TSX: AYA.TO
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October 5, 2021

Aya Gold & Silver Intercepts 2,417 g/t Ag over 12m and 3,272 g/t Ag over 7.2m at Depth at Zgounder

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Montreal, Quebec, October 5, 2021 - Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (TSX: AYA) (“Aya” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to report additional underground silver assay results from its 2021 drill exploration program at the Zgounder Silver Mine in the Kingdom of Morocco.

 

Key Highlights (all intersections are in core lengths)

T28 percussion holes were carried out in three areas located at the 1,975 meters (“m”), 2,100m and 2,125m levels to the east:

  • At the 2,125m level, continuation of the eastern trend at depth by T28-21-2125-203 which encountered 2,417 grams per tonne (“g/t”) silver (“Ag”) over 12m including:
    • 13,727 g/t Ag over 1.2m
    • 3,029 g/t Ag over 1.2m
    • 4,808 g/t Ag over 1.2m
    • 1,370 g/t Ag over 1.2m

 

  • At the 2,100m level, validation of the vertical continuity with high-grade intercepts such as T28-21-2100-188bis, which generated 480 g/t Ag over 13.2m including
  • 2,151 g/t Ag over 1.2m
  • 2,113 g/t Ag over 1.2m

 

  • At the 1,975m level, extension of high-grade underground mineralization in a previously untested area below current operations with T28-21-1975-253, which returned 3,272 g/t Ag over 7.2m and with T28-21-1975-253bis which intersected 3,101 g/t Ag over 7.2m including
    • 13,671 g/t Ag over 1.2m
    • 3,680 g/t Ag over 1.2m

 

  • Ongoing definition of high-grade mineralisation below current mine operations with ZG-21-45, which returned 1,030 g/t Ag over 4.5m and 537 g/t Ag over 5.0m

 

“We are delighted with today’s results, which continue to demonstrate Zgounder’s high-grade potential at depth.  In particular, holes T28-21-2125-203, T28-21-1975-253 and T28-21-1975-253bis rank among our top all-time best drill intercepts at Zgounder on a grade by thickness basis. These newly drilled high-grade mineralized pods located below the current mining galleries validate continuity at depth and to the east at Zgounder,” said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO.

Included in this release are results for 70 diamond drill holes (“DDH”), which include three DDH from surface and 67 underground percussion holes. For a full summary of today’s results from the 2021 drill program, refer to Appendix 1 for surface results and Appendix 2 for underground results.

 

Table 1 – Significant Intercepts from Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)

Hole No.

From (m)

To (m)

Length1 (m)

Ag2 (g/t)

Surface

ZG-21-45

115.00

116.00

1.00

252

147.50

148.00

0.50

124

165.00

169.50

4.50

1,030

176.00

176.50

0.50

84

181.00

181.50

0.50

288

184.00

184.50

0.50

242

187.00

192.00

5.00

537

 

including

0.50

1,126

 

including

0.50

3,200

Underground

T28-21-1975-225

2.40

8.40

6.00

748

 

including

1.20

1,511

 

including

1.20

1,122

T28-21-1975-230

0.00

2.40

2.40

102

6.00

8.40

2.40

692

12.00

13.20

1.20

256

19.20

24.00

4.80

817

 

including

1.20

1,287

T28-21-1975-231

0.00

2.40

2.40

1,033

13.20

14.40

1.20

144

T28-21-1975-236

4.80

18.00

13.20

966

 

including

1.20

5,543

 

including

1.20

1,691

 

including

1.20

1,303

21.60

22.80

1.20

96

T28-21-1975-242bis

15.60

18.00

2.40

1,876

T28-21-1975-252

0.00

3.60

3.60

3,306

 

including

1.20

6,883

T28-21-1975-252bis

0.00

2.40

2.40

1,188

T28-21-1975-253

0.00

7.20

7.20

3,272

9.60

10.80

1.20

80

24.00

26.40

2.40

148

T28-21-1975-253bis

0.00

7.20

7.20

3,101

 

including

1.20

13,671

 

including

1.20

3,680

10.80

12.00

1.20

92

18.00

19.20

1.20

132

24.00

26.40

2.40

89

T28-21-1975-259

6.00

10.80

4.80

824

T28-21-1975-259bis

4.80

6.00

1.20

181

8.40

12.00

3.60

1,270

14.40

16.80

2.40

231

T28-21-1975-260bis

2.40

12.00

9.60

622

22.80

24.00

1.20

83

T28-21-1975-261bis

6.00

19.20

13.20

521

T28-21-2100-188bis

8.40

21.60

13.20

480

 

including

1.20

2,151

 

including

1.20

2,113

T28-21-2125-198

12.00

18.00

6.00

898

T28-21-2125-203

7.20

8.40

1.20

177

12.00

24.00

12.00

2,417

 

including

1.20

13,727

 

including

1.20

3,029

 

including

1.20

4,808

 

including

1.20

1,370

T28-21-2125-206

0.00

2.40

2.40

143

4.80

9.60

4.80

2,401

T28-21-2125-217

4.80

7.20

2.40

111

13.20

20.40

7.20

404

T28-21-2125-221

7.20

9.60

2.40

1,401

1 Holes were drilled at various angles; true widths are not known at this time.
2 All assay results are above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.

