The Ixtaca Zone is part of the Tuligtic Project.
Read more about the Tuligtic here +

project overview | geology | past work & results |

 

The Ixtaca Zone is an epithermal gold-silver target in the southwest portion of the 100% Almaden owned Tuligtic Project in Puebla State, Mexico. Please visit the Tuligtic Project page for an overview of the project and ongoing work on other Tuligtic zones with Ixtaca-like potential.

 

epithermal gold-silver [read more in geoskool +]

The Ixtaca zone occurs in deformed carbonate rocks about two kilometres southwest of the Tuligtic's porphyry copper zone (drilled in 2009-2010). Surface manifestation of the Ixtaca zone is very obscure because the region is almost completely covered with volcanic ash. Reports of historic clay mines brought Almaden’s attention to the area.

The epithermal gold-silver target area is characterised by extensively clay altered and silicified volcanic rocks. The alteration is indicative of the upper parts of an epithermal system and includes replacement silicification and sinter, the precipitate or sediment that was deposited from a hot spring. Quartz-calcite veins with textural evidence of boiling have been identified outcropping in limestone roughly 100 meters beneath the exposed sinter.

Initial sampling of these veins and from float boulders of breccia containing quartz vein fragments returned anomalous values in gold and silver as high as 600 g/t Ag and 6.1 g/t Au. The sinter and the overlying altered volcanic rocks are highly anomalous in Hg, As and Sb.

The Ixtaca's kaolinite and replacement silica alteration zones are typical of the surface manifestation of an ancient hotspring environment. Within the feeder faults which channel hot mineral solutions from depth to surface hotsprings, quartz, carbonate, gold and silver can deposit. This was the model employed by Almaden in testing the Ixtaca Zone where, in an arroyo beneath the kaolinite and silica alteration, some very narrow (0.1 to 3 centimetre) veins with epithermal textures occur in a small (about 2 metres by 5 metres) outcrop. These veins assayed up to 1 g/t gold and 110 g/t silver. Small cobbles of float in the creek returned assays of up to 600 g/t silver and another such cobble assayed 6.0 g/t gold. Work prior to drilling included a single Induced Polarization geophysical line across this area which detected a  resistivity anomaly and several short geochemical soil sample lines showed coincident anomalous gold and silver values.

August 17th, 2011

Almaden is pleased to announce results from further drilling at the Ixtaca Zone with holes TU-11-41, TU-11-42 and CA-11-03 from the Caleva Zone to the north. Hole TU-11-41 represents a stepout of 115 meters to the northwest from the last hole drilled in this direction (previously announced TU-11-32; see Almaden news release of July 7^th, 2011). In the the Caleva zone, hole CA-11-03 intersected mineralisation at the top of the hole and further drilling is planned to follow this up.

Read more: August 17th, 2011 news release

August 15th, 2011

Almaden is pleased to announce results from drilling within the currently defined Ixtaca Zone with holes TU-11-37 through TU-11-40 and CA-11-02 from the Caleva Zone to the north. Holes TU-11-39 and TU-11-40 extend the width of the known Ixtaca Zone to the northwest. Hole TU-11-38 shows the Ixtaca zone extending towards surface from where it was previously tested on this section in hole TU-10-3. At the Caleva zone, hole CA-11-02 intersected mineralisation at the top of the hole and further drilling is planned to follow this up.

Read more: August 15nd, 2011 news release

 

August 2nd, 2011

Almaden Minerals Ltd. is pleased to announce results from drilling within the currently defined Ixtaca Zone with holes TU-11-27, TU-11-29, TU-11-31, TU-11-35 and TU-11-36. Please read news release for all intersections and maps.

