Vancouver, British Columbia, March 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NevGold Corp. (“NevGold” or the “Company”) (TSXV:NAU) (OTCQX:NAUFF) (Frankfurt:5E50) is pleased to announce results from its recent geochemical soil sampling program at the Zeus Copper Project in southwestern Idaho’s emerging Hercules Copper District. A total of 628 soil samples were collected and the Company has defined a new 2.4 km copper-gold-molybdenum soil anomaly at the Poseidon Target, and a new 1.0 km copper-gold-molybdenum soil anomaly at the Thorn Springs Target (See Figure 1). NevGold continues to confirm the project’s significant copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry potential, and the Company will continue its active exploration program in 2025 due to the positive results.
As highlighted in NevGold’s previous News Releases from 2024 to today (see NevGold News Releases), the Zeus Copper Project shares many geological similarities with Hercules Metals Corp.’s (“Hercules Metals”, TSXV:BIG) copper porphyry discovery at the Hercules Project (see Hercules Metals News Releases), including comparable surface sample geochemical results (see Figure 1).
Key Highlights
- Over 2.4 km copper-gold-molybdenum soil geochemical anomaly identified at the Poseidon Target on Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) ground
- Over 1.0 km copper-gold-molybdenum soil geochemical anomaly identified at the Thorn Springs Target on BLM ground
- Copper, gold and molybdenum soil geochemical anomalies coincide with geological, structural, and surface rock chip targets, highlighting promising copper porphyry exploration potential
- Zeus continues to show strong similarities to the Hercules Metals copper porphyry discovery, with soil geochemical footprints comparable in tenor and scale (See Figure 1 below)
- NevGold has selected a geophysical contractor to complete surface programs
- NevGold continues to plan a Notice of Intent (“NOI”) to permit drill-ready targets on the BLM ground for a potential 2025 drill program
Figure 1 – Copper analysis of Zeus Copper Project and Hercules Copper Project surface soil samples at similar scale. Zones greater than 100 ppm copper-in-soils are outlined in solid black lines. Early Jurassic-aged Upper Huntington Formation (purple polygons) and Late-Triassic-aged intrusive complexes (maroon polygons) are both key copper hosts. A schematic Cu-in-Soils footprint of the Zeus (red) and Hercules (black) Projects is outlined in the green box at the bottom of the Figure. To view image please click here
Figure 2 – A schematic geological section of the Zeus Copper Project showing surface geochemical copper analysis for soils (colored circles) in the context of modeled geology at depth. Pink and red units are various phases of Triassic to Early Jurassic Intrusives inferred to be important copper hosts. To view image please click here
NevGold CEO, Brandon Bonifacio, comments: “The soil sampling program completed at Zeus has yielded positive results with a large mineralization footprint and strong sample grades. We have defined a +2.4 km copper-gold-molybdenum target at Poseidon, and a +1.0 km copper-gold-molybdenum target at Thorn Springs. It is also encouraging to see the comparison in the footprint, grade, and geological signatures between the initial Zeus results and the early results from the Hercules Metals copper porphyry discovery which we have outlined in Figure 1. Two of our strongest targets at Poseidon and Thorn Springs (see Figure 1) are on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ground which simplifies and accelerates exploration and drill permitting. Our objective at Zeus is to have drill-targets defined and permitted by the 2025 summer field season.”
NevGold VP Exploration, Greg French, comments: “The results from this initial geochemical soil sampling program at the Zeus Property are very encouraging. Favorable host lithologies and robust sampling results suggest the potential that multiple porphyry centers lie below shallow alluvial cover at the Project. Along with our upcoming geophysical program, we look forward to incorporating the data to finalize targeting for a drill program later this year. We are fortunate to be positioned with one of the promising, early-stage copper exploration projects in the Western USA, and we will continue our systematic exploration to arrive at drill targets by the 2025 field season.”
Planned 2025 Activities / Status Update
NevGold will continue its active exploration program at Zeus in 2025 including:
- Geological database review (completed);
- Geological mapping (continuous);
- Comprehensive surface geochemical sampling (completed);
- Ground geophysical program (in preparation);
- Application for drill permit, Notice of Intent “NOI” (in preparation); and,
- Drill testing copper targets identified by the above activities (results warranted).
