primary mafic phases remaining, and waxy green sericite replaces feldspars. Pyrite is part of this assemblage, partly replacing mafics and magnetite. Calcite or carbonate may be part of this assemblage, as well as trace epidote. Kennecott referred to this alteration assemblage as “Intermediate Argillic”, which is equivalent to SCC alteration in the porphyry literature (Sillitoe, 2010). Kiska interpreted the Chlorite-Sericite alteration to be transitional to “Phyllic” alteration, overprinting (telescoping) and immediately peripheral to core zones of mineralization. This pervasive style of alteration is not obviously associated with any veining event, however there is a continuum of glassy quartz veins with pyrite>>chalcopyrite + molybdenite that appears to only occur in zones of Chlorite-Sericite and Phyllic alteration.

 

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Figure 6-11 Photo or chlorite-sericite (+calcite) alteration overprinting potassic – magnetite alteration in a zone of quartz vein stockwork, subsequently cut by later Dpy veinlets with sericitic and iron-carbonate halos (Whistler Deposit) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

Potassic and Chlorite-Sericite alteration is variably overprinted by “Phyllic” alteration. The Phyllic assemblage consists of sericite + pyrite + quartz. Moderate to strong Phyllic alteration is typically bleached grey-tan, where mafic minerals are completely to strongly replaced by sericite and pyrite, magnetite is replaced by pyrite, and feldspars are replaced by sericite (and clays). Phyllic alteration commonly occurs in halos to pyritic stringers (“Dpy”) and quartz + pyrite veins (“D-veins”). In areas with intense D-style veining, phyllic halos coalesce to give pervasive Phyllic alteration, as illustrated in Figure 6-12. Strong to intense Phyllic alteration is texturally destructive, which often leads to difficulty in distinguishing intrusive from volcanic rocks. It is also suspected that intense Phyllic alteration is grade destructive. At the Whistler Deposit and other prospects Phyllic alteration forms an outer and upper, commonly gradational halo to Chlorite-Sericite alteration, and is also preferentially developed in structural zones, including faults and hydrothermal breccias. Hydrothermal breccias commonly occur along the boundaries of different units (sediment/diorite; volcanic/diorite; diorite/diorite) and are comprised of variably milled wall rock fragments cemented by quartz-sericite-pyrite (“pyritic rock flour breccias”). These breccias occasionally contain tourmaline.

 

In the Whistler Area, strong Phyllic alteration and high pyrite content (10 - 15%) is common peripheral to individual porphyry centres extending for hundreds of metres into surrounding volcanic rocks. This has led to significant demagnetization of the volcanic stratigraphy such that the magnetic signature in the area is a function of alteration (dominantly Phyllic) rather than primary rock types. In contrast, the Phyllic halo at the Whistler Deposit only extends 50m into the surrounding Feldspathic Sandstone. In addition to pyrite, porphyry centres in the area are also large sulphur anomalies, in the form of sulphates. Anhydrite appears to span several alteration and vein types: anhydrite occurs within B-type quartz-chalcopyrite veins and within cross-cutting D-veins and Dbm veins (see below). Fine-grained anhydrite, of an uncertain alteration affiliation, also replaces feldspars at the microscopic scale. Gypsum locally replaces vein anhydrite and occurs as very narrow and abundant hairline veinlets in zones of strong to intense and pyritic phyllic alteration.

 

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Figure 6-12 D-style pyrite veins with well-developed phyllic halos (Whistler Deposit), that cut and off-set B-style quartz veins (lower sample). Also note the local occurrence of hematite at the intersection of both vein types (magnetite>hematite?) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

At the Whistler Deposit and other prospects in the Whistler Area, the latest stage of precious and base metal mineralization is associated with quartz-carbonate (dolomite and calcite)-sphalerite-galena ± chalcopyrite veins (“Dbm” or “D-base metal veins”). These veins have been observed to cut Potassic and Chlorite Sericite alteration (including Au-Cu mineralization and A- and B-vein stockwork), Dpy and D veins, and sericite-quartz-pyrite cemented hydrothermal breccias as illustrated in Figure 6-14. In the Whistler Area, these veins are commonly most abundant in the outer, intense phyllic halo within volcanic rocks within 100 – 200 m of the diorite intrusive centres. The veins can range from narrow veins (0.5 - 1.0 cm wide) up to 2 – 5 m wide (generally as vein breccias). Veins minerals, including sulphides, are medium to very coarse-grained (Figure 6-13), have local colliform banding, and vein quartz is occasionally chalcedonic. Based on their cross-cutting relationships, textures, mineralogy and spatial relationship to porphyry centres, these veins are interpreted to have formed syn- to post-Phyllic stage alteration. That these veins typically cut phyllic-stage hydrothermal breccias and have open-space fill colliform banding, suggests that these veins formed in a much different hydrologic/structural regime (hydrostatic, possible incursion of meteoric waters) relative to Magnetite through to Phyllic events. Relative to the Whistler Deposit, these veins are much more abundant in the host rocks to porphyry centres in the volcanic-hosted prospects in the Whistler Area, particularly Raintree West. This observation, in addition to the epithermal-like textures of these veins, supports the notion that other porphyry centres in the Whistler Area may have formed at shallower stratigraphic levels compared to that of the Whistler Deposit.

 

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Figure 6-13 Photo of quartz-carbonate vein from Raintree West (WH11-030) showing well-developed colliform banding and coarse-grained sphalerite and galena (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

 

Figure 6-14 Common vein paragenesis in all porphyry occurrences in Whistler Area: dark grey quartz vein stockwork with chalcopyrite (A- and B-style), cut by quartz-calcite-carbonate-sphalerite-galena veinlet (Dbm veins, top left down to bottom right), cut by narrow Fe-carbonate veinlets with Fe-carbonate alteration halos (Raintree West example) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

The most significant style of post-mineral alteration is Fe-carbonate alteration as illustrated in Figure 7-14 above. This occurs as pervasive alteration of feldspars in structural zones and as selvages to ankerite veins. Primary igneous magnetite and secondary magnetite is commonly altered to hematite in these zones. Ankerite veins, typically as brittle tension gashes, cross-cut all vein styles, including the Dbm veins. The degree and extent of this style of alteration is typically not obvious until the core has weathered for a year or more and is therefore not well-documented in the core logs.

 

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6.3.2 Mineralization: Whistler Deposit

 

Gold and copper mineralization at the Whistler Deposit is hosted by a Late Cretaceous, multi-phase diorite porphyry intrusive complex that intrudes the Feldspathic Sandstone unit of the Kahiltna assemblage (Figure 6-15). The Feldspathic Sandstone is comprised of sandstone with minor interbeds of mudstone, siltstone, and conglomerate. Sedimentary bedding in the vicinity of the deposit primarily strikes to the northeast and dips steeply to the northwest.

 

 

Figure 6-15 Geological Map of the Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from AMC, 2012)

 

The diorite porphyry intrusive complex is ovoid-shaped and vertically plunging (Figure 6-16). The long axis of the ovoid is 700 m long and oriented in a northwest-southeast direction. The short axis of the ovoid is 500 m wide and oriented in a northeast-southwest direction. Deep drilling indicates that the intrusive complex is open below a depth of 800 m from surface.

 

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The intrusive complex is composed of at least three diorite porphyry phases that are compositionally and texturally similar: they are comprised of 60% - 80%, euhedral to subhedral blocks of plagioclase feldspar phenocrysts (0.2 - 3.0 mm diameter), 5%-20% hornblende laths (0.2 - 3.0 mm) that are usually altered to sericite, chlorite, pyrite, or a combination of these, and a fine grained, granular groundmass of feldspar and minor quartz, that is usually altered to silica, chlorite, sericite, clay or potassium feldspar. In places within the deposit, three intrusive phases are recognized based on cross-cutting relationships with mineralization and alteration. The oldest intrusive phase, the “main stage diorite porphyry”, carries the earliest recognized veining and alteration associated with gold-copper mineralization (see below); the second phase, the “inter-mineral diorite porphyry” is recognized where it clearly cuts main stage diorite porphyry mineralization (i.e., intrusive contact cutting mineralized veins), and is itself veined and mineralized. The third and youngest phase, the “late-stage diorite porphyry” is barren except for local mineralized xenoliths of main or inter-mineral porphyry.

 

 

Figure 6-16 Geological Cross-section (6,871,350mN) of the Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from AMC, 2012)

 

Due to the compositional and textural similarity of the main stage and inter-mineral stage porphyries and hence the difficulty in consistently identifying these stages in areas that lack clear cross-cutting relationships with mineralization or alteration, Kiska geologists modeled these phases as a single mineralized porphyry unit. For consistency these phases are therefore referred to as the “Main Stage Porphyry”. Further re-logging of drill core and future in-fill drilling may be able to differentiate these phases clearly and consistently.

 

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The Main Stage Porphyry (“MSP”) comprises the bulk of the volume of the intrusive complex and is cut by the Late-Stage Porphyry. This latter phase clearly post-dates mineralization and truncates grade. It occurs as narrow, sub-vertical dykes and pencil-like bodies, generally 2 to 10 m wide but up to 150 m wide on the north and western edges of the MSP. This phase generally has strong pervasive phyllic alteration, and occasionally xenoliths or rafts of the MSP, which locally contribute grade.

 

Gold and copper mineralization in the Main Stage Porphyry is comprised of 1 - 3% chalcopyrite and trace bornite as grains within magnetite and quartz veins (see below) and as disseminations in the host porphyry generally within the halos to these veins. Petrography indicates that gold occurs predominantly as electrum associated with chalcopyrite (Petersen, 2004). This mineralogy and style of mineralization is typical of diorite-hosted gold-copper porphyry deposits (Sillitoe, 2010).

 

Recent, preliminary modeling has identified two zones within the MSP which should be incorporated with further resource modeling. These zones of gold-copper mineralization occur in two areas within the Main Stage Porphyry: the East Core (“ECORE”) and West Core (“WCORE”) domains (Figure 6-17). These domains are interpreted as discrete, near-vertical, ovoid-shaped fluid flow conduits (interconnected vein networks) that delivered and trapped the bulk of the metals in the MSP. The ECORE is defined by coincident 0.40 gpt gold and 0.20% Cu grade contours and extends approximately 500 m in the north-south dimension, 250 m in the east-west dimension and is 600 m deep (from surface). The WCORE is defined by a 0.30 gpt gold grade shell with lower and irregular Cu grades relative to the ECORE. This domain is approximately 400m long in the north-south direction, 200 m wide in the east-west orientation and is 450 m deep in a vertical dimension starting from 75 m below surface.

 

These domains have the highest gold-copper grades relative to the remainder of the MSP domain, yet the boundaries of the ECORE and WCORE domains with the MSP are geologically gradational. Outside of the ECORE and WCORE domains, the MSP lacks any volumetrically significant zones of potassic and magnetite alteration, or significant volumes of mineralized quartz veining. However, wide-spaced drilling in the northern portion of the deposit has encountered gold-copper mineralization association with magnetite and quartz veining, suggesting that further drilling may define other zones of mineralization like the ECORE and WCORE.

 

Both the ECORE and WCORE domains contain inner zones of strong potassic and magnetite alteration (see below), which are dominantly overprinted by pervasive chlorite-sericite alteration and local phyllic alteration. These domains are also defined by the consistent occurrence and highest concentration of M-veins and mineralized quartz veins (A- and B-veins). In these domains, mineralized quartz veins generally range in volume from 1 to 5%. Local high-grade mineralization within these domains occurs in zones of high-density quartz vein stockwork (locally >20% quartz vein volume) and quartz + magnetite + chalcopyrite cemented hydrothermal breccias. Minor 1cm to 10cm wide quartz-carbonate (ankerite and calcite)-barite-sphalerite-galena ± chalcopyrite veins (Dbm veins) cross-cut mineralized and unmineralized portions of the Main Stage Porphyry and are interpreted as intermediate sulphidation epithermal veins that have telescoped on the porphyry system. These sparse veins contain minor Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, and Cu, yet do not contribute significantly to the economic resource.

 

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The structure of the intrusive complex is not well constrained with the widely spaced drilling. However, five faults that cross-cut the deposit are currently geologically modeled (Figure 6-17): Big Gulley Fault, Little Gulley Fault, Divide Fault, Conquer Fault and Ridge Fault. All these faults have been modelled based on topographic features, fault textures in drill core intercepts, breaks in the airborne magnetic data (50 metre line-spacing) and breaks in the drill core magnetic susceptibility readings. These faults are generally between 0.5 and 5 m wide, and display a variety of textures in drill core, included silica and/or carbonate cemented fault breccias, shear textures, clay gouge, brittle fractures and/or a combination of these features. Fault structures in the deposit are commonly associated with narrow zones of strong to intense sericite, clay, pyrite, and carbonate alteration. This generally results in the conversion of magnetite to either pyrite and/or hematite, and therefore leads to demagnetization.

 

 

Figure 6-17 Oblique view of geological domains and faults at the Whistler Deposit (the host Feldspathic Sandstone is not shown) (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from AMC, 2012)

 

The Big and Little Gulley Faults strike to the northeast and dip steeply to the northwest. The strike of these faults is based on a prominent set of northeast-trending gulley’s that traverse the northern portion of the deposit, whereas the dip of the faults is based on drill core intercepts.

 

The Ridge Fault is a steeply northwest dipping (80° dip), curviplanar fault that strikes sub-parallel to the Gulley Fault and is coincident with a significant northwest-dipping break-in-slope near the apex of the Whistler Ridge. The irregular strike of the fault is modelled based on a best fit between faults in drill core and an axis of demagnetization along this fault from the magnetic susceptibility data. Based on the staircase geometry of topography downwards across the Gulley and Ridge faults to the northwest, Kiska geologists interpret these faults as possible normal faults with upper plate blocks downs to the northwest. These faults do not appear to truncate Au-Cu grade, and hence they have not been modelled as hard boundaries. The actual sense of motion and amount of potential offset across this fault zone is unknown.

 

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The Divide Fault (modelled as two strands) and the Conquer Fault are northwest-striking faults that dip steeply to the southwest (70 - 80° dip). These faults are modelled based on drill core intercepts and prominent breaks in the downhole magnetic susceptibility readings. These faults likely comprise strands within a fault zone. Where these faults intersect the Gulley and Ridge faults, the latter have a kinked geometry suggesting possible right-lateral offset of approximately 25 - 50 m.

 

All these faults generally show evidence that the latest movement within these faults post-dates mineralization (i.e., clay altered gouge and wall rock overprinting higher temperature alteration assemblages, carbonate-filled tension veins). However, both the ECORE and WCORE occur near the intersection of the Divide and Ridge Faults, suggesting that they may have been active prior to or during mineralization, and hence may have acted as important controls on mineralization.

 

6.3.3 Mineralization: Raintree West

 

The Raintree West deposit occurs 1,500 m to the east of the Whistler Deposit, just off the nose of Whistler Ridge. It occurs below a thin veneer of glacial till (5 to 15 m) and hence is not exposed at surface. Outside of the Whistler Deposit, Raintree West is currently the most advanced deposit in the Whistler Area based on drill metres, with a total of 8,538 m since the original discovery hole drilled by Geoinformatics in 2008. The discovery drillhole, RN-08-06, targeted an airborne magnetic high anomaly that is coincident with an IP chargeability high detected on a 2D IP reconnaissance line that crossed the Whistler Area. This hole discovered a significant zone of near surface (below 5m of till cover) gold-copper porphyry mineralization (160 m grading 0.59 gpt gold, 6.02 gpt silver, 0.10% copper).

 

Mineralization at Raintree West occurs as two main types: 1) early, porphyry-style gold-copper mineralization hosted by diorite porphyry stocks and consisting of quartz and magnetite stockwork veining, with vein and disseminated chalcopyrite associated with potassic alteration, and 2) later cross-cutting silver-gold-lead-zinc mineralization in quartz-carbonate veins (Dbm) that contain pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite, with occasional banded epithermal-like textures. The early gold-copper mineralization is best developed within, and controlled by, early diorite porphyry intrusions (akin to Main Stage Porphyry at the Whistler Deposit), whereas the later silver-gold-lead-zinc veins surround and locally overprint the porphyry mineralization and are most abundant in the host volcanic rocks in zones of strong to intense phyllic alteration vertically above and adjacent to the diorite porphyries. In places, 25m to 50m wide diorite porphyry dykes cut both types of mineralization and are barren (akin to Late-Stage Porphyry at the Whistler Deposit).

 

Current drilling at Raintree West has defined two significant zones of gold-copper porphyry mineralization: 1) a near surface zone on the east side of the Alger Peak fault; and 2) a deep zone on the west side of the fault (Figure 6-18).

 

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The near surface porphyry gold-copper mineralization is coincident with a northwest-elongate airborne magnetic high anomaly that measures 250 m long and 150 m wide, which pinches to the northwest and southeast. Drilling has only intersected this mineralization on two 100 metre-spaced east-west sections (6,871,350mN and 6,871,450mN). Gold-copper mineralization occurs from the top of bedrock to a maximum depth of approximately 170 m, where it is either truncated by post-mineral diorite porphyry intrusions or faulting, and has a true width of approximately 150 m. Gold-copper mineralization is closed to the north, and potentially open to the south, however grade diminishes, and the airborne magnetic high anomaly pinches out just south of the most southerly hole (WH10-025).

 

The deep zone of porphyry gold-copper mineralization on the west side of the fault has a maximum apparent width and vertical extent of 300 by 300 m at its widest (6,871,650N), is open to depth, and occurs at its shallowest at 470 m below surface. This deep zone of mineralization can be traced along a northwest-trending strike extent for at least 325 m where it appears fault bound to the northwest and is open to depth to the southeast. The mineralization is essentially blind to the airborne magnetic data and the 3D IP due to the limited depth penetration of these techniques.

 

Porphyry mineralization at Raintree West is essentially like that at the Whistler Deposit with respect to veining and alteration, although Raintree West is mantled by intensely altered volcanic rocks with epithermal-texture quartz-carbonate veins. These veins (Dbm), interpreted to have formed in a shallow environment post-dating the main phase of porphyry gold-copper mineralization, may have developed through hydrothermal/thermal downward collapse onto to earlier formed high temperature porphyry system, contributing base and precious metals to the mantle of volcanic rocks and porphyry mineralization.

 

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Figure 6-18 Plan Map of the Raintree West on a Background of greyscale airborne magnetic data, (magnetic high anomalies shown as lighter shades of grey) (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011a)

 

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6.3.4 Mineralization: Island Mountain

 

The Island Mountain deposit area is host to several mineralized zones interpreted to represent a cluster of individual porphyry centres within this large intrusive complex. These include the Breccia (the “Island Mountain Deposit”), Cirque and Howell Zones, and other prospects defined by surface geochemistry and geophysical anomalies that require further field assessment. Exploration activity and the majority of diamond drilling by Kiska have concentrated on mineralization associated within the Breccia Zone on the southwest slope of Island Mountain. Here, at least three styles of significant gold and copper mineralization are currently recognized: 1) gold-copper mineralization hosted by k-feldspar altered monzonitic intrusive breccia, 2) gold-copper mineralization hosted by intrusive and hydrothermal breccias associated with strong sodic-calcic alteration, and 3) gold-only mineralization associated with vein and disseminated pyrrhotite (“pyrrhotite-gold”).

 

At the Breccia Zone, the first two styles of mineralization occur within a 300 m diameter, sub-circular, sub-vertical breccia pipe, which appears to have been a conduit for inter-mingled intrusive and hydrothermal breccias hosted by the Diorite Porphyry. Gold-copper mineralization hosted by the k-feldspar altered monzonitic intrusive breccia is volumetrically smaller than the subjacent hydrothermal breccias and is interpreted as being the earliest stage of mineralization, since this breccia body is cut by actinolite veinlets. Mineralization is associated with trace to 2% disseminated chalcopyrite in the k-feldspar altered intrusive cement of the breccia, as illustrated in Figure 6-19 below.

 

 

Figure 6-19 Photo of monzonite-matrix intrusive breccia with patchy albite alteration, silicification and disseminated chalcopyrite (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

The bulk of gold-copper mineralization at the Breccia Zone is hosted by intrusive and hydrothermal breccias with strong sodic-calcic alteration with pyrrhotite as the predominate sulphide and trace to 1% chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is most abundant in the matrix of the hydrothermal breccias and is commonly intergrown with pyrrhotite and actinolite ± magnetite. Pyrrhotite, ranging from 1 to 5%, occurs as disseminations within the breccia matrix and as large blebs cementing the matrix as illustrated in Figure 6-20. The deportment of gold in the breccia zone is not known. Weaker gold-copper mineralization extends 50 - 75 m beyond the breccia zone and is associated with actinolite stockwork veining.

 

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Figure 6-20 Photos of various textures of actinolite-magnetite hydrothermal breccia (BXMA), showing strong albitization in monomict breccia (upper), pyrrhotite matrix in polymict breccia (lower) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

Gold-only mineralization in the Breccia Zone (referred to as “Pyrrhotite-Gold” mineralization) occurs 100 – 200 m peripherally to the intrusive-hydrothermal breccia body and occurs in association with vein and disseminated pyrrhotite within the Diorite Porphyry. Pyrrhotite veins occur in irregular, possibly sheeted sets, and are typically 1 - 10 millimetres wide and have pyrrhotite-rich (up to 15 - 20%) net-textured vein selvages (i.e., replacing the igneous matrix of the Diorite Porphyry). Petrography and SEM studies indicate that gold occurs as electrum intergrown within and marginal to pyrrhotite grains. The orientation and continuity of these veins is currently undefined.

 

The relationship between the breccia-hosted gold-copper mineralization and the pyrrhotite-associated gold-only mineralization is not fully understood. The current working hypothesis is that the gold-copper and gold-only mineralization are associated with the same hydrothermal fluid, such that copper was precipitated in the hotter parts of the system within the hydrothermal breccia, and copper-depleted, gold-bearing fluids persisted into cooler, structural zones beyond the breccia and were subsequently precipitated as illustrated schematically in Figure 6-21 below (Rowins, 2011).

 

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Figure 6-21 Schematic Model of Breccia Zone Alteration and Mineralization. (Source: Roberts, 2011b)

 

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6.3.5 Mineralization: Muddy Creek

 

Gold mineralization at Muddy Creek is hosted throughout the core of the plutonic complex and is controlled by northwest-striking and steeply southwest-dipping, mm- to locally cm-wide veinlets of sulphides and quartz, manifest as rusty-weathering sub-parallel fracture sets, commonly spaced a metre or more apart (Figure 6-22). These veinlets may contain any combination of chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, stibnite, pyrrhotite and native gold, with minor amounts of galena, sphalerite and molybdenite. Moderate sericitic alteration is typically restricted to cm-wide selvages to these veins, whereas the bulk of the interleaving rock is relatively unaltered and unmineralized. Cone sheets and circular onion skin-type joints that resemble bubbles or miarolites also carry gold mineralization, and elevated gold and copper values are also found in cm-scale pegmatites. Coarse- to very coarse-grained feldspar-quartz pegmatite with chalcopyrite and subordinate molybdenite occur along joint planes and intersections, centered in aplitic dikes and at the cores of circular joint sets or cone sheets. Lastly, massive sulfide veins occur locally along Muddy Creek in hornfelsed sedimentary wall rock. Previous workers report gold in all mineralization types to range from ppm to more than 1 oz/t in select samples (Millholland, 1998).

 

 

Figure 6-22 Detail view of Biotite Monzonite Northwest of Muddy Creek, cut by sub-vertical limonite-stained fracture fillings of chalcopyrite-arsenopyrite (~1-3 per metre) (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

Accessory minerals associated with mineralization in veins include vuggy quartz and K-spar, with greatly subordinate ilmenite, tourmaline, apatite, beryl, and possibly corundum. Unlike most other mineral types of the Whistler region, magnetite is completely absent and the only measurable magnetism in hand samples is imparted by ilmenite and pyrrhotite.