J.D. Poliquin, Chairman of Almaden commented, “These new holes continue to show that the Ixtaca zone is a robust system of veining. Drilling to date on the Ixtaca zone also shows good continuity of mineralisation in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. We are very pleased with these new results which further expand the known extent of the Ixtaca zone. We now have three drills on site, two of which are currently drilling the Ixtaca zone. The third drill will be used to test several additional targets located outside of the Ixtaca zone and thought to have the potential to host separate zones of veining.” The Company anticipates drilling operations will continue throughout 2011.

Read more: August 2nd, 2011 news release

 

July 7th, 2011

Almaden is pleased to announce results from step out drilling to the northeast and southwest along the Ixtaca Zone with holes TU-11-30, TU-11-32 and TU-11-33. All three holes hit significant mineralization similar to that associated with the Ixtaca Zone.

Almaden is also pleased to report results from hole TU-11-34, an infill hole drilled on the same section as the previously reported TU-10-14 and designed to test the up dip potential of the Ixtaca zone. The results of TU-11-34 clearly show the vertical continuity of the zone.

J.D. Poliquin, Chairman of Almaden commented, “These new holes show the Ixtaca zone to be continuing to the northwest and southwest with currently undefined limits. The Ixtaca zone is a robust system of veining that continues along strike with minor offsets. Drilling to date on the Ixtaca zone also shows good continuity of mineralisation in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. We are very pleased with these new results which further expand the known strike and vertical extent of the Ixtaca zone of veining. We now have three drills on site, two of which are currently drilling the Ixtaca zone. The third drill will be used to test several additional targets located outside of the Ixtaca zone and thought to have the potential to host separate zones of veining.”

Read more: July 7th, 2011 news release

 

June 29th, 2011

Almaden announces the completion of a Controlled-Source Audio-Frequency Magneto-Telluric “CSAMT” geophysical survey and results of additional soil sampling on the Tuligtic project.

In June, Almaden surveyed four lines of CSAMT, two of which passed directly over the known Ixtaca zone. While the results received are preliminary, the survey clearly identified the Ixtaca zone as having a near vertical high conductivity response. The survey also shows this anomaly extending to much greater depths than which have currently been tested by drilling. The survey also identified multiple other very similar anomalies in other areas of the property, including the Caleva and Casa Azul zones already defined by the presence of epithermal alteration and elevated gold and silver in rock and soil. Almaden’s management is extremely encouraged by these new results and plans additional CSAMT surveying to cover the other prospective areas on the Tuligtic property. The Company is making preparations to drill test these new CSAMT targets in the coming months. In the meantime drilling is on-going with two drills currently on the Ixtaca zone and one on the Caleva zone.

Read more: June 29th, 2011 news release

 

June 29th, 2011:

Almaden announces  results from holes TU-11-21 through 26 and TU-11-28 drilled on the Ixtaca zone and hole CA-11-01 the first hole drilled on the Caleva Zone which is located about 250 meters north from the Ixtaca zone. These results extend the Ixtaca Zone mineralisation to roughly 550 meters along strike further southwest and through the farthest northeast holes previously announced. To the northeast shaley rock units were encountered which are a poor host rock for veins and in which the Ixtaca vein zone narrows. Holes TU-11-25 through TU-11-27 encountered these shaley units from surface. While narrower in the shaley units, the Ixtaca zone persists and exploration is now focussed on tracing the Ixtaca Zone to the northeast beyond hole TU-11-25 as well as to the southwest.

Read more: May 26th, 2011 news release +

 

April 6th, 2011:
Almaden announces surface mapping and sampling results and updates shareholders on the progress of the drill program on the Ixtaca Zone. The Company anticipates drilling will continue on the Tuligtic project throughout 2011. Drilling continues around the clock with three drill rigs.