Summary - Soil Sampling Results
- Poseidon: NEW – the undrilled Poseidon Target is located on BLM ground on the southern portion of the Project. It features a newly identified 2.4 km copper-gold-molybdenum soil anomaly with individual soil samples grading up to 1,000 ppm copper, 183 ppb gold and 23 ppm molybdenum. The anomaly defines a continuous, northwest-trending zone spanning 2.4 km in length and 1.1 km in width, underlain by a Late-Triassic granodiorite intrusive complex, which is a key copper host lithology. Despite limited bedrock exposure and minimal sampling within the target zone, NevGold is encouraged by the scale and tenor of the soil sampling results. As a result, the Company will prioritize Poseidon in the upcoming geological field investigations and ground geophysical programs to define drill-ready targets.
- Thorn Springs: NEW - the undrilled Thorn Springs target is located on BLM ground in the southwestern portion of the Project. It features a newly identified 1.0 km copper-gold-molybdenum soil anomaly. Individual soil samples returned values of up to 720 ppm copper and 886 ppb gold, and 11.5 ppm molybdenum, defining a continuous northeast-trending anomaly over ~1.0 km in strike length and 800 meters in width. It is positive to see that the soil samples with the most anomalous geochemical signatures coincide with anomalous copper-gold-molybdenum rock chip samples, outcropping intrusive complexes (copper host lithology), and outcrops with northeast and northwest conjugate fractures filled with malachite. Although bedrock exposure is limited, NevGold is encouraged by the soil sampling results and the Company will prioritize Thorn Springs in the upcoming ground geophysical program to define drill-ready targets.
Figure 3 – Copper surface soil geochemical analysis and selected rock chips for the Poseidon and Thorn Springs target areas within BLM ground at the Zeus Copper Project. To view image please click here
Figure 4 – Gold surface soil geochemical analysis and selected rock chips for the Poseidon and Thorn Springs target areas within BLM ground at the Zeus Copper Project. To view image please click here
Figure 5 – Molybdenum surface soil geochemical analysis and selected rock chips for the Poseidon and Thorn Springs target areas within BLM ground at the Zeus Copper Project. To view image please click here
Zeus – Exploration Potential
Initial surface soil and rock chip sampling by NevGold combined with historical data has identified multiple high-priority potential copper porphyry targets at the Zeus Copper Project. The results of the soil sampling reveal a multi-kilometer mineralized footprint with potential for multiple copper porphyry intrusive centers, showing tenor and scale analogous to the Hercules Metals copper porphyry discovery at the Hercules Project. The objective at the Zeus Project is the discovery of intrusive rocks with veining and alteration that are indicative of porphyry Cu-Au-Mo mineralization. The company plans to conduct a ground geophysical program including both IP and MT surveys to define drill targets within these anomalous zones. The property benefits from well-maintained historical roads, providing excellent access for exploration activities.
The Zeus and Hercules Projects are located within the Olds Ferry Terrane, a geological setting analogous to the prolific Quesnell Terrane of British Columbia (Dorsey and LaMaskin, 2008). The Quesnell Terrane is characterized by Late Triassic to Early Jurassic intrusive complexes that are well-endowed with copper-gold-molybdenum porphyries including Highland Valley Copper (HVC), Mount Polley, Mount Milligan, New Afton and Copper Mountain.
The Thorn Springs and Poseidon Targets at Zeus are underlain by the Early Jurassic-aged Lower Huntington Formation, comprised of andesitic volcanics to volcaniclastics and limestone units-key hosts for copper mineralization. These units have been intruded by Late Triassic to Early Jurassic-aged intrusive complexes-key hosts for copper-gold-molybdenum mineralization.