 

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Previous exploration has largely been focused on areas where the vein/fracture density is highest. This includes structural zones near the top of Discovery Creek, Phoenix Creek, Prospect Creek, and Muddy Creek that occur along the strike extent of a significant northwest-striking fault zone. Two diamond drillholes drilled by Kiska in 2011 focused on a high-density vein/fracture zone at the top of Prospect Creek. Here drilling returned a highlight result of 0.44 gpt gold over 44.2 m from 297.0 downhole (MC11-002). True widths on mineralization in this area may be approximately 80% of drilled widths, yet the full extent of mineralization down-dip or along strike is unknown due to a lack of drilling.

 

6.4 Deposit Types

 

Exploration on the Whistler Project by Kennecott, Geoinformatics and Kiska has identified three primary exploration targets for porphyry-style gold-copper deposits. These include the Whistler Deposit, Raintree, and the Island Mountain Breccia Zone. These deposits and their exploration criteria, conform to the porphyry deposit model as described in Sillitoe (2010). All the porphyry deposits in the Whistler Area share similar styles of alteration, mineralization, veining and cross-cutting relationships that are generally typical of porphyry systems associated with relatively oxidized magma series (A- and B-type quartz vein stockwork, chalcopyrite-pyrite ore assemblage, presence of sulphates, core of potassic alteration with well-developed peripheral phyllic alteration zones). The Whistler area also hosts multiple secondary porphyry-like prospects defined by drilling, anomalous soil samples, alteration, veining, surface rock samples, Induced Polarization chargeability/resistivity anomalies and airborne magnetic anomalies. These include the Raintree North, Rainmaker, Dagwood, Round Mountain, Puntilla, Canyon Creek, and Snow Ridge prospects.

 

In contrast, Island Mountain has significantly different alteration, veining and sulphide assemblages associated with mineralization, principally the occurrence of pyrrhotite and to a lesser extent arsenopyrite associated with Au-Cu mineralization, Au-Cu association with strong sodic-calcic alteration, lack of significant sulphates, very minor hydrothermal quartz and weak to insignificant phyllic alteration. For these reasons, the porphyry system at Island Mountain may belong to the “reduced” subclass of porphyry copper-gold deposits (see Rowins, 2000).

 

The Muddy Creek area represents an additional exploration target with the potential to host a bulk tonnage, Intrusion Related Gold (IRG) deposit. Explorations by Millrock Resources Inc. on claims directly adjacent to the Muddy Creek area, which are geologically analogous, have returned encouraging preliminary results. Like Island Mountain, the Muddy Creek mineralization is distinct from the Whistler Porphyry systems and shares more similarity with IRG systems characteristic of the Tintina Gold Belt. The intrusive complex at Muddy Creek is predominantly monzonitic grading to more mafic marginal phases yet is generally more felsic in composition relative to the diorites of the Whistler Area. Mineralization is restricted to sheeted vein zones with narrow millimetre scale veinlets and pegmatitic veinlets of quartz, feldspar, tourmaline, and sulphides that include arsenopyrite, minor chalcopyrite and pyrite-pyrrhotite. Gold mineralization is largely confined to the minute veinlets whereas the intervening intrusive rocks are largely unaltered and unmineralized.

 

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7 EXPLORATION

 

A summary of all exploration work conducted by various operators from 1986 to present is summarized in Table 7-1. Cominco Alaska Inc. is attributed with the discovery of the Whistler Deposit in 1986. The only exploration activity documented by Cominco for which Kiska has records are 8.4 line-kilometres of 2D Induced Polarization geophysics over the Whistler Deposit and sixteen diamond drillholes (1,677 m) in the Whistler Deposit.

 

Table 7-1 Summary of Exploration on the Whistler Project

 

Operator   Field Seasons  Mapping  Geophysics  Rocks   Soils   Silts 
Cominco   1986-1989  n/a  ● 8.4 line-km of 2D IP over the Whistler deposit  n/a   n/a   n/a 
Kennecott   2003-2006  Property-wide mapping  ● 39.4 line-km of 2D IP
● Property-wide AM (400m line spacing)
● Snow Ridge AM (79 line-km at 200m line spacing)
● Whistler Area AM (1,365 line-km at 50m line spacing)
   1312    2446    103 
Geoinformatics   2007-2008  Prospect-scale mapping  ● 8.8 line-km of 2D IP (Whistler area)   20    195    nil 
Kiska   2009-2011  Prospect-scale mapping  ● 40 line-km of 2D IP (Whistler area, Muddy Creek, Island Mountain)
● 224 line-km of 3D IP (Whistler area)
● Island Mountain EM (635 line-km at 100m line spacing)
   315    1425    46 

 

AM=Airborne Magnetic survey

EM=Airborne Electro-Magnetic survey

IP=Induced Polarization survey

 

7.1 Geological Mapping

 

The bulk of the detailed geological mapping and interpretation on the property was undertaken by Kennecott and summarized in a report by Young (2006). This work laid the foundation for the geological interpretation of porphyry-style mineralization in the Whistler area (including the Whistler Deposit and the Raintree - Rainmaker deposits), the Breccia Zone at Island Mountain, and Intrusion-Related Au mineralization in the Muddy Creek area.

 

7.2 Airborne Geophysics

 

An airborne helicopter geophysical survey was commissioned from Fugro Airborne Surveys (“Fugro”) by Kennecott during 2003. This survey covered the entire property with a high sensitivity cesium magnetometer and a 256-channel spectrometer.

 

Additional airborne magnetic data were acquired by Kennecott in 2004 over two smaller areas using a helicopter equipped by a Rio Tinto bird operated by Fugro and a Kennecott geophysicist. One area over the Snow Ridge target was investigated at 200m line spacing (79-line kilometres). The other grid was flown over the Whistler Deposit and surrounding area using fifty-metre line spacing (1,365-line kilometres).

 

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Results from these airborne surveys were used by Kennecott to interpret geological contacts, fault structures and potential mineralization in the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek areas. In particular, the airborne magnetic data showed that the Whistler Deposit displays a strong 900m by 700m positive magnetic anomaly attributed to the magnetic Whistler Diorite intrusive complex (host to the Whistler Deposit) in addition to a contribution from secondary magnetite alteration and veining associated with Au-Cu mineralization. This observation formed that basis for exploration targeting in the Whistler area, particularly those areas covered by a thin veneer of glacial sediments, such as the Raintree and Rainmaker deposits. These surveys, in addition to 2D Induced Polarization ground geophysical surveys targeted over airborne magnetic anomalies, were instrumental in the “blind” discovery of the Rainmaker and Raintree deposits by Kennecott in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

Kiska commissioned a helicopter borne AeroTEM survey over the Island Mountain area by Aeroquest Airborne in June 2011. The principal geophysical sensor was an AeroTEM III time domain electromagnetic system, employed in conjunction with a caesium vapour magnetometer. Navigation was provided by a real-time differential GPS navigation system, plus a radar altimeter and a video recorder mounted in the nose of the helicopter.

 

The survey was flown on east-west flight lines with a spacing of 100 m. Control lines were flown north-south, perpendicular to the survey lines, with a spacing of 1,000 m. The nominal terrain clearance of the EM bird was 30 m. The magnetometer sensor was mounted in a smaller bird connected to the tow rope 33 m above the EM bird and 20 m below the helicopter. Nominal survey speed was 75 km/hr., resulting in a geophysical reading about every 1.5 to 2.5 m along the flight path. The total survey coverage, including tie lines, was 635 km. Mira Geoscience was subsequently engaged to produce a 3D inversion of the data. The survey was designed to target potential zones of disseminated and net-textured pyrrhotite mineralization like the pyrrhotite-associated gold-only zone of mineralization on the flanks of the Breccia Zone. The survey did detect a large 1.5 km long by 1.0 km wide conductivity low anomaly on the southeast side of the Island Mountain area, referred to as the Super Conductor target. This anomaly was subsequently tested by three drillholes that did suggest that the conductivity anomaly may be associated with disseminated pyrrhotite mineralization with elevated gold values, yet further drilling is required to be conclusive and fully test the target.

 

7.3 Ground Geophysics

 

Cominco acquired 8.4 line-km of 2D Induced Polarization geophysics from six east-west oriented lines centred over the Whistler Deposit discovery outcrops. Anomalous results from these lines were used to target the deposit area with subsequent drilling. From 2004 to 2006, Kennecott completed 39.4 line-km of 2D IP geophysics in the Whistler area. Within this survey, two IP lines were run over the Whistler Deposit magnetic anomaly and showed that mineralization is coincident with a strong chargeability anomaly. Subsequent lines targeted magnetic anomalies at the Round Mountain, Canyon Creek, Canyon Ridge, Canyon Mouth, Long Lake Hills, Raintree and Rainmaker deposits. In 2007-2008, Geoinformatics completed 8.8 line-km of 2D IP from six separate reconnaissance lines in the Whistler area targeting airborne magnetic highs. Anomalous results from this survey in the Raintree area led to the Raintree West discovery.

 

In 2009, Kiska undertook a significant 2D and 3D IP survey over most of the prospective areas in the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek areas. Kiska commissioned Aurora Geoscience to complete 224 line-km of a 3D Induced Polarization geophysical survey. This was executed on two grids (Round Mountain; Whistler Area) which were comprised of grid lines ranging from 4 to 9 km long with a line-spacing of 400 m. From November to December 2009, the raw data was delivered to Mira Geoscience for detail data quality control and error analysis prior to the construction of a 3D inversion model. This survey reaffirmed that the Whistler Deposit is coincident with a discrete 3D chargeability anomaly and showed that much of the Whistler area contains broad areas of anomalous chargeability (Figure 7-1). In conjunction with the airborne magnetic data, these zones of anomalous chargeability formed the basis for exploration drilling in the Whistler Area in 2010.

 

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Figure 7-1 Depth slices (100m) of the chargeability (top) and resistivity (bottom) inversion model of the 3D IP data in the Whistler Area (with contours of the 400m line spacing AMAG RTP). WD, Whistler Deposit; RTW, Raintree West; RTN, Raintree North; RTS, Raintree South, DGW, Dagwood; RMK, Rainmaker. (Source: Roberts, 2011a)

 

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In 2009 Kiska commissioned SJ Geophysics to complete 40 line-km of a 2D Induced Polarization geophysical survey. Survey lines were generally semi-straight reconnaissance-type lines over areas of interest at Alger Peak, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek. The geophysical survey was acquired with a pole – dipole 2DIP technique with 100m dipoles.

 

7.4 Soil and Rock Sampling

 

From 2004 to 2006 Kennecott collected 1,300 rock samples, close to 2,500 soil samples and 103 stream sediments samples in the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek areas. Within this program, a soil grid over the Whistler Deposit returned anomalous Au-Cu results coincident with the magnetic high. Other reconnaissance soil lines in the Whistler area with anomalous Au-Cu results helped to define areas of interest at the Round Mountain, Canyon Creek, Canyon Ridge, Canyon Mouth, and Long Lake Hills prospects. In addition, soil reconnaissance lines at Island Mountain led to the Discovery of the Breccia Zone and broad zones of anomalous Au at Muddy Creek. In 2009 and 2010, Kiska collected 1,417 soil samples and 293 rocks samples, which largely confirmed areas of interest in the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Muddy Creek areas previously defined by Kennecott.

 

Rock samples consist of approximately one kilogram of rock collected over a small area surrounding each sampling site using a rock hammer. The sampling location is located using a handheld GPS unit and marked in the field with a metallic tag. Descriptive information about the geology of the sample was recorded and aggregated into the project database.

 

Soil samples are collected from the surface soils (generally the B-horizon) by extracting approximately one kilogram of soil into a plastic bag usually with a hand auger. Each sampling site is located using a GPS unit. Descriptive information such sampling depth and physical attributes are recorded and aggregated into the project database. Typically, field duplicates are collected at a rate of one every twenty samples.

 

Soil samples were collected along traverses as part of multi-kilometre reconnaissance programs, generally at 100 metre spacing. In two areas (Whistler Deposit and Snow Ridge), samples were collected at a more regular 100 metre grid spacing. This area is illustrated in Figure 7-2 with the whistler-Rainmaker terrain shown in Figure 7-3.

 

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Figure 7-2 From the Whistler Area looking North to the Snow Ridge Area (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

 

Figure 7-3 From the Whistler Area looking South to the Rainmaker Area (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

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7.5 Drilling

 

A total of 70,247 m of diamond drilling in 257 holes are documented in the Whistler database for drilling on the Whistler Project by Cominco, Kennecott, Geoinformatics, and Kiska from 1986 to the end of 2011 as shown in Table 7-2. Of these drillholes 21,132 m in 52 holes have been drilled in the Whistler Deposit area, 20,479 m in 94 holes have been drilled in the Raintree area, and 14,410m in 36 holes comprise the Island Mountain resource area. There are 14,226 m in 75 holes in areas outside the three resource areas.

 

Table 7-2 Summary of Diamond Drilling on the Whistler Project

 

        Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain   Outside Resource Areas   Total 
Operator    Year    No. Holes    Length (m)    No. Holes    Length (m)    No. Holes    Length (m)    No. Holes    Length (m)    No. Holes    Length (m) 
Cominco    1986-1989    16    1,677                                  16    1,677 
     2004    5    1,997                        1    310    6    2,307 
     2005    9    5,251    1    213              8    1,479    18    6,943 
Kennecott    2006    1    705    4    1,115              6    1,378    11    3,199 
     Kennecott Sub-Total    15    7,953    5    1,328              15    3,168    35    12,449 
     2007    7    3,321                                  7    3,321 
Geoinformatics    2008    6    2,707    2    622              3    975    11    4,303 
     Geoinformatics Sub-Total    13    6,027    2    622              3    975    18    7,624 
     2009    1    228    1    479    1    387    2    424    5    1,518 
     2010    7    5,247    8    3.255    11    4,991    10    3,182    36    16,674 
Kiska    2011              78    14,795    24    9,032    45    6,478    147    30,305 
     Kiska Sub-Total    8    5,475    87    18,529    36    14,410    57    10,084    188    48,498 
Total     52    21,132    94    20,479    36    14,410    75    14,226    257    70,247 

 

Figure 7-4 through Figure 7-6 are plan views of each deposit illustrating the drillholes by Year / Owner for Whistler, Raintree, and Island Mountain respectively. The resource pit outline is shown in black on all figures, with the underground resource confining shape in grey for the Raintree deposit.

 

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Figure 7-4 Plan View of Drillholes by Year/Owner – Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 7-5 Plan View of Drillholes by Year/Owner – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 7-6 Plan View of Drillholes by Year/Owner – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

7.6 Drilling by Cominco Alaska Inc.

 

Partial records documenting the sixteen shallow core boreholes (1,677 m) drilled by Cominco on the Whistler gold-copper deposit in 1988 and 1989 including descriptions of the core, drilling logs and assay results are described by Couture, 2007.

 

Kennecott resurveyed the locations of several holes using either a handheld GPS or with a Trimble ProXr receiver providing real-time sub-metre accuracy. Three holes were unable to be located. The core from the Cominco holes was reportedly donated to the State of Alaska in 1990 and may be stored at a core library in Eagle River, Alaska (Couture, 2007).

 

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7.7 Drilling by Kennecott

 

Between 2004 and 2006, Kennecott drilled a total of thirty-five core holes (12,449 m) on the Whistler Project, with fifteen of those core holes (7,953 m) intersecting the Whistler Deposit. The Kennecott core is partly stored at the site camp with some in a secured warehouse in Wasilla, Alaska. Drilling operations were conducted by NANA-Dynatec and NANA-Major drilling out of Salt Lake City, Utah using up to three drill rigs supported by helicopter. Core size was HQ-diameter in 2004 and subsequently NQ in 2005 and 2006 (Couture, 2007).

 

Drilling was documented by Kennecott personnel. The collar position of each borehole was laid out with a hand GPS unit, while azimuth and inclination were determined with a compass. Individual collars were subsequently surveyed using a Trimble ProXr receiver providing real-time sub-metre accuracy. Flex It Multi-shot readings at twenty-foot (six metre) intervals were taken to monitor downhole deviation. Magnetic susceptibility and gravity data were also recorded. Drilling, logging, and sampling were directly supervised by a suitably qualified geologist. Core retrieved from drilling was oriented using EzMark or an ACE device. All casing was pulled after drilling. Core recovery, geotechnical point load test, and rock quality determination were collected before the geologist recorded detailed information about lithology, mineralogy, alteration, vein density, and structure. All recorded descriptive data were entered into an acQuire database (Couture, 2007).

 

Twenty boreholes (4,746 m) were drilled by Kennecott to investigate exploration targets outside the Whistler deposit. Targets selected for drilling were typically chosen based on a combination of geology, geochemical and geophysical criteria believed to be indicative of magmatic hydrothermal processes. Selected targets were explored with vertical or angled drillholes to validate the geological model. One or more boreholes were drilled with the intent to identify the potassic core of a magmatic hydrothermal system known to be associated with better copper and gold sulphide mineralization in this area (Couture, 2007).

 

7.8 Drilling by Geoinformatics

 

In 2007 and 2008, Geoinformatics drilled twelve holes totaling 5,784 m on the Whistler Deposit, and six holes totaling 1,841 m on Raintree and other exploration targets in the Whistler project area. Geoinformatics used the same drilling contractor and drilling procedures as previously Kennecott except that oriented core was not obtained. Exploration drilling by Geoinformatics in the Whistler area targeted geophysical anomalies in the Raintree and Rainmaker areas, using the same basic porphyry exploration model as Kennecott (Roberts, 2011a).

 

7.9 Drilling by Kiska

 

During the 2009-2011 Kiska drilling campaigns, diamond drilling was performed by Quest America Drilling and Falcon Drilling Ltd. and supervised by geological staff from Kiska. Drilling was performed by helicopter-portable diamond drill rigs. Drillholes were collared with HQ diameter tools (6.35 cm) and reduced to NQ diameter tools (4.76 cm) when the rig reached the depth capacity of the HQ equipment. Collar locations were determined with hand-held GPS devices by Kiska staff. Downhole surveys for all holes were conducted by the drill contractor at 60 m intervals down-hole using a Reflex EZ Shot down-hole camera (Roberts, 2011a).

 

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During the 2009-2011 Kiska drilling campaign a total of 188 diamond drillholes were completed for a total of 48,498 m. All drillholes were logged by Kiska geologists at the core logging facility at the Whistler exploration camp. Logged geological information included lithology type, alteration type and intensity, vein types, percent vein volume and vein orientations (to core axis), structures (to core axis), the percent of sulphides and oxides, and magnetic susceptibility at meter intervals. Geotechnical information logged included core recovery and rock quality designation (RQD). All logging data was entered on paper logging forms in 2009 and transcribed digitally info LogChief software in 2010 and 2011 (Roberts, 2011a).

 

7.9.1 Whistler Deposit

 

A total of 8 holes totaling 5,475 m were drilled on the Whistler Deposit by Kiska. These holes were targeted to in-fill gaps from the previous drill campaigns and to test the edges and depth of the intrusive complex that hosts the deposit.

 

7.9.2 Raintree Deposit

 

The Raintree deposit is located 1,800 m to the east of the Whistler Deposit in the area formerly called Raintree West, just off the nose of Whistler Ridge. The discovery drillhole, RN-08-06, targeted an airborne magnetic high anomaly that is coincident with an IP chargeability high anomaly detected on a 2D IP reconnaissance line that crossed the Whistler Area. This hole discovered a significant zone of near surface (below 5 m to 15 m of till cover) gold-copper porphyry mineralization (160 m grading 0.59 gpt gold, 6.02 gpt silver, 0.10% copper). Kiska expanded on this discovery in 2009 with a scissor hole drilled on the same section as RN-08-06 (WH09-02). This was successful at duplicating the gold-copper mineralization zone in RN-08-06, and identified a second, deeper zone of porphyry mineralization on the west side of the Alger Peak fault zone. In 2010, Kiska followed up with an additional four drillholes, and in 2011 further tested the shallow zone and the deep zone with a total of eight holes for a total of 5,997 m. The majority of drillholes in Raintree were drilled on east-west sections with section spacing of 100 m.

 

7.9.3 Whistler Area Exploration Drilling

 

A total of 133 exploration holes for 27,464 m of drilling in the Whistler area were completed by Kiska in 2009-2011. A majority of these holes were drilled in the area that includes much of the broad valley floor to the north, east and south of the Whistler Ridge, that includes the parts of the Raintree and Rainmaker prospect areas (Figure 7-7). Targeting for this drilling program was developed by a technical team comprised of Kiska and Kennecott geologists based on blind geophysical targets heavily weighted by the results of the 2009 3D IP survey (chargeability and resistivity anomalies), airborne magnetic anomalies, anomaly size, and proximity to areas of known mineralization or anomalous surface geochemistry. A majority of these holes intersected andesitic volcanic rocks with moderate to strong sericite-clay-pyrite alteration and occasional sphalerite- and galena-bearing quartz-carbonate veins with banded and colliform epithermal-like textures. The holes were spaced on average greater than 500 m apart and alteration and veining indicate that broad areas in the Whistler Area define the upper, cooler margins of a large porphyry-related hydrothermal system or a cluster of smaller, coalescing porphyry-related hydrothermal systems. Within this broad area, drilling returned Whistler-like, porphyry-style Au-Cu mineralization with significant intercepts at the Raintree, Raintree North, and the Rainmaker deposits, and anomalous alteration and geochemistry at the Dagwood prospect.

 

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Figure 7-7 Whistler Area Drilling (Source: MMTS, 2015)

 

7.9.4 Island Mountain Drilling

 

The 35 out of 42 holes completed by Kiska in the Island Mountain area between 2009 and 2011 targeted the Breccia Zone. The remainder targeted zones of either anomalous surface rock geochemistry and alteration (Cirque Zone) or geophysical anomalies (Super Conductor). Significant results were only returned from the Breccia Zone and are summarized below. The alteration patterns and geochemical pathfinder elements from the other areas may be useful for future drill targeting.

 

At the Island Mountain Deposit, drilling included in the resource estimate includes 36 drillholes for 14,410 m of drilling. The majority of these holes were completed on seven east-west cross-sections spaced 50 m apart in a 300 square metre area from 6,847,600N to 6,847,900N (Figure 7-8). The lithologies, alteration and mineralization of the breccia-related mineralization indicate that the magmatic-hydrothermal breccia complex defines an irregular pipe-shaped body approximately 300 m by 300 m in plan which from the surface down 500 m. Like the strike of the faults in the area, this breccia complex is sub-vertical and appears to trend in a northwest-southeast orientation (Roberts, 2011a).

 

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Figure 7-8 Plan Map of Drillholes and Mineralization Style at the Breccia Zone (Source: MMTS, 2015, modified from Roberts, 2011b)

 

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Surface mapping, soil geochemistry and drilling has defined other distinct breccia bodies with zones of alteration, surface anomalism and significant mineralization up to 700 m to the north - northwest of this breccia complex. Significant zones of mineralization are shown in Table 7-3.

 

Table 7-3 Examples of Significant Drill Results North of the Island Mountain Deposit

 

Hole 

From

(m)

  

To

(m)

  

Interval

(m)

  

Au

(g/t)

  

Ag

(g/t)

  

Cu

(%)

 
IM10-015   74.3    111.0    36.7    0.27    0.37    0.01 
and   166.8    212.9    46.1    1.19    0.53    0.01 
Including   168.5    182.2    13.7    3.69    0.56    0.01 
and   274.0    276.0    2.0    10.5    2.30    0.04 
IM11-030   20.0    63.0    43.0    0.32    1.12    0.03 
and   364.1    438.0    73.9    0.72    2.24    0.09 
including   364.1    390.0    25.9    1.79    5.05    0.09 
IM11-032   104.0    137.0    33.0    0.21    0.62    0.02 
and   246.0    300.0    54.0    0.29    0.28    0.01 
IM11-033   2.8    58.0    55.2    0.41    1.54    0.03 
including   2.8    42.0    39.2    0.56    1.18    0.02 
IM11-035   3.0    44.0    41.0    0.44    2.19    0.03 

 

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8 SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES, AND SECURITY

 

This section provides an overview of the sample preparation, analyses and security procedures used by the pre-U.S. GoldMining /GoldMining operators of the Whistler Project. This section summarizes the verification work and practices employed by each of these operators for which records are available. The independent Qualified Person (QP) responsible for Section 8 of this report, Sue Bird, P. Eng., believes that these practices are consistent with industry standards and sufficient for their use in mineral resource estimation as detailed herein.

