Highlights:
- Infill Drilling on Main Zone Trend Hits Several Zones Expanding Resource Potential
- JES-24-73, 16.8 meters of 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag
- Including Polymetallic Zone of 4.6 meters of 2.2 g/t Au, 49 g/t Ag, 0.46% Cu and 1.48% Zn
- Also, 3.1 meters of 0.9 g/t Au, 10 g/t Ag and 3.2% Zn
- Also, 10.7 meters of 0.8 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag
- And, 3.0 meters of 3.8 g/t Au and 4.7 g/t Ag
- Within 152.5-meter anomalous zone from surface averaging 0.3 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag
- JES-24-84, 10.7 meters of 0.6 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag
- Including 1.5 meters of 3.3 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag and 0.67% Cu
- Within 97.6-meter anomalous zone from 48.8-meter depth of 0.1 g/t Au and 1 g/t Ag
- JES-24-73, 16.8 meters of 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag
- Large Step-out Exploration Drilling Hits Best Results to Date in Southeast Targets, Expands 4-T Trend 400m SE
- JES-24-87, Including 0.6 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag both over 1.5 meters
- Within 53.4 meters of 0.1 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag
- JES-24-87, Including 0.6 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au and 15 g/t Ag both over 1.5 meters
- Six Holes Released, All Six Intersect Mineralization
- Additional Results Pending. Over 2,700 meters Drilled to Date in 23 Holes
- Major Regional Producer Initiates 30-day Field Program to Assess Expansion Area Potential (TOC 100% Interest)
Calgary, Alberta – June 6, 2024 – Tocvan Ventures Corp. (the “Company”) (CSE: TOC; OTCQB: TCVNF; FSE: TV3), is pleased to announce drill results from its 2024 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program at its road accessible Pilar Gold-Silver project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico.
Results today highlight four infill holes along the Main Zone Trend, three of which are located on the northwest extent of the trend. Two exploration holes along the far southeast extent of the 4-T trend are also included in today’s results. Infill holes are highlighted by drillhole JES-24-73 which returned four distinct zones of mineralization that include two zones of high copper and zinc values, including 4.6 meters of 2.2 g/t Au, 49 g/t Ag, 0.46% Cu and 1.48% Zn (results are summarized in Table 1) Anomalous mineralization extends from surface to 152.5 meters vertical depth averaging 0.3 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag across all four mineralized sections. Infill hole JES-24-84 returned 10.7 meters of 0.6 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag within a broad anomalous zone of 97.6 meters of 0.1 g/t Au starting from 48.8 meters vertical depth. It is important to note both holes represent the extension of the Main Zone along the edges, the continuation of mineralization is a positive sign for further resource advancement. As for exploration drilling, two holes 400 meters southeast along the 4-T Trend have returned values indicating mineralization continues along this corridor. This is highlighted by JES-24-87 which returned 53.4 meters of 0.1 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag, the broadest zone of gold-silver mineralization recorded in exploration drilling to date and over 700 meters from the Main Zone.
Over 2,700 meters have been drilled to date for the 2024 program. Results for eight drill holes are currently pending analysis (green squares on Figure 1). Drilling is ongoing at Pilar.
“The results today give us numerous reasons to be excited about the potential of Pilar.” commented Brodie Sutherland, CEO. “Not only are we continuing to increase the resource potential on the outer edges of the Main Zone but have successfully hit significant mineralization in two exploration holes 700 meters away. With all good exploration, it takes time to focus in on key targets, the latest results are providing us with the evidence needed to further evaluate the southeast extent of the several known trends. The polymetallic results returned at the Main Zone are likely related to breccia phases encountered in previous core drilling (JES-22-61) 40m to the northwest, where elevated gold, silver and zinc were recorded. The presence of multiple breccia and vein phases at Pilar is what makes it an attractive target, it is a complex and robust system that we feel is just starting to take shape. In addition, the interest from a major producer in the greater expansion area potential is a clear sign we are taking the right steps to advance the area further and getting the attention we feel the project deserves.”
