North of 60 Mining News - The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North

Redstar Gold Corp. June 21 reported that drilling has traced the high-grade gold vein at the Shumagin zone of its Unga gold project for 1,350 meters, which is an extension of about 400 meters.

During the spring program at Unga, a historic high-grade gold property on an island just off of the Alaska Peninsula, Redstar completed 12 holes at roughly 100-meter centers, primarily targeting extension of the Shumagin gold zone.

"We are excited to have intersected the Shumagin vein structure along strike to the southwest and, in addition, intersected the vein structure within the main breccia system to the northeast with infill drill holes," said Redstar President and CEO Peter Ball. "The work completed this spring both confirms the extension of the vein structure and, importantly, shows that the structure remains open along strike and at depth."

The company said 10 of these holes drilled during the first phase of 2017 drilling at Unga cut Shumagin-style breccia, vein mineralization.

"Delineating the expansion potential of the Shumagin gold zone to the southwest has been the company's prioritized goal for the initial 2017 spring exploration and drill program," said Redstar Vice President of Exploration Jesse Grady. "A significant panel of vein breccia at the Shumagin gold zone has now been defined that can be infill drilled, while regional exploration efforts can focus on the other noteworthy gold prospects."

Core from this drilling has been sent to the lab and assay results are expected in early July.

In addition to the drilling, the spring program included mapping, geochemical soil and surface rock sampling, and geophysical surveys.

The company said it is currently planning the next phase of 2017 drilling at Unga, which will focus on completing a NI 43-101-compliant resource for the Shumagin gold zone, where 77 holes have been drilled, including 37 completed by Redstar since 2011.

Additionally, Redstar is planning to drill other priority gold zones along the roughly six-mile-long Shumagin vein structure, such as Orange Mountain, Empire Ridge, Aquila-Amethyst, and the newly discovered footwall vein to the north of the Shumagin gold zone.

"Exploration along this long-lived structure is significant and continues to yield solid results each time the drill bit turns," said Ball. "Once again, the methodical step-out diamond drill program southwest towards Orange Mountain has intersected the Shumagin vein structure."

-SHANE LASLEY