 

8.1 Sample Preparation and Analyses

 

8.1.1 Sample Preparation and Analysis -Cominco

 

There is no available documentation that describes the sampling used by Cominco. The core is not available for data verification. The sample preparation and analytical procedures used by Cominco are not known. Core samples were assayed for gold, silver, and copper and occasionally for a suite of eight other metals (arsenic, cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, strontium, and zinc) at an unknown laboratory. No certificates of these analyses are available. It is unknown if quality control samples were inserted into the sampling stream, if they were, no records of these samples were available.

 

8.1.2 Sample Preparation and Analysis – Kennecott and Geoinformatics

 

Sample preparation protocols for drilling programs on the Whistler project documenting procedures describing all aspects of the field sampling and sample description process, handling of samples, and preparation for dispatch to the assay laboratory, were initially developed by Kennecott and subsequently adopted by Geoinformatics (SRK, 2007).

 

All soil, rock chips, core, and stream sediments samples were organized into batches of samples of the same type for submission to Alaska Assay Laboratories Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska (AAL) for preparation using standard preparation procedures. The AAL laboratory is part of the Alfred H. Knight group, an established international independent weighing, sampling, and analysis service company (SRK, 2007).

 

Kennecott used two primary independent laboratories for assaying samples prepared by AAL. The samples collected during 2004 were assayed at AAL, however, all prepared pulps collected in 2005 and 2006 were submitted to ALS-Chemex Laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia for assaying. The ALS Chemex Vancouver laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 by the Standards Council of Canada and participates in a number of international proficiency tests, such as those managed by CANMET and Geostats (SRK, 2007).

 

It is reported (SRK, 2007) that Kennecott used two secondary laboratories for check assaying. ALS-Chemex re-assayed 191 pulp samples from the 2004 sampling programs, and Acme Analytical Laboratories Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia (“Acme”) was used as a secondary laboratory in 2005 and 2006. Acme (now Bureau Veritas) is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

 

Core samples were prepared for assaying using industry standard procedures. Splits of 500 g of coarsely crushed core samples were pulverized to ninety percent passing a -200-mesh screen. Splits of 250 g samples were pulverized to eighty-five percent passing a -150-mesh screen. In 2004, 30 g pulp samples were assayed by Alaska Assay Laboratories in Fairbanks for gold by fire assay with atomic absorption finish (AA), and for a suite of nine metals by aqua regia digestion with inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Core and rock samples collected after 2004 were assayed by ALS-Chemex for gold by fire assay with AA finish on thirty-gram sub-samples and for a suite of thirty-four elements (including copper and silver) by aqua regia digestion and ICP-AES on 0.5 g sub-samples. Elements exceeding concentration limits of ICP-AES were re-assayed by single element aqua regia digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (SRK, 2007).

 

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Kennecott included quality control (QAQC) samples with all samples submitted for assaying. Each batch of twenty core samples submitted for assaying contained one sample blank, one of three project specific certified reference materials (CRMs), a field duplicate and a coarse crushed duplicate. These QAQC samples were inserted blind to the assay laboratory except for the coarsely crushed sample duplicates that were inserted by the preparation laboratory (SRK, 2007).

 

Geoinformatics used the sample preparation and assaying protocols and quality control measures developed by Kennecott. All samples collected by Geoinformatics were submitted to Alaska Assay Laboratories for preparation. Pulps were submitted to ALS-Chemex by the preparation laboratory for assaying using the same tests described previously (SRK 2008).

 

Two sample blank materials were collected locally by Kennecott. An andesite rock (OPPBLK-1) collected on outcrop (522,399 m east and 6874,144 m north; NAD27, zone 5) and porphyritic andesite (WP-BLK-1) intersected in borehole 04-DD-WP-01 (SRK, 2007)

 

For the Whistler Project, Kennecott fabricated three in house CRMs (WPCO1, WP-MG1 and WP-HG1; from coarse rejects from two boreholes drilled at Whistler (WP04-04-17 and WH04-01-17) that were used through 2010. Coarse rejects from core samples were selected to create three composite samples yielding low, medium and high copper and gold values. Each composite sample was prepared at AAL to yield homogenized pulverized samples for inclusion in the sample stream. Five samples of each standard were then submitted to five commercial laboratories for round-robin assaying. Each standard sample was assayed twice at each laboratory yielding fifty assay results that were analyzed to determine the expected values and standard deviation for QAQC analysis (Franklin, et al 2006).

 

8.1.3 Sample Preparation and Analysis – Kiska

 

Kiska geologists marked out samples for assay after logging the drill core, typically 2m to 3m in length, honoring lithological and alteration contacts. In general, the drillholes were sampled top to bottom, excepting holes that were partially sampled due to a lack of significant mineralization. After the sample tags were inserted into the core boxes, the core was photographed wet and dry before being cut in half with a diamond saw. One half was submitted for assay, one half was retained (Roberts, 2011a).

 

In 2009, Kiska used AAL in Fairbanks as the primary assay lab but switched to ALS-Chemex for the 2010 and 2011 drilling, both laboratories were independent of Kiska. At AAL samples were dried then crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh, a 250 g split was pulverized to 90% passing 150mesh. A 30-element suite was conducted by three-acid digestion with ICP-AES and gold was analyzed using 30 g samples by fire assay with AAS finish (Roberts, 2011a).

 

At ALS Chemex samples were crushed to 70% passing 2 mm, split, and pulverized to 85% passing 75µm. Gold was analyzed with a 30 g sample by fire assay with AA finish, 33 element analysis and ore grade were done with four-acid digestion on ICP-AES finish.

 

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Kiska included QAQC samples at the rate of one CRM, one blank, and one field duplicate (quarter core) in each batch of 20 samples which were blind to the laboratory. CRMs purchased from Ore Research & Exploration and silica sand was used for blanks. A sample tag was included for a lab duplicate. (Roberts, 2011).

 

8.2 Security and Chain of Custody

 

Kennecott devised a documented chain of custody procedure to monitor and track all sample shipments departing the base camp until the final delivery of the pulp to the assaying laboratory. Geoinformatics is reported to have adopted all procedures developed by Kennecott. These procedures included the use of security seals on containers used to ship samples, detailed work, and shipping orders. Each transfer point was recorded on the chain of custody form up to the final delivery of the pulp to the assay laboratory (SRK, 2007).

 

Kiska used rice bags closed with security tags to contain the samples for submission as shown in Figure 8-1. The bags were loaded onto Regal Air flights direct to Anchorage and met by an Alaska Minerals representative who delivered them initially to Lynden transport to be shipped to the ALS preparation lab in Fairbanks, AK, or later directly to the ALS preparation lab Anchorage, AK. Prepared pulp samples were shipped to the ALS lab in North Vancouver for assay. Chain of custody tracking was documented on the form shown in Figure 8-1 (Roberts, 2011).

 

 

Figure 8-1 Sample Bags with Security Tags (Source: Roberts, 2011a)

 

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Figure 8-2 Sample Dispatch Form (Source: Roberts, 2011a)

 

8.3 QAQC Summary

 

The total number of assays and QAQC samples including samples identified as Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), blanks, field duplicates and coarse duplicates in the provided database is given in Table 8-1 and shows that the percent of included QAQC samples is 11.4% in Whistler, 18.7% in Raintree and 19.3% in Island Mountain. The year in which the QAQC is counted is by year of analysis, not drilling. The QAQC sampling in the Whistler area is slightly lower than industry standards, the number of included samples in the Raintree and Island Mountain areas meet or exceed industry standards. QAQC data for copper and gold only have been provided and are presented here. The analysis of the QAQC samples by deposit follows.

 

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Table 8-1 QAQC Sample Summary (All Areas and Years)

 

Deposit  Year  Assay Samples  CRMs  Blanks  Field Dups  Coarse Dups  QAQC Samples  % QAQC 
    1986-1989   697                   0     
    2004   918       2           2   0.2%
    2005   2,602   131   157           288   10.0%
    2006   353   21   40           61   14.7%
Whistler   2007   1,347   50   74       47   171   11.3%
    2008   1,180   98   81       35   214   15.4%
    2009   116               14   14   10.8%
    2010   1,726   111   101   108   108   428   19.9%
    Whistler All   9,114   411   455   108   204   1,178   11.4%
    2005   72   4   4           8   10.0%
    2006   383   22   20           42   9.9%
    2008   249   18   18       9   45   15.3%
Raintree   2009   262               33   33   11.2%
    2010   1,298   81   77   80   83   321   19.8%
    2011   5,136   324   319   303   317   1,263   19.7%
    Raintree All   7,463   449   438   383   442   1,712   18.7%
    2009   194               21   21   9.8%
Island   2010   2,140   128   133   130   129   520   19.5%
Mountain   2011   3,110   185   195   186   192   758   19.6%
    Island Mountain All   5,444   313   328   316   342   1,299   19.3%
Total       22,021   1,173   1,221   807   988   4,189   16.0%

 

8.3.1 QAQC Whistler Deposit

 

8.3.1.1 Whistler Blanks

 

The summary of the blind gold assays samples of blank material used to assess contamination in the Whistler deposit sample stream is given in Table 8-2. The results show an overall 2% failure rate at 10 times detection limit (DL), which is more than would normally be expected. A possible reason for this is the use of locally sourced andesite and porphyritic andesite as blank material by both Kennecott and Geoinformatics. It is seen that in the drilling by Kiska in 2010, that there are no failures when the silica sand is used for blanks.

 

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Table 8-2 Summary of Gold Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit

 

Year  Gold Blank Assays  Fails at 5*DL  % Fail at 5*DL   Fails at 10*DL  % Fail at 10*DL 
2004   2   0   0.0%   0   0.0%
2005   158   3   1.9%   2   1.3%
2006   40   1   2.5%   1   2.5%
2007   74   0   0.0%   0   0.0%
2008   81   13   16.0%   6   7.4%
2010   101   0   0.0%   0   0.0%
Total   455   17   3.7%   9   2.0%

 

A sequential plot of gold assays blanks normalized by the DL is presented in Figure 8-3. The grey line indicates the year of drilling, and it is clearly seen that the performance of the blank material is much better in 2010, with all results below the 5*DL line (yellow line). This is coincident with the use of silica sand for the blank material. The nine failures at the 10*DL level have been assessed and they follow samples of moderate gold mineralization with the highest being 0.82 g/t and in zones of 0.2 to 0.6 g/t. Usually, failures due to contamination are seen following gold assays of much greater magnitude, but this does not preclude that there may have been some minor contamination.

 

 

Figure 8-3 Sequential Plot of Gold Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The DL for copper assays at the Whistler deposit is either 1 or 5 ppm depending on the analysis lab and year and applying a criterion of 5- or 10-times DL results in an extremely high failure rate. The copper assays are compared against a level of 100 ppm, or 0.01%, and results are given in Figure 8-3. The highest percentages with blank sample assays greater than 100 ppm, occurs in years 2005 through 2008 when the locally sourced material was used as a blank.

 

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Table 8-3 Summary of Copper Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit

 

Year  Copper Blank Assays   Number >100 ppm   %>100 ppm 
2004   2    0    0.0%
2005   158    40    25.3%
2006   40    7    17.5%
2007   74    7    9.5%
2008   81    26    32.1%
2010   105    0    0.0%
Total   460    80    17.4%

 

The sequential plot of copper assays of blanks in the Whistler deposit is presented in Figure 8-4. Of the six failures for copper blanks with assays greater than 500 ppm, one appears to be mislabeled, as the same sample number appears in the primary database, one follows an assay at DL, and 4 follow assays of similar magnitude, indicative of some possible problems with contamination and some spurious results. The overall high rate of failures in results from 2004 through 2008 is consistent with the possibility of trace copper in the locally sourced blank material.

 

 

Figure 8-4 Sequential Plot of Copper Assays of Blanks, Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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8.3.1.2 Whistler CRMs

 

There are 411 samples of CRMs certified for both gold and copper included in the Whistler sample stream which are used to assess the accuracy of the laboratory assays. The results of analysis of these samples are given in Table 8-4 in order of increasing grade of the expected value (EV) and shows that the overall failure rate is 2.2%. The average percent error is -1.5%, indicating a minor negative bias to the laboratory gold assays. The CRM with the greatest percentage error, has only two samples. The coefficients of variation indicate reasonably consistent results among assays of the CRMs.

 

Table 8-4 Whistler Deposit CRM Summary, Gold

 

CRM  Used   Samples   Average of Au (g/t)   Std Dev of Au (g/t)   CV   EV (g/t)   % Error   Low Fail   High Fails   % Fail 
OREAS-52Pb   2010    2    0.334    0.011    3.4%   0.307    8.1%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-52c   2010    51    0.343    0.016    4.6%   0.346    -1.0%   1    0    2.0%
WP-CO1   2005-2010    135    0.472    0.030    6.4%   0.480    -1.7%   2    2    3.0%
OREAS-53Pb   2010    15    0.620    0.015    2.4%   0.623    -0.4%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-50c   2010    12    0.827    0.031    3.8%   0.836    -1.1%   0    0    0.0%
WP-MG1   2005-2008    98    1.675    0.080    4.8%   1.715    -2.4%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-54Pa   2010    25    2.878    0.096    3.3%   2.900    -0.8%   1    0    4.0%
WP-HG1   2005-2010    73    4.651    0.231    5.0%   4.693    -0.9%   3    0    4.1%
Total   2005-2010    411                        -1.5%   7    2    2.2%

 

The normalized process control chart showing results for all CRMS is given in Figure 8-5 and shows the acceptable results across all CRMs. It does not appear that quality control procedures were always followed. For instance, the high failure in 2008, plotting at almost +6 SD is sample 514915 in drillhole WH-08-08, and follows an assay value of 0.902 g/t. This control sample and the neighboring primary samples should have been re-assayed and replaced in the database if strict control measures were in place. Although individual lapses control procedures can be identified, the overall impact of these is not considered material as the number of failures is relatively small.

 

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Figure 8-5 Whistler Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The summary of copper assays of the CRMs is given in Table 8-5 in order of increasing grade and shows the overall failure rate to be 2.9% and the percent error to be negligible. The CV values again are low indicating good repeatability of the assays of the standards.

 

Table 8-5 Whistler Deposit CRM Summary, Copper

 

CRM  Used   Samples   Average of Cu Pct   Std Dev of Cu Pct   CV   EV Pct   % Error   Low Fail   High Fails   % Fail 
WP-MG1   2005-2008    98    0.258    0.006    2.3%   0.259    -0.7%   0    0    0.0%
WP-CO1   2005-2010    135    0.279    0.009    3.2%   0.280    -0.5%   5    2    5.2%
OREAS-52Pb   2010    2    0.345    0.024    7.0%   0.334    3.2%   0    1    50.0%
OREAS-52c   2010    50    0.352    0.011    3.1%   0.344    2.3%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-53Pb   2010    15    0.541    0.010    1.8%   0.546    -0.9%   0    0    0.0%
WP-HG1   2005-2010    72    0.617    0.013    2.1%   0.616    0.1%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-50c   2010    13    0.766    0.020    2.6%   0.742    3.1%   0    2    15.4%
OREAS-54Pa   2010    24    1.511    0.025    1.6%   1.550    -2.5%   2    0    8.3%
Total   2005-2010    409                        -0.1%   7    5    2.9%

 

The normalized process control chart is given in Figure 8-6 in order of processing and shows the acceptable results with few failures.

 

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Figure 8-6 Whistler Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The performance of both gold and silver CRMs in the Whistler deposit indicates acceptable accuracy.

 

8.3.1.3 Whistler Duplicates

 

The simple statistics of the field (core) duplicates in the Whistler deposit in 2010 drilling are given in Table 8-6. It is seen in the means of the gold assays that the % difference of the means is 4.6% indicating there is a small positive bias to the primary samples as compared to the duplicates. There is a negligible difference in the means of the copper assays. The percent below 10% Half Absolute Relative Difference (HARD) is 68% for gold and 72% for copper. The expectation for field duplicates is that 70% or more are below 10%, this is met for copper and nearly met for gold. The 68% is quite good for gold, indicating the gold mineralization in Whistler is not highly heterogenous.

 

Table 8-6 Whistler Field Duplicates Simple Statistics

 

            Average   % below   Standard Deviation 
Samples   Element   Units   Primary   Duplicate   % Difference   10%
HARD
   Primary   Duplicate 
108    Gold    g/t    0.131    0.125    -4.6%   68    0.207    0.194 
     Copper    ppm    886.2    879.5    -0.8%   72    1084.1    1062.1 

 

The small positive bias of gold assays in the primary samples is also observed in the scatter plot in Figure 8-7 with the slope of the best fit line below 1.0. The relative high correlation coefficient reflects the somewhat homogenous nature of the duplicate samples.

 

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Figure 8-7 Whistler Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The scatter plot of copper field duplicates is given in Figure 8-8 and shows the good correlation between duplicate pairs with slope of best fit line slightly below 1.0 and high correlation coefficient.

 

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Figure 8-8 Whistler Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The simple statistics of the coarse (preparation) duplicates in Whistler in 2007 through 2010 is given in Table 8-7. There are two outliers in the gold results which cause the percent difference of means of the entire set to be 5.4%, with the assays of the duplicate samples higher than primary. The means of the pairs without the two outliers have a percent difference of 0.4%. The means of the copper assays have a percent difference of 2.6%. The expectation for coarse duplicates is that 80% is less than 10% HARD which is more than met for copper and not met for gold, which is typical.

 

Table 8-7 Whistler Coarse Duplicate Simple Statistics

 

             Average   % below   Standard Deviation 
Samples   Element   Units   Primary   Duplicate   % Difference   10%
HARD
   Primary   Duplicate 
204    Gold    g/t    0.178    0.188    5.4%   71    0.294    0.350 
202    Gold    g/t    0.168    0.169    0.4%   71    0.259    0.268 
204    Copper    ppm    944.5    969.5    2.6%   89    1007.4    1191.9 

 

The scatter plot of coarse duplicates for gold is given in Figure 8-9, without the outliers. The slope nearly matches 1.0 and the coefficient of correlation is high. Most of the variation in sample pairs is seen in pairs below 0.2 g/t, sample above 0.2 g/t are seen to be closely matched.

 

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Figure 8-9 Whistler Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold, no outliers (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The scatter plot of copper coarse duplicates is given in Figure 8-10 and shows a slope slightly above 1 and low coefficient of correlation. There are five clear outliers, with the remainder of the pairs very close to each other along the 1:1 line.

 

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Figure 8-10 Whistler Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

Analysis of duplicate samples in Whistler do not show evidence of selection bias at the core sampling level, indicate moderate heterogeneity of gold mineralization, and show that significant bias is not introduced at the sample preparation stage.

 

8.3.2 QAQC Raintree Deposit

 

8.3.2.1 Raintree Blanks

 

The summary of gold assays of blanks in the Raintree sample stream is presented in Table 8-8 and show acceptable results with only 0.9% of samples failing at the 5*DL level, and a single failure at the 5*DL level.

 

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Table 8-8 Summary of Gold Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit

 

Year  Gold Blank Assays   Fails at 5*DL   % Fail at 5*DL   Fails at 10*DL   % Fail at 10*DL 
2005   4    0    0.0%   0    0.0%
2006   22    0    0.0%   0    0.0%
2008   18    0    0.0%   0    0.0%
2010   77    1    1.3%   1    1.3%
2011   319    3    0.9%   0    0.0%
Total   440    4    0.9%   1    0.2%

 

The sequential plot of gold assays of blanks is shown in Figure 8-11 and shows acceptable results indicating contamination is not likely to be a problem in the Raintree assay stream.

 

 

Figure 8-11 Sequential Plot of Gold Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The summary of results of copper assays of blanks is given in Table 8-9 and shows a higher-than-expected failure rate of 1.4% at >100 ppm. This is mostly due to failures in 2008 and before when the locally sourced material was used for blanks.

 

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Table 8-9 Summary of Copper Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit

 

Year  Copper Blank Assays   Number >100 ppm   %>100 ppm 
2005   4    1    25.0%
2006   22    2    9.1%
2008   18    1    5.6%
2010   81    1    1.2%
2011   319    1    0.3%
Grand Total   444    6    1.4%

 

The sequential plot of copper assays blanks is given in Figure 8-12 and shows higher assay results in 2008 and earlier samples potentially to due trace copper in the blank material, as discussed previously. The assays in 2010 and 2011 have only two failures at the 100-ppm level and are predominantly at 10 ppm and below, indicating little evidence of contamination in the majority of the sample stream in Raintree.

 

 

Figure 8-12 Sequential Plot of Copper Assays of Blanks, Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

8.3.2.2 Raintree CRMs

 

The summary of CRM gold analyses for samples included in drilling in the Raintree Deposit is given in Table 8-10. It is seen that the overall failure rate is 2.9% and there is a marginal overall negative bias of -0.3%. Three samples, OREAS-52c, WP-MG1 and OREAS-54Pa have CV values over 10% which indicates some scatter in results. Samples WP-MG1 and WP-HG-1 also have failure rates approaching significant values but are used in only 15 and 11 instances respectively.

 

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Table 8-10 Raintree Deposit CRM Summary, Gold

 

CRM  Used   Samples   Average of Au (g/t)   Std Dev of Au (g/t)   CV   EV (g/t)   % Error   Low Fail   High Fails   % Fail 
OREAS-52Pb   2010    14    0.324    0.013    3.9%   0.307    5.3%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-52c   2010-2011    117    0.342    0.039    11.3%   0.346    -1.1%   3    0    2.6%
WP-CO1   2005-2008    18    0.478    0.024    5.1%   0.480    -0.4%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-53Pb   2010    37    0.625    0.017    2.7%   0.623    0.4%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-50c   2010-2011    183    0.840    0.034    4.1%   0.836    0.5%   3    4    3.8%
WP-MG1   2005-2008    15    1.624    0.201    12.4%   1.715    -5.6%   1    0    6.7%
OREAS-54Pa   2010-2011    54    2.860    0.396    13.8%   2.900    -1.4%   1    0    1.9%
WP-HG1   2005-2008    11    4.711    0.267    5.7%   4.693    0.4%   1    0    9.1%
Total        449                        -0.3%   9    4    2.9%

 

The normalized process control chart of all gold assays of CRMs in Raintree drilling is presented in Figure 8-13 and shows the reasonable overall results.

 

 

Figure 8-13 Raintree Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The results of the 451 copper analyses of CRMs in Raintree drilling are presented in Table 8-11 and show an overall failure rate of 12.4% which is significant. The failures are seen to concentrate in three CRMs, OREAS-52c, OREAS-50c and OREAS-54Pa, also the CRMs with the most entries. The overall % error is slightly negative at 0.8%.

 

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Table 8-11 Raintree Deposit CRM Summary, Copper

 

CRM  Used   Samples   Average of Cu Pct   Std Dev of Cu Pct   CV   EV Pct   % Error   Low Fail   High Fails   % Fail 
WP-MG1   2005-2008    15    0.259    0.006    2.2%   0.259    -0.2%   0    0    0.0%
WP-CO1   2005-2008    18    0.276    0.005    1.9%   0.280    -1.4%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-52Pb   2010    14    0.335    0.011    3.2%   0.334    0.4%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-52c   2010-2011    118    0.343    0.051    14.9%   0.344    -0.3%   5    6    9.3%
OREAS-53Pb   2010    38    0.531    0.016    3.1%   0.546    -2.8%   2    0    5.3%
WP-HG1   2005-2008    11    0.615    0.015    2.5%   0.616    -0.1%   0    0    0.0%
OREAS-50c   2010    183    0.741    0.064    8.7%   0.742    -0.1%   9    18    14.8%
OREAS-54Pa   2010-2011    54    1.502    0.043    2.8%   1.550    -3.2%   16    0    29.6%
Total        451                        -0.8%   32    24    12.4%

 

The normalized process control chart is given in Figure 8-14 and shows the same trends with samples in the 2010 drilling giving generally lower than expected results and then changing to generally higher than expected in early 2011 with a decreasing trend.

 

 

Figure 8-14 Raintree Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

Results for CRM OREAS-50c, with the most samples and highest failure rate, are given in Figure 8-15 and show that despite the significant failure rate the mean is very close to the expected value of 0.742. Similar results are seen for OREAS-52c and therefore the results are considered acceptable.