Holes TU-11-21 to TU-11-24 and TU-11-26 have been sampled and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Holes TU-11-21 and 22 are located on section 750, located a 50 meter step out to the northeast from the last reported section (see Almaden’s news release of March 31, 2011). These holes encountered veining and alteration where expected.
Hole TU-11-24 was drilled from the same collar as TU-11-21 and 22 but in the opposite direction (330 azimuth). This hole also intersected epithermal veins as well as an altered and veined dyke. Holes TU-11-26, TU-11-27 and TU-11-25, located on sections 800, 850 and 900 respectively, encountered reduced veining overall although the quartz-veined and altered dykes that also host mineralisation in the Ixtaca zone were seen where expected in all three of these holes.

Read more in April 6th, 2011 news release +

 

March 31st, 2011:
Assay results reported from Holes TU-11-18 through TU-11-20. All three holes intersected broad zones of mineralisation comprised of numerous veins and veinlets as well as altered and veined dykes. All three holes also intersected high grade mineralisation within the broad zone of mineralisation.

Read more in March 31st, 2011 News Release +

 

March 21st, 2011:
Holes TU-11-15 and TU-11-17 were drilled on a section located 35 meters along strike from hole TU-10-6, the last previous hole drilled to the northeast. Hole TU-11-16 was drilled on the section with previously announced drill holes TU-10-11 and TU-10-13 and was drilled from the other (southeast) side of the Ixtaca zone, to test the up-dip extent of mineralisation. All three holes intersected broad zones of mineralisation comprised of numerous veins and veinlets as well as altered and veined dykes. All three holes also intersected high grade mineralisation within the broad zone of mineralisation.

Read more: March 21st, 2011 news release +

 

February 7th, 2011:
A two-drill exploration and definition program is now underway on the Ixtaca Zone. "Our goal for 2011 at Almaden is to outline the potential of the Ixtaca Zone through a minimum $C2MM drill program," says Morgan Poliquin, Almaden President and CEO. “Drilling in 2011 is designed to explore the size potential of the Ixtaca zone, discovered by the Company in 2010. Drilling is also planned on other targets on the Tuligtic Project that have the potential for vein mineralisation similar to that of the Ixtaca Zone.” Since the discovery hole announced in August 2010, Almaden completed 14 holes in 2010, all of which intersected mineralisation. The Ixtaca gold-silver epithermal vein system has now been traced over 300 meters along strike.

Read more: February 7th, 2011 news release +

 

January 18th, 2011:
Holes TU-10-7 through TU-10-14 further confirm the continuity of mineralisation and veining with broad intersections such as 136.92 m of 1.47 g/t gold and 36.3 g/t silver including 43.96 m of 3.1 g/t gold, 62.3 g/t silver (hole TU-10-10), 165.07 m of 0.83 g/t gold and 50.8 g/t silver including 45.01 m of 2.37 g/t gold and 157.4 g/t silver (hole TU-10-12) and 203.65 m of 1.01 g/t gold and 44.3 g/t silver (Hole TU-10-11). The drilling also intersected high-grade vein zones such as 0.87 m of 23.29 g/t gold and 34.6 g/t silver (hole TU-10-10), 3.17 m of 10.53 g/t gold and 585.7 g/t silver (hole TU-10-12), 1.77 meters of 48.98 g/t gold and 1391.7 g/t silver (hole TU-10-11) and 2.74 meters of 8.17 g/t gold and 710.1 g/t silver (hole TU-10-14).

The furthest holes to the southwest, TU-10-7 and TU-10-8 both drilled on the same section, intersected a shaley unit which appears to have been a poor host to veining as less veining was noted. Several holes deviated significantly from their planned orientation including holes TU-10-9, TU-10-12 and TU-10-13. TU-10-9 could not be completed due to mechanical problems with the drill and was stopped before getting to where the main vein zone was anticipated. Hole TU-10-13 deviated to the north as well as steepening significantly and did not cross, and may not have reached, the main vein zone.Almaden anticipates announcing complete results from holes TU-10-7 through TU-10-14 in early January. The 2011 drill program is scheduled to commence in mid to late January with two drill rigs, to be expanded as necessary.

