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Alpha Exploration Reports Aburna Gold Latest Drill & Channel Sampling Results

13M @ 4.24 G/T AU
11M @ 3.99 G/T AU
6M @ 4.97 G/T AU

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 24, 2023) - Alpha Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: ALEX) ("Alpha" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from recent drilling in 2023 at its Aburna Gold Prospect, which consisted of ten (10) Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes totalling 1,188m, from the Northeast Target Area. We have also received assay results from a single RC hole (ABR068 to 100m) in the Dasharna Target Area but, this had no significant results. We are also announcing assay results from 10 channels sampled at Aburna in 2023. Aburna is located in the southwest part of Alpha's large (771 km²), 100% owned, Kerkasha Project. Drilling is ongoing and further information will be released when available and interpreted.

TABLE 1: NORTHEAST TARGET AREA DRILL HOLE HIGHLIGHTS - MAY 2023

TARGET AREA 

HOLE 

FROM (M) 

TO (M)

INTERVAL (M) 

AVERAGE G/T GOLD

Northeast Area

ABR044

120

133

13

4.24

Northeast Area

ABR043

67

78

11

3.99

Northeast Area

ABR069

90

96

6

4.97

Northeast Area

ABR041

45

57

12

1.24

Northeast Area

ABR040

104

114

10

1.37

Northeast Area

ABR042

100

108

8

1.50

Northeast Area

ABR043

55

64

9

0.92

Northeast Area

ABR041

25

36

11

0.51

Northeast Area

ABR042

118

119

1

4.34

Northeast Area

ABR040

117

118

1

3.96

Northeast Area

ABR042

111

112

1

3.58

 

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 Note:

  • At this early stage of exploration, the true width of the mineralisation is uncertain, but it is estimated to be 80% of reported intervals. Intervals were calculated with a start and finish value of no less than 0.2 g/t gold, a minimum width of 2m and maximum internal dilution of 2m at >0.2g/t gold.

Michael Hopley, Alpha President & CEO said, "The significant drill results returned from the Northeast Target Area (see Table 1 and Figure 1) within the Aburna Prospect have extended the mineralisation in drilling along strike from 90m to 185m. The mineralisation remains open along strike in both directions and down dip. The Northeast Area is ¬1.3kms north-northeast of the Central Area, where Alpha has also retuned significant drill results (see press release on 22 May 2023). Alpha will need to drill test the area between Central and Northeast to see if they merge. Significant potential also exists northeast of the current drilling at the Northeast Target Area, as demonstrated by the 2.5km long soil anomalies in this area (see Figures 3 & 4). Further drilling is warranted in the Northeast Target Area."

FIGURE 1: NORTHEAST TARGET AREA DRILL HOLE PLAN WITH SECTION 3880 & ASSAYS PROJECTED TO SURFACE

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8361/167273_a2a1a4c9f467693d_001full.jpg

TABLE 2: NORTHEAST DRILL HOLE INFORMATION - MAY 2023

Target Area

Hole

Depth (m)

Comment

Northeast Area

ABR040

150

Northeast Area

ABR041

108

Northeast Area

ABR042

144

Northeast Area

ABR043

90

Northeast Area

ABR044

150

Northeast Area

ABR045

84

Northeast Area

ABR046

108

Northeast Area

ABR047

90

Northeast Area

ABR048

114

Northeast Area

ABR069

150

Total

1,188

 

FIGURE 2: SECTION 3880 - NORTHEAST TARGET AREA

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8361/167273_a2a1a4c9f467693d_002full.jpg

TABLE 3: CHANNEL SAMPLING HIGHLIGHTS - MAY 2023

TARGET AREA 

CHANNEL

FROM (M)

TO (M) 

INTERVAL (M) 

AVERAGE G/T GOLD

Saddle Workings

ABCHAN077

5

11

6

5.26

Saddle Workings

ABCHAN077

33

34

1

1.01

Saddle Workings

ABCHAN078

0

7

7

0.24

Dasharna

ABCHAN068

50

51

1

2.02

Dasharna

ABCHAN075

36

41

5

0.29

Aburna South

ABCHAN079

0

5

5

0.28

 

Michael Hopley, Alpha President & CEO said, "The significant result returned from channel sampling in the Saddle Workings Target Area (6m @ 5.26 g/t gold) warrants follow up drilling. The Alpha process of soil sampling followed up with traverses of trench and channel sampling (1m intervals) is proving to be an effective method to locate drill holes that can intersect significant mineralisation."

