Kenorland Minerals and Auranova Resources Report Drill Results at the South Uchi Project, Ontario; Auranova Completes Initial Earn-in
Rhea-AI Summary
Kenorland Minerals (OTCQX: KLDCF) and Auranova Resources have announced significant results from their 2025 Winter drill program at the South Uchi Project in Ontario's Red Lake District. The maiden drilling program, consisting of 27 diamond drill holes totaling 14,365 metres, confirmed a new gold system with mineralization traced over five kilometers.
Key highlights include 93% of drill holes intersecting gold intervals of at least 0.1 g/t Au, with the highest grade intercept reaching 14.60 g/t Au over 1.00m. The mineralized corridor remains open in all directions, with a follow-up drill program planned for late summer 2025.
Additionally, Auranova has completed its initial earn-in, acquiring a 51% ownership interest in the Project, resulting in Kenorland receiving $500,000 in cash and 9,242,267 Auranova common shares.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- Gold grades are relatively modest with only 22% of holes hitting above 5.00 g/t Au
- Project still in early exploration stage with no resource definition
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, KLDCF gained 5.68%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 2, 2025) - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or the "Company") and Auranova Resources Inc. ("Auranova") are pleased to announce complete assay results from the 2025 Winter drill program at the South Uchi Project (the "Project"), located in the Red Lake District of Ontario. Assays from 27 diamond drill holes totaling 14,365 metres are reported herein. Kenorland and Auranova also jointly report that Auranova has completed the initial earn-in under the South Uchi option agreement, acquiring a
Drill Highlights:
New gold system confirmed, with widespread mineralisation intersected in maiden drilling
Gold-bearing structures traced over five kilometres across the target area
25 of 27 drill holes (
93% ) intersected intervals of gold assaying at least 0.1 g/t Au15 of 27 drill holes (
56% ) intersected intervals of gold assaying at least 1.00 g/t Au6 of 27 drill holes (
22% ) intersected intervals of gold assaying at least 5.00 g/t AuHighest grade intercept of 14.60 g/t Au over 1.00 m
Mineralised corridor remains open in all directions
Follow-up drill program planned for late summer
Figure 1. Plan map of Papaonga with drill hole locations including highlights from this press release
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/257402_aeffb3e0b408abd9_001full.jpg
Zach Flood, President and CEO of Kenorland, stated: "The results from this maiden drill program mark a major step forward in unlocking the potential of South Uchi. Intersecting gold mineralisation across a five-kilometre structural corridor, in an area with no previously recorded gold occurrences, validates our early targeting efforts and highlights the scale of this newly discovered system. We look forward to advancing the next phase of follow-up drilling with Auranova."
Tom Obradovich, CEO of Auranova, stated: "We're excited to advance the next phase of drilling, targeting the gold-bearing structures identified in Phase 1. With a more focused approach, we aim to unlock the potential of this emerging gold system and gain a deeper understanding of the controls on mineralisation."
Discussion of Results
This program marks the first-ever drilling at the Papaonga gold target, following four years of systematic exploration. Prior to this work, no historical drilling or documented gold occurrences had been recorded within the target area. The maiden drill program consisted of 27 diamond drill holes totaling 14,365 metres, testing a 27km2 area identified by extensive gold-in-till and heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) gold grain anomalies (see press release dated September 11, 2024). Widely spaced drill fences, roughly 500 metres to greater than 1 kilometre apart were designed to test interpreted structural corridors concealed by deep overburden and Papaonga Lake.
Widespread gold mineralisation was intersected across the Papaonga target, hosted by various rock types including the sheared margin of the diorite, interbedded clastic sedimentary rocks and iron formation, and the volcaniclastic-mafic volcanic rock stratigraphy. A significant gold bearing structural corridor was intersected in multiple drill holes traced over a 5 kilometre strike length, trending east-west across the target area and remains open. Details include:
Drill hole 25PADD023, drilled along the most eastern fence, intersected 0.50m at 7.57 g/t Au and 9.50m at 1.19 g/t Au including 0.50m at 4.76 g/t Au, containing visible gold within multi-stage quartz and quartz-carbonate veins associated with arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, and trace chalcopyrite mineralisation and sericite-silica-carbonate-chlorite alteration. Figure 2 illustrates style of mineralisation and detailed images of visible gold intersected within 23PADD023, 147.50-157.00m downhole.
Approximately 3 kilometres to the west along strike, drill hole 25PADD016 intersected widespread gold anomalism including 1.35m at 7.00 g/t Au, 34.50m at 0.11 g/t Au, and 30.50m at 0.13 g/t Au.
Further to the west, approximately 1.5 kilometres along strike, drill hole 25PADD027 intersected numerous zones of notable gold mineralisation including 25.50m at 0.20 g/t Au, 1.00m at 14.60 g/t Au, and 8.50m at 0.48 g/t Au.