Read more: January 18th, 2011 read news release +

December 21st, 2010:
J.D. Poliquin, Chairman of Almaden commented, “Hole TU-10-6 confirmed the presence of the broad zone of epithermal veining at Ixtaca 100 meters northeast of where the initial discovery was made. Further holes have been drilled to confirm the orientation of the veins in this blind discovery. This drilling also traced the continuity of the vein zone along strike and to depth. We are very pleased with this drilling discovery and eagerly anticipate commencing 2011 with a drill program designed to test the strike extent and vertical continuity of the Ixtaca zone of veining which appears to be marked by strong IP and gold in soil responses for at least a kilometre northeast of present drilling.”

The overall vein zone is thought to have a north-easterly trend. While true widths still cannot be calculated with confidence at this time, the vein zone is currently interpreted to be steeply dipping. The drilling completed to date has traced mineralisation over roughly 300 meters along this northeast trend. Based upon observations at surface and of core as drilling progresses, there is now thought to be at least two major sets of veins within the vein zone; one along bedding striking roughly 150 to 170 degrees and one perpendicular to bedding striking roughly 50 to 70 degrees.

Read more: December 21st, 2010 news release +

November 24th, 2010:
Almaden reports results from hole TU-10-6, located about 110 meters away (northeast) of the recently reported holes TU-10-4 and TU-10-5. The attached plan map shows the locations of all holes drilled or underway. Hole TU-10-6 was collared with an azimuth of 150 degrees and dip of -50 degrees and intersected multiple quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein zones over significant widths. The entire zone of veining averaged 0.86 g/t gold and 61.7 g/t silver (2.1 g/t AuEq or 105 g/t AgEq) over 126.22 meters (from 295.58 to 421.80 meters). Multiple higher grade intervals were also intersected within this zone including 19.18 meters (from 317.50 to 336.68 meters) of 2.84g/t gold and 160.2 g/t silver (6.0 g/t AuEq or 302 g/t AgEq).

Read more: November 24th, 2010 read news release +

November 23rd, 2010:
Holes TU-10-4 and TU-10-5 were collared at azimuth 150 degrees and dips of -48 and -55 respectively. The holes were designed to cross the veins intersected in hole TU-10-1, the discovery hole reported in an Almaden news release of August 9th 2010 and were drilled at right angles to at what was interpreted to be the strike of the vein system (50 degrees azimuth). Both holes intersected multiple quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein zones over significant widths. Hole TU-10-4 intersected 158.0 meters (from 189.10 to 347.10 meters) averaging 0.94 g/t gold and 61.1 g/t silver (2.2 g/t AuEq and 108 g/t AgEq). Hole TU-10-5 intersected 230.43 meters (from 146.40 to 379.13 meters) averaging 0.51 g/t gold and 42.0 g/t silver (1.3 g/t AuEq and 67 g/t AgEq). Multiple higher grade intervals were also intersected in both holes (including 0.85 m of 8.83 g/t gold and 1337.0 g/t Ag in hole TU-10-4 and 0.52 m of 37.4 g/t Au and 466 g/t Ag in hole TU-10-5).

Read more: November 23rd, 2010 news release +

September 3rd, 2010:
A phase II diamond drilling program is set to recommence on the Ixtaca Zone. Almaden's geology staff and drilling personnel are on site and drilling is expected to commence in the coming days. Almaden plans several holes to confirm the orientation of the vein system before systematic step-out drilling to explore the strike and depth extent of the vein system.

