#Canada #Vancouver #Kootenay Silver #Columba Project #Silver Mining

Kootenay Silver Begins Stage One Drilling at Columba Project

Kootenay Silver Inc., publicly traded on TSXV under the ticker KTN and OTCQX under the symbol KOOYF, has announced an exciting development in its pursuit of silver mining. The company is gearing up to kick off Stage One of an expansive drilling program at its Columba high-grade silver project located in Mexico. Scheduled crews are set to arrive by the end of the month to install drill rigs. The initial phase of this drilling initiative is expected to span approximately 50,000 meters.

A Focused Approach to Resource Expansion

Within this initial phase, targeted drilling will focus on expanding existing resource bodies found in the D, F, and B/Lupe veins. Remarkably, all identified mineralized zones remain open either down dip or along strike, which presents a promising opportunity for significant resource growth. Kootenay Silver reports it is fully funded for this program, having recently secured $20 million in a bought deal financing. James McDonald, President and CEO of Kootenay, voiced optimism about the initiative, stating that following their recent maiden resource estimation of 54 million ounces of silver at an impressive grade of 284 grams per tonne, they are eager to enhance the resource size through this drilling campaign.

Emphasis on Rich Mineralization

The recent resource announcement on June 17, 2025, confirmed the existence of attractive mineralization at Columba, which is part of a broader exploration strategy. The underground mineral resource estimate determined an inferred resource totaling 5.92 million tonnes at a notable grade of 284 grams per tonne silver, complemented by 0.19% lead and 0.50% zinc. This total includes a staggering 54.1 million ounces of silver, augmented by 25.2 kilotonnes of lead and 65.6 kilotonnes of zinc. These calculations exclude previously mined material, emphasizing the project's potential.

Resource Breakdown

The mineral resource estimation includes detailed statistics on 17 different epithermal veins forming the Columba vein system. As highlighted below, the D vein exhibits the most significant potential with an inferred mass of 3.29 million tonnes, averaging 293 grams per tonne of silver alongside associated lead and zinc values. The F and B/Lupe veins also demonstrate considerable richness, indicative of the overall mineral wealth present in the Columba project area.

Strategic Goals and Future Prospects

The overarching goal of this drilling campaign is to increase the resource size and eventually pursue an ambitious target of surpassing 100 million ounces of silver within the Columba project. With drilling expected to commence in early August, Kootenay's commitment to exploration in the Sierra Madre region is clear. The company, with a strategically significant portfolio of silver assets, is well-positioned to capitalize on growing silver prices and increasing demand.

Quality Assurance in Operations

The company’s operational standards are maintained through a rigorous quality assurance and quality control program. During sampling, core is systematically cut, labeled, and prepared to ensure the accuracy of assays performed by ALS Minerals in Chihuahua and subsequently analyzed in Vancouver, B.C.

Conclusion

In summary, Kootenay Silver is on the brink of launching an extensive drilling initiative at its Columba silver project. By leveraging both financial strength and operational expertise, Kootenay aims to enhance its resource base and deliver shareholder value through the expansion of this promising silver-rich asset.