IAMGOLD Corporation recently provided an update from its 2017 infill drilling program at the Saramacca project, located 25 kilometres southwest of its Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname. The current phase of the 2017 infill delineation drilling program is now complete with 113 diamond drill holes totaling approximately 19,600 metres. Assay results have been received from 78 drill holes totaling 14,166 metres, including 49 drill holes totaling 8,158 metres reported herein (see previous news release dated March 29th, 2017). Assay results from the remaining drill holes are expected in June and will be reported once they are validated and compiled.
"The results to date support our belief that Saramacca has the potential to be a transformational asset for the Company," said President and CEO of IAMGOLD Steve Letwin. "This exemplifies our strategy of seeking short-cycle capacity, which can add tremendous value for our shareholders at minimal incremental cost, since the deposit is only 25 kilometres away from our current infrastructure."
Craig MacDougall, Senior Vice President, Exploration for IAMGOLD, stated: "I want to congratulate the exploration team for completing this important program in such a timely manner and without a reported safety incident. The additional assay results continue to impress and highlight numerous intersections with high grades of gold over wide intervals, both enhancing our confidence in and understanding of the mineralized zones. As previously stated, all results will be incorporated into an initial resource estimation expected for completion in Q3 2017."
Drilling to date has confirmed the presence of multiple mineralized structures within an approximately 2-kilometre long and 600-metre wide corridor. Mineralization occurs in the near surface oxidized weathering profile to depths ranging from 50 to 100 metres, as well as deeper in the primary sulphide zones and remains open along strike and at depth.