 

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Figure 8-15 Process Control Chart Raintree OREAS-50c, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

Both copper and gold CRMs in Raintree show little bias and acceptable results despite significant numbers of failures for copper CRMs. The high failure rates indicate that consistent re-assays of failed control samples are not likely to have been done.

 

8.3.2.3 Raintree Duplicates

 

The simple statistics of the field duplicates from drilling in 2010 and 2011 in the Raintree deposit are given in Table 8-12. Little difference is seen in the means of the gold assays, the copper assays show a slight bias with the primary samples being higher than the duplicates. Both sets of pairs meet the expectation for the HARD statistic.

 

Table 8-12 Raintree Field Duplicates - Simple Statistics

 

Samples   Element   Units   Average   % below   Standard Deviation 
            Primary   Duplicate   % Difference   10% HARD   Primary   Duplicate 
383   Gold   g/t    0.119    0.121    1.0%   72    0.271    0.292 
    Copper   ppm    237.6    229.5    -3.5%   82    553.8    486.2 

 

The scatter plot of duplicate pairs of gold assays is given in Figure 8-16, and does not give concern of selection bias and paired with the HARD statistic, show the gold mineralization to not be highly heterogenous.

 

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Figure 8-16 Raintree Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The scatter plot of copper assays of field duplicates is given in Figure 8-17, the slope of the best fit line plots below 0.9. The slope of the line without the three samples plotting clearly below the 1:1 line above 1,000 ppm is 1.00, indicating there may be a small bias at the upper end of the copper results, but overall, the results are acceptable.

 

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Figure 8-17 Raintree Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The simple statistics of the coarse duplicates in the Raintree deposit from 2008 to 2011 are given in Table 8-13. The percentage difference between the means of the gold and copper assays is small. The target of 80% below 10% HARD for coarse duplicates is met for copper pairs, and not for gold, which is typical.

 

Table 8-13 Raintree Coarse Duplicates - Simple Statistics

 

         Average   % below    Standard Deviation 
 Samples    Element    

Units

    Primary    Duplicate    

%

Difference

    10% HARD   Primary   Duplicate 
 445    Gold    g/t    0.201    0.195    -2.8%   72    0.864    0.833 
     Copper    ppm    304.5    309.0    1.5%   91    603.2    633.4 

 

The scatter plot of coarse duplicate pairs for gold assays is given in Figure 8-18 and shows reasonable results with some significant scatter, but overall acceptable results.

 

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Figure 8-18 Raintree Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The scatter plot of copper assays of coarse duplicates is given in Figure 8-19 and show acceptable results.

 

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Figure 8-19 Raintree Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

Analysis of duplicate samples in Raintree do not show evidence of selection bias at the core sampling level, indicate moderate heterogeneity of gold mineralization, and show that significant bias is not introduced at the sample preparation stage.

 

8.3.3QAQC Island Mountain Deposit

 

8.3.3.1Island Mountain Blanks

 

The summary of gold assays of blanks in the Island Mountain sample stream is given in Table 8-14 and shows an overall failure rate of just over one half of one percent. These results are acceptable with little evidence of contamination.

 

Table 8-14 Summary of Gold Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit

 

Year  Gold Blank Assays   Fails at 5*DL   % Fail at 5*DL   Fails at 10*DL   % Fail at 10*DL 
2010   133    4    3.0%   2    1.5%
2011   195    0    0.0%   0    0.0%
Total   328    4    1.2%   2    0.6%

 

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The sequential plot of gold assays of blank material is given in Figure 8-20.

 

 

Figure 8-20 Sequential Plot of Gold Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The results of copper assays of blank material in the Island Mountain sample stream are given in Table 8-15 and show acceptable results with a single failure.

 

Table 8-15 Summary of Copper Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit

 

Year  Copper Blank Assays  

Number

>100 ppm

   %>100 ppm 
2010   135        0    0.0%
2011   195    1    0.5%
Grand Total   330    1    0.3%

 

The sequential plot of copper assays of samples of blank material is given in Figure 8-21 and shows the single failure at just over 200 ppm.

 

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Figure 8-21 Sequential Plot of Copper Assays of Blanks, Island Mountain Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

8.3.3.2 Island Mountain CRMs

 

The summary of results of gold assays for CRM samples included in drilling in Island Mountain are presented in Table 8-16. The overall percentage of failures is 2.2% and the error is 0.5% indicating a slight positive bias. The CV values are all below 10% indicating reasonable repeatability.

 

Table 8-16 Island Mountain Deposit CRM Summary, Gold

 

CRM  Used   Samples   Average of Au (g/t)   Std Dev of Au (g/t)   CV   EV (g/t)   % Error   Low Fail   High Fails   % Fail 
OREAS-52Pb  2010   17   0.329   0.022   6.6%  0.307   6.6%  0   1   5.9%
OREAS-52c  2010-2011   135   0.347   0.024   6.8%  0.346   0.4%  1   0   0.7%
OREAS-53Pb  2010   26   0.617   0.028   4.6%  0.623   -1.0%  2   0   7.7%
OREAS-50c  2010-2011   105   0.837   0.043   5.1%  0.836   0.1%  2   1   2.9%
OREAS-54Pa  2010-2011   30   2.920   0.093   3.2%  2.900   0.7%  0   0   0.0%
Total      313                   0.5%  5   2   2.2%

 

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The normalized process control chart of gold assays in the Island Mountain drilling is presented in Figure 8-22 showing the mean close to the expected value and the few failures.

 

 

Figure 8-22 Island Mountain Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The summary of results of 308 copper assays of CRMs in Island Mountain is given in Table 8-17 and shows a higher-than-expected overall failure rate of 12.7% with overall percent error of -1.2 indicating a small negative bias to the copper assays of the CRMs.

 

Table 8-17 Island Mountain Deposit CRM Summary, Copper

 

CRM  Used   Samples   Average of Cu Pct   Std Dev of Cu Pct   CV   EV Pct   % Error   Low Fail   High Fails   % Fail 
OREAS-52Pb  2010   16   0.336   0.022   6.5%  0.334   0.7%  0   2   12.5%
OREAS-52c  2010-2011   133   0.342   0.054   15.7%  0.344   -0.7%  7   5   9.0%
OREAS-53Pb  2010   26   0.531   0.020   3.7%  0.546   -2.8%  1   0   3.8%
OREAS-50c  2010-2011   103   0.735   0.029   3.9%  0.742   -0.9%  7   4   10.7%
OREAS-54Pa  2010-2011   30   1.488   0.053   3.6%  1.550   -4.2%  13   0   43.3%
Total      308                   -1.2%  28   11   12.7%

 

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The normalized process control chart is presented in Figure 8-23 and shows that most failures occurred in 2010 and the 2011 results are more consistently within the +/-3 SD line.

 

 

Figure 8-23 Island Mountain Deposit Normalized Process Control Chart, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The process control chart for CRM OREAS-50c is given in Figure 8-24 and shows that despite the high failure rate of 10.7% the results are seen to indicate little bias with the mean close to the expected value.

 

 

Figure 8-24 Process Control Chart Island Mountain CRM OREAS-50c, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

For drilling in Island Mountain, analysis of the CRMs shows acceptable results and little indication of bias material to the resource estimate.

 

8.3.3.3 Island Mountain Duplicates

 

The simple statistics of the gold and copper assays of the field duplicates from drilling in 2010 and 2011 in Island Mountain is given in Table 8-18. The means of the gold assays of the duplicate pairs show an 8.2% difference with the duplicates higher, while the duplicate pairs of the copper assays are slightly lower. The HARD statistic expectation of 70% is more than met for copper and only 57% for gold, indicating high heterogeneity.

 

Table 8-18 Island Mountain Field Duplicate Simple Statistics

 

      Average   % below
   Standard Deviation 
Samples  Element  Units  Primary   Duplicate   % Difference  

10%
HARD

   Primary   Duplicate 
316  Gold  g/t  0.252   0.274   8.2%  57   0.508   0.586 
   Copper  ppm  421.8   411.9   -2.4%  87   587.1   557.7 

 

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The scatter plot of field duplicate assays for gold is given in Figure 8-25 and shows the considerable scatter with low coefficient of correlation. The nearly 1:1 slope does not reflect the potential bias seen in the means.

 

 

Figure 8-25 Island Mountain Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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The scatter plot of copper field duplicate assays is given in Figure 8-26 and shows the excellent correlation of the pairs with slight low bias of the duplicate samples.

 

 

Figure 8-26 Island Mountain Deposit Field Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

The simple statistics of the coarse duplicate assays in Island Mountain from 2009 - 2011 is given in Table 8-19. There are minor differences between the primary and duplicate means. The expectation of 80% below 10% HARD is more than met for copper and the 72% is not unreasonable for gold.

 

Table 8-19 Island Mountain Coarse Duplicates Simple Statistics

 

          Average   % below   Standard Deviation 
Samples   Element  Units  Primary   Duplicate   % Difference   10%
HARD
   Primary   Duplicate 
342   Gold  g/t  0.247   0.253   2.3%  72   0.498   0.481 
    Copper  ppm  540.7   536.2   -0.8%  94   1022.3   982.7 

 

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The scatter plot of gold assays of coarse duplicates is given in Figure 8-27. It shows reasonable correlation between the pairs and no cause for concern.

 

 

Figure 8-27 Island Mountain Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Gold (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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The scatter plot of copper assays of coarse duplicate pairs is given in Figure 8-28 and shows the excellent agreement between the paired assays.

 

 

Figure 8-28 Island Mountain Deposit Coarse Duplicate Scatter Plot, Copper (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

Analysis of duplicate samples in Island Mountain do not show evidence of selection bias at the core sampling level, indicate higher heterogeneity of gold mineralization in comparison to the Whistler and Raintree deposits, and show that significant bias is not introduced at the sample preparation stage.

 

8.4 Sample Preparation, Analyses and Security Conclusions and Recommendations

 

The QP concludes that the sample preparation, analysis, and security are of sufficient quantity and quality for resource estimation. The author further recommends that:

 

For completeness, QAQC data for silver blanks and duplicates should be collected from the historical database for analysis in future studies that include silver in the resource estimate. None of the CRMs used to date are certified for silver. New CRMs should be sourced and included in any future drilling. The lack of silver QAQC samples is not of material significance currently because silver is a minor contributor to the resource estimate.

 

The locally sourced material for blanks used prior to 2009 gives inconclusive results for assessing contamination as it appears to contain trace mineralization. This is particularly pronounced in the Whistler Deposit where most of the sampling was in 2008 and earlier. Future drilling should continue to use the silica sand or a commercially prepared blank material.

 

 Page 101 of 174
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9 DATA VERIFICATION

 

This section summarizes the verification work and practices employed by GoldMining and previous operators of the Whistler Project. The independent Qualified Person (QP) responsible for section 9 of this report, Sue Bird, P. Eng., believes the databases are sufficiently validated and verified to support their use in mineral resource estimation for each of the deposit as presented herein.

 

9.1 Site Visit

 

A site visit was conducted on September 14, 2022, by Sue Bird, P.Eng. of MMTS who was accompanied by TJ Oldenkamp of GoldMining. During the site visit collar locations at Whistler and Raintree were validated. The core storage at both the Whiskey Bravo and the Rainy Pass camp site was visited. The core from each deposit was examined for mineralization with 4 samples for re-assay obtained. The buildings at the previous camp at Rainy Pass were also investigated with most of the buildings found to be in good shape to be re-vamped for future drill programs. An aerial view of the camp is given in Figure 9-1. The maintenance of the unoccupied camp is currently coordinated by Mr. Oldenkamp. Core storage at Rainy Pass is illustrated in Figure 9-2. It should be noted that much of the Whistler core is also stored at a warehouse in Sterling, Alaska about 140 miles south of Anchorage.

 

 

Figure 9-1 Aerial view of Whistler Camp (Source: MMTS, 2021)

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Figure 9-2 Drillcore Boxes in Storage Area (Source: MMTS, 2021, 2022)

 

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The core shed at the Rainy Pass camp is in excellent condition with logging tables, water, reference rock boards, logbooks, and equipment all intact as shown in Figure 9-3.

 

 

Figure 9-3 Core Logging Shed

 

9.2 Re-Assay Results

 

Four intervals of half core were obtained for check assaying. Two sample from Island Mountain, and 1 from each of Whistler and Raintree. The samples were chosen to be of mineralized intervals, with Au grades ranging from 0.223 gpt to 7.160 gpt and Cu grades between 0.146% and 0.449%. Results of this limited check assay program done in 2022 are shown in Figure 9-4 and Figure 9-5 for Au and Cu respectively. Ag had only two samples above detection, both of which had a re-assay value higher than the original. The results indicate slightly lower grades for the higher values of Au. However, it was also noted that the OREAS standards also had lower values than the certified grades, particularly for Au. The results for both Au and Cu are reasonable when considering the outdoor storage area, the general scatter expected for Au and the low results of the CRM material.

 

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Figure 9-4 Check Assay Results from 2022 Site Visit – Au (MMTS, 2022)

 

 

Figure 9-5 Check Assay Results from 2022 Site Visit – Cu (MMTS, 2022)

 

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9.3 Data Audit

 

The assay database was received from GoldMining on May 12, 2021. The database contains 26,957 intervals including all areas in the Whistler project. The database was checked for overlapping intervals and missing assays, no errors were noted.

 

9.3.1 Certificate Checks and Database Corrections

 

The assay database as received did not have certificate numbers attached to the assay intervals. MMTS updated this information for 25,459 of the assayed intervals in the database. Results of certificate checks are presented in Table 9-1. The resource areas include 20,861 assayed intervals in the database, of which 4,253 were checked for a rate of 20.4%. Of these, only one true error was found in which the Au value in the database was 452 ppb instead of 468 ppb for an error rate of 0.02%.

 

The random checks led to the discovery that two corrected certificates (EL05037720 and EL05037279) from the Elko ALS laboratory in 2005 affecting 321 intervals, had not been updated in the database. These were corrected before proceeding with resource modeling.

 

It is also noted that 107 assayed intervals on two certificates (FA04052589 and FA04054343) show only values for gold and copper, the silver values appearing in the database are not on the found certificates.

 

Table 9-1 Certificate Check Results

 

Assayed Intervals in Resource Areas   20,861 
Intervals Checked   4,253 
% Checked   20.4%
Errors   1 
% Errors   0.02%
Lab corrections not updated in database   321 
Certificates missing Ag values   107 
Total Findings   435 

 

The amount of data by interval length that is supported by certificate and QAQC data (blanks CRMs and field duplicates) is given in Table 9-2 and is reported by drilling year, not analysis as previously presented in the QAQC section. The percentage of assayed length fully supported by certificate and QAQC in Whistler is 76%, in Raintree it is 90% and in Island Mountain it is 93%. Although resource estimates are ideally supported 100% by certificates and QAQC, the percentages reported here typical or better for similar projects with several changes in ownership and the majority of drilling completed before 2010. It is recommended that U.S. GoldMining make further attempts to match up sample numbers with certificate number and locate missing certificates.

 

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Table 9-2 Summary of Data Supported by Certificate and QAQC

 

Year   Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain 
    Assayed
Length
(m)
  

Has
Certificate
(m)

  

Has
QAQC
(m)

   % With Certificate and QAQC   Assayed Length (m)  

Has Certificate

(m)

  

Has QAQC

(m)

   % With Certificate and QAQC   Assayed Length (m)  

Has Certificate

(m)

  

Has QAQC

(m)

   % With Certificate and QAQC 
1986-1989   1,566           0%                                
2004   1,865   1,777   1,863   95%                                
2005   5,061   5,061   5,061   100%  208   208   208   100%                
2006   696   696   696   100%  845   845   772   91%                
2007   3,243   3,243   3,243   100%                                
2008   2,660   2,660       0%  615   615       0%                
2009   214           0%  479           0%  387           0%
2010   4,500   4,500   4,209   94%  3,164   3,164   2,827   89%  4,956   4,908   4,520   91%
2011                   13,799   13,796   13,351   97%  8,943   8,943   8,706   97%
Total   19,804   17,936   15,072   76%  19,110   18,628   17,158   90%  14,287   13,852   13,226   93%

 

9.3.2 Check assays

 

Check assays by Kennecott in 2004 have been documented (SRK,2007) however this data was not available for review. No other third-party lab verification data are reported or provided.

 

9.4 Collar Survey

 

In 2011, it was reported that collar locations for Island Mountain holes had been re-captured using a Trimble Geoexplorer 6000 GPS instrument (<1 m accuracy) and that the intention was to re-survey the majority of the holes on the property in 2012 (Roberts, 2011a). Documentation that this was accomplished is not apparent. Spot checks of collar locations during the site visit indicate there may be some deviations from recorded locations that could be significant.

 

9.5 Data Verification Conclusions and Recommendations

 

The QP concludes that the resource database provided is of sufficient quality for resource estimation. It is further recommended that:

 

At least 10% of collar locations in each resource area, to include drilling from all years, be surveyed with GPS equipment with <1 m accuracy. If significant deviations are determined from the recorded values, all collars would need resurvey.

 

U.S. GoldMining continue to pursue matching of assay samples to certificates and collection of missing certificates.

 

Future drilling should include third party check assays and the data should be appropriately maintained.

 

9.6 Statement on Adequacy of Data

 

The QP is of the opinion that the data provided and used in the resource estimate for the Whistler project deposits is adequate for resource estimation. There are no additional limitations to the exploration database for use in resource modeling.

 

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10 MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING

 

The information contained in Section 10 regarding metallurgical testwork is intended to support and substantiate the metallurgical recoveries used in the Resource Estimate. The information provided is the best available data but may not be fully optimized with respect to the current resource. The metallurgical testwork was intermittently performed by different laboratories with different primary objectives on select portions of the overall resource. Metallurgical testing for the Whistler and Island Mountain Deposits had previously been reported by MMTS in 2015 and is repeated verbatim below solely for the benefit of continuity of data.

 

No metallurgical testing was carried out on rocks from the Raintree West deposit, however given the similarities in geological setting, host rock, mineralization and alteration between Raintree West and the Whistler Deposit, it has been assumed that metallurgical processes and metal recoveries determined for the Whistler Deposit are a reasonable approximation for the Raintree West Deposit at this time.

 

Metallurgical testing has been carried out in three phases starting with the 2004/2005 preliminary testing in Salt Lake City under the general supervision of Kennecott and culminating in the two phases under Kiska Metals and conducted at G&T Laboratories in Kamloops during 2010-2012. These three phases are described separately below.

 

10.1 Summary of Preliminary Metallurgical Testing, Whistler Deposit (Phase One)

 

Preliminary metallurgical test-work was carried out at Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories Inc. (DML) in Salt Lake City, Utah from September 2004 until early 2005 with a final report being issued in March of 2005 by George Nadasdy. (Nadasdy, 2005). The work was carried out under the direction of Rio Tinto Technical Services representing Kennecott.

 

Three different sample composites were tested. The samples were differentiated by sample history and particle size and by lead/zinc content. The three designations were Original Composite, New Core Sample and Low Lead-Zinc Composite.

 

10.1.1 Sample Preparation

 

A total of approximately 180, coarse assay reject interval samples were received at DML on September 13, 2004, from Kennecott Exploration. All the individual samples from the entire drillhole WH-04-05-21 (from 2.32 to 328.56 m) were received. Kennecott selected a mineralized interval (from 117.6 to 200.2 m) from this drillhole for testing.

 

The original composite was produced by including every other individual assay reject sample from the 117.6 to 200.2 metre mineralized interval. The original composite represented a total of 42.2 m of material and weighed 88.7 kg. The composite was air dried, and stage crushed to minus 10 mesh in preparation for testing. The minus 10 mesh composite was mixed in a “V” cone blender and split into batches. A 50 kg test sample was rotary table split into 2.0 kg test charges. A 37.6 kg reserve sample was also made. All samples were kept in the DML freezers to reduce sample oxidation.

 

Initial testwork on the original composite produced low rougher concentrate copper grades due to sulfide activation (pyrite, galena and sphalerite floating along with the chalcopyrite). On November 10, 2004, a second Whistler mineralized sample was received for testing. This second sample was the remaining ½ of Kennecott’s cut core from the same drillhole (WH-04-05-21) and represented material from 140.6 to 155.3 m. Some of the higher-grade lead-zinc core was removed by Kennecott geologists and not included in this second sample. This core sample was designated by as the “new core sample”. The new core sample weighed 20 kg; it was stage crushed to minus 10 mesh mixed in a “V” cone blender and then rotary table split into 2 kg test charges.

 

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A third Whistler mineralized sample was prepared at DML at the end of November for continued testwork and was designated as the low lead-zinc composite. The low lead-zinc composite was made from the remaining individual coarse assay reject samples not used in the original composite (from 117.6 to 200.2 m). At the direction of Kennecott, selected high grade lead-zinc samples were omitted from this low lead-zinc composite. The low lead-zinc composite weighed 71 kg and was prepared in a similar fashion to the original composite.

 

10.2 Testing

 

Preliminary metallurgical testwork included gravity concentration or flotation to recover the copper and gold. The three (3) mineralized samples designated as: the original composite, the new core sample, and the low lead-zinc composite, as described above were tested from September 2004 through March 2005.

 

Testwork conducted on the Whistler mineralized samples included the following:

 

1.Original Composite: DML comparative (ball mill) grind work index test; a gravity centrifugal concentration and amalgamation test; a head assay screen at a (RM) P80=140 µm grind; rougher kinetic-reagent scoping tests; rougher kinetic-pH tests (pH 9.3, 10.0 and 10.8); three (3) stage cleaning tests at different primary and regrind sizes and cleaner tests at pH 9.3 or 11.0.

 

2.New Core Sample: a gravity concentration and amalgamation test; a rougher kinetic grind series P80=162, 111, 80 and 66 microns and a three (3) stage cleaner test at a P80=80µm primary grind, a P80=48 µm regrind size and a cleaner pH of 9.3.

 

3.Low Lead-Zinc Composite: a rougher kinetic test at a P80=80 µm grind; three (3) stage cleaning tests at a P80=80µm primary grind and P80=37 µm regrind and a cleaner pH of 9.3 or 11.0. A cleaner test was also conducted with SO2 added to the first cleaner. A final cleaner test was conducted to generate a third cleaner concentrate for a suite of assays for smelter evaluation.

 

10.2.1 Results from Preliminary Testing

 

The initial work on the Original Sample resulted in lower than expected rougher and cleaner grades and high levels of lead and zinc reporting to the cleaner concentrate. This was attributed to both the high lead and zinc in the feed and the fact that the composite was created from assay rejects that had potentially aged at a relatively fine crush between core preparation and metallurgical testing.

 

The high lead and zinc values in the Original Sample were essentially concentrated in two of the twenty-five intervals used to make up the composite. For the two subsequent composites the high lead-zinc intervals were left out of the mix. In addition, the second sample to be tested (New Core Sample) was produced from ½ section core that provided less opportunity for the deleterious effects of ageing when stored under ambient atmospheric conditions at finer sizes.

 

In general, it was found in the early work that gravity recovered gold was in the finer size ranges with an average gold grain size of minus 400 mesh (37 microns) so this avenue was not pursued in later testwork on the assumption that liberated gold would be recovered through flotation.

 

In addition, it was also found that a primary grind of ~80% passing 80 microns was required for best recovery of both copper and gold.

 

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Below is the table from the Dawson report indicating cleaning test results for the three composites (Table 10-1). The 3rd Cleaner copper grade increased from 16% to 21% to 23% for the Original, Low Pb-Zn and New Core samples respectively. Copper recoveries were 80% to 84% with gold ranging from 60% to 65%.

