Highlights include drill hole TR20-09 which returned 6.18 grams per tonne (gpt) gold and 77.2gpt silver over 15.14m within 30.48m of 3.21gpt gold and 45.6gpt silver, starting from 32m depth. Reported lengths are apparent widths, not true widths, which range from 30 to 55 per cent of apparent widths.

The four-hole North spoke pattern was drilled approximately 300m north of the four-hole Central spoke pattern along the Contention open pit. The North spoke pattern results are highlighted by hole TR20-09 which returned the highest grade drill intersection to date on the Tombstone project.

"Aztec's first-ever drill programme at the Tombstone project continues to deliver encouraging results. This second batch of assays includes significant intersections of both shallow, bulk tonnage, open pit-type gold and silver mineralisation as well as deeper, high grade, underground-type mineralisation at the north end of the Contention open pit," said CEO Simon Dyakowski.

All four holes in the North Spoke Pattern intersected old mine workings, likely dating back to the late 1800s, indicating that the highest-grade bonanza mineralisation in the area drilled was previously mined out. High-grade gold and silver, however, was drilled peripheral to the tunnels, including 1.52m grading 20.9gpt gold, 12.8gpt gold, and 283gpt silver.

High-grade intervals were also intersected in other drill holes such as hole TR20-06 which intersected 3.65gpt gold and 48.5gpt silver over 4.57m beneath an old mine working. Bulk tonnage intervals were intersected in several holes including hole TR20-08 which encountered 57.91m of 0.59gpt gold and 11.8gpt silver starting at 12.19m depth, once again indicating shallow, bulk tonnage, open pit potential.

The North spoke pattern measures 125m north-south along strike by 75m east-west perpendicular to the Contention mineralised structure, with gold-silver mineralisation still open in all directions, particularly to the south. The South spoke pattern (holes 10-13) currently being drilled is located 350m south of Central spoke pattern.

Holes TR20-10 to 13 have intersected widespread jasperoid alteration and oxide mineralisation spanning an area 130m long by 60m wide. The alteration transitions at shallow depths from goethite to hematite rich vuggy quartz and manganese wad plus calcite altered sediments. Results for these next four holes are pending.  

Drilling continues to encounter hydrothermal breccias, abundant quartz veining and silicification associated with gold and silver mineralisation, moderate to strong alteration, quartz-feldspar porphyry dykes, and strongly altered host sandstone and siltstone throughout. Intense hematite and goethite are frequently encountered peripheral to the porphyry dykes and manganese wad-quartz-calcite replacement and skarn alteration are found in limestone interbeds. Cerargyrite (silver chloride) and fine-grained visible gold are frequently found in the porphyry dykes and surrounding hydrothermal breccias. Most silver and gold mineralisation are proximal to the old underground mine workings, both in hanging wall and footwall rocks.

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