Last week, Vior Inc. (Ticker: VIO.v, VIORF for U.S. investors) started its fully funded +60,000 metre drilling program at its Belleterre Gold Project, a major step forward for the junior miner.
Located in Quebec’s historic Belleterre Greenstone Belt, the Belleterre project is known for its past high-grade gold production and significant exploration potential. This marks the largest drill program at the site since the closure of the Belleterre gold mine in 1959.
Vior's drilling will focus on extending known mineralized zones, both along strike and at depth, and the company expects this work to reveal substantial opportunities for future gold discoveries. The program, which is fully permitted, benefits from exceptional road access and will be carried out with two drill rigs, with the potential to add more as needed.
The drilling will concentrate on two main areas: the Belleterre Mine Trend and the Regional Area. The Belleterre Mine Trend covers a 6-kilometre-long zone around the historic mine, with a plan to drill 46,000 metres. Vior aims to extend gold mineralization, targeting high-grade systems and deeper zones.
Past production from the mine exceeded 750,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 10.7 grams per tonne, providing promising context for the exploration. Surface assays from prior exploration revealed significant results, including 19.7 g/t Au with 87.4 g/t Ag in the Belleterre 19 Vein.
In the Regional Area, Vior plans to drill 14,000 metres, targeting various mineralization styles across multiple sites, including the Guillet Mine Vein, Rivard-Savard, and Lac Paradis. Historical data highlights polymetallic potential, with gold, zinc, and copper mineralization across different zones, indicating significant untapped resources.
Vior’s Belleterre Gold Project, consisting of 635 claims spanning 348 km², represents a district-scale opportunity in one of Quebec’s prime mining regions. The property has been largely underexplored for decades and is now positioned for significant advancement, bolstered by a skilled workforce and robust infrastructure.
With this major drill program, Vior seeks to confirm the area’s potential, aiming to establish Belleterre as a leading gold project in Quebec. The project’s proximity to key mining towns and extensive road networks provides a strategic advantage in managing exploration costs and logistics.
Vior's President and CEO, Mark Fedosiewich, emphasized the support of strategic shareholder Osisko Mining Inc. and the company's recent oversubscribed financing. He expressed optimism about the potential for Belleterre to become a major gold discovery in Quebec, with benefits extending to local communities, including the Long Point First Nation.
Full press release here: https://www.vior.ca/new/vior-commences-fully-funded-60000-m-drill-program-at-its-belleterre-gold-project/
Posted on behalf of Vior Inc.