 

Table 10-1 Three Stage Cleaning Tests

 

P – 2825: Kennecott – Whistler Project
Three Stage Cleaning Test – pH 9.3 in Rougher and Cleaner
 
           Calc. Head   Final Trail   No.3 Cleaner Concentrate   Percent Recovery 
Test No.   Sample  Grind
Prim/RG
P80=µm
   % Cu   ppm AU   % Cu   ppm AU   Wqt.%   % Cu   ppm Au   % Insol.   Cu   Au 
                                                 
 14   Orig. Comp.  140/53  0.642    2.36   0.128   0.749   3.80   12.4   39.4   7.1   73.5   63.5 
 23   Orig. Comp.  80/34  0.635    2.56   0.087   0.842   3.20   16.4   51.9   7.2   82.6   64.8 
                                                   
 21   New Core  80/48  0.804    3.21   0.087   0.983   2.99   22.5   64.4   4.9   83.5   60.0 
                                                   
 30   Low Pb-Zn  80/37  0.531    2.54   0.077   0.942   2.04   20.8   74.1   5.5   79.9   59.4 
Cytec 3477 in grind at 0.015 lb/ton and NalPX in scavenger at 0.004 lb/ton. No additional collector added to either regrind or cleaners.

 

The poor performance on the original composite material was attributed to the high lead and zinc content and the effects of sample size and ageing. The New Core material responded best and the results with the Low Pb-Zn were close but not up to the level of the New Core material. Thus, there was a significant improvement with the exclusion of the high Pb-Zn intervals and a further improvement with the “fresh” half core. Crushed assay rejects are generally problematic for testwork with samples containing copper, lead and zinc minerals.

 

As per the table above, regrind sizes ranged from 34 to 53 microns. This leaves some potential for finer regrinding to improve cleaner separations, if necessary, in the future. In addition, there is further potential for copper cleaner enhancement with a higher pH regime in that part of the circuit as long as it does not have a significant negative effect on gold recoveries.

 

The DML report further indicates that in an analysis of cleaner test products the gold values tend to track closely with the deportment of the copper as opposed to following the iron.

 

10.2.2 Preliminary Conclusions

 

In any future work care must be taken to ensure the material to be tested is as fresh as possible and has been stored in such a manner as to minimize the potential for surface oxidation. The resource data must be analyzed to assess the presence, level and distribution of lead and zinc throughout the deposit and appropriate samples selected for metallurgical testing so that they reflect the nature of the resource and the likely plant feed. Care must also be taken to ensure that the copper and gold grades of the feed for any further testwork reflect the expected levels in the resource.

 

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For first pass metallurgical testing reasonable copper and gold recoveries were achieved at less than optimum concentrate copper grades. Care and attention to sample preparation and handling (as mentioned above) along with more in-depth testing should allow for improvements in both recoveries and grades. Further reagent screening should be carried out both to enhance recoveries and selectivity and to attempt to allow for processing at a coarser primary grind.

 

Combined cleaner and scavenger tails accounted for the loss of 29% to 35% of the contained gold and 10% to 14% of the copper. These preliminary cleaning tests all involved open circuit cleaning. In the normal course of more detailed flowsheet development (reagent and regrind optimization plus closure of the cleaning circuit) one could potentially expect to be able to improve copper recoveries to ~85% into a concentrate with a copper grade in the range of 25% to 27%. A combination of the flotation improvements and the application of additional gold recovery techniques in the cleaner circuit might potentially improve gold recovery to the 75% range.

 

In addition, as mentioned above, future test-work should be carried out on material with feed grades reflecting the likely grade that would be mined and sent to the plant. Lower feed grades tend to somewhat reduce metal recoveries.

 

10.3 Summary of Preliminary Metallurgical Testing, Island Mountain Deposit (August 21, 2010) (Phase 2)

 

10.3.1 Introduction

 

Two holes (IM09-001 and IM09-002) were drilled at Island Mountain in 2009. These holes produced interesting gold and copper values and what appeared to be “interesting” associations between the contained gold, copper, pyrrhotite and magnetite. It was decided to carryout preliminary metallurgical testwork on the available sample material to assess the mineralogical associations and the potential for effective treatment of the rock to recover gold and copper. Core logging indicated an apparent difference between the upper and lower mineralized intervals of the drillhole. The upper mineralized interval had higher copper, but lower gold values, and the lower mineralized interval tended to contain more pyrrhotite. The lower region also represented the greater tonnage potential.

 

10.3.2 Sample Selection

 

The drill data had been assessed in terms of a gold equivalent whereby copper and silver values were added to the gold value based on assumed recoveries of 75% for Au and Ag and 80% for Cu. Assumed prices were US$550/oz, US$8/oz, US$1.50/lb respectively for the three metals. A simple gold equivalent cut-off of 0.30 gpt (US$5.30/tonne at US$550/oz) was taken. Based on this cut-off, 72 out of 81 two metre intervals were selected from the upper 162 m of IM09-001 to form an Upper Composite. Similarly, 75 out of 111 two metre intervals were selected to form a Lower Composite from the lower 222 m of the hole. From hole IM09-002, only 20 of 99 two-metre intervals surpassed the selected cut-off. As higher-grade intervals were distributed erratically throughout the length of the hole none of this material was used for the metallurgical work.

 

Quarter core was available for composite preparation, and it was shipped to G&T Metallurgical in Kamloops BC for composite assembly and the metallurgical testing.

 

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10.3.3 Feed Grade

 

Table 10-2 provides the analyses of the elements of interest in the two composites.

 

Table 10-2 Summary of Analysis of Composites from IM09-001 and IM09-002

 

   Cu   Pb   Zn   Fe   S   Ag   Au   C 
   %   %   %   %   %   gpt   gpt   % 
Upper Comp Head - 1  0.15   0.06   0.02   8.50   2.36   3.20   0.49   0.10 
Upper Comp Head - 2  0.15   0.06   0.02   8.30   2.08   3.70   0.44   0.09 
Average  0.15   0.06   0.02   8.40   2.22   3.45   0.46   0.09 
Lower Comp Head - 1  0.050   0.06   0.01   5.70   2.77   2.30   0.80   0.17 
Lower Comp Head - 2  0.048   0.06   0.01   5.90   2.82   1.60   0.90   0.19 
Average  0.049   0.06   0.01   5.80   2.80   1.95   0.85   0.18 

 

The copper values in the Upper Composite are on the lower side of normal feed grades whereas the copper values in the Lower Composite are well below where one would generally expect to make saleable copper concentrate grades with any significant recovery. The gold however, particularly in the Lower Composite, contributes a significant value to the feed.

 

10.3.4 Test Program

 

Various processing options were applied to the sample material to assess both the association between the gold and the other minerals and to assess the potential for economic recovery of the copper and gold.

 

The preferred and simplest option would be to produce a saleable copper concentrate containing the bulk of the copper and the bulk of the gold. Another possible route would be to leach the gold from the whole ore with cyanide. The leaching approach could possibly produce good gold recovery but would not recover copper values and would likely involve significant cyanide consumption due to the copper content of the feed. Hybrid approaches would involve the selective flotation of a saleable copper concentrate with some of the gold and leaching of some or all the flotation tailings to recover un-floated gold values.

 

As well as recovery considerations, a significant concern in cyanide leaching arises from the consumption of cyanide by other metals and minerals in the feed material. Of particular interest are copper and pyrrhotite. Depending on the form and activity of the copper and iron minerals significant quantities of cyanide can be tied up as copper and iron cyanides.

 

The current test program included bulk flotation of copper and gold, selective flotation of copper, cyanidation of the feed material and cyanidation of the combined tailings from selective open circuit cleaning tests performed on each of the composites. Due to the expectation that the Lower Composite likely represented the greater portion of “minable” material testwork addressed this sample with confirmatory work then being applied to the Upper Composite.

 

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10.3.5 Metallurgical Results

 

Bulk Flotation

 

Various grinds plus some pH modifications were applied to the bulk rougher flotation of both composites. In general, the best copper recoveries were achieved with flotation at a grind of ~80% passing 100 microns and a pH of 10. Gold recoveries were not as sensitive to the changes. Table 10-3 shows a summary of the bulk flotation results.

 

Table 10-3 Bulk Flotation Results

 

  Feed  

Copper

Conc

   Rec   Feed  

Gold

Conc

   Rec 
Material  % Cu   % Cu   %   gpt   gpt   % 
Upper Composite Rougher  0.15   0.90   79.66   0.50   2.82   74.41 
Lower Composite Rougher  0.05   0.41   89.15   0.96   7.12   80.41 
Lower Composite Rougher  0.05   0.31   87.94   0.94   5.41   81.02 
Lower Composite Cleaner  0.05   1.40   76.02   0.94   39.40   70.73 

 

Copper recoveries were reasonable considering the low head grades – particularly in the case of the Lower Composite. However, given the value of gold in the feed, gold recoveries were too low. In addition, a saleable copper concentrate would require a 15-to-20-fold increase in the copper grade which would further reduce the recovery of both metals.

 

The low gold recoveries also indicate that there is gold associated with some other mineral that is not floating in the non-selective bulk circuit.

 

Selective Flotation

 

Reagent changes were made to try and float a cleaner copper concentrate using open circuit cleaning.

 

Table 10-4 Selective Cleaner Flotation

 

  Feed   Conc   Rec.   Rougher   Feed   Conc   Rec.   Rougher 
Material  % Cu   % Cu   Cu - %   Rec.   Au gpt   Au gpt   Au - %   Rec. 
Upper  0.14   22.5   63.4   77.3   0.50   51.3   42.7   61.5 
Lower  0.05   23.3   70.6   84.1   0.99   294   44.0   45.6 

 

The selective flotation produced similar but somewhat lower copper rougher recoveries than those achieved in the bulk flotation circuit (Table 10-4). There is a potential to improve these with further optimization. The copper loss between roughing and cleaning was like that experienced in the bulk circuit. Both these aspects can be addressed by further reagent and operating condition adjustments. Further testwork with closed circuit cleaning will significantly reduce the cleaning circuit losses. Gold recovery was much lower during roughing and was significantly reduced during cleaning for the Upper Composite. This confirms the earlier suggestion that there is a significant portion of the gold that is associated with some mineral or minerals other than the copper bearing ones.

 

10.3.6 Whole Ore Leach

 

The whole ore leach approach worked well – particularly for the Lower Composite (Table 10-5).

 

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Table 10-5 Whole Ore Cyanidation

 

   Feed   Residue   Recovery   Cyanide   Cyanide 
               Strength   Consumption 
   (gpt)   (gpt)   (%)   (kgpt)   (kgpt) 
Upper Composite  0.54   0.06   89.06    2.00   1.82 
Lower Composite  0.82   0.08   90.22    0.50   0.46 

 

For both composites ~90% of the gold was extracted in 48 hours. Higher solution strength was required for the Upper Composite, and this resulted in significantly higher cyanide consumption.

 

10.3.7 Leaching of Selective Flotation Tails

 

Based on the results of the whole ore leach and the selective cleaner flotation, the flotation tailings for both composites were leached in cyanide for 48 hours at solution strength of 0.50 kgpt (Table 10-6).

 

Table 10-6 Cyanidation of Selective Flotation Tailings

 

  

Feed

(gpt)

  

Residue

(gpt)

  

Recovery

(%)

  

Cyanide

Strength
(kgpt)

  

Cyanide

Consumption(kgpt)

   Flotation + Cyanidation
Recovery
(%)
 
Upper Composite  0.18   0.08   56.52   0.50   0.40   75.08 
Lower Composite  0.51   0.09   81.44   0.50   0.38   89.60 

 

Leaching results were particularly good for the Lower Composite at 81% and the overall recovery by flotation and cyanidation was almost 90%. Similar to the results of the whole ore leach, the leaching conditions for the Upper Composite can likely be optimized to improve the extent and rate of leaching for the flotation tailings from the Upper material.

 

10.3.8 Overall Recoveries

 

Potentially 90% of the gold in the Lower Composite can be recovered either by direct cyanidation or by flotation followed by cyanidation of the flotation tailings. Similarly, almost 90% of the gold can be leached from the Upper Composite and further work should improve the overall gold recovery from this material by the combined flotation-leach approach.

 

More in depth work should be performed to improve flotation grades and recoveries. In addition, once an optimized flotation approach has been established the opportunities to produce a high-grade copper concentrate followed by the production of a low-grade gold concentrate for subsequent leaching should be investigated. This could substantially reduce the capital and environmental ramifications of whole ore or full tailings leaching.

 

10.3.9 Conclusions

 

The preliminary testing Indicated that the Island Mountain material tested is amenable to copper recovery by flotation and that the gold is relatively free milling. This is particularly true of the greater portion of the material represented by the Lower Composite. The results indicate that in the range of 90% of the gold in the Lower Composite can be recovered by either whole ore leaching or a combination of flotation and leaching of the tailings. With further development work, copper flotation recoveries will likely rise to the 80% range for the Lower Composite.

 

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Similarly, gold recovery in the range of 90% can be achieved by whole ore leaching of the Upper Composite. Further flotation work on the Upper Composite will improve both copper and gold recoveries to concentrate.

 

For both materials it was concluded that further metallurgical development and assessment work would still be required to develop the best flowsheet with respect to capital and operating costs, metal recoveries and overall economics.

 

10.4 Summary of Whistler Deposit Testwork (2012) (Phase 3)

 

The final round of work was also carried out at G&T Metallurgical Laboratories, now part of ALS Metallurgy, there being continuity of personnel and experience with the Island Mountain testwork previously reported.

 

The work commenced in August 2012 and was completed by year end and the results presented in its report KM3499 of January 2013.

 

10.4.1 Metallurgical Samples

 

Initial work was conducted on core from the 2008 drilling campaign, on sample 08-08 which had been kept in carefully controlled conditions and was believed to be still fresh. Arrangements had been made to obtain a sample from a similar hole planned for the summer 2012 drilling campaign as a “calibration” check to validate its freshness, especially in view of the aging effects reported in the Kennecott testwork. Unfortunately, the cancellation of the 2012 campaign negated this process; however, as is evident from the results presented below, there is no reason to suspect any impact of oxidation on flotation response.

 

What was a greater concern with respect to this sample was that, following the update to the geological model reported in AMC’s letter report of November 2012, it might have been insufficiently representative of the bulk of the mineralization being predominantly in the central quartz-breccia zone, representing only 20% of the tonnage, although 30% of the metal content.

 

Accordingly, a second sample, 10-19 from the 2010 drilling campaign, more representative of the Main Stage Porphyry, although right on the margin of the proposed ultimate pit, was selected for additional tests and in fact became the basis for setting the predicted metallurgical parameters.

 

Both samples had been divided into high grade, medium grade and low-grade samples in accordance with gold grades, with most of the work carried on the medium grade samples, being closer to Resource grades.

 

Sample grades are tabulated in Table 10-7.

 

Table 10-7 Sample Head Grades

 

Sample  %Cu   %Fe   %S   Au gpt   %C 
08-08 MG (master)  0.12   5.8   3.6   0.53   0.76 
08-08 HG  0.50   4.9   1.8   1.78   0.67 
08-08 LG  0.08   4.1   2.7   0.34   1.30 
10-19 MG  0.22   2.6   1.9   0.51   1.09 
10-19 HG  0.17   3.3   1.1   0.96   1.42 
10-19 LG  0.22   3.4   1.7   0.38   1.24 

 

No mineralogical work was carried out. However normative mineralogy calculations show that Sample 08-08 generally has almost twice the pyrite content of Sample 10-19. Sample 08-08 was like Island Mountain in this respect.

 

The testwork program focused mainly on conventional copper flotation; however, it soon became evident that improving gold recovery was key. Therefore, like the direction taken with Island Mountain, the program included work on cyanidation of cleaner tails and investigation of enhancing gold recovery with pyrite concentrate production.

 

The flotation and cyanidation testwork flowsheets are shown in Figure 10-1 (abstracted from the ALS KM3499 report).

 

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Figure 10-1 Flotation and Cyanidation Flowsheet and Test Conditions (MMTS, 2015).

 

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10.4.2 Results

 

The results of the metallurgical testwork for a conventional comminution/flotation flowsheet are summarized below.

 

10.4.2.1 Comminution

 

A single standard Bond ball mill work index test was carried out on 10-19 mg composite towards the end of the program, and at a closing size of 106 µm.

 

The Bond ball mill work index (BWI) was found to be 19.9 kWh/t (compared to the Island Mountain value assumed for the initial flowsheet design of 18.5 kWh/t). This result puts Whistler in the very hard range of ball mill hardness.

 

No SAG mill testing (e.g.) JK Drop weight or SMC tests were included in the program, nor indeed any Bond rod mill work index tests. Some industry standard benchmarks and approximations have been used in setting appropriate SAG mill design criteria. It is recommended that these additional comminution tests be a high priority for the next stage of testwork.

 

10.4.2.2 Flotation

 

Key parameters in the copper flotation tests were:

 

Primary grind target was generally 100 µm (some later tests, following the receipt of the BWI result, were done in the 150-200 µm range).

 

Regrind target was generally 20 µm (test 1 at 76µm was a procedural error).

 

Cytec 3418A, a specialist copper/precious metal flotation reagent, was used as the primary copper sulphide mineral collector.

 

pH in the rougher and cleaner circuits was generally maintained at 10 and 11 respectively, using hydrated lime.

 

The key results are tabulated and graphed in Figure 10-2 (abstracted from the ALS metallurgy KM3499 report).

 

In summary the main findings were as follows:

 

Open-circuit batch flotation testing achieved consistently 80-85% copper recovery to a 25% Cu concentrate grade; however gold recovery was lower (40-50%) due to lower rougher recoveries and low cleaner recoveries with significant deportment of gold to cleaner tailings streams.

 

From the flotation results, the gold associations were inferred as follows:

 

60% with chalcopyrite
20% with pyrite (± chalcopyrite)
20% with gangue minerals

 

The QP strongly recommends that mineralogical studies be a high priority for the next phase of testwork.

 

Some attempts were made at recovering gold to a pyrite concentrate for subsequent treatment (a possible alternative to cyanidation of cleaner tails), but overall recovery fell, and later work focused on the locked cycle tests as a means of recovering gold reporting in recirculating streams that were not accounted for in simple batch tests.

 

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Locked cycle tests on both the 08-08 and 10-19 samples proved to be the key to unlocking gold value with substantial improvements to gold recovery from the recycle of intermediate streams (short of pilot-plant testing, locked cycle tests are the best way of replicating a full-scale flotation plant). Averaging the results from both and rounding numbers appropriately yielded the following:

 

92% copper recovery to a 25% Cu concentrate grade
  
70% gold recovery

 

On receipt of the higher-than-expected BWI results with a significant impact on both capital and operating costs, some final open circuit batch flotation tests were conducted at coarser primary grinds (154 µm, 173 µm and 204 µm) but retaining the same 20 µm regrind size. The results were analyzed in grade-recovery terms and are presented in graphical form in Figure 10-3 and Figure 10-4. Copper grade-recovery performance was retained up to 173 µm but showed a significant deterioration at the coarsest grind, whereas gold recovery seemed largely insensitive to primary grind size. Although further work, including definitive locked cycle testing, is required to validate this, the QP believes it is reasonable to assume a primary grind size of 175 µm (in round figures) as an option for capital / operating cost sensitivities.

 

Some very preliminary variability tests (four in total) were carried out on the low grade and high-grade samples for each main composite. The results showed a high degree of variability in the 70-90% range for copper recovery and 20-30% Cu in final concentrates. Gold recovery was generally constant at around 50% although the 08-08 high grade sample did show a significantly higher recovery of 76%. The QP does not attach much importance to this limited number of results, their having no spatial relationship to the deposit, and would recommend that future variability work be based on spatial and mineralogical/textural parameters rather than grade.

 

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Figure 10-2 Flotation Test Results (MMTS, 2015)

 

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Figure 10-3 Copper Grade Recovery (MMTS, 2015)

 

 

Figure 10-4 Gold Grade Recovery (MMTS, 2015)

 

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10.5 Cyanidation

 

The batch flotation tests had indicated a substantial amount of the gold was reporting to cleaner tails and, pending the results of the locked cycle tests, some cyanidation tests were carried out on combined cleaner tails from tests 6 and 7 on 10-19 samples where 23% of the gold was accounted for in the cleaner tails.

 

Forty-eight-hour gold extractions were 77% to solution, thus overall gold recovery would improve from 57% to approximately 74%. However, although cyanide consumption was moderate for a sulphidic stream, the absolute gold grades in cyanidation feed were still low and the marginal return versus costs at current gold and cyanide prices exactly that, marginal. Also the use of cyanide requires a different level of onsite management and therefore is more complicated in terms of its cost benefit.

 

Given the excellent locked cycle test results already reported, and with overall gold recoveries by flotation being only in the region of 70%, it was decided not to pursue further cyanidation testwork.

 

10.6 Concentrate Specifications

 

The final bulk concentrates from cycles II-V of the locked cycle tests 12 (10-19 MG) and 17 (08-08 MG) were analyzed for potentially deleterious elements and the results are shown in Table 10-8.

 

Concentrates from both samples are remarkably clean and would indicate that the specifications would fall well within typical smelter limits for penalty elements, with no penalty payable.

 

Normative mineralogy calculations, assuming a simple chalcopyrite:pyrite sulphide blend, suggest the pyrite concentrate from the 08-08 sample to be almost twice that of 10-19, i.e., similar to what was observed in the head samples.

 

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Table 10-8 Minor Element Data

 

Element  Symbol  Units   Test 12 (10-19)   Test 17 (08-08) 
Aluminium  Al  %   0.92   0.68 
Antimony  Sb  %   0.02   0.17 
Arsenic  As  gpt   135   344 
Bismuth  Bi  gpt   <1   <1 
Cadmium  Cd  gpt   30   20 
Calcium  Ca  %   0.44   0.31 
Carbon  C  %   0.33   0.39 
Cobalt  Co  gpt   46   36 
Copper  Cu  %   26.1   24.9 
Fluorine  F  gpt   133   123 
Iron  Fe  %   26.7   29.3 
Lead  Pb  %   0.18   0.19 
Magnesium  Mg  %   0.17   0.09 
Manganese  Mn  %   0.014   0.014 
Mercury  Hg  gpt   1   4 
Molybdenum  Mo  %   0.006   0.010 
Nickel  Ni  gpt   74   94 
Phosphorus  P  gpt   118   143 
Selenium  Se  gpt   86   30 
Silicon  Si  %   2.73   2.33 
Sulphur  S  %   32.2   35.1 
Silver  Ag  gpt   108   134 
Zinc  Zn  %   0.46   0.32 

 

10.7 Conclusions

 

From the metallurgical testwork results and subsequent analysis it appears that the Whistler Deposit is metallurgically very amenable to a conventional flotation route to produce saleable high quality copper concentrates with gold credits, despite the low head grade, and that the levels of recovery and upgrade for both copper and gold are relatively insensitive to feed grade. There are no processing factors or deleterious elements that could have significant effect of potential economic extraction.

 

Although some late testwork on ore hardness revealed the ore to be harder than expected with a Bond Work Index of 19.9 kWh/t, some batch flotation work also showed that the primary grind size could be increased from 100 µm to 175 µm, subject to confirmation with further locked cycle tests, with net savings in comminution power.

 

10.8 Overall Metallurgical Observations and Comments for 2021 Resource Estimate

 

As noted in the history of exploration of the Whistler deposit, which expanded from an initial Cu-Au porphyry deposit centered on Whistler and expanding over time to include Raintree West and Island Mountain in the Resource tonnage, as well as additional revenue potential from Ag, each phase of metallurgical testwork had focused exclusively on the exploration objectives at the time. As a result, the cumulative metallurgical understanding lags the geological understanding by a considerable margin.

 

The data reported in Sections 10.1 to 10.7 above are an accurate record of the testwork performed at the time, and the conclusions drawn refer to those made within the scope of the specific test program. They do not, however, provide a complete picture of overall Mineral Resource with respect to pay metal grades and recoveries for a number of reasons:

 

To date no mineralogical work has been performed despite recommendations to that effect made in each phase of metallurgical testing.

 

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Assumptions in the various reports regarding gold recovery have noted that while higher Au recoveries than measured could possibly be achieved by combining flotation and cyanide leaching, it was noted that for the low grades, high cyanide consumption and environmental control measures could render the additional gold recovery uneconomical.

 

Copper toll smelters are loath to accept copper concentrates containing less than 25% Cu without imposing higher Cu deductions on payable metal. The early Whistler testwork identified difficulties in obtaining payable Cu grades even with 3 stages of cleaning and consequently decided to exclude ore samples containing elevated Pb and Zn from subsequent testwork (Section 10.2.1).

