Athena Gold Corporation has reported high-grade gold and silver samples from the underground mapping and sampling program at its Excelsior Springs project in Nevada. The samples collected from the Buster Mine showed significant grades, with two samples returning 50.6 g/t Au and 33.7 g/t Ag over 0.3 meters and 28.1 g/t Au and 29.6 g/t Ag over 1.0 meter. The reconnaissance program conducted in August 2024 marked Athena’s first underground exploration at the Buster Mine, providing valuable insights into the mineralized orebody and structural controls at Excelsior.
Insight into Sampling Results and Mineralization Controls
The high-grade nature of the epithermal veins at the historic Buster Mine was confirmed through sampling results, indicating the potential for significant mineralization. The understanding of structural controls on mineralization at Excelsior was enhanced, setting the stage for upcoming drilling programs. The close proximity of the Buster Mine area to the Western Slope Zone suggests a possible connection between the two mineralized zones, hinting at a larger mineralized system underlying the project.
Structural Orientations and Mineralization
The underground mapping revealed two distinct structural orientations controlling mineralization at Excelsior Springs, both east-west striking. The steeply north-dipping structure at the 75′ level yielded the highest-grade sample of 50.6 g/t Au, while a shallow fault zone on the 125′ level yielded 28.1 g/t Au. This work program highlighted the importance of shallow structures in controlling mineralization, guiding further exploration efforts to better understand and target mineralized zones for future drilling.
Insight into the Buster Mine’s History and Project Potential
The Buster Mine, part of Athena’s Excelsior Springs Project, has a historic production record dating back to the late 1800s, indicating significant gold grades and production levels. The Project lies within the prolific Walker Lane tectonic trend, known for hosting precious metal deposits with strong structural controls. Previous drilling programs have demonstrated the potential for shallow open-pit mineable gold deposits, along with deeper, higher-grade feeder zones.
Further exploration and development activities at the Excelsior Springs Project are focused on expanding known mineralization and identifying new mineralized zones. Athena Gold Corporation’s commitment to mineral exploration and property acquisition underscores its goal of developing economic precious and base metal properties of merit. The Project’s promising results and potential for future growth position Athena as a key player in the Nevada mining landscape.