Over the past few weeks Almaden has acquired all the surface access rights and permissions necessary to carry out the current drill program. In addition Almaden has reviewed its exploration database for the Tuligtic project and identified several other targets on the property. These targets are defined by high gold and silver in stream sediment and soil samples and are in some cases coincident with high resistivity and chargeability IP geophysical responses. During the present drill program, these new targets will be field examined in detail for the purposes of designing future drilling to test them. IP geophysical surveys are also scheduled to commence shortly with survey lines designed to explore the strike extent of the Ixtaca zone and to help plan future drilling. read news release +

August 17th, 2010:
Assay results from remaining unreported holes, holes TU-10-2 and TU-10-3, from the Company’s preliminary August, 2010 drill program. Holes TU-10-2 and TU-10-3 were drilled subsequent to discovery hole TU-10-1 (see Almaden news release of August 9, 2010) and were designed to help the Company understand the orientation of the vein zone. Hole TU-10-3, from the base of overburden at 21.49 meters to 253.79 meters depth, intersected a 232.30 meter interval that averaged 0.36 g/t gold and 34 g/t silver (0.9 g/t AuEq., 57 g/t AgEq.). Vein intersections include 0.81 meters of 4.3 g/t gold and 721 g/t silver (15.4 g/t AuEq., 1,002 g/t AgEq.) and 0.20 meters of 7.5 g/t gold and 1190 g/t Ag (25.8 g/t AuEq., 1,678 g/t AgEq.). Hole TU-10-2 was drilled away from holes TU-10-1 and TU-10-3 and also intersected vein and zones of veining including 32.69 meters from 172.31 to 205.00 depth of 0.15 g/t gold and 32 g/t silver (0.6 g/t AuEq., 41 g/t AgEq.). Vein intersections in hole TU-10-2 include 1.34 meters of 0.1 g/t gold and 440 g/t silver (6.9 g/t AuEq, 448 g/t AgEq.).

Read more: August 17th, 2010 news release +

August 9th, 2010:
Hole TU-10-1 intersects 302.41 meters of 1.01 g/t Au and 48 g/t Ag (1.7 g/t AUEQ) and 1.67 meters of 60.66 g/t Au and 2112g/t Ag (93.2 g/t AUEQ) in the Ixtaca Zone. This is the first hole drill in the Ixtaca zone. Results are pending from the two other holes drilled, TU-10-2 and TU-10-3.

The surface exposure was too sparse to determine the strike or dip of the overall vein zone. Base on limited data, the three holes drilled to date, TU-10-1, TU-10-2, TU-10-3, were fanned out in a small area, each in a different direction to test the prospect. It is now apparent that all three holes were collared within the vein zone. This zone is now thought to have a general northeasterly trend but at this time true widths cannot be calculated with confidence. Individual veins have several different apparent attitudes and may not be oriented parallel to the strike of the overall vein zone. Aimed at the centre of the resistivity anomaly, hole TU-10-1 was drilled at 110 degrees with a -55 degree dip and is considered to be oriented oblique to the vein zone. Hole TU-10-2 was drilled away from TU-10-1 with an azimuth of 330 degrees and a dip of -55 degrees. Hole TU-10-3 was drilled at an azimuth of 150 degrees with a dip of -50 degrees.

Of the three holes, TU-10-1 is believed to have most completely crossed the core of the vein zone while holes TU-10-2 and TU-10-3 are thought to have been collared closer to the hangingwall and footwall respectively. Accordingly lower vein frequency was observed in holes TU10-2 and TU-10-3. The assay results from TU-10-1 suggest that gold and silver grades may be increasing with depth. This is consistent with the shallow portions of epithermal vein systems as represented at the surface of the Ixtaca Zone. Holes TU-10-2 and TU-10-3 are likely to have only intersected shallow levels of the portions of the vein system they crossed.

Further details on the Ixtaca drill program including maps, images of core, and assay tables, please visit the Ixtaca drill program overview page +

Core box from TU-10-1

 

July 5th, 2010:
Almaden has initiated diamond drilling on its wholly owned Tuligtic property in Mexico. This program will test several epithermal vein targets. The first hole was lost in deep overburden however the second hole has intersected multiple banded quartz-adularia-rhodochrosite-sulphide veins which will be sampled and submitted for analytical analysis in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 procedures.

Rea more: July 5th, 2010 news release +