First Tellurium Corp (FSTTF)

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$FSTTF First Tellurium Completes Soil Sampling Program at Klondike Project in Colorado

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/10/26/2541693/0/en/First-Tellurium-Completes-Soil-Sampling-Program-at-Klondike-Project-in-Colorado.html

Vancouver, BC, Canada, Oct. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Tellurium Corp. (CSE: FTEL, OTC FSTTF) (the “Company” or “First Tellurium”), is pleased to report that its US-based team of geologists has completed soil sampling at the Company’s Klondike tellurium-gold project in south-central Colorado. Data and interpretations from this program will inform a Phase 1 drilling program at Klondike planned for 2023, helping to better formulate drillhole targeting and permitting drill sites.

A total of 343 soil samples were collected over nine days on a grid measuring 1 kilometer x 1 kilometer, with variable sample spacing of 30 to 60 meters east-west and 60 meters north-south. The original grid plan and budget (as announced in the FTEL news release of October 13, 2022) called for 550 samples. The number of samples needed to complete the program’s goals was reduced by eliminating samples from areas of transported alluvial deposits, areas of excessively steep terrain with rock talus/scree and little or no soil and eliminating a few peripheral grid lines in areas of lower priority as determined by the geological team on site. All samples will be shipped to ALS Geochemistry for trace-level analysis of 51 elements, including tellurium and gold. Results are expected to be received by mid-to late December.

A slide show from the soil sampling program can be viewed here on the First Tellurium website.

“This program was essential for setting up our planned 2023 drill program,” said First Tellurium President and CEO Tyrone Docherty. “We had an exceptional team of senior exploration geologists managing the project, all of whom had previously conducted tellurium exploration on behalf of First Solar.”

John Keller, Klondike’s Project Manager, directed the soil sampling program. Keller worked previously for First Solar from 2006-2011, first as a consulting geologist and then as Exploration Manager, North America. He visited and sampled numerous tellurium prospects for First Solar in the US and Mexico as well as China, Australia, and the Russian Far East. He also managed a series of drilling programs at First Solar’s Bambolla tellurium-gold project in Mexico prior to First Solar terminating their Denver-based Raw Materials exploration group in 2012. George Klemmick visited and sampled tellurium prospects in Alaska, Montana, Yukon Territory, and Sardinia. Pete Herrera mapped and sampled several tellurium prospects in Nevada. All three gentlemen are Certified Professional Geologists (CPG) with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and are considered Qualified Persons for exploration geology under NI-43-101 rules.

“We deployed a first-class team of senior geologists who have worked extensively on epithermal metal deposits in geological environments similar to Klondike,” said Keller. “They were able to recognize pertinent geologic features such as alteration types and intensities, subtle lithologic features, and potential structural features. The geologic notes accompanying each sample site will be extremely valuable and will allow us to compile a better geological map of the project area.”

Keller added that a silicified body, which was previously known only from one road outcrop, was accurately traced for over 150 meters during grid sampling. “This feature can now be fully integrated into a new geologic map,” said Keller. “I will be very excited to see and interpret the results of the geochemical assays of this soil grid sampling. I’m confident it will help us better understand the geometry of the system and the extent of Te-Au-Ag and possible pathfinder element mineralization at the surface.”

Using this new soil geochemical data in concert with First Solar’s previous rock-chip sampling, geology, and geophysics will help the team make better drillhole-targeting decisions before submitting the needed permitting application documents.

Samples were collected by digging into the generally rocky soil to a depth where the soil changed color and organic matter decreased, usually between 15 and 35 cm. Soil from the deeper horizon was then sieved to -10 mesh (approx. 2 mm) until approximately 0.75 kg of material was collected and securely bagged. The team enjoyed dry and mild early fall weather, which helped keep the sample material generally dry and easy to screen.