“We’re expecting significant results from other resource areas” says Shawn Khunkhun, President and CEO of Dolly Varden Silver Corp (TSX.V: DV | OTCQX: DOLLF) as they wrap up their 2022 exploration drill program, drilling 37,061m in 108 drill holes at the Kitsault Valley trend in British Columbia.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(November 7, 2022) – Dolly Varden Silver Corporation (TSXV: DV) (OTCQX: DOLLF) (the “Company” or “Dolly Varden“) is pleased to announce results from drilling at the Torbrit Resource area, including infill and step-out drilling within the Kitsol Vein zone.
The high-grade, potentially bulk-mineable Kitsol Vein continued to deliver outstanding, contiguous silver and base metal mineralization, where DV22-291 intersected 12.51m (8.88m true width) averaging 442 g/t Ag, 0.68% Pb and 0.42% Zn, including of 1,367 g/t Ag over 1.50m (1.07m true width), as an up-dip infill hole from previous high-grade intercepts.
Highlights include:
- DV22-289: 979 g/t Ag over 0.49 meters true width, step out at Torbrit Main
- DV22-291: 442 g/t Ag over 8.88 meters true width, infill at Kitsol
- DV22-298: 372 g/t Ag over 10.78 meters true width, up-dip extension at Kitsol
- DV22-308: 297 g/t Ag over 6.59 meters true width, step out at Torbrit Main
- DV22-312: 585 g/t Ag over 3.30 meters true width, step out at Torbrit Main
“In addition to discovery-focused exploration drilling, Dolly Varden Silver has been prioritizing resource expansion and upgrading at the Torbrit/Kitsol, Wolf, Homestake Main and Homestake Silver deposits. We continue to encounter wide, potentially bulk-mineable vein-hosted silver mineralization at Kitsol, and expect to announce significant drill results from the other resource areas in the next few weeks,” said Shawn, Khunkhun, President and CEO.
The 2022 exploration drill program on the Kitsault Valley trend has completed 37,061m in 108 drill holes. Drilling wrapped up in mid-October, with the majority of assays still pending. Additionally, ground geophysics, surface mapping and prospecting work were completed, evaluating historic prospects and identifying new silver and gold occurrences.
Torbrit Main and North Deposits consist of distinctive stratabound silver mineralization associated with a high potassium and coincident sodium depletion alteration signature. Layers consist of red jasper with bladed crystal growths after barite later replaced by silica. Relatively quick capping of the system by volcanic activity caused an overprinting of epithermal brecciation and veining which further augmented the silver grades within the deposit area.
Figure 1. Drill hole DV22-308 from Torbrit Main showing typical red jasperoid stratabound mineralization with epithermal overprint carrying higher silver grades
The main focus of Torbrit step out drilling at the Torbrit Main Deposit targeted the southern limits of the current Mineral Resource. Drill holes were oriented to step-out from, as well as infill areas of modelled inferred resources (see Figure 3). The Torbrit horizon was intersected in all expansion holes; future infill drilling programs will target high grade shoots within the lower grade horizon, which were commonly encountered in historic mining at the Torbrit, Wolf and Dolly Varden deposits.
Figure 2. Location along the Kitsault Valley trend
The Kitsol Vein is considered part of the epithermal, structurally controlled system that over printed the stratabound layers. Mineralization consists of pyrargerite (ruby silver), argentite and native silver in a silica breccia vein system. The northeast/southwest orientation of the vein and nature of the high grade silver plunge is similar to what is developing at the Wolf deposit 1.4km to the north (see figure 2).
Drilling during the 2022 season at Kitsol has encountered wide, high grade silver mineralization, commonly with overprinting high-grade vein shoots within wide vein sets. Previously reported step-out drill hole DV22-283 that intersected 50.18m (~30.0m true width) averaging 414 g/t Ag (see news release August 10, 2022) suggest multiple high-grade, steeply plunging yet wide silver shoots that extend to surface, as demonstrated by up-dip hole DV22-298 which intersected 21.55m (10.78m true width) grading 372 g/t Ag (see Figure 5). Additional results from step-out drill holes testing deeper, down plunge mineralization from DV22-283 at the Kitsol Vein are pending.
Figure 3. Plan map, Torbrit Resource Area with 2019 resource block model. Yellow/orange blocks indicates targeted expansion areas of Inferred and exploration potential respectively.
