Felix Gold confirms high-grade antimony assays from drilling at Treasure Creek
Assays from reverse circulation drilling at Felix Gold’s (ASX: FXG) Treasure Creek project in Alaska have confirmed the discovery of high-grade antimony zones.
The near-surface results are believed to showcase the extensive antimony potential of the prolific Fairbanks gold mining district, where the project is located.
Best intersections included 1.5 metres at 26% antimony from 22.86m; 16.76m at 1.91% antimony from 51.82m; 6.1m at 13% antimony from 30.48m; and 6.1m at 7.69% antimony from 3.05m, including 1.52m at 28% from 6.1m.
Drilling is believed to have extended the limits of gold mineralisation defined by previous explorers ACNC and Silverado Gold Mines.
Pleased with discovery
Executive director Joe Webb said the company was pleased to have discovered antimony zones at Treasure Creek.
“The discovery of multiple antimony zones near surface opens alternative commercialisation opportunities for us,” he said.
“While antimony is often found in lower concentrations alongside gold deposits, the extraordinary high-grade nature of this discovery presents opportunities to assess the potential of independent antimony operations.”
He said antimony had emerged as a crucial metal for the US due to its significance in the production of military equipment.
The nation does not currently have a domestic source of antimony production.
Treasure Creek geology
The Treasure Creek deposit is defined by an altered quartz-feldspar sill intruding a succession of quartz-chlorite-muscovite schist, carbonaceous schist and quartzite.
The deposit is noted for the occurrence of northwest-oriented, tensional shear swarms and gold and gold-antimony mineralisation typical of a Fairbanks-style “reduced intrusion-related gold system” (RIRGS).
Gold mineralisation is hosted in fine to medium-grained porphyritic sills containing disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite.
Blocks of higher-grade mineralisation (of more than 3 grams per tonne) have been associated with clay-sericite alteration in shear zones which extend into mineralised schists.
Historic location
Treasure Creek is home to the historic Scrafford mine which operated intermittently from 1915 to 1977 and achieved grades from 38% to 56% antimony.
Over time, Scrafford became the second largest producer of antimony in Alaska.
The claims lapsed in 1964 and were re-staked and optioned to Silver Ridge Mining Co which sunk two shafts on the Scrafford antimony shear (No.1 Vein) in 1964 and subsequently discovered the No.2 vein, 915m to the south.