#Canada #Vancouver #Kootenay Silver #Columba Project #High Grade Silver

Kootenay Silver Unveils First Results from Columba Project Drilling

Kootenay Silver Inc., a notable player in the metal exploration sector, has recently announced promising assay results from its ongoing drilling operations at the Columba High Grade Silver Project, situated in Chihuahua, Mexico. As part of a comprehensive 50,000-meter drill program initiated in September 2025, the company aims to extend and enhance the known mineralization of the extensive Columba vein system.

This first report covers the findings from the initial seven drill holes, five targeting the I Vein and two focusing on the D Vein. The company has already completed seventeen holes, with the anticipation of further assay results pending due to longer-than-usual wait times associated with laboratory processing.

Drilling Highlights

The results from these initial holes have brought to light several exciting discoveries:
1. Porphyry Style Gold Mineralization: The first notable finding includes the discovery of gold deposits along the I Vein trend, particularly in drill holes CDH-25-217 and 218. These holes revealed classic B-style veins featuring molybdenite—a mineral that indicates a porphyry-style mineralization style—set within breccias and feldspar porphyry. The most significant findings include:
- CDH-25-217: Recorded two gold-bearing intervals, with the first measuring 101 meters of 0.18 grams per tonne (gpt) gold and 10 gpt silver. Notably, it features a six-meter interval of 0.85 gpt gold and 11 gpt silver. The second interval spans 26.5 meters of 0.20 gpt gold.
- CDH-25-218: Showed gold mineralization across three significant intervals, including a remarkable 3.97-meter interval yielding 303 gpt silver along with high percentages of lead (2.8%) and zinc (0.71%). A smaller sub-interval presented an assay of 921 gpt silver.

2. Silver Intercepts in D Vein: Results from the D Vein highlighted two substantial intercepts:
- CDH-25-214: Reported 10.5 meters of 108 gpt silver, including 1.5 meters of 362 gpt silver.
- CDH-25-216: Featured 3.2 meters grading 212 gpt silver, and notably included a high-grade silver intercept of 756 gpt over 0.7 meters.

Continued Exploration

Kootenay continues its exploration efforts with the aim to expand upon the initial findings. The company currently operates with two drilling rigs at Columba, and plans are in place to increase this number as accommodation and core storage capacities are enhanced. President and CEO James McDonald expressed excitement over the results, emphasizing the potential discovery of a different deposit type based on the new gold mineralization observed in recent drill holes. Exploration VP Dale Brittliffe echoed these sentiments, recognizing the complexity and untapped potential of the Columba mineral camp.

About the Columba Project

The Columba High Grade Silver Project represents a significant find for Kootenay Silver since its establishment. The project encompasses an expansive vein system that has shown considerable promise, evidenced by a maiden estimate from a recent report indicating a total of 54.1 million ounces of silver at an impressive grade of 284 gpt. The project location is rich in historically significant resources, echoing the characteristics of other successful vein districts in northern Mexico which host valuable silver and gold deposits.

Before Kootenay's efforts, the Columba site had remained untouched for nearly 40 years, a period interrupted only by brief mining activities in the early to mid-1900s. Now, with state-of-the-art exploration technology and a robust drilling strategy, Kootenay is well-positioned to tap into the project's full potential.

Conclusion

Kootenay Silver's update from the Columba Project marks a significant milestone for the company, indicating not only the viability of the silver-rich veins but also the exciting potential of gold mineralization in the region. Moving forward, stakeholders and investors alike will be eagerly watching for further insights and developments as Kootenay progresses in this promising mining endeavor.