 

Figure 1: Location of DDH Results at Zgounder from Surface and Underground Drilling as per Appendixes 1 & 2

 

Quality Assurance

For core drilling, all individual samples represent approximately one meter in length of core, which is halved (1.2m length for T28 percussion samples). For core material, half of the core is kept on site for reference, and its counterpart is sent for preparation and assaying to African Laboratory for Mining and Environment in Marrakech, Morocco. All samples are analysed for silver, copper, iron, lead, and zinc using Aqua regia and finished by atomic absorption spectroscopy (“AAS”). Samples grading above 200 g/t Ag are reanalysed using fire assaying.

Marc-Antoine Audet, Ph.D. P. Geo, Geological Consultant, is Aya Gold & Silver's Qualified Person and has reviewed this press release for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.

 

About Aya Gold & Silver Inc.

Aya Gold & Silver Inc. is a rapidly growing, Canada-based silver producer with operations in the Kingdom of Morocco.

The only TSX-listed pure silver mining company, Aya operates the high-grade Zgounder Silver Mine and is exploring its properties along the prospective South-Atlas Fault, several of which have hosted past-producing mines and historical resources. Aya’s Moroccan mining assets are complemented by its Tijirit Gold Project in Mauritania, which is being advanced to feasibility.

Aya’s management team has been focused on maximising shareholder value by anchoring sustainability at the heart of its operations, governance, and financial growth plans.

For additional information, please visit Aya’s website at www.ayagoldsilver.com.

Or contact

Benoit La Salle, FCPA FCA
President & CEO
benoit.lasalle@ayagoldsilver.com

Alex Ball
VP, Corporate Development & IR
alex.ball@ayagoldsilver.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”), which reflects management's expectations regarding Aya’s future growth and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as “continue”, “expand”, “potential”, “plans”, “expects”, “believe”, “intend”, and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will”, or are “likely” to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements and information with respect to the exploration and development potential of Zgounder, the conversion of Inferred Mineral Resources into Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and future opportunities for enhancing development at Zgounder. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Aya cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions, and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the presence of artisanal miners, obtaining regulatory permits for on site work, importing goods and machinery and employment permits, the accuracy of Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates (including, but not limited to, ore tonnage and ore grade estimates), the price of silver, the price of gold, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Aya cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of silver gold and other key inputs, changes in mine plans (including, but not limited to, throughput and recoveries being affected by metallurgical characteristics) and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Aya, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Aya's 2020 Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2021, and in other filings of Aya with securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Aya does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs, and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Aya securities. All references to Aya include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.

 

Appendix 1 – Mineral Intercepts from Surface Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)

Hole No.

From

 (m)

To

 (m)

Length1

 (m)

Ag2

 (g/t)

ZG-21-44

98.00

99.00

1.00

216

198.00

200.00

2.00

203

ZG-21-45

115.00

116.00

1.00

252

147.50

148.00

0.50

124

165.00

169.50

4.50

1,030

176.00

176.50

0.50

84

181.00

181.50

0.50

288

184.00

184.50

0.50

242

187.00

192.00

5.00

537

 

including

 0.50

1,126

 

including

 0.50

3,200

ZG-21-48

24.00

30.00

6.00

169

33.50

37.50

4.00

142

104.00

106.00

2.00

167

111.50

112.50

1.00

694

1 Holes were drilled at various angles, true widths are not known at this time.
2 All assay results are above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.

 

Appendix 2 - Mineral Intercepts from Underground Drilling at Zgounder (core lengths)

Hole No.

From

 (m)

To

 (m)

Length1

 (m)

Ag2

 (g/t)

T28-21-1975-225

2.40

8.40

6.00

 748

 

including

 1.20

1,511

 

including

 1.20

1,122

T28-21-1975-227

7.20

8.40

1.20

112

T28-21-1975-228

20.40

21.60

1.20

110

T28-21-1975-229

19.20

24.00

4.80

672

T28-21-1975-230

0.00

2.40

2.40

102

6.00

8.40

2.40

692

12.00

13.20

1.20

256

19.20

24.00

4.80

817

 

including

1.20

1,287

T28-21-1975-231

 