Figure 4. Geological Cross Section (A-B) of southern Torbrit deposit with 2019 modelled mineralized envelope in red and 2022 drilling with mineralized intercepts as pink lithology
Figure 5. Kitsol vein long section highlighting six 2022 infill and expansion drill holes that define a steep plunge to high-grade silver mineralization. Section view looking Northwest.
Table 1. Drill hole assays for Torbrit Deposit Area (including Kitsol Vein zone as noted).
Hole ID | From | To | Core Length (m) |
True Width (m)* |
Ag (g/t) |
Pb (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (ppm) |
AgEq** (g/t) |
DV22-282 (Kitsol) |
175.38 | 179.05 | 3.67 | 2.83 | 210 | 0.48 | 0.11 | 0.04 | 232 |
DV22-284 | 111.33 | 112.97 | 1.64 | 1.31 | 50 | 0.58 | 6.10 | NSV | 299 |
and | 114.43 | 115.51 | 1.08 | 0.86 | 129 | 0.16 | 1.45 | NSV | 189 |
and | 125.32 | 128.85 | 3.53 | 2.82 | 27 | 0.11 | 3.44 | 0.06 | 165 |
DV22-286 (Kitsol) |
173.54 | 174.50 | 0.96 | 0.58 | 141 | 0.81 | 0.55 | 0.15 | 200 |
and | 177.00 | 183.95 | 6.95 | 4.17 | 188 | 0.24 | 0.16 | 0.09 | 209 |
including | 178.80 | 179.53 | 0.73 | 0.44 | 448 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.16 | 473 |
including | 181.92 | 182.42 | 0.50 | 0.30 | 564 | 0.29 | 0.11 | 0.39 | 609 |
DV22-287 | 176.00 | 177.00 | 1.00 | 0.90 | NSV | NSV | 1.69 | NSV | 64 |
DV22-289 | 11.49 | 12.00 | 0.51 | 0.49 | 979 | 0.37 | 0.16 | NSV | 996 |
DV22-291 (Kitsol) |
120.19 | 132.70 | 12.51 | 8.88 | 442 | 0.26 | 0.31 | NSV | 462 |
including | 120.19 | 120.72 | 0.53 | 0.38 | 144 | 1.21 | 1.33 | 0.05 | 236 |
including | 125.50 | 127.00 | 1.50 | 1.07 | 1367 | 0.22 | 0.17 | NSV | 1380 |
DV22-290 | 19.21 | 19.94 | 0.73 | 0.70 | 406 | 0.17 | 0.13 | NSV | 416 |
DV22-292 | NSV | ||||||||
DV22-293 | 88.34 | 91.80 | 3.46 | 3.43 | 136 | 0.05 | 0.02 | NSV | 138 |
including | 90.77 | 91.80 | 1.03 | 1.02 | 166 | 0.08 | 0.03 | NSV | 170 |
DV22-295 (Kitsol) |
145.90 | 152.00 | 6.10 | 3.48 | 145 | 0.85 | 0.36 | NSV | 185 |
including | 147.40 | 151.00 | 3.60 | 2.05 | 166 | 0.23 | 0.33 | NSV | 186 |
and | 240.50 | 241.00 | 0.50 | 0.29 | 230 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 232 |
DV22-298 (Kitsol) |
25.45 | 47.00 | 21.55 | 10.78 | 372 | 0.68 | 0.42 | NSV | 409 |
including | 27.79 | 34.56 | 6.77 | 3.39 | 785 | 1.59 | 0.64 | NSV | 858 |
including | 27.25 | 28.85 | 1.60 | 0.80 | 517 | 5.48 | 2.40 | NSV | 777 |
including | 29.50 | 30.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 1054 | 0.50 | 0.21 | NSV | 1077 |
*Calculated true widths vary depending intersection angles and range from 50% to 100% of intersection lengths
**AgEq is calculated using $US1650/oz Au, $US20/oz Ag, $US0.90/lb Pb and $US1.10/lb Zn
Table 1 con’t. Drill hole assays for Torbrit Deposit Area (including Kitsol Vein zone as noted).