Major Producer Initiates 30-Day Site Review of Expansion Area
One of the top gold and silver producers of Mexico will initiate a 30-day site review of the Pilar Expansion Area during the month of June to assess the potential of the area. Four personnel including two geologists along with assistance from Tocvan technical staff will conduct the review for the purpose of assessing future agreements. Tocvan has 100% interest in the Expansion Area where recent surface sampling has begun to delineate sizable footprints of mineralization that have yet to be tested with drilling. Surface results include: 5.6 g/t Au and 106 g/t Ag, 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag, 7.3 g/t Au and 177 g/t Ag; also 5.5 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag (see Figure 2 for full map of expansion area including North Alteration Zone).
Figure 1. Summary map of drill highlights and surrounding surface results.
Discussion of Results
JES-24-73
The drillhole targeted near surface mineralization next to and down-dip of past core drillhole JES-22-62, which returned 108.6 meters of 0.8 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag. Important to note that JES-22-62 was a significant 125-meter step out southeast of the Main Zone at the time representing a significant increase in resource size. JES-24-73 returned anomalous mineralization from surface to a vertical depth of 152.5 meters, with four distinct higher-grade intervals. Two of which returned intervals with elevated copper and zinc with gold and silver, represented by 4.6 meters of 2.2 g/t Au, 49 g/t Ag, 0.46% Cu, 1.48% Zn from 54.9 meters depth and 3.1 meters of 0.9 g/t Au, 10 g/t Ag and 3.2% Zn from 77.8 meters depth. These zones look to correlate with a silicified magnetite rich breccia encountered in past drillhole JES-22-61 (63.4m of 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag) 40 meters to the northwest. The Company is encouraged by these results and further infill drilling to the north has been completed with results pending.
North Extent of Main Zone Trend
JES-24-83, 84 and 85
Three drillholes targeted gaps in the database along the northern extent of the Main Zone Trend. All three holes returned anomalous mineralization. JES-24-83 returned 102.2 meters of 0.1 g/t Au from 10.7 meters vertical depth, this includes near surface gold values up to 3.5 g/t Au over 1.5 meters from 10.7 meters. Copper values up to 0.69% Cu over 1.5 meters were returned along with gold and silver (0.2 g/t Au, 14 g/t Ag). Elevated copper values are common on the north end of the Main Zone and North Hill Trends. JES-24-84 returned 97.6 meters of 0.1 g/t Au from 48.8 meters vertical depth, including 10.7 meters of 0.6 g/t Au, 3 g/t Ag and 0.17% Cu from 108.3 meters vertical depth. JES-24-85 was drilled off the same pad as JES-24-84, westward at a 45-degree angle. Four weaker zones of mineralization were recorded to a downhole depth of 123.5 meters.
Exploration Drill Results
4-T Trend South Extensions
Drillholes JES-24-86 and 87 tested the far southern extension (400m southeast) of the 4-T Trend where limited data exists. The two holes were drilled from the same pad in opposite directions (315 and 135 azimuths). Both returned anomalous mineralization with JES-24-87 returning the best result thus far, 53.4 meters of 0.1 g/t Au and 2 g/t Ag from 45.8 meters downhole depth, including two, 1.5-meter zones of 0.6 g/t Au. The Company views these early exploration results as extremely positive as they greatly expand the mineralization potential along the southern extent of these corridors.
Figure 2. Pilar Project Planview map showing the southern block made up of the Pilar Main Zone and the newly discovered placer source with additional gold-silver mineralization extending to the south. Within the northern block, a large alteration zone that spans 3.3 km by 1.5 km (North Alteration Zone) has returned high-grade gold and silver values in the first few sampling programs across the newly acquired area.
Table 1. Summary of Drill Results Released Today from Pilar Project.