0.00

2.40

2.40

1,033

13.20

14.40

1.20

144

T28-21-1975-232

9.60

10.80

1.20

108

14.40

15.60

1.20

156

T28-21-1975-233

12.00

13.20

1.20

88

T28-21-1975-234

12.00

13.20

1.20

140

T28-21-1975-235

0.00

1.20

1.20

640

T28-21-1975-236

4.80

18.00

13.20

966

 

including

1.20

5,543

 

including

1.20

1,691

 

including

1.20

1,303

21.60

22.80

1.20

96

T28-21-1975-236bis

1.20

2.40

1.20

102

7.20

9.60

2.40

220

20.40

21.60

1.20

128

T28-21-1975-237

4.80

6.00

1.20

208

10.80

12.00

1.20

168

T28-21-1975-237bis

8.40

9.60

1.20

96

T28-21-1975-239

8.40

10.80

2.40

92

T28-21-1975-240

9.60

10.80

1.20

164

T28-21-1975-240bis

15.60

18.00

2.40

114

T28-21-1975-242bis

15.60

18.00

2.40

1,876

T28-21-1975-243bis

12.00

13.20

1.20

140

T28-21-1975-244

0.00

2.40

2.40

322

4.80

6.00

1.20

79

T28-21-1975-246

10.80

12.00

1.20

280

T28-21-1975-246bis

0.00

3.60

3.60

126

4.80

6.00

1.20

 98

12.00

13.20

1.20

124

20.40

26.40

6.00

370

T28-21-1975-247

13.20

14.40

1.20

 12

T28-21-1975-248

0.00

2.40

2.40

320

7.20

8.40

1.20

174

T28-21-1975-249

4.80

6.00

1.20

733

8.40

10.80

2.40

113

24.00

25.20

1.20

77

T28-21-1975-249bis

6.00

10.80

4.80

638

20.40

22.80

2.40

170

T28-21-1975-250

0.00

2.40

2.40

76

T28-21-1975-251bis

6.00

7.20

1.20

150

T28-21-1975-252

0.00

3.60

3.60

3,306

 

including

1.20

6,883

T28-21-1975-252bis

0.00

2.40

2.40

1,188

T28-21-1975-253

0.00

7.20

7.20

3,272

9.60

10.80

1.20

80

24.00

26.40

2.40

148

T28-21-1975-253bis

0.00

7.20

7.20

3,101

 

including

 1.20

13,671

 

including

 1.20

3,680 

10.80

12.00

1.20

92

18.00

19.20

1.20

132

24.00

26.40

2.40

89

T28-21-1975-254

18.00

20.40

2.40

225

T28-21-1975-254bis

16.80

20.40

3.60

312

T28-21-1975-255

6.00

7.20

1.20

310

T28-21-1975-255bis

9.60

10.80

1.20

104

6.00

10.80

4.80

167

T28-21-1975-256

13.20

15.60

2.40

144

T28-21-1975-256bis

6.00

7.20

1.20

356

T28-21-1975-258

2.40

4.80

2.40

 300

T28-21-1975-258bis

10.80

13.20

2.40

330

T28-21-1975-259

6.00

10.80

4.80

824

T28-21-1975-259bis

4.80

6.00

1.20

181

8.40

12.00

3.60

1,270

14.40

16.80

2.40

231

T28-21-1975-260bis

2.40

12.00

9.60

622

22.80

24.00

1.20

 83

T28-21-1975-261bis

6.00

19.20

13.20

521

T28-21-2100-185bis

2.40

3.60

1.20

89

T28-21-2100-186bis

0.00

2.40

2.40

182

 

4.80

9.60

4.80

149

T28-21-2100-187

2.40

4.80

2.40

242

T28-21-2100-187bis

2.40

4.80

2.40

117

16.80

21.60

4.80

524

T28-21-2100-188

12.00

21.60

9.60

614

T28-21-2100-188bis

8.40

21.60

13.20

480

 

including

1.20

2,151

 

including

1.20

2,113

T28-21-2100-189

12.00

13.20

1.20

193

T28-21-2100-189bis

13.20

14.40

1.20

112

T28-21-2125-160

20.40

22.80

2.40

816

T28-21-2125-190

0.00

2.40

2.40

156

T28-21-2125-198

12.00

18.00

6.00

898

T28-21-2125-203

7.20

8.40

1.20

177

12.00

24.00

12.00

2,417

 

including

1.20

13,727

 

including

1.20

3,029

 

including

1.20

4,808

 

including

1.20

1,370

T28-21-2125-204

20.40

22.80

2.40

267

T28-21-2125-205

7.20

8.40

1.20

83

T28-21-2125-206

0.00

2.40

2.40

143

4.80

9.60

4.80

2,401

T28-21-2125-209

1.20

4.80

3.60

235

7.20

9.60

2.40

107

12.00

13.20

1.20

329

18.00

19.20

1.20

84

T28-21-2125-211

6.00

8.40

2.40

79

T28-21-2125-214

1.20

3.60

2.40

632

T28-21-2125-215

6.00

7.20

1.20

75

10.80

15.60

4.80

266

19.20

21.60

2.40

147

16.80

20.40

3.60

628

T28-21-2125-217

4.80

7.20

2.40

111

13.20

20.40

7.20

404

T28-21-2125-218

0.00

2.40

2.40

339

T28-21-2125-220

20.40

21.60

1.20

103

T28-21-2125-221

7.20

9.60

2.40

1,401

1 Holes were drilled at various angles, true widths are not known at this time.
2 All assay results are above the cut-off grade of 75 g/t Ag.