Hole ID | From | To | Core Length (m) |
True Width (m)* |
Ag (g/t) |
Pb (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (ppm) |
AgEq** (g/t) |
|
DV22-296 | 81.00 | 82.25 | 1.25 | 0.89 | 119 | 1.15 | 0.27 | NSV | 165 | |
and | 85.05 | 88.50 | 3.45 | 2.45 | 130 | 1.31 | 0.41 | NSV | 186 | |
and | 90.00 | 91.00 | 1.00 | 0.71 | 98 | 1.28 | 0.35 | NSV | 151 | |
and | 108.40 | 115.60 | 7.20 | 5.11 | 60 | 1.44 | 0.67 | NSV | 130 | |
and | 124.25 | 125.40 | 1.15 | 0.82 | 274 | 0.05 | 0.43 | NSV | 292 | |
DV22-297 | NSV | |||||||||
DV22-299 | 19.45 | 23.00 | 3.55 | 3.12 | 166 | 0.03 | 0.06 | NSV | 169 | |
and | 30.50 | 31.00 | 0.50 | 0.44 | 517 | 3.16 | 0.09 | NSV | 618 | |
and | 52.35 | 52.83 | 0.48 | 0.42 | 267 | 2.29 | 0.07 | NSV | 341 | |
and | 74.73 | 75.48 | 0.75 | 0.66 | 242 | 0.26 | 0.10 | NSV | 254 | |
and | 107.12 | 112.00 | 4.88 | 4.29 | 168 | 0.15 | 0.50 | NSV | 192 | |
and | 122.87 | 123.53 | 0.66 | 0.58 | 199 | 0.25 | 0.19 | NSV | 214 | |
DV22-301 | 127.50 | 129.00 | 1.50 | 0.66 | 370 | 0.55 | 0.15 | NSV | 393 | |
and | 163.30 | 164.16 | 0.86 | 0.38 | 153 | 0.26 | 0.20 | 0.01 | 168 | |
including | 173.16 | 173.95 | 0.79 | 0.35 | 235 | 0.22 | 0.16 | NSV | 248 | |
DV22-303 | 150.91 | 154.85 | 3.94 | 3.43 | 325 | 0.42 | 0.06 | 0.30 | 340 | |
DV22-305 | 157.00 | 159.26 | 2.26 | 2.21 | 168 | 0.21 | 0.05 | NSV | 176 | |
and | 170.05 | 170.55 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 283 | 0.05 | 0.02 | NSV | 285 | |
DV22-306 | 114.00 | 117.41 | 3.41 | 3.41 | 132 | 0.40 | 0.64 | 0.01 | 170 | |
and | 119.00 | 123.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 166 | 0.12 | 0.56 | 0.02 | 193 | |
and | 148.00 | 151.44 | 3.44 | 3.44 | 191 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 194 | |
and | 155.00 | 159.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 145 | 0.18 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 155 | |
DV22-308 | 146.18 | 154.52 | 8.34 | 6.59 | 297 | 1.25 | 0.47 | NSV | 354 | |
including | 149.75 | 152.28 | 2.53 | 2.00 | 773 | 1.29 | 0.68 | NSV | 839 | |
DV22-309 | 126.62 | 128.58 | 1.96 | 1.84 | 193 | 0.48 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 210 | |
DV22-310 | NSV | |||||||||
DV22-312 | 60.00 | 63.30 | 3.30 | 3.30 | 585 | 0.02 | 0.06 | NSV | 588 | |
including | 60.00 | 61.13 | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1050 | 0.02 | 0.06 | NSV | 1053 | |
and | 105.25 | 108.62 | 3.37 | 3.37 | 159 | 0.13 | 0.04 | NSV | 165 | |
DV22-313 | 80.00 | 81.10 | 1.10 | 1.10 | 158 | 0.01 | 0.30 | NSV | 169 | |
and | 105.00 | 106.67 | 1.67 | 1.67 | 160 | 0.30 | 0.09 | NSV | 173 | |
*Calculated true widths vary depending intersection angles and range from 50% to 100% of intersection lengths
**AgEq is calculated using $US1650/oz Au, $US20/oz Ag, $US0.90/lb Pb and $US1.10/lb Zn
Table 2. Drill hole locations.