These results demonstrate widespread gold mineralisation and continuity of a significant structure across multiple kilometres, suggesting a robust gold-rich orogenic system. The broad zones of anomalous gold mineralisation, multiple vein and sulphide generations, visible gold, and strong deformation intersected in the initial drill program are indicative of the long-lived nature of fluid flow and deformation across the Papaonga target area. The major east-west trending deformation zone along volcanic and volcaniclastic stratigraphy remains open in all directions and a priority target for follow up.
Figure 2. Drill core from hole 25PADD023 (146.1m - 159.1m) highlights a zone of intense shearing with multiphase quartz veining, hosting 5
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Next Steps
A Phase 2 drill program, up to 5,000m, is scheduled for late summer 2025, focused on expanding on the newly discovered gold-bearing structural corridor identified during the maiden drill program. Tighter step-outs will be planned around 25PADD023 where volcaniclastic and mafic volcanic rocks are cross-cut by strongly mineralised shear zones, containing quartz-carbonate stockwork hosting visible gold. Broader spaced step-outs will test the east-west trending deformation zone between 25PADD016 and 25PADD023, as well as to the east of 25PADD023, where no drilling has been conducted and bedrock is concealed by deeper overburden.
Auranova Completes Initial Earn-In
Kenorland and Auranova jointly report that Auranova has completed the initial earn-in under the South Uchi option agreement (see press release dated December 2, 2024), acquiring a
Table 1: Table of assay results from the 2025 winter drill program
| HOLE ID | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Au (g/t) | |
| 25PADD007 | 118.50 | 139.85 | 21.35 | 0.49 | |
| Incl. | 124.50 | 126.00 | 1.50 | 5.08 | |
| 25PADD011 | 117.00 | 118.00 | 1.00 | 4.08 | |
| And | 342.80 | 344.00 | 1.20 | 5.58 | |
| And | 384.00 | 384.60 | 0.60 | 3.80 | |
| 25PADD014B | 446.00 | 474.00 | 28.00 | 0.39 | |
| Incl. | 454.50 | 456.00 | 1.50 | 2.90 | |
| 25PADD015 | 216.30 | 222.00 | 5.70 | 1.88 | |
| Incl. | 216.30 | 217.00 | 0.70 | 7.03 | |
| 25PADD016 | 174.90 | 176.25 | 1.35 | 7.00 | |
| And | 219.20 | 253.70 | 34.50 | 0.11 | |
| And | 273.55 | 304.05 | 30.50 | 0.13 | |
| 25PADD017 | 413.00 | 414.00 | 1.00 | 4.32 | |
| 25PADD023 | 117.00 | 117.50 | 0.50 | 7.57 | |
| And | 147.50 | 157.00 | 9.50 | 1.19 | |
| Incl. | 151.05 | 151.55 | 0.50 | 4.76 | |
| 25PADD027 | 414.00 | 439.50 | 25.50 | 0.20 | |
| And | 450.00 | 451.00 | 1.00 | 14.60 | |
| And | 468.00 | 476.50 | 8.50 | 0.48 | |
Table 2. Drill hole location and collar table of reported drill from the 2025 winter drill program
| HOLE ID | Easting (NAD83) | Northing (NAD83) | Elevation (m) | Depth (m) | Dip | Azimuth |
| 25PADD001 | 550030 | 5641214 | 418 | 501.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD002 | 550626 | 5640830 | 408 | 604.30 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD003 | 550419 | 5641083 | 423 | 507.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD004 | 550364 | 5640293 | 405 | 522.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD005 | 549217 | 5639676 | 406 | 501.00 | -50 | 145 |
| 25PADD006 | 551447 | 5641146 | 415 | 535.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD007 | 550832 | 5640579 | 403 | 546.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD008 | 550581 | 5640029 | 403 | 498.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD009 | 549393 | 5639432 | 410 | 492.85 | -50 | 145 |
| 25PADD010 | 551035 | 5640338 | 400 | 453.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD011 | 551609 | 5640823 | 411 | 516.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD012 | 550786 | 5639777 | 398 | 495.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD013 | 555188 | 5640468 | 394 | 509.30 | -50 | 170 |
| 25PADD014 | 551452 | 5639847 | 394 | 177.40 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD014A | 551452 | 5639847 | 394 | 57.00 | -60 | 140 |
| 25PADD014B | 551452 | 5639847 | 394 | 537.00 | -64 | 140 |
| 25PADD015 | 552239 | 5640084 | 394 | 469.20 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD016 | 552437 | 5639844 | 394 | 534.00 | -48 | 140 |
| 25PADD017 | 552024 | 5640338 | 394 | 540.00 | -60 | 140 |
| 25PADD018 | 553039 | 5641285 | 394 | 501.00 | -50 | 155 |
| 25PADD019 | 552087 | 5641199 | 394 | 468.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD020 | 551816 | 5640586 | 394 | 600.00 | -60 | 140 |
| 25PADD021 | 551185 | 5640150 | 401 | 600.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD022 | 552307 | 5640990 | 394 | 483.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD023 | 555138 | 5640775 | 401 | 531.00 | -50 | 170 |
| 25PADD024 | 547966 | 5638698 | 397 | 522.00 | -50 | 170 |
| 25PADD025 | 552949 | 5641666 | 394 | 555.00 | -50 | 155 |
| 25PADD026 | 552774 | 5640830 | 392 | 585.00 | -50 | 140 |
| 25PADD027 | 550868 | 5639581 | 400 | 525.00 | -50 | 155 |
Figure 3. Regional volcanic assemblages with significant gold deposits and South Uchi Project location
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/257402_aeffb3e0b408abd9_003full.jpg
1 Kinross reports 2023 fourth-quarter and full-year results: (Date February 14, 2024) - Updated resource to the technical report titled Great Bear Project Ontario, Canada prepared by Nicos Pfeiffer, P.Geo., John Sims, CPG, Yves Breau, P.Eng., Rick Greenwood, P.Geo., Agung Prawasono, P.Eng., issued February 13, 2023