All interval lengths are drilled widths. 10,000 ppm = 1%
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (ppm) | Pb (ppm) | Zn (ppm) |
| JES-24-73 | 0.00 | 152.50 | 152.50 | 0.26 | 3.00 | 293 | 63 | 1,818 |
| including | 0.00 | 21.35 | 21.35 | 0.11 | 0.55 | 81 | 15 | 96 |
| also | 32.05 | 61.00 | 28.96 | 0.46 | 12.32 | 937 | 43 | 4,783 |
| including | 44.23 | 61.00 | 16.78 | 0.76 | 18.70 | 1,532 | 56 | 8,006 |
| including | 54.90 | 59.48 | 4.58 | 2.23 | 48.68 | 4,643 | 140 | 14,806 |
| also | 77.78 | 80.83 | 3.05 | 0.89 | 9.65 | 649 | 93 | 32,100 |
| also | 103.70 | 129.63 | 25.93 | 0.35 | 0.96 | 374 | 32 | 270 |
| including | 112.85 | 123.53 | 10.68 | 0.75 | 1.91 | 794 | 23 | 254 |
| also | 149.50 | 152.50 | 3.00 | 3.83 | 4.67 | 238 | 1,558 | 1,569 |
| JES-24-83 | 10.68 | 112.85 | 102.18 | 0.10 | 1.34 | 534 | 23 | 124 |
| including | 10.68 | 12.20 | 1.53 | 3.53 | 0.25 | 117 | 12 | 118 |
| also | 36.60 | 38.13 | 1.53 | 0.09 | 9.43 | 93 | 27 | 173 |
| also | 53.38 | 64.05 | 10.68 | 0.20 | 2.68 | 1,131 | 26 | 135 |
| including | 53.38 | 54.90 | 1.53 | 0.56 | 2.50 | 2,200 | 19 | 194 |
| and | 62.53 | 64.05 | 1.53 | 0.62 | 1.50 | 107 | 18 | 101 |
| also | 77.78 | 79.30 | 1.52 | 0.24 | 1.00 | 29 | 19 | 80 |
| also | 99.13 | 112.85 | 13.73 | 0.06 | 3.80 | 1,957 | 43 | 157 |
| JES-24-84 | 48.80 | 146.40 | 97.60 | 0.11 | 0.99 | 394 | 20 | 164 |
| including | 48.80 | 53.38 | 4.58 | 0.22 | 1.20 | 300 | 11 | 138 |
| and | 67.10 | 68.63 | 1.53 | 0.03 | 7.42 | 95 | 25 | 446 |
| and | 86.93 | 88.45 | 1.53 | 0.21 | 0.25 | 98 | 19 | 255 |
| and | 100.65 | 102.18 | 1.52 | 0.17 | 0.50 | 397 | 18 | 114 |
| and | 108.28 | 118.95 | 10.68 | 0.62 | 3.40 | 1,772 | 19 | 177 |
| including | 108.28 | 109.80 | 1.52 | 3.34 | 14.15 | 6,790 | 32 | 200 |
| also | 144.88 | 146.40 | 1.53 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 13 | 19 | 134 |
| JES-24-85 | 42.70 | 45.75 | 3.05 | 0.11 | 0.73 | 266 | 25 | 4,375 |
| and | 82.35 | 88.45 | 6.10 | 0.10 | 0.39 | 157 | 26 | 89 |
| and | 99.13 | 105.23 | 6.10 | 0.19 | 1.29 | 36 | 20 | 156 |
| including | 99.13 | 100.65 | 1.53 | 0.51 | 1.80 | 13 | 25 | 151 |
| also | 122.00 | 123.53 | 1.53 | 0.20 | 0.25 | 13 | 6 | 207 |
Table 2. Drillhole locations released today.
