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The Ixtaca Zone Discovery is located in the southwestern portion of the Tuligtic Project.
Read more on the IXTACA ZONE here +

 

The Tuligtic Project is a 14,000 hectare claim in Puebla State, located approximately 100 kilometres north of Puebla and 150 kilometres east of Mexico City. The project was identified and staked during Almaden's 2005 helicopter reconnaissance program and is 100% owned by Almaden.

The Tuligtic project covers an area of intensely altered rocks roughly 5 by 5 kilometers in size. Within this area a field program consisting of IP geophysical, rock and soil sample sampling, and geological surveys carried out by Almaden has identified several targets as identified in the map below. (Click map to enlarge)

epithermal gold-silver system & porphyry copper-gold

Almaden feels that the Tuligtic project has the potential for both a porphyry copper gold system and an epithermal gold-silver vein system. Such mineralising environments are commonly closely associated with one another.

 

Epithermal gold-silver target area, which is exposed roughly one kilometre to the south of the outcropping intrusive, is also 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 have 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. [more about epithermal systems +]

Copper porphyry target occurs within altered intrusive rocks that have intruded and deformed the surrounding limestone. The area is overlain by intensely altered volcanic rock and ash. Stockwork quartz pyrite veining dominates the alteration and is associated with minor copper mineralization while the altered limestone is associated with skarn-type copper mineralization. [more about porphyry deposits +]

 

2011 Geochemistry and Highlight Zones
Overview of Tuligtic Project with Geochemistry	Overview of Zone Highlights with Geochemistry

 

2008 Geochemistry & IP (Chargeability) at 300m
	Ranges by Au Ranges by Ag Ranges by Cu Ranges by Mo

2008 IP Sections with Soil Geochemistry
	Line 2,179,850 Line 2,179,250 Line 2,179,650 Line 2,179,050 Line 2,179,450 Line 2,178,650

2006 Soil, Rock, and Stream Geochemistry
	Ranges by Au   Ranges by Ag   Ranges by Cu   Ranges by Mo

2006 IP Sections with Soil Geochemistry
	Line 2,176,050 Line 2,177,850 Line 2,177,050 Line 2,178,050 Line 2,177,450 Line 2,178,250 Line 2,177,650 Line 2,178,450

 

 

August 17th, 2011: IXTACA ZONE

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: IXTACA ZONE

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: IXTACA ZONE

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: IXTACA ZONE

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

 

 

May 26th, 2011: IXTACA ZONE

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

Ixtaca Zone 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: IXTACA ZONE
Assay results reported from Ixtaca Zone 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: IXTACA ZONE
Ixtaca Zone 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 in March 21st, 2011 News Release +

 

February 7th, 2011: IXTACA ZONE
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 and also to explore 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:IXTACA ZONE
Ixtaca Zone 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: IXTACA ZONE
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: IXTACA ZONE
Almaden reports results from Ixtaca Zone 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: IXTACA ZONE
Ixtaca Zone 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 more: September 3rd, 2010 news release +

 

August 17th, 2010: IXTACA ZONE
Assay results from remaining unreported Ixtaca Zone holes TU-10-2 and TU-10-3, from Almaden'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: IXTACA ZONE
Ixtaca Zone 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. read news release +

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.

Read more: July 5th, 2010 news release +

February 27th, 2006:
Almaden has completed a program of geologic mapping, rock and soil sampling and induced polarization and magnetics geophysical surveys on Tuligtic. The IP geophysical survey was carried out on eight lines, three kilometres in length, spaced 200 meters apart, and centred over the gullies in which the stockwork veined and copper-gold mineralized intrusive rocks have been exposed.

This IP survey indicated that the exposed mineralization represents a portion of a much larger intrusive system characterised by an elevated chargeability response anomaly which is open in three directions and increasing in tenor with depth.

Soil sampling has returned highly anomalous copper, molybdenum, silver and gold in soil samples over areas where the altered and mineralised intrusive rocks are exposed, and elevated chargeability responses have been recorded at surface. On one line, 78050 north, 7 samples, spaced at 50 meter intervals averaged 310 ppm copper over 350 meters, and included 3 samples taken over 150 meters that averaged 636 ppm copper.

Read more: February 27th, 2006 news release +