About South Uchi Project
The South Uchi Project was first identified and staked by Kenorland based on the under-explored region's prospectivity to host significant gold mineralised systems. The Project covers a portion of Confederation Assemblage volcanic rocks, as well as the boundary between the Uchi geological subprovince to the north and the English River geological subprovince to the south. Multiple major east-west striking deformation zones associated with the subprovince boundary transect the Project, resulting in zones of strong shearing and folding of the supracrustal stratigraphy, which are favourable settings for orogenic gold mineralisation. Prior to Kenorland staking the Project, records indicated little to no systematic exploration had been completed, and the land package remained under-explored. The majority of gold deposits in the Red Lake District (Red Lake, Madsen, Hasaga, and others) are located on the northern margin of the Confederation Assemblage. However, recent discoveries such as the LP Fault Zone on the Dixie Project by Great Bear Resources Ltd. (acquired by Kinross Gold and renamed Great Bear Project) highlight the prospectivity of the entire Confederation Assemblage along the southern margin of the Uchi subprovince.
Kenorland announced on December 2, 2024, that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Auranova, granting Auranova the right to earn up to a
Kenorland also holds a
Qualified Persons
Mr. Janek Wozniewski, B.Sc., P.Geo. (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824), a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
William Yeomans, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has also reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. Mr. Yeomans is a gold exploration professional with over 40 years of experience in all stages of gold exploration throughout the Americas, including the Superior Province throughout Quebec and Ontario. He gained extensive exploration management experience across the entire Guiana Shield with BHP and has generated projects which resulted with significant NI 43-101 gold resources. He has worked as a consultant to IAMGOLD and Dundee Precious Metals Inc., identifying acquisition opportunities across Canada, the USA and South America. He is currently the President of Yeomans Geological Inc. as well as 1127637 B.C. Ltd. and has many years of experience as a board member for several junior mining companies.
QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols
All drill core samples were collected under the supervision of Kenorland employees. Drill core was transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where it was logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples were then bagged, and blanks and certified reference materials were inserted at regular intervals. Groups of samples were placed in large bags, sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody, and transported from Chibougamau to Bureau Veritas Commodities ("BV") laboratory in Timmins, Ontario.
Sample preparation and analytical work for this drill program were carried out by BV. Samples were prepared for analysis according to BV method PRP70-250: individual samples were crushed to 2mm (10 mesh) and a 250g split was pulverized to 75μm (200 mesh) for analysis and then assayed for gold. Gold in samples were analyzed using BV method FA430 where a 30g split is analyzed with fire assay by Pb collection and AAS finish. Over-limits gold samples were re-analyzed using BV method FA530 where a 30g split is analyzed with fire assay by Pb collection and gravimetric finish. Multi-element geochemical analysis (45 elements) was performed on all samples using BV method MA200 where a 0.25g split is by multi-acid digest with ICP-MS/ES finish. All results passed the QA/QC screening at the lab, all company inserted standards and blanks returned results that were within acceptable limits.
About Kenorland Minerals
Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a
About Auranova Resources
The Company is an unlisted reporting issuer in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Its directors and major shareholders are Thomas Obradovich, Chris Taylor, Timothy Young and William Rand. The company is focused on the discovery of new gold systems in the Birch Uchi Belt in partnership with Kenorland Minerals Ltd. as well as expanding its presence in the greenstone belts of Ontario.
Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kenorland Minerals,
Zach Flood
President, CEO & Director
For further information, please contact:
Alex Muir, CFA
Corporate Development and Investor Relations Manager
Tel +1 604 568 6005
info@kenorlandminerals.com
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Auranova Resources,
Thomas Obradovich
Chief Executive Officer
Tel +1 416 985 7140
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/257402
FAQ
What were the key results from Kenorland Minerals' South Uchi Project 2025 winter drill program?
What ownership stake did Auranova Resources acquire in the South Uchi Project?
How many drill holes were completed in KLDCF's South Uchi winter program?
What are Kenorland's next steps for the South Uchi Project?
What percentage of drill holes at South Uchi contained significant gold mineralization?