 

No assays of silver were performed during the test programs, apart from Ag grades being reported in the minor element analysis of the two concentrates produced in the 2012 testwork (Table 10-8), which were not linked to Ag head grades and yield unreliable metallurgical accounting results.

 

Flotation testwork assays covered only Au, Cu, and some Fe and S assays were performed, but Pb, Zn and Ag assays were conspicuous by their absence.

 

As seen in the notes in the Resource table (Table 1-1) the overall Indicated resource grades are 0.79 g/t Au; 0.13% Cu and 2.19 g/t Ag. Note 4 states silver recovery for Ag grades below 10 g/t are estimated at 65% while no Ag recovery is allowed for Ag grades above 19 g/t as assays indicate a strong association of high Ag values with high Pb and Zn content samples, for which no metallurgical testwork has been performed except for the single Kennecott test which returned unsatisfactory Au and Cu results in terms of concentrate grades due to Pb and Zn dilution of the copper concentrate (Section 10.2.1).

 

For all the above reasons the metallurgical recommendation of 70% Au recovery, 83% Cu recovery and 65% Ag recovery of ore containing less than 10 g/t Ag should be used until such time as a more comprehensive metallurgical test program is performed which provides reliable grade and recovery results on material containing Pb and Zn as well as Au, Cu, and Ag.

 

 Page 123 of 174
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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

11 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

 

The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Whistler Project has an effective date of September 22, 2022. The resource estimate was prepared by Sue Bird, P.Eng., of MMTS.

 

11.1 Mineral Resource Estimate

 

The Whistler Project total Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) includes the Whistler, Raintree and Island Mountain deposits and is summarized in Table 11-1 for the base case cut-off grades. The resource is prepared in accordance with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation S-K subpart 1300 (S-K 1300). In the opinion of the Qualified Person, the Mineral Resource Estimates reported herein are a reasonable representation of the mineral resources found within the Project at the current level of sampling. The mineral resources were estimated in accordance with §§229.1300 through 229.1305 (subpart 229.1300 of Regulation S-K). This report is an update to the previously publicly disclosed report (Giroux, 2016).

 

The MRE utilizes pit shells to constrain resources at the Whistler, Island Mountain, and Raintree West gold-copper deposits, as well as an underground potentially mineable shape to constrain the resource estimate for the deeper portion of the Raintree West deposit. The current estimate has been updated with new metal prices of US$1,600/oz gold price, US$3.25/lb copper and US$21/oz silver, updated recoveries, smelter terms, costs, as summarized in the notes to Table 11-1. Metal prices have been chosen based partially on market research by the Bank of Montreal (BMO, 2021a) for Au prices as quoted in numerous NI 43-101 reports and for Cu and Ag (BMO, 2021b) based on mean prices from 2021 through to forecast up to 2026 and long term. The metal prices chosen also considered the spot prices and the three-year trailing average prices. For all three metals, the final prices used for this resource estimate are below both the spot metal price and the three-year trailing average, which is considered an industry standard in choosing prices.

 

Cut-off grades for open pit mining are based on Processing costs of US$10.50/tonne processed, this is the marginal cut-off for which mining costs are not included. Cut-off grades for underground mining based on Processing costs plus an additional US$14.50/tonne for underground bulk mining, to define the marginal cut-off NSR grade. Geologic modelling has also been updated, with drilling and exploration work completed prior to 2016. No additional work has been completed at the project since this date.

 

For the mineral resource cut-off grade determination, a 3.0% NSR was assumed. This is derived from the sum of a 2.75% royalty to MF2 plus a 1% royalty to Gold Royalty Corp., with an assumption that U.S. GoldMining can negotiate a buy back of a 0.75% NSR, for a net 3.0% NSR, as is customary to occur for similar project developments. In preparing the resource estimate herein, a sensitivity analysis has also been conducted by the author. Based on such analysis, utilizing a higher 3.75% NSR royalty rate in determining a cut-off grade would not materially impact the estimates contained herein and would be de minimis (approx. 0.7% differential of total metal in the Whistler pit on a gold equivalent basis).

 

These mineral resource estimates include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

 

The Qualified Person is of the opinion that issues relating to all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work. These factors may include environmental permitting, infrastructure, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant factors.

 

The sensitivity to the resource by deposits is presented in Table 11-2 through 11-4 for the Whistler, Raintree, and Island Mountain deposits respectively. As a point of reference, the in-situ gold, copper and silver mineralization are inventoried and reported by intended processing method.

 

 Page 124 of 174
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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

Table 11-1 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Total Whistler Project (Effective date: September 22, 2022)

 

    Cut-off Value   ROM tonnage   In situ Grades   In situ Metal 
Class  Deposit  (US$/t)   (ktonnes)   NSR (US$/t)   AuEqv (gpt)   Au (gpt)   Cu (%)   Ag (gpt)   AuEqv (koz)   Au (koz)   Cu (klbs)   Ag (koz) 
  Whistler  10.5   107,771   26.44   0.79   0.50   0.17   1.95   2,738   1,749   399,396   6,757 
   Raintree-Pit  10.5   7,756   20.61   0.67   0.49   0.09   4.88   166   121   14,893   1,216 
Indicated  Indicated Open Pit  10.5   115,527   26.05   0.78   0.50   0.16   2.15   2,904   1,871   414,289   7,973 
   Raintree-UG  US$25 shell   2,675   34.02   1.03   0.79   0.13   4.18   89   68   7,690   359 
   Total Indicated  varies   118,202   26.23   0.79   0.51   0.16   2.19   2,993   1,939   421,979   8,332 
  Whistler  10.5   153,536   19.17   0.57   0.35   0.13   1.48   2,829   1,706   455,267   7,306 
   Island Mountain  10.5   111,901   18.99   0.57   0.47   0.05   1.06   2,042   1,701   130,751   3,814 
Inferred  Raintree-Pit  10.5   11,774   24.28   0.77   0.62   0.07   4.58   291   235   17,988   1,732 
   Inferred Open Pit  10.5   277,211   19.32   0.58   0.41   0.10   1.44   5,162   3,642   604,006   12,851 
   Raintree-UG  US$25 shell   39,772   32.65   1.00   0.80   0.12   2.51   1,284   1,027   107,411   3,208 
   Total Inferred  varies   316,983   20.99   0.63   0.46   0.10   1.58   6,446   4,669   711,417   16,060 

 

Notes to Tables 11-1 through 11-4:

 

1.Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves.

 

2.The Mineral Resource for the Whistler, Island Mountain and the upper portions of the Raintree West deposits have been confined by an open pit with “reasonable prospects of economic extraction” using the 150% pit case and the following assumptions:

 

Metal prices of US$1,600/oz Au, US$3.25/lb Cu and US$21/oz Ag;
Payable metal of 99% payable Au, 90% payable Ag and 1% deduction for Cu;
Offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance) of US$136/wmt proportionally distributed between Au, Ag and Cu;
Royalty of 3% NSR has been assumed;
Pit slopes are 50 degrees;
Mining cost of US$1.80/t for waste and US$2.00/t for mineralized material; and
Processing, general, and administrative costs of US$10.50/t.

 

3.The lower portion of the Raintree West deposit has been constrained by a mineable shape with “reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction” using a US$25.00/t cut-off.

 

4.Metallurgical recoveries are: 70% for Au, 83% for Cu, and 65% Ag for Ag grades below 10g/t. The Ag recovery is 0% for values above 10g/t for all deposits.

 

5.The NSR equations are: below 10g/t Ag: NSR (US$/t)=(100%-3%)*((Au*70%*US$49.273g/t) + (Cu*83%*US$2.966*2204.62 + Ag*65%*US$0.574)), and above 10g/t Ag: NSR (US$/t)=(100%-3%)*((Au*70%*US$49.256g/t) + (Cu*83%*US$2.965*2204.62)) ;

 

6.The Au Equivalent equations are: below 10g/t Ag: AuEq=Au + Cu*1.5733 +0.0108Ag, and above 10g/t Ag: AuEq=Au + Cu*1.5733

 

7.The specific gravity for each deposit and domain ranges from 2.76 to 2.91 for Island Mountain, 2.60 to 2.72 for Whistler with an average value of 2.80 for Raintree West.

 

8.Numbers may not add due to rounding.

 

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Table 11-2 Mineral Resource Estimate and Sensitivity – Whistler Deposit

 

  Cut-off   ROM   In situ Grades   In situ Metal 
Class  Value
(US$/t)
   tonnage
(ktonnes)
   NSR (US$/t)   AuEqv (gpt)   Au (gpt)   Cu (%)   Ag (gpt)   AuEqv (koz)   Au (koz)   Cu (Mlbs)   Ag (koz) 
  9   118,213   24.96   0.746   0.472   0.162    1.910   2,836   1,793   421   7,259 
   10.5   107,771   26.44   0.790   0.505   0.168    1.950   2,738   1,749   399   6,757 
   11   104,264   26.97   0.806   0.517   0.170    1.970   2,702   1,733   392   6,604 
Indicated  12   97,886   27.97   0.836   0.540   0.175    2.000   2,631   1,699   377   6,294 
   15   80,978   31.01   0.927   0.610   0.187    2.080   2,413   1,589   334   5,415 
   20   59,842   35.85   1.072   0.726   0.205    2.170   2,062   1,397   270   4,175 
   25   45,799   39.99   1.195   0.830   0.217    2.260   1,760   1,222   219   3,328 
   30   34,461   44.13   1.319   0.936   0.227    2.330   1,461   1,037   173   2,582 
  9   173,001   18.12   0.541   0.321   0.130    1.460   3,011   1,787   496   8,121 
   10.5   153,536   19.17   0.573   0.346   0.135    1.480   2,829   1,706   455   7,306 
   11   147,181   19.54   0.584   0.354   0.136    1.480   2,763   1,677   441   7,003 
Inferred  12   133,303   20.38   0.609   0.375   0.139    1.500   2,610   1,605   408   6,429 
   15   94,664   23.21   0.694   0.445   0.147    1.550   2,111   1,356   307   4,717 
   20   51,791   28.18   0.842   0.576   0.158    1.690   1,403   959   180   2,814 
   25   27,152   33.59   1.004   0.719   0.169    1.830   876   627   101   1,598 
   30   14,786   38.91   1.163   0.860   0.179    1.990   553   409   58   946 

 

Table 11-3 Mineral Resource Estimate and Sensitivity – Raintree Deposit

 

    Cut-off   ROM   In situ Grades   In situ Metal 
Class  Source  Value
(US$/t)
   tonnage
(ktonnes)
   NSR (US$/t)   AuEqv (gpt)   Au (gpt)   Cu (%)   Ag (gpt)   AuEqv (koz)   Au (koz)   Cu (Mlbs)   Ag (koz) 
    9   8,629   19.51   0.632   0.460   0.083   4.790   175   128   16   1,329 
      10.5   7,756   20.61   0.666   0.487   0.087   4.878   166   121   15   1,216 
      11   7,503   20.95   0.677   0.496   0.088   4.919   163   120   15   1,187 
      12   6,991   21.64   0.699   0.513   0.091   4.957   157   115   14   1,114 
   Open Pit  15   5,076   24.68   0.793   0.591   0.101   4.998   129   96   11   816 
Indicated     20   3,043   29.63   0.947   0.724   0.113   5.243   93   71   8   513 
      25   1,736   35.18   1.126   0.891   0.120   5.529   63   50   5   309 
      30   929   42.12   1.343   1.109   0.120   5.608   40   33   2   167 
   Underground  US$25 shell   2,675   34.02   1.034   0.795   0.130   4.179   89   68   8   359 
   Total  varies   10,431   24.05   0.760   0.566   0.098   4.699   255   190   23   1,576 
    9   13,462   22.46   0.714   0.572   0.066   4.454   309   247   20   1,928 
      10.5   11,774   24.28   0.768   0.620   0.069   4.576   291   235   18   1,732 
      11   11,171   25.01   0.789   0.640   0.070   4.621   283   230   17   1,660 
      12   10,211   26.29   0.827   0.674   0.072   4.615   271   221   16   1,515 
      15   7,130   31.83   0.990   0.826   0.079   4.515   227   189   12   1,035 
   Open Pit  20   4,473   40.53   1.247   1.072   0.086   4.605   179   154   8   662 
Inferred     25   2,792   51.43   1.579   1.382   0.100   5.061   142   124   6   454 
      30   2,100   59.37   1.821   1.617   0.103   5.130   123   109   5   346 
   Underground  US$25 shell   39,772   32.65   1.004   0.803   0.123   2.509   1,284   1,027   107   3,208 
   Total  varies   51,546   30.73   0.950   0.761   0.110   2.981   1,575   1,262   125   4,940 

 

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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

Table 11-4 Mineral Resource Estimate and Sensitivity – Island Mountain Deposit

 

  Cut-off   ROM   In situ Grades   In situ Metal 
Class  Value
(US$/t)
   tonnage
(ktonnes)
   NSR (US$/t)   AuEqv (gpt)   Au (gpt)   Cu (%)   Ag (gpt)   AuEqv (koz)   Au (koz)   Cu (Mlbs)   Ag (koz) 
  9   136,875   17.30   0.517   0.43   0.05   1.00   2,276   1,887   148   4,401 
   10.5   111,901   18.99   0.568   0.47   0.05   1.06   2,042   1,701   131   3,814 
   11   104,617   19.57   0.585   0.49   0.05   1.09   1,967   1,639   126   3,666 
   12   91,835   20.69   0.619   0.52   0.06   1.14   1,826   1,524   116   3,366 
Inferred  15   59,801   24.56   0.734   0.61   0.07   1.33   1,411   1,177   90   2,557 
   20   31,814   31.13   0.930   0.78   0.09   1.61   952   794   61   1,647 
   25   19,050   37.12   1.110   0.93   0.10   1.85   680   570   43   1,133 
   30   12,225   42.58   1.273   1.08   0.11   1.95   500   425   29   766 

 

11.2 Key Assumptions and Data used in the Estimate

 

The total Whistler Project area comprises a database of 250 drillholes totaling more than 70,000 m with 182 drillholes and 53,200 m of assayed length within the three deposit block models.

 

A summary of the drillholes within each of the Whistler Project block model areas is provided in Table 11-5.

 

Table 11-5 Summary of Whistler Project Drillhole Data within Block Models

 

      Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain   Total Resource Areas 
Operator  Year   No. Holes   Length (m)   Assayed Length (m)   No. Holes   Length (m)   Assayed Length (m)   No. Holes   Length (m)   Assayed Length (m)   No. Holes   Length (m)   Assayed Length (m) 
Cominco  1986-1989   16   1,677   1,566                           16   1,677   1,566 
  2004   5   1,997   1,865                           5   1,997   1,865 
   2005   9   5,251   5,061   1   213   208               10   5,464   5,269 
Kennecott  2006   1   705   696   4   1,115   845               5   1,821   1,540 
   All Kennecott   15   7,953   7,621   5   1,328   1,053               20   9,281   8,674 
  2007   7   3,321   3,243                           7   3,321   3,243 
Geoinformatics  2008   6   2,707   2,660   2   622   615               8   3,329   3,275 
   All Geo.   13   6,027   5,902   2   622   615               15   6,649   6,517 
  2009   1   228   214   1   479   479   1   387   387   3   1,094   1,080 
Kiska  2010   7   5,247   4,500   8   3,255   3,164   11   4,991   4,956   26   13,493   12,621 
   2011               78   14,795   13,799   24   9,032   8,943   102   23,827   22,742 
   All Kiska   8   5,475   4,715   87   18,529   17,442   36   14,410   14,287   131   38,413   36,444 
Total     52   21,132   19,804   94   20,479   19,110   36   14,410   14,287   182   56,021   53,200  

 

 Page 127 of 174
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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

11.3 Geologic Modelling

 

Three-dimensional wireframe solids based on geology have been used to constrain the grade interpolations.

 

At Whistler, a three dimensional solid of the diorite intrusion has been created based on the logged geology. The geology has also been used to define the Divide Fault as a major fault through the center of the deposit, dividing it into two domains. Dykes have not been modelled explicitly because they are too thin both to model and to separate when mining. Therefore, the un-mineralized assays within the solids have been included in the interpolations. A three-dimensional view looking northeast of the Whistler domains is illustrated in Figure 11-1, also showing the resource pit.

 

Figure 14-2 illustrates the mineralized domain for Raintree, looking northeast and plotting the resource pit and underground mineralized shape.

 

Figure 14-3 illustrates the domains for Island Mountain. There are six sub-vertical domains (plotted in shades of blue) that are based on lithology as various mineralized dykes. These were combined into one domain for the interpolations. Two domains surrounding the central core at a nominal cut-off of 0.1 gpt and 0.3 gpt AuEqv are used to confine the interpolation outside of the dyke boundaries (plotted in yellows). The outline of the resource pit on surface is also plotted for reference.

 

 

Figure 11-1 Domains – Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-2 Domains Modeled for Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 

Figure 11-3 Domains Modelled for Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 Page 129 of 174
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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

11.4 Capping

 

Cumulative probability plots (CPP) are used to define capping values and potential outlier restrictions during interpolations. Figure 11-4 and Figure 11-5 show the CPP plots for Au and Cu respectively for Whistler. Figure 11-6 and Figure 11-7 show the CPP plots for Au and Cu respectively for Raintree and Figure 11-8 and Figure 11-9 are the CPPs for Island Mountain for Au and Cu respectively.

 

 

Figure 11-4 CPP of Au Assay Data by Domain - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 

Figure 11-5 CPP of Cu Assay Data by Domain – Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-6 CPP of Au Assay Data by Domain – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 

Figure 11-7 CPP of Cu Assay Data by Domain – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-8 CPP of Au Assay Data by Domain – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 

Figure 11-9 CPP of Cu Assay Data by Domain – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

Capping and Outlier values are summarized in Table 11-6 below. Values above the capping value are equal to the capping value in the assay file prior to compositing. Composite values above the Outlier value are restricted during interpolations to the Outlier value for distance greater than 5 m from the composite interval.

 

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Table 11-6 Summary of Capping and Outlier Restriction Values

 

    Domain       
ITEM  AREA  From   To   CAP   Outlier 
Au (gpt)  Whistler  1   1   4   na 
      2   2   2   na 
   Raintree  1   1   2   10 
   Island Mountain  1   6   10   5 
      7   7   10   5 
      8   8   3   5 
Cu (%)  Whistler  1   1   1   na 
      2   2   1   na 
   Raintree  2   2   2   0.6 
   Island Mountain  1   6   1   na 
      7   7   0.6   na 
      8   8   0.3   na 
Ag (gpt)  Whistler  1   1   100   25 
      2   2   100   30 
   Raintree  1   1   100   80 
   Island Mountain  1   6   30   12 
      7   7   20   7 
      8   8   20   7 

 

The capped assay and composite statistics of each domain are summarized in the Table 11-7 through Table 11-9 for Au, Cu and Ag respectively. These table illustrate that no significant bias has been introduced during the compositing process. They also indicate that the distributions have low CV confirming the choice of linear interpolation methods are appropriate.

 

Table 11-7 Capped Assay and Composite Statistics by Domain – Au

 

    Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain 
Source  Parameters  1   2   5   1-6   7   8 
Assays  Num Samples  5,393   3,743   2,731   1,795   1,999   767 
   Num Missing  14   21   1   12   0   1 
   Min (gpt)  0.000   0.001   0.003   0.003   0.003   0.003 
   Max (gpt)  10.667   4.530   14.150   10.000   10.000   2.660 
   Wtd mean (gpt)  0.374   0.212   0.260   0.452   0.253   0.122 
   Wtd CV  1.778   1.250   2.067   1.746   2.187   1.899 
Composites  Num Samples  1,952   1,376   1,305   841   917   411 
   Num Missing  3   7   1   0   0   0 
   Min (gpt)  0.002   0.001   0.003   0.003   0.003   0.004 
   Max (gpt)  6.075   2.097   6.068   6.412   4.626   1.167 
   Wtd mean (gpt)  0.374   0.212   0.260   0.452   0.253   0.122 
   Wtd CV  1.578   1.088   1.562   1.447   1.570   1.409 
Difference in Wtd Means (%)  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%

 

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Table 11-8 Capped Assay and Composite Statistics by Domain – Cu

 

    Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain 
Source  Parameters  1   2   5   1-6   7   8 
   Num Samples  5,390   3,741   2,731   1,795   1,999   767 
   Num Missing  17   23   1   12   0   1 
Assays  Min (gpt)  0.000   0.000   0.000   0.000   0.000   0.001 
   Max (gpt)  2.590   1.305   0.786   1.000   0.600   0.288 
   Wtd mean (gpt)  0.129   0.112   0.037   0.083   0.032   0.030 
   Wtd CV  1.185   0.953   1.623   1.271   1.160   0.912 
   Num Samples  1,952   1,376   1,305   841   917   411 
   Num Missing  3   7   1   0   0   0 
Composites  Min (gpt)  0.000   0.000   0.000   0.001   0.001   0.003 
   Max (gpt)  1.233   1.051   0.317   0.654   0.397   0.223 
   Wtd mean (gpt)  0.129   0.112   0.037   0.083   0.032   0.030 
   Wtd CV  1.041   0.835   1.489   1.124   0.998   0.826 
Difference in Wtd. Means (%)  0.1%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%

 

Table 11-9 Capped Assay and Composite Statistics by Domain – Ag

 

    Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain 
Source  Parameters  1   2   5   1-6   7   8 
   Num Samples  5,393   3,743   2,731   1,795   1,999   767 
   Num Missing  14   21   1   12   0   1 
Assays  Min (gpt)  0.000   0.050   0.250   0.250   0.250   0.250 
   Max (gpt)  151.800   186.000   200.000   30.000   20.000   14.700 
   Wtd mean (gpt)  1.730   1.568   3.305   1.649   0.709   0.627 
   Wtd CV  2.142   3.043   2.337   1.339   1.556   1.420 
   Num Samples  1,952   1,376   1,305   841   917   411 
   Num Missing  3   7   1   0   0   0 
Composites  Min (gpt)  0.050   0.050   0.250   0.250   0.250   0.250 
   Max (gpt)  53.709   76.534   83.468   11.180   5.198   3.812 
   Wtd mean (gpt)  1.730   1.568   3.305   1.616   0.684   0.602 
   Wtd CV  1.450   1.958   1.680   1.028   0.965   0.868 
Difference in Wtd Means (%)  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  -2.1%  -3.7%  -4.3%

 

11.5 Compositing

 

Compositing of Au, Ag and Cu grades have been done as 5 m fixed length composites. Small intervals less than 2.5 m are merged with the up-hole composite if the composite length is less than 5 m. The length of 5 m is chosen to be half the size of the block height, and longer than the majority of assay lengths, as illustrated in Figure 11-10. Domain boundaries are honored during compositing.

 

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Figure 11-10 Assay Lengths

 

11.6 Variography

 

Correlograms have been created for each domain within each deposit. A summary of the spherical correlogram parameters is given in Table 11-10 through Table 11-12 for Whistler, Raintree, and Island Mountain respectively.

