Toronto, ON - TheNewswire - May 25, 2023 - AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX.V:ABRA) (OTC:ABBRF) (“AbraSilver” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the latest assay results from the ongoing Phase III diamond drilling program on the Company’s wholly-owned Diablillos property in Salta Province, Argentina (“Diablillos” or the “Project”). The Company is also pleased to announce that the Phase III program is being increased as mineralization at the JAC zone remains open.

Drilling at the JAC zone continues to consistently intersect high-grade silver oxide mineralization, with associated gold in some areas, at shallow depths, as well as underlying copper and silver mineralization in sulphides.

Notably, drill hole DDH 23-029 encountered silver mineralization in oxides to the west of the main JAC mineralized zone, which was drilled to test an extension of the magnetic anomaly associated with the mineralization at JAC. This mineralization is hosted in granitic basement rocks under the andesite volcanics and, consequently, opens up potential for further mineralized zones.  Additionally, the JAC zone continues to remain open along strike towards the southwest and in other directions.

The latest assay result highlights are summarized in Table 1 below.

Table 1 – Diablillos Drill Result Highlights in JAC Zone

(Intercepts greater than 2,000 gram-metres AgEq shown in bold text):

Drill Hole			From (m)	To (m)	Type	Interval (m)	Ag g/t	Au g/t	Cu    %	AgEq1 g/t
DDH-23-024			69.0	82.0	Oxides	13.0	47.5	-	-	47.5
DDH-23-024			87.0	100.0	Oxides	13.0	36.9	-	-	36.9
DDH-23-024			127.0	139.0	Oxides	12.0	44.7	-	-	44.7
DDH-23-024			144.0	161.0	Oxides	17.0	828.9	-	-	828.9
DDH-23-024		Includes	152.0	157.0	Oxides	5.0	2,215.4	-	-	2,215.4
DDH-23-025			93.0	97.0	Oxides	4.0	31.4	-	-	31.4
DDH-23-025			100.0	179.0	Oxides	79.0	237.6	0.15	-	249.9
DDH-23-025		Includes	156.0	179.0	Oxides	23.0	519.2	0.12	-	529.0
DDH-23-025			179.0	209.5	Sulphides	30.5	96.6	-	3.28	96.6
DDH-23-026			120.0	127.0	Oxides	7.0	47.6	-		47.6
DDH-23-026			131.0	150.0	Oxides	19.0	107.3	0.69	-	163.8
DDH-23-027			56.0	115.0	Oxides	59.0	129.6	-	-	129.6
DDH-23-027		Includes	58.0	62.0	Oxides	4.0	812.2	-	-	812.2
DDH-23-028			127.0	134.0	Oxides	7.0	46.5	-	-	46.5
DDH-23-028			156.5	181.0	Transition	24.5	189.8	-	0.20	189.8
DDH-23-028		Includes	173.0	176.0	Sulphides	3.0	1,174.9	0.26	0.79	1,196.2
DDH-23-029			73.0	75.0	Oxides	2.0	74.8	-	-	74.8
DDH-23-029			126.0	157.4	Oxides	31.4	174.4	-	-	174.4

       Note:  All results in this news release are rounded. Assays are uncut and undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are estimated to be approximately 80% of the interval widths for oxides.

          1AgEq based on 81.9(Ag):1(Au) calculated using long-term prices of US$25.00/oz Ag and US$1,750/oz Au, and 73.5% process recovery for Ag, and 86.0% process recovery for Au as demonstrated in the Company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment in respect of Diablillos dated January 13, 2022, using formula:  AgEq g/t = Ag g/t + Au g/t x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery).  

John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, “We continue to intercept excellent widths and grades of silver at JAC in practically every single drill hole.   Additionally, we continue to see significant potential for new discoveries beyond the main JAC mineralized zone, as highlighted in hole DDH 23-029. Our drill results continue to confirm our belief that the new JAC zone is a major mineralized system, with significant exploration upside remaining to be discovered. For that reason, we are again increasing the amount of drilling being done as part of the Phase III program.”

