The joint venture between Aurion Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AU) (OTCQX: AIRRF) and B2Gold Corp (NSX: B2G)(NYSE: BTG)(TSX: BTO) has identified a new zone of gold mineralization situated 2.7 km south of the previously known Helmi region in northern Finland.
The company announced the discovery on Monday and said it has been a highlight of the ongoing 2023 exploration program.
The initial drilling results from the Vuoma area have been promising. One of the drilled holes reported a gold concentration of 1.33 g/t Au over a span of 8.30 meters.
Another significant find from the zone showed 1.43 g/t gold over 10.45 meters, which is south of historic mineralization.
The company says the discovery of this new zone shows the region’s potential for hosting multiple gold-bearing zones. The JV partnership, operated by B2Gold, is already gearing up for an expanded drill program with 4,500 m planned for the second half of 2023.
The partnership believes that this could pave the way for more comprehensive exploration and developmental activities in the region.
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The joint venture, with Aurion holding a 30 per cent stake and B2Gold holding 70 per cent, spans about 347 km2 in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt along the significant Sirkka Shear Zone.
This area encompasses several gold discoveries, including Helmi (2.05 g/t Au across 77.50 m), Kutuvuoma (16.47 g/t Au across 11.0 m), Soretiavuoma (48 g/t Au across 1.1 m), Sinermä (0.54 g/t Au across 40.2 m), Kiekerömaa (5.8 g/t Au across 5.0 m), and Kettukuusikko (4.33 g/t Au across 20.4 m).
“The discoveries of Helmi and Ikkari (Rupert Resources) in proximity to the northern domain boundary suggest that these major structures are prospective for the deposition of gold,” CEO Matti Talikka said in a statement.
“The new discovery further supports the gold prospectivity of the 20+ km long, mainly untested, southern domain boundary that also hosts Aurion’s Kaaresselkä Prospect.”
Aurion’s strategy is to generate or acquire early-stage precious metals exploration opportunities and advance them through direct exploration by our experienced team or by business partnerships and joint venture arrangements.
Its current focus is exploring its wholly owned Risti and Launi projects and advancing joint venture properties with B2Gold and Kinross Gold Corp. (TSX:K) (NYSE:KGC) in northern Finland.
Aurion stock dipped by 7.27 per cent on Monday to $0.51 on the Canadian Ventures Exchange.