 

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Table 11-10 Variogram Parameters – Whistler

 

Element   Domain  

Rotation

(GSLIB-MS)

   Axis   Total Range (m)   Nugget   Sill1   Sill2   Sill3   Range 1 (m)   Range 2 (m)   Range 3 (m)   
       ROT  180   Major   350               40   260   350  
    1   DIPN  -80   Minor   120   0.1   0.2   0.5   0.2    15   80   120  
CU       DIPE  -40   Vert   80                   10   40   80  
       ROT  180   Major   220               15   70   220  
    2   DIPN  -80   Minor   120   0.2    0.25   0.15   0.4    15   50   120  
        DIPE  -40   Vert   120                   15   70   120  
       ROT  180   Major   350               40   160   350  
    1   DIPN  -80   Minor   250   0.2    0.3   0.3   0.2    25   45   250  
AU       DIPE  -40   Vert   80                   25   50   80  
       ROT  180   Major   210               15   50   210  
    2   DIPN  -80   Minor   120   0.2    0.25    0.15    0.4    10   45   120  
        DIPE  -40   Vert   150                   35   60   150  
       ROT  180   Major   180                50   180    
    1   DIPN  -80   Minor   120   0.6    0.2    0.2       30   120    
AG      DIPE  -40   Vert   90                   15   90    
       ROT  180   Major   150                20   150    
    2   DIPN  -80   Minor   60   0.3   0.6   0.1       10   60    
        DIPE  -40   Vert   180                   70   180    

 

Table 11-11 Variogram Parameters – Raintree

 

Element    Domain  

Rotation

(GSLIB-MS)

   Axis    Total Range (m)   Nugget   Sill1   Sill2   Sill3   Range 1 (m)   Range 2 (m)   Range 3 (m)  
         ROT  90   Major    500               200   300   500  
CU    5   DIPN  55   Minor    350   0.1   0.4   0.4   0.1   40   200   350  
         DIPE  0   Vert    300                   80   200   300  
         ROT  90   Major    500               50   250   500  
AU    5   DIPN  55   Minor    350   0.2   0.3   0.2   0.3   30   150   350  
         DIPE  0   Vert    150                   20   80   150  
         ROT  90   Major    140                20   140    
AG    5   DIPN  55   Minor    120   0.2   0.4   0.4       15   120    
         DIPE  0   Vert    120                   15   120    

 

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Table 11-12 Variogram Parameters – Island Mountain

 

Element    Domain   Rotation (GSLIB-MS)   Axis    Total Range (m)   Nugget   Sill1   Sill2   Sill3   Range 1 (m)   Range 2 (m)   Range 3 (m)  
         ROT  0   Major    300               40   150   300  
     1-6   DIPN  -90   Minor    150   0.2   0.5   0.1   0.2   60   100   150  
CU        DIPE  0   Vert    120                   20   80   120  
         ROT  25   Major    150               50   80   150  
     7,8   DIPN  0   Minor    150   0.1   0.3   0.3   0.3   30   80   150  
         DIPE  -20   Vert    120                   30   35   120  
         ROT  0   Major    200               50   140   200  
     1-6   DIPN  -90   Minor    150   0.3   0.4   0.2   0.1   50   80   150  
AU        DIPE  0   Vert    100                   20   50   100  
         ROT  25   Major    100               50   80   100  
     7,8   DIPN  0   Minor    150   0.2   0.4   0.3   0.1   40   90   150  
         DIPE  -20   Vert    100                   15   70   100  
         ROT  0   Major    150                30   150    
     1-6   DIPN  -90   Minor    100   0.3   0.4   0.3        20   100    
AG        DIPE  0   Vert    100                   20   100    
         ROT  25   Major    150                50   150    
     7,8   DIPN  0   Minor    160   0.1   0.6   0.3       30   160    
         DIPE  -20   Vert    75                   15   75    

 

An example of the Variogram Model for Cu in Domain 1 in the major and minor axes directions is illustrated in Figure 11-11 for Cu and Figure 11-12 for Au in the whistler deposit. Figure 11-13 is the variograms for Cu at Raintree in Domain 5. And Figure 11-14 illustrates the variogram for Island Mountain for the major and minor axes for Au.

 

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Figure 11-11 Variogram Model for Cu in Domain 1 – Major and Minor Axes – Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-12 Variogram Model for Au in Domain 1 – Major and Minor Axes – Whistler Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-13 Variogram Model for Cu in Domain 5 – Major and Minor Axes – Raintree Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-14 Variogram Model for Au in Domains 1-6 – Major and Minor Axes – Island Mountain Deposit (Source: MMTS, 2021)

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11.7 Block Model Interpolations

 

The block model limits and block size for each deposit are as given in Table 11-13.

 

Table 11-13 Block Model Limits

 

Deposit  Direction  From   To   Block size   # Blocks 
   East  517,200   519,860   20   133 
Whistler  North  6,870,000   6,873,000   20   150 
   Elevation  -50   1,280   10   133 
   East  519,700   521,100   10   140 
Raintree West  North  6,871,000   6,872,000   10   100 
   Elevation  -260   730   10   99 
   East  511,500   513,600   10   210 
Island Mountain  North  6,847,000   6,848,400   10   140 
   Elevation  490   1,470   10   98 

 

Interpolation of Au, Cu and Ag values is done by ordinary kriging (OK) in four passes based on the variogram parameters. Interpolations used hard boundaries, with composites and block codes required to match within each domain. Search parameters are summarized in Table 11-14 through Table 11-16 below.

 

Table 11-14 Search Rotation and Distances – Whistler

 

Element  Domain   Rot   Dist1   Dist2   Dist3   Dist4 
       180   40   80   160   350 
   1   -80   15   30   60   120 
CU      -40   10   20   40   80 
       180   15   30   60   220 
   2   -80   15   30   60   120 
       -40   15   30   60   120 
       180   40   80   160   350 
   1   -80   25   50   100   250 
AU      -40   20   40   60   80 
       180   53   70   105   210 
   2   -80   30   40   60   120 
       -40   38   50   75   150 
       180   45   90   135   180 
   1   -80   30   60   90   120 
AG      -40   15   30   60   90 
       180   38   50   75   150 
   2   -80   15   20   30   60 
       -40   45   60   90   180 

 

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Table 11-15 Search Rotation and Distances – Raintree

 

Element   Domain   Rot   Dist1   Dist2   Dist3   Dist4 
      90   125   250   375   500 
CU   1   55   88   175   263   350 
        0   75   150   225   300 
      90   125   250   375   500 
AU   1   55   88   175   263   350 
        0   38   75   113   150 
      90   35   70   105   140 
AG   1   55   30   60   90   120 
        0   30   60   90   120 

 

Table 11-16 Search Rotation and Distances – Island Mountain

 

Element   Domain   Rot   Dist1   Dist2   Dist3   Dist4 
      0   40   80   160   300 
    1-6   -90   37.5   75   112.5   150 
CU       0   20   40   80   120 
       25   37.5   75   112.5   150 
    7,8   0   30   60   112.5   150 
        -20   30   60   90   120 
      0   50   100   150   200 
    1-6   -90   37.5   75   112.5   150 
AU       0   20   40   75   100 
       25   25   50   75   100 
    7,8   0   37.5   75   112.5   150 
        -20   15   30   60   100 
      0   30   60   112.5   150 
    1-6   -90   20   40   75   100 
AG       0   20   40   75   100 
       25   37.5   75   112.5   150 
    7,8   0   30   60   120   160 
        -20   15   30   56.25   75 

 

Additional search criteria on composite selection are summarized in Table 11-17. Search criteria are used to ensure that more than one drillhole is used for all passes, and more than one quadrant is used for the first three passes, as well as to limit smoothing of grade by limiting the maximum number of composites to be used.

 

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Table 11-17 Additional Search Criteria

 

Criteria  Pass 1   Pass 2   Pass 3   Pass 4 
Minimum # composites  3   3   3   3 
Maximum # Composites  12   12   12   12 
Maximum / drillhole  2   2   2   2 
Maximum / quadrant  2   2   2   na 

 

11.8 Classification

 

Classification has been done in accordance with 229.1302(d)(1)(iii)(A) (Item 1302(d)(1)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. The Classification is based on the variogram parameters, with the required average distance to the nearest two drillholes required to be less than the distance of the range at 80% of the sill (R80 value) for each domain as summarized in Table 11-18.

 

Table 11-18 Classification Criteria

 

Deposit  Whistler   Raintree   Island Mountain 
Domain  1   2   5   99   1-6   7-8 
Average Distance to 2 DHs  150   80   100   100   80   80 

 

11.9 Block Model Validation

 

11.9.1 Comparison of Tonnage and Grades

 

Interpolations have also been completed using a Nearest neighbour method to essentially de-cluster the composite data for grade comparisons with the modelled grades. Table 11-19 gives a summary of the mean grades for de-clustered composites (NN interpolation), and OK grades at a 0.1% Cu cut-off. Table 11-20 gives a summary of the mean grades for de-clustered composites (NN interpolation), and OK grades at a 0.1% Cu cut-off. The tonnage, grade and metal content are variable, but conservative compared to the un-capped de-clustered composites.

 

This comparison is illustrated more succinctly in the plots of tonnage-grade curves. Cut-off grade plots (tonnage-grade curves) are constructed for each metal to check the validity of the modelling. The NN values for Au and Cu are plotted and compared to the modelled OK values for the Whistler deposit in Figure 11-15 and Figure 11-16. For Raintree, the tonnage-grade curves for Au and Cu are presented in Figures 11-17 and 11-18. And for Island Mountain the tonnage grade curves are presented in Figure 11-19 and 11-20. The curves for Whistler and Island Mountain are within the Resource confining pit shape. For Raintree, all blocks within modelled domains are plotted due to the underground component of the resource. In each case, the distributions show good correlation, and thus the change of support are valid.

 

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Table 11-19 Comparison of De-clustered Composite and OK Modelled Grades for Cu

 

           Modelled OK   De-clustered composites (NN)     
Cut-off        ROM Tonnage   Grade Cu   Metal   ROM Tonnage   Grade Cu   Metal   Difference 
Cu (%)   Class   Deposit  (kt)   (%)   (Mlbs)   (kt)   (%)   (Mlbs)   (%) 
        Whistler  97,294   0.181   388.7   87,601   0.2057   397.3   -2.2%
    Indicated   Raintree  2,310   0.134   6.8   3,653   0.1413   11.4   -66.8%
0.1       Whistler  137,697   0.146   442.0   112,648   0.1825   453.2   -2.5%
    Inferred   Raintree  1,669   0.138   5.1   1,296   0.1887   5.4   -6.0%
        Island Mtn.  15,558   0.153   52.4   15,994   0.1866   65.8   -25.5%

 

Table 11-20 Comparison of De-clustered Composite and OK Modelled Grades for Au

 

           Modelled OK   De-clustered composites (NN)     
Cut-off        ROM Tonnage   Grade Au   Metal   ROM Tonnage   Grade Au   Metal   Difference 
Au (gpt)   Class   Deposit  (kt)   (gpt)   (Moz)   (kt)   (gpt)   (Moz)   (%) 
   Indicated   Whistler  121,389   0.465   1,814.8   103,550   0.5374   1,789.1   1.4%
        Raintree  9,279   0.459   136.8   11,293   0.3856   140.0   -2.3%
0.1   Inferred   Whistler  234,991   0.160   830.5   200,249   0.1926   850.3   -2.4%
        Raintree  16,013   0.514   264.6   20,990   0.4211   284.2   -7.4%
        Island Mtn.  209,394   0.334   2,247.2   157,142   0.4727   2,388.2   -6.3%

 

 

Figure 11-15 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Au – Comparison of Interpolation Methods – Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-16 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Cu – Comparison of Interpolation Methods - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 

Figure 11-17 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Au – Comparison of Interpolation Methods – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-18 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Cu – Comparison of Interpolation Methods - Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

 

Figure 11-19 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Au – Comparison of Interpolation Methods – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-20 Tonnage-Grade Curves for Cu – Comparison of Interpolation Methods - Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

11.10 Visual Validation

 

A series of E-W, N-S sections (every 20 m) and plans (every 10 m) have been used to inspect the ordinary kriging (OK) block model grades with the original assay data. Figure 11-21 and Figure 11-22 give examples of this comparison at Whistler for the E-W section at 6871330N, for Au and Cu grades respectively. Figure 11-23 and Figure 11-24 illustrate the grade comparisons at Raintree through the center of the deposit with looking SW at an azimuth of 135 degrees. Figure 11-25 and Figure 11-26 are plots of the Au and Cu grades respectively for Island Mountain through the center of the deposit at 6847740N.

 

Plots throughout the model confirmed that the block model grades corresponded well with the assayed grades.

 

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Figure 11-21 E-W Section Comparing Au Grades for Block Model and Assay Data - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-22 E-W Section Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data - Whistler (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-23 Section Looking SW - Comparing Au Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-24 Section Looking SW - Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Raintree (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-25 E-W Section Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

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Figure 11-26 E-W Section Comparing Cu Grades for Block Model and Assay Data – Island Mountain (Source: MMTS, 2021)

 

11.11 Reasonable Prospects of Eventual Economic Extraction

 

The resource confining pit and/or underground shapes defines a boundary for continuous mineralization with suitable grades and with a reasonable expectation that an engineered plan will produce an economic plan. The net smelter return calculation for both the open pit and underground resources as well as the metallurgical recoveries are summarized in Table 11-21.

 

Lerchs-Grossman pits were run for each deposit using the following parameters:

 

  Pit slopes of 50 degrees;
  Mining costs of US$1.80/t for waste and US$2.00/t for mineralized material; and
  Processing, general and administrative costs of US$10.50/t. The cut-off grade is the Processing + G&A costs for open pit and Process + G&A + Underground mining costs for the underground resource.

 

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The lower portion of the Raintree West deposit has been constrained by a mineable shape within a “reasonable prospects of economic extraction” using a US$25.00/t cut-off, assuming the same processing costs as for the open pit, and a bulk mining scenario. Material within a cohesive shape above this cut-off has been included in the Raintree underground resource estimate. Metal prices are based on the 3-year trailing average (Kitco, 2021) and are consistent with those seen to be used throughout the industry.

 

Table 11-21 Economic Inputs and Metallurgical Recoveries

 

Parameter  Value   Units 
Gold Price  $1,600   US$/Oz 
Cu Price  $3.25   US$/lbs 
Silver Price  $21.00   US$/Oz 
Gold Payable   99.00%  % 
Cu payable   99.0%  % 
Silver Payable   90.0%  % 
Gold Refining   8.00   US$/oz 
Cu Refining + PP   0.05   US$/lbs 
Silver Refining   0.60   US$/oz 
Gold Offsites   97.41   US$/oz 
Cu Offsite   36.943   US$/lbs 
Silver Offsites   1.65   US$/oz 
Royalty   3.0%  % 
          
Net Smelter Gold Price  $49.27   US$/g 
Net Smelter Cu  $2.97   US$/lb 
Net Smelter Silver Price  $0.57   US$/g 
          
Gold Process Recovery   70%  % 
Cu Process Recovery   83%  % 
Silver Process recovery – above 10 gpt Ag   0%  % 
Silver Process recovery – below 10 gpt Ag   65%  % 

 

*Indicated and Inferred resources are used for pit optimization.

*Pit slope angle is considered constant at 45 degrees for all cases.

 

The pit delineated resource is given in Table 11-2 through Table 11-4 for each deposit and for a range of NSR cut-offs with the base case cut-off of US$10.50/tonne highlighted. Process recoveries, as well as mining, processing and offsite costs have been applied in order to determine that the pit resource has a reasonable prospect of economic extraction. The US$10.50/tonne cut-off (an Au Equivalent grade of approximately 0.31 gpt at the base case prices) yields an Indicated resource of 118.2 Mt at 0.51 gpt gold, 0.16% copper and 2.19 gpt silver (2.99 Moz AuEqv.) and an Inferred resource of 317.0 Mt at 0.46 gpt gold, 0.10% copper and 1.58 gpt silver (6.45 Moz AuEqv).

 

11.12 Statement on Prospect of Economic Extraction

 

The QP is of the opinion that all relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospect of economic extraction can be resolved with further work.

 

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11.13 Factors That May Affect the Mineral Resource Estimate

 

Areas of uncertainty that may materially impact the Mineral Resource estimate include:

 

● Commodity price assumptions

● Metal recovery assumptions

● Mining and processing cost assumptions

 

There are no other known factors or issues known to the QP that materially affect the estimate other than normal risks faced by mining projects in the province in terms of environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, and political factors.

 

11.14 Risk Assessment

 

A description of potential risk factors is given in Table 11-22 along with either the justification for the approach taken or mitigating factors in place to reduce any risk.

 

Table 11-22 List of Risks and Mitigations/Justifications

 

#  Description  Justification/Mitigation
1  Classification Criteria  Classification based on the Range of the Variogram and therefore the variability of the mineralization within each deposit.
2  Gold and silver Price Assumptions  Based on three-year trailing average (Kitco, 2021)
3  Capping  CPP, swath plots and grade-tonnage curves show model validates well with composite data throughout the grade distribution.
4  Processing and Mining Costs  Based on comparable projects in Alaska.

 

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12 MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES

 

There are no reserve estimates currently.

 

13 MINING METHODS

 

Open pit and underground mining methods are being considered for the project, though no details have been developed at this time.

 

14 PROCESS AND RECOVERY METHODS

 

Not applicable to the resource statement.

 

15 INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Preliminary infrastructure is discussed in Section 4, while detailed infrastructure has not been determined at this time.

 

16 MARKET STUDIES

 

No concentrate market studies have been done at this time.

 

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17ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND PLANS, NEGOTIATIONS, OR AREEMENTS WITH LOCAL INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS

 

U.S. GoldMining submitted an Application for Permit to Mine in Alaska (APMA) to Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) on 30 June 2022. On 22 September 2022, the Alaska Department Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, approved Multi-Year 2022-2026 Exploration and Reclamation Permit Number 2778 for Hardrock Exploration – Skwentna River - Yentna Mining District, and in addition also approved Reclamation Plan Approval Number 2778.

 

U.S. GoldMining commenced environmental studies in August 2022, comprising an aquatics survey completed by Owl Ridge Natural Resource Consultants Inc. A report on the findings of this work is pending as of the Date of Issue.

 

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18 CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS

 

Capital and operating costs have not been developed in detail at this time.

 

19 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

 

Economic analysis has not been completed at this time.

 

20 ADJACENT PROPERTIES

 

The Estelle Gold Project owned by Nova Minerals Limited of Australia is currently in exploration phase and shares the Whiskey Bravo runway.

 

21 OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION

 

There is no additional relevant data and information for the Whistler, Raintree West, and Island Mountain deposits.

 

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22 INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

 

22.1 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis

 

The procedures documented by Kennecott, Geoinformatics and Kiska for sampling, analysis and security are deemed adequate. Analysis of the QAQC samples indicates the laboratory results are of sufficient quality for resource estimation.

 

22.2 Data Verification

 

The provided database did not have certificate numbers attached to the sample IDs; this was corrected to the extent possible as well as some minor errors that were uncovered during certificate checks. The amount of data fully supported by certificate and QAQC is 75% in Whistler, 90% in Raintree and 93% in Island Mountain, which is typical or better than similar projects with the majority of drilling completed before 2010, but not ideal. Measurements made during the site visit and previous reports indicate a collar survey is to be considered.

 

22.3 Metallurgical Testwork

 

The recoveries used for Resource estimate are reasonable for this level of study based on the metallurgical testing to date.

 

22.4 Resource Estimate

 

In the opinion of the QP the block model resource estimate and resource classification reported herein are a reasonable representation of the global gold, copper and silver mineral resources found in the Whistler, Raintree West, and Island Mountain deposits. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve.

 

22.5 Risks and Opportunities

 

22.5.1 Sampling, Preparation, Analysis and Data Risks and Opportunities

 

U.S. GoldMininghas the opportunity to add QAQC data for silver and to collect and complete the missing certificate numbers in the database. This information would more completely support the assay database.

 

The drill core is stored in wood boxes subject to weathering on site, they are beginning to fall apart. An opportunity exists to protect these samples from further weathering by moving them or building dry storage. The risk of continued decay is that the historic core may no longer be available to future potential owners for review and verification.

 

A collar survey that was to have been done in 2012 does not appear to have been completed. Review of three collar locations during the site visit suggests that more accurate drillhole locations are possible.

 

22.5.2 Metallurgical Testwork Risks and Opportunities

 

Analyses and accounting of Ag were omitted from the metallurgical testwork, which focused on Cu and Au grades and recoveries in what was anticipated initially to be a Cu-Au resource. Future testwork which includes Ag accounting would likely result in improved estimates of silver recovery and revenue contribution.

 

22.5.3 Resource Estimate Risks and Opportunities

 

Risk in the geologic interpretations relating to the continuity of the mineralization exist and can be mitigated by additional geologic modelling for use in controlling the block model interpolations. A description of additional potential risk factors concerning the resource estimate is given in Table 11-22 along with either the justification for the approach taken or mitigating factors in place to reduce any risk. Opportunities to increase the confidence in the resource through infill drilling and to expand the resource from step-out and exploration drilling are discussed in the recommendations section below.

 

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23 RECOMMENDATIONS

 

23.1 Sample Preparation, Analyses and Security

 

To ensure data quality is recommended that:

 

  QAQC data for silver blanks and duplicates be collected from the historical database for analysis in future studies that include silver in the resource estimate. None of the CRMs used to date are certified for silver. New CRMs should be sourced and included in any future drilling.
  Future drilling should continue to use the silica sand or a commercially prepared blank material.
  Individual instances of lapse in control procedures where failed samples and the neighboring primary assays samples are not seen to be re-assayed are identified. If this was indeed done, the database has not been correctly maintained. The number of failures does not appear to be of material significance currently. Future programs should ensure that adherence to control procedures is maintained

 

23.2 Data Verification

 

It is recommended that:

 

  At least 10% of collar locations in each resource area, to include drilling from all years, be surveyed with GPS equipment with <1m accuracy. If significant deviations are determined from the recorded values, all collars would need resurvey.
  U.S. GoldMining continue to pursue matching of assay samples to certificates and collection of missing certificates.
  Future drilling should include third party check assays and the data should be appropriately maintained.

 

23.3 Metallurgy

 

Metallurgical recommendations include:

 

● Mineralogical studies to better understand the gold associations

● Comminution testing specifically to address SAG mill power requirements and design

● Variability testing

● Confirmatory locked cycle flotation testing at the coarser primary grind size

● Testwork to include feed material containing Pb, Zn sulphide, and higher Ag grade material

 

23.4 Exploration and Resource

 

23.4.1 Whistler

 

At the Whistler Deposit, recommendations include:

 

  A better understanding of the current known faults could be an opportunity for increasing the resource at Whistler. Particularly in the south of the deposit (south of 6,971,200N). There is a paucity of drillhole data on both sides of the Divide fault in this area, resulting in blocks left un-interpolated within the diorite solid.
  Revision of the geologic model to provide a better understanding of how the three later stages of intrusion relate to the mineralization. This would involve re-logging of core with the current knowledge of the assay values. Through re-interpretation in section and plan it is the expected outcome that 3D solids of each intrusive phase could be constructed.

 

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  Similarly, 3D solids of alteration and structural domains should be created from the re-interpretation.
  Additional specific gravity measurements should be obtained from existing drillholes to augment the current database.
  Additional in-fill drilling to upgrade the classification of Inferred to Indicated.

 

23.4.2 Raintree

 

For the Raintree Deposit, the following recommendations are made:

 

  Infill and step-out drilling to the north and south of the current deposit to potentially upgrade the classification of the current resource estimate and to potentially increase the resource. Specifically shallow holes (200 to 250 m) dipping east on sections 6,871,350 N and 6,871,400 N and 6,871,500 N should be drilled to increase the confidence in near surface mineralization.
  In concert with the new drilling, the previous drill core should be relogged and a robust geological model/domains should be constructed for future resource estimates.
  Further specific gravity measurements should be collected from current and future drillholes.
  Metallurgical testing should be conducted on Raintree West samples.

 

23.4.3 Island Mountain

 

For the Island Mountain deposit, the following recommendations are made:

 

  Infill and step-out drilling to the north and south of the deposit. This drilling should be done to potentially upgrade the classification of the current resource estimate and to potentially increase the resource. Drilling should aim to link the mineralized breccias drilled north of the resource area, with the main breccia complex. Deep drilling under the breccia complex is also warranted to potentially locate the causative, and potentially mineralized, intrusive driving the brecciation.

 

23.4.4 Exploration Program and Budget

 

The exploration program is divided into two phases. Phase 1 would consist of a full desktop review of all the geological, geochemical, geophysical, and drilling data, concurrent with the review of drill core, to optimize strategic targeting in Phase 2. The specific design of Phase 2 is contingent on the results of Phase 1.

 

A possible Phase 2 might consist of a “top-of-bedrock” grid drilling program in the Whistler area and further surface mapping, sampling, and compilation work to rank and prioritize other exploration targets on the project area (Muddy Creek, Snow Ridge, Puntilla, Round Mountain, Howell Zone, Super Conductor), with the aim to test one or more of these targets with deeper drilling (1,500 m).

 

The grid drilling program would penetrate the glacial cover and drill approximately 25m into bedrock to obtain geological and geochemical data. This data, in conjunction with the existing airborne magnetic data and 3D IP data, would considerably enhance exploration targeting. Drilling on 200 metre centres from fifty holes (1,250 m) would cover the most prospective areas in the Whistler area.

