Hawkstone returns hot results from Devil’s Canyon sampling

Special Report: Rock samples taken from Hawkstone Mining’s Devil’s Canyon gold project in Nevada have returned highly encouraging assays – a strong result for the diversified explorer.

A total of 15 samples were taken as part of Hawkstone Mining’s (ASX:HWK) due diligence on Devil’s Canyon, which it picked up in October this year.

At the time, Hawkstone labelled the project a potential ‘company maker’, and the US-focused explorer will no doubt be buoyed by the first results to come in at Devil’s Canyon.

Peak grades returned from rock samples included 16.05% copper, 173 grams per tonne silver and 2.65g/t gold.

Samples were collected close to the margin of the project’s intrusive ranging from float material and in-situ mineralisation.

They were also picked up prior to structural interpretation and targeting – demonstrating the widespread nature of mineralisation in the area and confirming sampling results carried out by the project vendor.

Hawkstone Devil's Canyon — A rock sample taken from Devil’s Canyon. Pic: Company Supplied.

Hawkstone managing director Paul Lloyd said the company was extremely encouraged by early results at Devil’s Canyon.

“These are highly encouraging initial rock sample results from our recently acquired Devil’s Canyon project,” he said.

“The results confirm previous work, which combined with the structural targeting provides some strong impetus for Hawkstone to complete further exploration aimed at defining drill targets.”

Previous exploration work carried out at Devil’s Canyon includes shallow drilling in the late 1980s, and limited rock sampling in recent times.

Territory on its side

Located on the highly prolific Carlin trend in Nevada, Devil’s Canyon is in very good company when it comes to gold mineralisation.

The region has produced in excess of 195 million ounces of gold over its history, and Hawkstone’s highly prospective pick-up sits just 20km west of Kinross’ Bald Mountain mine and 40km north of the Ruby Hill gold mine previously owned by Barrick.

It’s fertile ground for gold. Kinross’ project has resources measuring 5.95 million ounces.

To further test the project, Hawkstone has carried out more rock chip sampling, soil geochemistry and mapping with the aim of extending anomalous zones.

Samples are currently with the laboratory for testing. Meanwhile, an airborne magnetic survey is being planned to aid with initial drill targeting next year.

Devil's Canyon Hawkstone — The location of the Devil’s Canyon project. Pic: Company supplied.

A big year ahead

Hawkstone’s latest exploration efforts come following a strongly supported placement at the end of October, where the company raised $3.5 million to fund a multi-pronged exploration strategy.

That strategy covers Devil’s Canyon in Nevada and Western Desert in Utah, where drilling is scheduled to kick off next year.

It also incorporates follow-up drilling at the high-grade Lone Pine gold project in Idaho, underpinned by some great results in November when the 2020 field season came to a close.

On top of its gold interests Hawkstone also owns the Big Sandy lithium project in Arizona’s US Battery Corridor, where it plans to carry out metallurgical studies in the new year.

This article was developed in collaboration with Hawkstone Mining, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.