| Hole ID | Azimuth | Dip | Depth (m) | Easting | Northing | Elevation (m) |
| JES-24-73 | 0 | -90 | 201.30 | 617507 | 3144450 | 444 |
| JES-24-83 | 0 | -90 | 122.00 | 617368 | 3144801 | 400 |
| JES-24-84 | 0 | -90 | 179.95 | 617453 | 3144713 | 393 |
| JES-24-85 | 90 | -45 | 128.10 | 617456 | 3144713 | 393 |
| JES-24-86 | 315 | -45 | 120.48 | 618113 | 3144285 | 412 |
| JES-24-87 | 135 | -45 | 131.15 | 618117 | 3144277 | 412 |
Table 3. Exploration Drill Results and Pathfinder Geochemistry
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Ag (g/t) | Cu (ppm) | Pb (ppm) | Zn (ppm) | As (ppm) | Mo (ppm) | Sb (ppm) |
| JES-24-86 | 24.4 | 35.075 | 10.68 | 0.20 | 1.20 | 27 | 242 | 512 | 663 | NSV | 9 |
| including | 24.4 | 25.925 | 1.53 | 0.82 | 3.20 | 21 | 1035 | 503 | 4310 | NSV | 12 |
| JES-24-87 | 28.975 | 30.5 | 1.53 | 0.17 | 1.10 | 14 | 674 | 755 | 32 | NSV | NSV |
| and | 45.75 | 99.125 | 53.38 | 0.09 | 2.15 | 60 | 522 | 922 | 214 | NSV | 8 |
| including | 45.75 | 50.325 | 4.58 | 0.35 | 2.85 | 144 | 968 | 1947 | 59 | NSV | 10 |
| including | 45.75 | 47.275 | 1.53 | 0.63 | 6.50 | 253 | 2210 | 3860 | 80 | NSV | 10 |
| also | 70.15 | 71.675 | 1.52 | 0.24 | 7.50 | 166 | 4530 | 6290 | 53 | NSV | 6 |
| also | 80.825 | 82.35 | 1.52 | 0.34 | 13.80 | 69 | 598 | 785 | 207 | NSV | 23 |
| also | 97.6 | 99.125 | 1.53 | 0.63 | 14.50 | 36 | 278 | 243 | 5090 | NSV | 29 |
About the Pilar Property
The Pilar Gold-Silver property has returned some of the regions best drill results. Coupled with encouraging gold and silver recovery results from metallurgical test work, Pilar is primed to be a potential near-term producer. Pilar is interpreted as a structurally controlled low-sulphidation epithermal system hosted in andesite rocks. Initially three primary zones of mineralization were identified on the original property from historic surface work and drilling and are referred to as the Main Zone, North Hill and 4-T. Each trend remains open to the southeast and north and new parallel zones have been discovered. Structural features and zones of mineralization within the structures follow an overall NW-SE trend of mineralization. Mineralization extends along a 1.2-km trend, only half of that trend has been drill tested so far. The Company has now expanded its interest in the area by consolidating 22 square-kilometers of highly prospective ground where it has already made significant surface discoveries.
Pilar Drill Highlights:
- 2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):
- 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag
- 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag
- 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag
- 2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):
- 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au
- 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag
- 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au
- 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au
- 2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include (all lengths are drilled thicknesses):
- 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag;
- 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ;
- 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag
- 15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include:
- 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au
- 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag
- 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au
- 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag
Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:
- 62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period
- Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag
- Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4” to +1/8”)
- Fine Fraction (-1/8”) Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach
- Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time
Additional Metallurgical Studies:
- Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned
- 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold
- 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver
- Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.
About Tocvan Ventures Corp.
Tocvan is a well-structured exploration and development company. Tocvan was created in order to take advantage of the prolonged downturn in the junior mining exploration sector, by identifying and negotiating interest in opportunities where management feels they can build upon previous success. Tocvan has approximately 51 million shares outstanding and is earning into two exciting opportunities in Sonora, Mexico. The Company has consolidated an attractive land position at its Pilar Gold-Silver Project where it holds 100% interests in over 21 square kilometers of prospective area and a majority ownership (51%) in a one square kilometer area shared with Colibri Resources. The Company also holds 100% interest in the Picacho Gold-Silver project in the Caborca Trend of northern Sonora, a trend host to some of the major gold deposits of the region. Management feels both projects represent tremendous opportunity to create shareholder value.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
RC samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company’s robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.
Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person (“QP“) as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains “forward-looking information” which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.
These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company’s business, the Company’s formative stage of development and the Company’s financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.
Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO
820-1130 West Pender St.
Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4
403-829-9877
The Howard Group
Jeff Walker
VP Howard Group Inc.
403-221-0915