Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE: CDE) has announced significant advancements from its 2024 exploration program at the Silvertip polymetallic critical minerals project in northern British Columbia. This program represents the most extensive surface exploration conducted by Coeur since acquiring the property in 2017, with an investment of approximately $12 million across 48 drill holes, totaling over 68,000 feet (nearly 21,000 meters) of drilling.
The exploration program centered on three main objectives. First, it aimed to expand the known resource both along-strike and down-dip through underground drilling; second, large step-out holes were drilled on major structures to increase the deposit’s footprint for future resource growth; and third, fieldwork was conducted to identify additional structures similar to Silvertip that could potentially host large ore bodies.
Mitchell J. Krebs, Chairman, President, and CEO of Coeur, emphasized that the strategy successfully doubled the strike length of the Southern Silver Zone to over 2,000 meters and identified three new large targets within their expansive land package of over 50,000 hectares (over 125,000 acres). Krebs expressed enthusiasm about Silvertip’s potential as a high-quality source of growth for the company and a significant contributor to Canadian critical minerals.
The drilling results indicate notable mineralization growth adjacent to the current resource. Notable findings include:
These results confirm mineralization extending up to 1,000 meters along strike, highlighting considerable growth potential in the Southern Silver Zone.
Coeur’s district-scale exploration has identified three high-priority targets exhibiting geological similarities to Silvertip’s Carbonate Replacement Deposit (CRD) mineralization. This comprehensive program included geophysical surveys over approximately 37,000 hectares (91,000 acres), enhancing understanding of the region’s geology and structure, key factors influencing mineralization at Silvertip.
The initial results of this exploration work have laid a solid foundation for future field programs and have enhanced understanding of regional geology. The identification of new potential mineralization centers suggests that further targets may emerge as additional results are processed.
The Silvertip project is situated in a region rich with mining history and potential for further discoveries. Nearby projects include:
The KSM Project (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell) is located approximately 40 miles southwest of Silvertip, this project is one of the largest undeveloped gold-copper-silver deposits globally. It has significant resources and is being developed by Seabridge Gold Inc., with plans for an open-pit mine and underground operations.
The Red Chris Mine, which is operated by Imperial Metals Corporation, is a copper-gold mine located about 43 miles south of Silvertip. The mine has been in production since 2015 and continues to explore nearby areas for additional resources.
The Brucejack Project is a high-grade gold-silver project is located approximately 56 miles southwest of Silvertip and is operated by Pretium Resources Inc. The Brucejack mine commenced production in 2017 and is known for its rich grades of gold and silver.
These neighboring projects highlight the region’s potential for critical minerals and precious metals production, underscoring Coeur’s strategic focus on expanding its footprint through exploration initiatives like those at Silvertip.
Looking ahead to 2025, Coeur aims to continue its exploration success as it expands its knowledge and resources at Silvertip. The company’s commitment to exploring this world-class deposit reinforces its strategic focus on becoming a leading source of critical minerals in Canada.
Coeur Mining operates several wholly-owned projects across North America, including gold-silver complexes in Mexico and Nevada, a gold mine in Alaska, and another in South Dakota. The Silvertip project stands out as a key component of Coeur’s portfolio, promising significant contributions to both the company’s growth and the broader critical minerals landscape in Canada.
Coeur Mining’s recent exploration activities at Silvertip not only demonstrate substantial progress in resource expansion but also highlight the project’s potential as a cornerstone for future critical mineral production in North America while situating it within a broader context of regional mining opportunities.
