Introduction
Canadian mining company Sitka Gold (TSXV: SIG) has announced encouraging assay results from its RC gold project in Yukon, indicating the possibility of significant deep tonnage. The latest drilling data from Hole 76 at the Blackjack zone points to high-grade gold mineralization extending both laterally and to greater depths than previously estimated.
Main Body
Promising Drill Results The assay results from Hole 76, the deepest hole drilled at Blackjack to date at nearly 811 meters, returned impressive intercepts including 94 meters grading 1.15 grams of gold per tonne and a separate 25-meter interval at 5.04 grams per tonne. Notably, a high-grade section within the latter yielded 1.8 meters at 54.7 grams per tonne. These results build on Sitka’s earlier success, following a resource update four months ago that boosted the indicated resource at Blackjack to 1.29 million ounces of gold.
Investor Sentiment and Market Reaction Despite the positive data, Sitka’s shares dropped 13% in Toronto trading following the announcement, reflecting a market capitalization of approximately C$151 million. This reaction may stem from comparisons to the exceptional results of Hole 75, which reported higher grades over longer intervals. Investors appear cautious, possibly awaiting a formal resource estimate update to gauge the project’s full potential. Analyst Michael Gray from Agentis Capital noted that tighter drilling spacing would be necessary to confirm lateral continuity for a potential underground mining scenario.
Future Exploration Plans Sitka is well-positioned to advance its exploration efforts with a fully funded 30,000-meter diamond drilling program planned for 2025 at RC. The company recently raised C$11.8 million through a bought deal financing and has initiated summertime drilling with one rig already active and three more expected soon. CEO Cor Coe expressed optimism, stating that the results from Hole 76 confirm the extension of high-grade zones and hint at a larger, continuous system that could be the source of the Blackjack deposit.
Broader Context and Industry Relevance The RC project, located in Yukon’s Tombstone gold belt, taps into a region known for its rich mineral potential, drawing attention amid a global surge in gold prices and renewed interest in precious metal exploration. However, questions remain: Can Sitka consistently replicate high-grade results across deeper zones? Will the upcoming resource estimate validate the underground mining potential, or are there geological challenges yet to be uncovered? As the industry watches, Sitka’s ability to balance exploration costs with market expectations will be critical.