In conversation: From the Brucejack mine to boots on the ground in Nevada

In a wide-ranging interview, we talked with Eclipse Gold Mining’s Vice President of Exploration Warwick Board about well-timed and perfectly aligned opportunities, impressions of the Hercules Project in Nevada, the Brucejack analog and unlocking value in 2020. Part 2 of 2.

Q: Is there anything broadly comparable with your experience at Brucejack to what you see at Hercules?

There are quite a few similarities between Brucejack and Hercules:  both have epithermal veins, vein breccia and silicified zones surrounded by broad alteration over a large area; both systems contain anomalous precious metal mineralization on surface; and, both systems are related to faulting due to extension. District-scale gold mineralization has been demonstrated at Brucejack –- anomalous gold in surface samples define a 5 km long by 1.5 km wide band of mineralization on the Brucejack property. Based on my Brucejack experience, I believe that we have a real opportunity to define a district scale epithermal gold system on the Hercules Project.

Q: What is your strategy for unlocking the Hercules Project’s true potential with Eclipse’s 2020 exploration program?

We’ve completed detailed satellite hyperspectral imaging, geological mapping and collected over 530 surface samples on the property to date, outlining seven target zones: Hercules, West Cliffs, Loaves, Northeast, Rattlesnakes, Lucky Rusty and Sprite.  Geological mapping and surface sampling to identify additional targets is ongoing across the entire property. We will initially be conducting a drill program of approximately 3,300m in 10 to 12 drill holes to articulate system scale. The drill holes will test five of the targets: Hercules, West Cliffs, Loaves, Northeast, and Rattlesnakes. This drill program will both be guided by, and validate, historic drilling at these targets. The initial program will drill across the steep northeast-trending structures controlling the epithermal alteration and mineralization, as well as test between targets, in places.  Depending on results, a follow-up program may be initiated to further test and delineate the various targets at a tighter drill spacing.  I firmly believe that there is a fantastic opportunity to create value in the near-term at Hercules through diligent geological work and the drill bit.