FIGURE 3: CHANNEL & TRENCH SAMPLING TO DATE AT ABURNA WITH LATEST CHANNELS IN PURPLE

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8361/167273_a2a1a4c9f467693d_003full.jpg

The gold anomalies from soil, channel and trench sampling that define the Northeast and Dasharna Target Areas cover a strike length of approximately 2.5kms. This 2.5km anomalous area is part of a much larger 7.2km long gold anomalous zone from soil, channel and trench sampling that has seven Target Areas in total (Aburna Colonial Gold Mine, Saddle Workings, Celebration Hill, Hill 52, Central, Northeast and Dasharna) that define the Aburna Prospect as a whole (see Figures 3 & 4).

FIGURE 4: SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY FOR GOLD WITH THE SEVEN CURRENT TARGET AREAS AT ABURNA

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8361/167273_a2a1a4c9f467693d_004full.jpg

Michael Hopley, Alpha President & CEO said, "The Aburna Prospect is continuing to demonstrate it has the potential to return a multi-million ounce gold deposit. The Hill 52, Central, Northeast and Celebration Hill Target Areas drill tested to date (see Fig 5) , have all returned widths and grades (see Table 4) that could conform to an economic deposit."

To date, Alpha has completed a total of 5 Diamond drill holes for 881.1m and 76 Reverse Circulation drill holes for a total of 9,209m at Aburna.

TABLE 4: DRILL HOLE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 4 TARGET AREAS DRILLED TO DATE

Target Area

Year Drilled

Hole

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Average g/t Gold

Northeast Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR037

14

30

16

14.07

Northeast Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR044

120

133

13

4.24

Northeast Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR043

67

78

11

3.99

Northeast Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR041

45

57

12

1.24

Northeast Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR040

104

114

10

1.37

Northeast Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR042

100

108

8

1.50

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABD001

89

112

23

6.74

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR018

50

69

19

5.19

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR005

6

21

15

5.85

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABD001

64

72

8

4.65

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR039

87

92

5

6.31

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABD002

105

109

4

7.86

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR056

55

67

12

2.12

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABD002

56

77

21

1.08

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR059

34

55

21

1.04

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR021

33

50

17

1.21

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR002

0

7

7

2.69

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABD001

44

60

16

0.99

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR001

32

46

14

1.01

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR059

0

23

23

0.58

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABD002

80

81

1

12.85

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR023

71

80

9

1.38

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR024

1

8

7

1.72

Hill-52 Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR058

84

96

12

0.92

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR064

38

72

34

1.50

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR031

130

148

18

2.27

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR034

101

131

30

1.23

Central Area

Drilled in 2025

ABR069

90

96

6

4.97

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR034

148

156

8

3.67

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR032

118

147

29

0.98

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR060

42

87

45

0.60

Central Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR031

69

104

35

0.69

Central Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR015

17

24

7

3.40

Central Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR032

33

38

5

3.80

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR061

69

92

23

0.70

Central Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR032

53

59

6

2.21

Central Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR015

95

114

19

0.64

Central Area

Drilled in 2023

ABR063

39

58

19

0.60

Celebration-Hill Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR008

49

63

14

3.79

Celebration-Hill Area

Drilled in 2022

ABR027

126

152

26

1.36

 

Note:

  • At this early stage of exploration, the true width of the mineralisation is uncertain, but it is estimated to be 80% of reported intervals. Intervals were calculated with a start and finish value of no less than 0.2 g/t gold, a minimum width of 2m and maximum internal dilution of 2m at >0.2g/t gold.