 

In addition, the Phase 2 program should consist of follow-up drilling in the Whistler area to target anomalies generated by the grid drilling program and to expand drilling at Raintree (2,500 m). Any significant mineralized intercepts from this phase of step-out drilling should be sent for metallurgical testing with particular focus on the impact of the relatively high lead-zinc concentrations.

 

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The Phase 2 drilling should also consist of 2,500 m of diamond drilling to in-fill and expand mineralization at the Breccia Zone at Island Mountain. Mineralization is open to south and north, and undrilled breccia bodies occur for 700 m to the north of the Breccia Zone.

 

Table 23-1 shows the proposed exploration budget.

 

Table 23-1 Proposed Exploration Budget

 

Work Program  Units       Rate   Sub-total CDN $ 
Phase 1: Desktop Exploration Targeting and Overview Study
Wages – Geologists and Database support               $150,000 
   Sub-total Phase 1            $150,000 
Phase 2: Drilling Program
Grid Drilling  1,250   m   $375   $468,750 
Wages - Mappers and Samplers               $100,000 
Rock and Soil Assays  500   samples   $50   $25,000 
New target drilling - Whistler Area  1,500   m   $375   $562,500 
Raintree West Drilling*  2,500   m   $375   $937,500 
Raintree Metallurgical Sampling               $50,000 
Island Mountain Breccia Zone Drilling*  2,500   m   $475   $1,187,500 
Planning and Supervision Wages               $300,000 
   Sub-total Phase 2            $3,631,250 
Database Support (field season)               $120,000 
Data Interpretation (post field season)               $120,000 
   Sub-total Support            $240,000 
Sub-total               $4,021,250 
Contingency           10%  $402,125 
Administration               $200,000 
                   
TOTAL               $4,623,375 

 

*all-in cost includes assays, helicopter-support, camp costs

 

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24 REFERENCES

 

AMC Mining Consultants (Canada) Ltd., 2012 712024 Kiska Letter Report Resource Update 4Dec 2012

 

Bank of Montreal, 2021a, February. Market Research on Gold Price Forecast used for Resources and Reserves.

 

Bank of Montreal, 2021b, May. Street Consensus Silver and Copper Prices.

 

Beikman, H., 1980, Compiler. Geology of Alaska. Digital geology data obtained from the Alaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse and modified using MapInfo Professional. (http://agdc.usgs.gov/data/usgs/geology/).

 

Couture, JF. 2007. Independent Technical Report on the Whistler Copper-Gold Exploration Project. SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. 92 pages. Available at www.sedar.com.

 

Franklin, R. 2007. Whistler Project Synopsis. Kennecott Exploration Company, unpublished internal report, 52 pages.

 

Franklin, R., Young, L., and Boyer, L. 2006. Whistler Project – 2005 Exploration Summary Report. Kennecott Exploration Company, unpublished internal report, 180 pages.

 

Franklin, R. 2005. Whistler Project – 2004 Exploration Summary Report. Kennecott Exploration Company, unpublished internal report, 29 pages.

 

Giroux, G.H., 2016. NI43-101 Resource Estimate for the Whistler project, effective date 24 March 2016, Amended date: May 30, 2016

 

Geoinformatics News Release dated February 12, 2005 and announcing revisions to an Exploration Alliance with Kennecott.

 

Geoinformatics News Release dated June 7, 2007 and announcing the signature of an agreement with Kennecott concerning the acquisition of the Whistler Project in Alaska.

 

Gross T. G. 2014. Controls and distribution of Cu-Au- mineralization that developed the Island Mountain Deposit, Whistler Property, South-Central Alaska, Colorado School of Mine, Master’s Thesis, 157 pages.

 

Hames, B. P. 2014. Evolution of the Late-Cretaceous Whistler Au-(Cu) Corridor and magmatic-hydrothermal system, Kahiltna Terrane, Southwestern Alaska, USA, University of British Columbia Master’s Thesis, 249 pages.

 

Kiska 2011, 2011 Geological, Geochemical, Geophysical and Diamond Drilling Report on the Whistler Regional Area, Whistler Property, Alaska, Internal Report, 77 pages.

 

Kitco, 2021. Historical Au and Ag charts, www.kitco.com.

 

Layer, P., and Drake, J., 2005, 40Ar/39Ar step heat analysis of Kennecott samples: Geochronology Laboratory, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

 

MMTS 2011, “Resource Estimate Update for the Whistler Gold Copper Deposit and Results of Property wide Exploration”, March 17, 2011, 136 pages.

 

MMTS 2015, “NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the Whistler Project”, November 12, 2015, 185 pages.

 

MMTS 2021, “NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the Whistler Project”, June 11, 2021, 190 pages.

 

Nadasdy, G.S., 2005. Results of Preliminary Metallurgical Test Work Conducted on Three Ore Samples from the Copper and Gold Bearing Whistler Project. Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories Inc. report to Rio Tinto Technical Services, dated March 24, 2005, 76 pages.

 

novaminerals.com.au/estelle-gold/, 2021

 

 Page 164 of 174
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Proffett, J. 2005. Report on work done on the Whistler Project, including Island Mountain and Round Mountain, unpublished report submitted to Kennecott Exploration Company, 11 pages.

 

Roberts, M., 2009. 2009-2010 Geological, geochemical, geophysical and diamond drilling report on the Whistler Property, Alaska. Kiska Metals Corporation internal report 140 pages.

 

Roberts, M., 2011a. 2011 Geological, geochemical, geophysical and diamond drilling report on the Whistler Property, Alaska: The Whistler Corridor. Kiska Metals Corporation internal report, 209 pages.

 

Roberts, M., 2011b. 2011 Geological, geochemical, geophysical and diamond drilling report on the Whistler Property, Alaska: Island Mountain prospect. Kiska Metals Corporation internal report, 152 pages.

 

Roberts, M., 2011c. 2011 Geological, geochemical, geophysical and diamond drilling report on the Whistler Property, Alaska: Muddy Creek prospect. Kiska Metals Corporation internal report, 101 pages.

 

Rowins, S.M. 2000. Reduced porphyry copper-gold deposits: A new variation on an old theme. Geology, v. 28, p. 491-494.

 

Seedorf, E., Dilles, J.D., Proffett, J.M., Jr., Einaudi, M.T., Zurcher, L., Stavast, W.J.A., Johnson, D.A., and Barton, M.D., 2005, Porphyry Deposits: Characteristics and Origin of Hypogene Features, in Hedenquist, J.W., Thompson, J.F.H., Goldfarb, R.J., and Richards, J.R., eds., Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume: Society of Economic Geologists, Littleton, Colorado, p. 251-298.

 

Sillitoe, R.H., 2010. Porphyry Copper System, Economic Geology, v 105, no 1, p 3-41.

 

SRK 2007, “Technical Report on the Whistler Copper-Gold Exploration Project, Alaska Range, Alaska”.

 

SRK 2008, “Mineral Resource Estimation Whistler Copper-Gold Project, Alaska Range, Alaska”.

 

Stoel Rives, LLP dated January 11, 2021 and titled: Net Smelter Return Royalty Agreement

 

Stoel Rives, LLP, 2021. Aug 3, 2021 letter from Ramona L. Monroe to Alastair Still titled: Limited Title Review for Alaska Mining Claims, 9pp.

 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2020. S-K 1300 229.1300. Modernization of Property Disclosure for Mining Registrants.

 

Young, L. 2006. Geological Framework of the Whistler Region, Alaska, 2003-2005. Kennecott Exploration Company, unpublished internal report, 181 pages.

 

Young, L. 2005. Geological Setting of the Whistler Porphyry Copper Prospect, Alaska. Kennecott Exploration Company, unpublished internal report, 88 pages.

 

Wilson, P. 2007. 2007 Whistler Drilling QA/QC Results. Geoinformatics Exploration Inc. unpublished internal report, 19 pages.

 

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25 RELIANCE ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRANT

 

The QP authors of this Report state that they are qualified persons for those areas as identified in the “Certificate of Qualified Person” for each QP, as included in this Report. The QPs have relied, and believe there is a reasonable basis for this reliance, upon the following other expert reports, which provided information regarding mineral rights, surface rights, and environmental status in sections of this Report as noted below.

 

25.1 Mineral Tenure and Surface Rights

 

The QPs have not reviewed the mineral tenure, nor independently verified the legal status, ownership of the Project area or underlying property agreements. The QPs have fully relied upon, and disclaim responsibility for, information supplied by U.S. GoldMining, through its parent, GoldMining, experts and experts retained by GoldMining for this information through the following documents:

 

  Letter from Stoel Rives, LLP dated Aug 3, 2021, and titled: Limited Title Review for Alaska State Mining Claims.

 

This title information is used in Section 3.0 and 3.1 of the Report.

 

25.2 Royalties and Incumbrances

 

The QPs have not reviewed the royalty agreements nor independently verified the legal status of the royalties and other potential incumbrances. The QPs have fully relied upon, and disclaim responsibility for, information supplied by U.S. GoldMining, through its parent, experts and experts retained by GoldMining for this information through the following documents. This information was provided as a series of letters from GoldMining:

 

  Letter from Stoel Rives, LLP dated January 11, 2021, and titled: Net Smelter Return Royalty Agreement

 

This title information is used in Section 3.1 of the Report.

 

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26 DATE AND SIGNATURE PAGE

 

This report, entitled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary iNITIAL aSSESSMENT for THE Whistler Project” has the following report dates:

 

Original Report Date is: 23 September 2022
   
Revised and Updated Report Date is: 16 December 2022
   
Mineral Resource Effective Date is: 22 September 2022

 

The report was prepared and signed by the author as shown in the following QP certificate:

 

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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON – SUE BIRD

 

I, Sue Bird, P.Eng., am employed as a Geological Engineer with Moose Mountain Technical Services, with an office address of #210 1510 2nd Street North Cranbrook, BC V1C 3L2. This certificate applies to the technical report titled “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary iNITIAL aSSESSMENT for THE Whistler Project” that has an effective date of September 22, 2022 (the “technical report”).

 

  I am a member of the self-regulating Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (#25007). I graduated with a Geologic Engineering degree (B.Sc.) from the Queen’s University in 1989 and a M.Sc. in Mining from Queen’s University in 1993.
  I have worked as an engineering geologist for over 25 years since my graduation from university. I have worked on precious metals, base metals and coal mining projects, including mine operations and evaluations. Similar resource estimate projects specifically include those done for Artemis’ Blackwater gold project, Ascot’s Premier Gold Project, Spanish Mountain Gold, all in BC; O3’s Marban and Garrison, gold projects in Quebec and Ontario, respectively, as well as numerous due diligence gold projects in the southern US done confidentially for various clients.
  I have read the definition of “qualified person” set out in subpart 1300 of regulation S-K ( S-K 1300) and as a result of my experience, professional association and qualifications, I fulfill the requirements of a Qualified Person as set out in this form.
  I visited the property on September 14, 2022.
  I am responsible for all Sections of the technical report.
  I am independent of GoldMining Inc. and U.S. GoldMining Inc.
  I have previously prepared NI43-101 resource estimates for the Whistler Deposit for Kiska Metals Corporation in March, 2011 which was re-issued by Brazil Resources Inc. (now GoldMining Inc.) in May 2016 and another NI 43-101 report completed for GoldMining Inc. with effective date June 11, 2021 (MMTS, 2021)
  I have read S-K 1300 and the sections of the technical report for which I am responsible have been prepared in compliance with that Form.

 

As of the effective date of the technical report, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the sections of the technical report for which I am responsible contain all scientific and technical information that is required to be disclosed to make the technical report not misleading.

 

Dated: 23 September 2022

Revised and update date: 16 December 2022

“Signed and Sealed”

 

Signature of Qualified Person  
Sue Bird, P.Eng.  

 

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S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

APPENDIX A: CLAIMS LIST

 

ADL Serial Number   Claim Name   Claim Owner   Reference M-T-R-S   Acres
633446   PORT 2151   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
633447   PORT 2152   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
633448   PORT 2153   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
633449   PORT 2251   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
633450   PORT 2252   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
633451   PORT 2253   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
633452   PORT 2351   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
633453   PORT 2352   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
633454   PORT 2353   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
633455   PORT 2354   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633456   PORT 2355   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633457   PORT 2454   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633458   PORT 2455   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633459   PORT 2456   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633460   PORT 2457   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633461   PORT 2458   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   40
633462   PORT 2459   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   40
633463   PORT 2555   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633464   PORT 2556   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633465   PORT 2557   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
633466   PORT 2558   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   40
633467   PORT 2559   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   40
633468   PORT 2655   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
633469   PORT 2656   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
633470   PORT 2657   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
641182   WHISPER 105   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
641183   WHISPER 106   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
641184   WHISPER 107   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
641185   WHISPER 108   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
641186   WHISPER 109   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   40
641187   WHISPER 120   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
641188   WHISPER 127   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
641189   WHISPER 128   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   40
641190   WHISPER 129   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
641191   WHISPER 130   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   40
641192   WHISPER 139   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
641193   WHISPER 140   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
641194   WHISPER 141   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
641195   WHISPER 142   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
641196   WHISPER 143   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   40
641197   WHISPER 1   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W23   160
641198   WHISPER 2   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W23   160
641199   WHISPER 3   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W24   160
641201   WHISPER 9   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W23   160
641202   WHISPER 10   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W23   160
641203   WHISPER 11   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W24   160
641204   WHISPER 12   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W24   160
641206   WHISPER 17   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W26   160
641207   WHISPER 18   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W26   160

 

 Page 169 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

ADL Serial Number   Claim Name   Claim Owner   Reference M-T-R-S   Acres
641208   WHISPER 19   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W25   160
641209   WHISPER 20   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W25   160
641212   WHISPER 27   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W26   160
641213   WHISPER 28   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W26   160
641214   WHISPER 29   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W25   160
641215   WHISPER 30   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W25   160
641218   WHISPER 37   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W35   160
641219   WHISPER 38   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W35   160
641220   WHISPER 39   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W36   160
641221   WHISPER 40   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W36   160
641227   WHISPER 48   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W35   160
641228   WHISPER 49   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W36   160
641229   WHISPER 50   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W36   160
641241   WHISPER 63   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W06   160
641242   WHISPER 64   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W06   160
641247   WHISPER 69   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W07   160
641248   WHISPER 70   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W07   160
641249   WHISPER 71   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W08   160
641250   WHISPER 72   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W08   160
641251   WHISPER 73   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W09   160
641252   WHISPER 74   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W09   160
641257   WHISPER 79   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W07   160
641258   WHISPER 80   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W07   160
641259   WHISPER 81   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W08   160
641260   WHISPER 82   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W08   160
641261   WHISPER 83   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W09   160
641262   WHISPER 84   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W09   160
641263   WHISPER 85   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W10   160
641267   WHISPER 89   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W13   160
641268   WHISPER 90   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W13   160
641269   WHISPER 91   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W18   160
641270   WHISPER 92   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W18   160
641271   WHISPER 93   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   160
641272   WHISPER 94   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W17   160
641273   WHISPER 95   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W16   160
641274   WHISPER 96   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W16   160
641275   WHISPER 181   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W12   160
641276   WHISPER 97   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W15   160
641280   WHISPER 101   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W13   160
641281   WHISPER 102   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W13   160
641282   WHISPER 103   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W18   160
641283   WHISPER 104   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W18   160
641284   WHISPER 110   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W16   160
641285   WHISPER 111   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W16   160
641286   WHISPER 112   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W15   160
641287   WHISPER 113   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W15   160
641291   WHISPER 117   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W24   160
641292   WHISPER 118   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   160
641293   WHISPER 119   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W19   160
641294   WHISPER 121   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   160
641295   WHISPER 122   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W22   160

 

 Page 170 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

ADL Serial Number   Claim Name   Claim Owner   Reference M-T-R-S   Acres
641296   WHISPER 123   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W22   160
641299   WHISPER 126   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W24   160
641300   WHISPER 131   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W20   160
641301   WHISPER 132   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   160
641302   WHISPER 133   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W21   160
641303   WHISPER 134   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W22   160
641304   WHISPER 135   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W22   160
641305   WHISPER 138   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W25   160
641306   WHISPER 144   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W29   160
641307   WHISPER 145   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W29   160
641308   WHISPER 146   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W25   160
641309   WHISPER 147   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   160
641310   WHISPER 148   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W30   160
641311   WHISPER 149   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W29   160
641312   WHISPER 150   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W29   160
641313   WHISPER 151   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W28   160
641314   WHISPER 152   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W28   160
641315   WHISPER 153   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W28   160
641316   WHISPER 154   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W28   160
641317   WHISPER 155   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W27   160
641318   WHISPER 156   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W27   160
641319   WHISPER 182   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W31   160
641320   WHISPER 157   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W27   160
641321   WHISPER 158   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W27   160
641322   WHISPER 159   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W31   160
641323   WHISPER 160   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W32   160
641324   WHISPER 161   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W32   160
641325   WHISPER 162   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W33   160
641326   WHISPER 163   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W33   160
641327   WHISPER 164   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W34   160
641329   WHISPER 166   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W31   160
641330   WHISPER 167   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W32   160
641331   WHISPER 168   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W32   160
641332   WHISPER 169   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W33   160
641333   WHISPER 170   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W33   160
641334   WHISPER 171   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W05   160
641335   WHISPER 172   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W05   160
641337   WHISPER 174   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W01   160
641338   WHISPER 175   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W01   160
641339   WHISPER 176   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W01   160
641340   WHISPER 177   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W01   160
641341   WHISPER 178   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W12   160
641342   WHISPER 179   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W12   160
641343   WHISPER 180   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W12   160
644845   WHISPER 183   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W14   160
644846   WHISPER 185   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W14   160
644847   WHISPER 186   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W14   160
644848   WHISPER 187   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W15   160
645698   IM 1   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W06   160
645699   IM 2   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W06   160
645700   IM 3   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W05   160

 

 Page 171 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

ADL Serial Number   Claim Name   Claim Owner   Reference M-T-R-S   Acres
645701   IM 4   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W05   160
645702   IM 5   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W04   160
645703   IM 10   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W06   160
645704   IM 11   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W06   160
645705   IM 12   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W05   160
645706   IM 13   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W05   160
645707   IM 14   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W04   160
645708   IM 15   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W04   160
645709   IM 19   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W31   160
645710   IM 20   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W31   160
645711   IM 21   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W32   160
645712   IM 22   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W32   160
645713   IM 23   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W33   160
645714   IM 24   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W33   160
645715   IM 28   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W31   160
645716   IM 29   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W31   160
645717   IM 30   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W32   160
645718   IM 31   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W32   160
645719   IM 32   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W33   160
645720   IM 33   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W33   160
645721   IM 34   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W34   160
645723   IM 37   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W29   160
645724   IM 38   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W29   160
645725   IM 39   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W28   160
645726   IM 40   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W28   160
645727   IM 41   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W27   160
645729   IM 44   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W29   160
645730   IM 45   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W29   160
645731   IM 46   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W28   160
645732   IM 47   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W28   160
645733   IM 48   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W27   160
645736   IM 52   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W20   160
645737   IM 53   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W22   160
645740   IM 57   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W20   160
646059   IM 6   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W30   160
646060   IM 7   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W30   160
646074   IM 61   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W07   160
646075   IM 62   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W07   160
646076   IM 63   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W08   160
646077   IM 64   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W08   160
646078   IM 65   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W09   160
646325   WHISPER 428   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N018W31   160
646327   WHISPER 430   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W06   160
646328   WHISPER 431   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W06   160
646330   WHISPER 433   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W06   160
646331   WHISPER 434   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W06   160
646338   WHISPER 441   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W07   160
646339   WHISPER 442   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W07   160
646343   WHISPER 446   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W12   160
646344   WHISPER 447   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W07   160
646350   WHISPER 453   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W13   160

 

 Page 172 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

ADL Serial Number   Claim Name   Claim Owner   Reference M-T-R-S   Acres
646351   WHISPER 454   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N018W18   160
646355   WHISPER 458   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W13   160
646356   WHISPER 459   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W13   160
646764   IM 71   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W06   160
646765   IM 72   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W05   160
646766   IM 73   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W05   160
646767   IM 74   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W04   160
646774   IM 81   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W05   160
646775   IM 82   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W04   160
646783   IM 90   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W08   160
646784   IM 91   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W09   160
646792   IM 99   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W08   160
646793   IM 100   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W09   160
646801   IM 108   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W17   160
646802   IM 109   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W16   160
646810   IM 117   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W17   160
646819   IM 126   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W21   160
646820   IM 127   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W21   160
646824   WHISPER 464   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W27   160
646825   WHISPER 465   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W27   160
646826   WHISPER 466   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W34   160
646839   WHISPER 479   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W22   160
646840   WHISPER 480   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W27   160
646841   WHISPER 481   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W27   160
646842   WHISPER 482   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S023N019W34   160
646855   WHISPER 495   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W02   160
646856   WHISPER 496   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W11   160
646857   WHISPER 497   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W11   160
646858   WHISPER 498   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W14   160
646864   WHISPER 504   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W02   160
646865   WHISPER 505   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W02   160
646866   WHISPER 506   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W11   160
646867   WHISPER 507   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W11   160
646868   WHISPER 508   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W14   160
646869   WHISPER 509   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S022N019W14   160
646927   WHISPER 567   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W24   160
646928   WHISPER 568   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W24   160
646934   WHISPER 574   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W23   160
646935   WHISPER 575   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W24   160
646942   WHISPER 582   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W26   160
646943   WHISPER 583   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W26   160
646944   WHISPER 584   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W25   160
646952   WHISPER 592   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W26   160
646953   WHISPER 593   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W26   160
646958   WHISPER 598   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W33   160
646959   WHISPER 599   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W33   160
646960   WHISPER 600   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W34   160
646961   WHISPER 601   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W34   160
646962   WHISPER 602   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W35   160
646968   WHISPER 608   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W33   160
646969   WHISPER 609   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W33   160

 

 Page 173 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska

 

 

 

ADL Serial Number   Claim Name   Claim Owner   Reference M-T-R-S   Acres
646970   WHISPER 610   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W34   160
646971   WHISPER 611   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W34   160
646972   WHISPER 612   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W35   160
650959   MUD 1   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W32   160
650960   MUD 2   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W32   160
650961   MUD 3   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W31   160
650962   MUD 4   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W31   160
650963   MUD 5   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W36   160
650964   MUD 6   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W36   160
650965   MUD 7   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W35   160
650966   MUD 8   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W35   160
650967   MUD 9   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W34   40
650968   MUD 10   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W34   40
650969   MUD 11   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W34   40
650970   MUD 12   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W34   40
650971   MUD 13   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W35   160
650972   MUD 14   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W35   40
650973   MUD 15   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W35   40
650974   MUD 16   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W35   40
650975   MUD 17   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W36   160
650976   MUD 18   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N020W36   160
650977   MUD 19   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W31   160
650978   MUD 20   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W31   160
650979   MUD 21   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W32   160
650980   MUD 22   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S021N019W32   160
650981   MUD 23   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W06   160
650982   MUD 24   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W01   160
650983   MUD 25   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W01   160
650984   MUD 26   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W02   160
650985   MUD 27   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W02   160
650986   MUD 28   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W03   40
650987   MUD 29   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W03   40
650988   MUD 30   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W03   40
650989   MUD 31   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W03   40
650990   MUD 32   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W02   160
650991   MUD 33   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W02   160
650992   MUD 34   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W01   160
650993   MUD 35   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W01   160
650994   MUD 36   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N019W06   160
650995   MUD 37   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W11   160
650996   MUD 38   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W11   160
650997   MUD 39   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W10   160
650998   MUD 40   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W03   40
650999   MUD 41   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W10   160
651000   MUD 42   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W11   160
651001   MUD 43   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W11   160
656421   MUD 44   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W12   160
656422   MUD 45   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W12   160
656423   MUD 46   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W12   160
656424   MUD 47   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S020N020W12   160
667695   BT049   BRI Alaska Corp.   2S019N019W04   160

 

 Page 174 of 174
Effective Date: September 22, 2022

S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report – Whistler Project, Alaska