Dave O’Connor, Chief Geologist, commented, “In addition to consistently encountering high-grade silver mineralization with associated gold at JAC, we are also intersecting underlying high-grade copper mineralization with associated silver/gold in sulphides immediately beneath the oxides. It is now evident that the high-grade sulphide mineralization in zones beneath the base of oxidation is continuous for at least 2 km along the length of the Oculto-JAC system, representing an additional attractive exploration target, beyond the oxidized mineralization at JAC.”

Key takeaways from the latest JAC zone drill results include:

• DDH 23-024was drilled to test continuity of the JAC Zone for resource estimation. The hole intersected multiple zones of silver mineralization in oxides, with 17.0 metres grading 828.9 g/t Ag from a downhole depth of 144.0 metres, including 5.0 metres grading 2,215.4 g/t Ag. 

• DDH 23-025 was drilled to test continuity of the JAC Zone for resource estimation. The hole intersected significant silver and gold mineralization in oxides, including 79 metres at 237.6 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au from 100.0 metres downhole.  

  • Immediately beneath this high-grade oxide intercept, the hole encountered 30.5metres grading 3.28% Cu and 96.6 g/t Ag in sulphide mineralization. This is the best copper intercept drilled at JAC to date on a grade-thickness basis, demonstrating the potential of high-grade feeder structures at JAC to host substantial sulphide mineralisation. 

• DDH 23-026 was drilled to test the north-eastern extremity of the JAC Zone near the Oculto conceptual open pit, and encountered silver and gold mineralization in oxides, intersecting 19.0 metres grading 107.3 g/t Ag and 0.69 g/t Au from 131.0 metres downhole.  

• DDH 23-027 was drilled to test the northern margin of the JAC Zone and intersected59 metres grading 129.6 g/t Ag, including 4 metres grading 812.2 g/t Ag, starting from a downhole depth of only 56.0 metres. 

• DDH 23-028 was drilled to test continuity of the JAC Zone for resource estimation. The hole encountered 24.5 metres grading 189.8 g/t Ag in the oxide/sulphide transition zone, including 3.0 metres grading 1,174.9 g/t Ag and 0.79% Cu in sulphides, starting from a downhole depth of 156.5 metres. 

• DDH 23-029, was drilled beyond the JAC drill target area to explore for a possible new perpendicular zone of mineralization. The hole showed continuity of silver dominant mineralisation beyond the current southwestern margin of the JAC deposit and intersected 31.4 metres grading 174.4 g/t Ag in oxides starting from a downhole depth of 126.0 metres. 

  • The hole is located on a zone of low magnetic intensity heading NW from the main JAC trend towards the Alpaca target where historical drilling intersected silver mineralisation. Additional drilling in this area will now be conducted.  

Figure 1 – Plan View of Announced Drill Holes in JAC Zone

 

Figure 2 – Long Section Through Newly Announced Drill Holes in JAC Zone

 

Exploration Update  

Drilling activity at Diablillos remains focused on the recently discovered JAC zone which is located southwest of the conceptual open pit that constrains the current Mineral Resource estimate (“MRE”) on the main Oculto deposit (M&I MRE containing 1.3 Moz gold and 109 Moz silver – Table 2).  

Two rigs have essentially completed drilling the planned 22,000-metre Phase III program with results demonstrating mineralization at the JAC zone over an area at least 800 metres by approximately 200 metres.  As the JAC zone remains open in several directions, the Company now plans to drill at least an additional 15 holes as part of the Phase III program in order to define the limits of the high-grade silver mineralization in oxides. All Phase III drill holes will be incorporated into an updated MRE and will be included in a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Diablillos project, which the Company expects to complete in the second half of 2023.  

Moreover, additional exploration targets have been identified to the southwest of the Oculto MRE based on the recently completed detailed ground magnetic survey. Some of these targets, including the Fantasma and Alpaca targets, will be drilled following the systematic drilling of the JAC zone.