FIGURE 5: ALL DRILL HOLE LOCATIONS TO DATE AT ABURNA WITH TARGET AREAS ON GEOLOGY

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8361/167273_a2a1a4c9f467693d_005full.jpg

Aburna Gold Prospect

The Aburna gold prospect is located on the western side of the Company's Kerkasha Exploration License. Gold was mined at Aburna in the 1920s by Italian Colonial Miners and more recently by local Artisanal Miners. Soil and rock-chip sampling by Alpha identified gold mineralisation over a large area (¬7.2 km x 2.2 km) northeast of the Colonial Mine. Gold mineralisation at Aburna is orogenic type associated with a major (¬2km wide) SW-NE oriented shear zone. Work by Alpha has included regional rock chip sampling, 100m x 100m soil sampling, lithological and structural mapping, with 1m traverse-channel-trench sampling. Results from all the above work identified seven prospective sub-areas that warranted drill testing namely: Aburna Mine, Saddle Workings, Celebration Hill, Hill 52, Central, Northeast and Dasharna. Drilling has returned significant intercepts for gold from the Hill 52, Northeast, Celebration Hill and Central Areas. No significant results were returned from 2 drill holes at Saddle Workings and 1 drill hole at Dasharna. The Aburna Colonial Mine is yet to be drill tested. Petrographic studies are underway along with a ground magnetic survey. An induced polarisation survey is due to commence in late May 2023 and preliminary metallurgical test work is expected to commence on drill samples in Q3 2023.

Sampling, Sub-sampling and Analysis

Geological consultants from RSC were responsible for the design of a strict QA/QC program consistent with industry best practice. Drilling of the reported intervals was by both reverse-circulation (RC) and diamond drilling. RC samples were split at the rig using a Metzke splitter, before being transported to a secure location for logging. Diamond drill core was cut in half longitudinally at site using a diamond saw and half of the core (in 1-meter intervals) was transported to a secure location for logging.

All samples were submitted to Nabro Laboratories Limited (Nabro), Asmara, Eritrea, for sample preparation. Samples were crushed (to 90% passing 2.8 mm) and pulverised (to 85% passing 75 µm). Two scoop samples were taken from the pulveriser bowl: approximately 120 g for laboratory analysis and approximately 100 g for portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis. The coarse and pulp rejects were stored at a warehouse in Asmara. The Company inserted certified reference material from OREAS (www.ore.com.au) into the sample stream, while Nabro inserted barren granodiorite material into the sample stream as a blank. Drill samples were shipped to ALS Geochemistry (ALS), Loughrea, Ireland, for analysis. ALS analysed all drill samples for gold by method Au-AA26 (50 g charge fire assay, AAS finish). ALS is independent of the Company and its quality management systems framework is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005or certified to ISO 9001:2015standards.

About Alpha

Alpha is an exploration company listed on the TSX-V exchange under the symbol ALEX that has made three important discoveries in two years at it's Kerkasha Project in Eritrea:

  • Aburna orogenic gold

  • Anagulu porphyry gold-copper

  • Tolegimja volcanogenic-massive-sulphide (VMS)

The company is managed by a group of highly experienced and successful professionals with many years of experience carrying out exploration and resource development programs in Eritrea and Sudan and is focused on the discovery of world class economic gold and base metals deposits in the highly prospective Arabian-Nubian shield, on either side of the Red Sea. Alpha currently holds a 100% interest in the large (771 km2) Kerkasha Exploration License in southwest Eritrea, located 135 km west-southwest of the capital city of Asmara. Since acquiring the property in January 2018, the company has spent ~CAD$16 million on exploration and identified 20 prospects of which six have been drilled to date.

For further information go to the Alpha webpage at www.alpha-exploration.com or contact:

Michael Hopley
President and Chief Executive Officer
Alpha Exploration Ltd.
Email: mhopley@alpha-exploration.com
Tel: +44 207129 1148

Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information in this press release, including the results of the Aburna drill program and how these results relate to the ongoing exploration at the Kerkasha Project has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Michael Hopley, President, Chief Executive Officer of Alpha and a "qualified person" for the purposes of national Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Cautionary Notes

This press release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States.

Forward‐Looking Statements

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to future dataset interpretations, sampling, plans for its projects (including the Anagulu prospect), surveys related to Alpha's assets, and the Company's drilling program. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, Alpha has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions and the price of gold and other minerals. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of Alpha believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to Alpha's financing efforts; risks associated with the business of Alpha given its limited operating history; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to exploration activities; those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Final Prospectus; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. Alpha does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/167273