Selected Results from NevGold’s Rock Chip Sampling Program
| Target Area | Sample No. | Cu % | Au ppm | Ag ppm | Mo ppm | Sample Description |
| Thorn Springs | ZRS-22 | 3.79 | 0.412 | 18.6 | 11.8 | Strongly silicified aplite with fracture controlled malachite-azurite staining |
| Thorn Springs | ZRS-23 | 1.93 | 0.936 | 24.9 | 8.4 | Strongly silicified aplite with fracture controlled malachite staining |
| Thorn Springs | ZRS-07 | 1.22 | 8.19 | 21.9 | 33.7 | Aplite majorly altered to limonite, sericite, quartz and malachite |
| Thorn Springs | ZRS-12 | 0.17 | 1.64 | 3.6 | 4.1 | Strongly silicified aplite with fracture controlled malachite staining |
| Thorn Springs | ZRS-21 | 0.43 | 0.249 | 6.3 | 13.1 | Strongly silicified aplite with fracture controlled malachite staining |
| Mortimer | ZNR-05 | 2.19 | 0.393 | 26.1 | 4.3 | Breccia of Mortimer limestone, clasts of quartz vein and copper sulfides |
| Mortimer | ZNR-06 | 0.71 | 0.106 | 17.3 | 3 | Strongly hydrothermally altered granodiorite |
| Mortimer | ZNR-01 | 1.3 | 0.188 | 11.3 | 0.1 | Quartz diorite breccia with malachite replacement of clasts |
| Mortimer | ZRS-02* | 0.86 | 0.111 | 9.9 | 0.1 | Marble breccia with malachite and hematite in matrix |
| Mortimer | ZRS-03 | 0.91 | 0.219 | 20 | 0.3 | Quartz diorite with malachite, azurite, and hematite along fractures |
| Mortimer | RSL01 | 0.83 | 0.056 | 10.5 | 0.1 | Strongly altered quartz diorite with malachite on fractures |
| Poseidon | APF* | 0.05 | 1.03 | 114 | 468.5 | Breccia of silicified metasediments with specular hematite in matrix |
| Poseidon | ZWDU1205 | 0.01 | 0.025 | 26.2 | 35 | Andesite flow (Lower Huntington) brecciated with quartz and hematite |
| Iron Mountain | WP645 | 0.02 | 0.005 | 1.5 | 19 | Quartz diorite breccia, hematite alteration of matrix |
| Iron Mountain | WP652 | 0.02 | 0.005 | 0.2 | 1.8 | Quartz diorite strongly altered to specular hematite |
| Iron Mountain | WP654 | 0.01 | 0.019 | 0.5 | 23.2 | Andesite flow (Lower Huntington) weakly brecciated |
| Abundance | WP624 | 0.25 | 0.027 | 6 | 0.8 | Phyllite (Big Hill Wacke) with quartz veins, copper sulfides and malachite |
| Abundance | WP625A | 0.05 | 0.005 | 0.6 | 0.7 | Marble with veins of quartz, hematite and magnetite |
| Abundance | WP625B | 0.05 | 0.009 | 1.5 | 12.1 | Strongly clay-altered dacite |
| Abundance | WP637 | 0.04 | 0.044 | 2.3 | 20.6 | Silicified andesite with strong hematite alteration |
Table 1 – Selected rock samples from the Zeus Project. Sample results previously released by NevGold.
Figure 6 – Geologic Map of the Hercules Copper Trend compiled by the NevGold geology team.
Modified from (Henricksen, 1975), (Fankhauser, 1968), (Skurla, 1974), (Lund, 2021), (Adair, 1985).
To view image please click here
Figure 7 - Zeus Project Location and Hercules Copper Trend. To view image please click here
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Signed”
Brandon Bonifacio, President & CEO
For further information, please contact Brandon Bonifacio at bbonifacio@nev-gold.com, call 604-337-4997, or visit our website at www.nev-gold.com.
Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance: All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company’s geologists and the chain of custody from the Project to the independent sample preparation and analytical facility, ISO 17025 certified American Assay Labs in Sparks, NV, was continuously monitored. The soil samples were dried, and analyzed using the methods P-SP81, IO-FAAu30 and IM-4AB52. All rock chip samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analyzed using the methods IO-FAAu30 and IM-4AB52.
Technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Greg French, CPG, the Company’s Vice President, Exploration, who is NevGold’s Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for technical matters of this release.
About the Company
NevGold is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the proven districts of Nevada and Idaho. NevGold owns a 100% interest in the Limousine Butte and Cedar Wash gold projects in Nevada, and the Nutmeg Mountain gold project and Zeus copper project in Idaho.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company’s current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “suggest”, “indicate” and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the proposed work programs at Zeus, and the exploration potential at Zeus. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, market and business conditions, and the ability to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals. There is some risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management’s assumptions may not be correct or that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