 

Collar Data

Hole Number	UTM Coordinates		Elevation	Azimuth	Dip	Depth (m)
DDH 23-024	E719760	N7198856	4,174	315	-60	200
DDH 23-025	E719724	N7198828	4,172	315	-60	224
DDH 23-026	E719882	N7198955	4,187	315	-60	179
DDH 23-027	E719576	N7198771	4,159	0	-60	200
DDH 23-028	E719529	N7198715	4,154	315	-60	212
DDH 23-029	E719211	N7198614	4,132	0	-60	182

About Diablillos

The 80 km2 Diablillos property is located in the Argentine Puna region - the southern extension of the Altiplano of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile - and was acquired from SSR Mining Inc. by the Company in 2016.  There are several known mineral zones on the Diablillos property, with the Oculto zone being the most advanced with over 120,000 metres drilled to date.  Oculto is a high-sulphidation epithermal silver-gold deposit derived from remnant hot springs activity following Tertiarty-age local magmatic and volcanic activity. Comparatively nearby examples of high sulphidation epithermal deposits include: Yanacocha (Peru); El Indio (Chile); Lagunas Nortes/Alto Chicama (Peru) Veladero (Argentina); and Filo del Sol (Argentina).

 

The most recent Mineral Resource estimate for the Oculto Deposit is shown in Table 2:

 

Table 2 - Oculto Mineral Resource Estimate – As of October 31, 2022

 

Category	Tonnage (000 t)	Ag (g/t)	Au (g/t)	Contained Ag (000 oz Ag)	Contained Au (000 oz Au)
Measured	19,336	98	0.88	60,634	544
Indicated	31,978	47	0.73	48,737	752
Measured & Indicated	51,314	66	0.79	109,370	1,297
Inferred	2,216	30	0.51	2,114	37

 

Notes: Effective October 31, 2022. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The Mineral Resource estimate is N.I. 43-101 compliant and was prepared by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP(Geo), Independent Consultant. The mineralization estimated in the Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit methods. For additional information please see Technical Report on the Diablillos Project, Salta Province, Argentina, dated November 28, 2022, completed by Mining Plus, and available on www.SEDAR.com.

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

AbraSilver applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques, and all drill core samples are collected under the supervision of the Company’s geologists in accordance with industry practices. Drill core is transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where drill data is compared and verified with the core in the trays. Thereafter, it is logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples are then bagged, and quality control materials are inserted at regular intervals; these include blanks and certified reference materials as well as duplicate core samples which are collected in order to measure sample representivity. Groups of samples are then placed in large bags which are sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody during the transport of the samples from the project site to the laboratory.

 

All samples are received by the SGS offices in Salta who then dispatch the samples to the SGS preparation facility in San Juan. From there, the prepared samples are sent to the SGS laboratory in Lima, Peru where they are analyzed. All samples are analyzed using a multi-element technique consisting of a four acid digestion followed by ICP/AES detection, and gold is analyzed by 50g Fire Assay with an AAS finish. Silver results greater than 100g/t are reanalyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AAS finish.

Qualified Persons

David O’Connor P.Geo., Chief Geologist for AbraSilver, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

 

About AbraSilver

AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina.  The current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos consists of 51.3 Mt grading 66g/t Ag and 0.79g/t Au, containing approximately 109Moz silver and 1.3Moz gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration drilling. The Company is led by an experienced management team and has long-term supportive shareholders including Mr. Eric Sprott.  In addition, AbraSilver owns a portfolio of earlier-stage copper-gold projects including the La Coipita copper-gold project in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the TSX-V under the symbol “ABRA” and in the U.S. under the symbol “ABBRF”.

 

For further information please visit the AbraSilver Resource website at www.abrasilver.com, our LinkedIn page at AbraSilver Resource Corp., and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/abrasilver

 

Alternatively please contact:

 

John Miniotis, President and CEO

info@abrasilver.com

Tel: +1 416-306-8334

 

Cautionary Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company’s disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release