Hole ID | Zone | Easting UTM83 (m) |
Northing UTM83 (m) |
Elev. (m) | Azimuth | Dip | Length (m) |
DV22282 | Kitsol | 467543 | 6172134 | 404 | 118 | -45 | 214.00 |
DV22286 | Kitsol | 467543 | 6172134 | 404 | 90 | -58 | 438.00 |
DV22284 | Torbrit | 467833 | 6171639 | 349 | 28 | -59 | 472.35 |
DV22287 | Torbrit | 467833 | 6171639 | 349 | 28 | -88 | 215.00 |
DV22289 | Torbrit | 468026 | 6171334 | 352 | 50 | -68 | 90.00 |
DV22290 | Torbrit | 468026 | 6171334 | 352 | 50 | -69 | 165.00 |
DV22291 | Kitsol | 467571 | 6172168 | 394 | 100 | -50 | 300.00 |
DV22295 | Kitsol | 467571 | 6172168 | 394 | 100 | -60 | 339.00 |
DV22292 | Torbrit | 468040 | 6171287 | 358 | 55 | -45 | 129.00 |
DV22293 | Torbrit | 468405 | 6171309 | 649 | 70 | -50 | 137.00 |
DV22296 | Torbrit | 468405 | 6171309 | 649 | 45 | -65 | 150.00 |
DV22297 | Torbrit | 468405 | 6171309 | 649 | 45 | -80 | 201.00 |
DV22299 | Torbrit | 468405 | 6171309 | 649 | 15 | -50 | 183.00 |
DV22298 | Kitsol | 467627 | 6172140 | 371 | 115 | -65 | 121.00 |
DV22301 | Torbrit | 468330 | 6171405 | 643 | 45 | -82 | 237.00 |
DV22303 | Torbrit | 468326 | 6171329 | 605 | 120 | -83 | 216.00 |
DV22305 | Torbrit | 468326 | 6171329 | 605 | 200 | -80 | 216.00 |
DV22306 | Torbrit | 468221 | 6171390 | 549 | 45 | -55 | 216.00 |
DV22308 | Torbrit | 468221 | 6171390 | 549 | 50 | -80 | 219.00 |
DV22309 | Torbrit | 468228 | 6171263 | 522 | 35 | -60 | 177.00 |
DV22310 | Torbrit | 468228 | 6171263 | 522 | 35 | -78 | 201.00 |
DV22312 | Torbrit | 468320 | 6171216 | 568 | 45 | -58 | 150.00 |
DV22313 | Torbrit | 468320 | 6171216 | 568 | 45 | -75 | 150.00 |
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Company adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted on its property. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures are overseen by the Qualified Person.
Dolly Varden QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks and field duplicates within the sample stream. Drill core is cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags and shipped to the laboratory and the other half retained on site. Third party laboratory checks on 5% of the samples are carried out as well. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility.
Analytical testing was performed by ALS Canada Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The entire sample is crushed and a 500 gram split is pulverized to minus 200mesh. Multi-element analyses were determined by Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for 48 elements following a 4-acid digestion process. High grade silver testing was determined by Fire Assay with either an atomic absorption, or a gravimetric finish, depending on grade range. Au is determined by Fire Assay on a 30g split.
Qualified Person
Rob van Egmond, P.Geo. Vice-President Exploration for Dolly Varden Silver, the “Qualified Person” as defined by NI43-101 has reviewed, validated and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and supervises the ongoing exploration program at the Dolly Varden Project.
About Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its 100% held Kitsault Valley Project (which combines the Dolly Varden Project and the Homestake Ridge Project) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, Canada, 25kms by road to tide water. The 163 sq. km. project hosts the high-grade silver and gold resources of Dolly Varden and Homestake Ridge along with the past producing Dolly Varden and Torbrit silver mines. It is considered to be prospective for hosting further precious metal deposits, being on the same structural and stratigraphic belts that host numerous other, on-trend, high-grade deposits, such as Eskay Creek and Brucejack. The Kitsault Valley Project also contains the Big Bulk property which is prospective for porphyry and skarn style copper and gold mineralization, similar to other such deposits in the region (Red Mountain, KSM, Red Chris).
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Dolly Varden to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information in this release relates to, among other things, the 2022 drill program at the Kitsault Valley Project, the results of previous field work and programs and the continued operations of the current exploration program, interpretation of the nature of the mineralization at the project and that that the mineralization on the project is similar to Eskay and Brucejack, results of the mineral resource estimate on the project, the potential to grow the project, the potential to expand the mineralization and our beliefs about the unexplored portion of the property.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and assume, among other things, the ability of the Company to successfully pursue its current development plans, that future sources of funding will be available to the company, that relevant commodity prices will remain at levels that are economically viable for the Company and that the Company will receive relevant permits in a timely manner in order to enable its operations, but given the uncertainties, assumptions and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements or information. The Company disclaims any obligation to update, or to publicly announce, any such statements, events or developments except as required by law.
For additional information on risks and uncertainties, see the Company’s most recently filed annual management discussion & analysis (“MD&A“) and management information circular dated January 21, 2022 (the “Circular“), both of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in the MD&A and the Circular are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect the Company.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information: Shawn Khunkhun, CEO & Director, 1-604-609-5137, www.dollyvardensilver.com