The first 2026 core hole at SSD confirmed that the observed controls on gold mineralization – as interpreted from recent trenching – are compelling target vectors. T2601 encountered significant zones of hydrothermal alteration coincident with high-grade Carlin-style gold, including pervasive decalcification, clay, breccia, and pyrite. A deep-capacity RC drill rig has arrived at the Property and is currently advancing T2603, one of several planned down-dip tests of these newly-modelled controls on gold mineralization…
Beyond the Headline
Westward’s first 2026 core hole at SSD returned 27.0 m @ 3.72 g/t Au, including 12.0 m @ 8.06 g/t Au. Importantly, the gold occurs in Wenban Formation carbonate rocks and is associated with decalcification, brecciation, clay alteration and sooty pyrite which are classic Carlin-type characteristics. The Wenbam Formation is a thick sequence of carbonate rocks that are well-documented gold hosts in the Cortez District. The high-grade mineralization appears structurally focused along a high-angle fault rather than simply stratiform. Legacy interpretations considered that gold was predominantly stratiform and/or parallel with the Roberts Mountain Thrust which is not the case. This is an excellent result and geologically very important than the grade alone suggests. Westward has potentially identified the structural plumbing responsible for the SSD mineralization which provides an improved predictive model for deeper drilling. The current down-dip RC tests are therefore particularly important.