Antler Gold announces Alder Zone extended and four new occurrences of gold mineralization discovered 1.5 km to the northeast, Wilding Lake Gold Project, Newfoundland

HALIFAX, Jan. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Antler Gold Inc. ("Antler") (TSX-V: ANTL) is pleased to announce the increase of strike length at the Alder Zone to 100 meters and apparent width as well as the discovery of four new gold occurrences at its Wilding Lake Gold Project ("Project") in central Newfoundland as a result of its 2016 exploration campaign.   

Alder-Taz Zone (AT zone)
Trenching at the Alder showing has resulted in extending the strike length of this zone to 100 meters. The trenching has also shown the zone in the area of Trench 3-4 to be wider than previously thought and results from this section are pending. This increased width is in addition to the previously reported channel assays in Trench 1 extension of 5.99 g/t Au over 8.75 meters, 13.8 g/t Au over 4.0 meters, 6.0 g/t Au over 8.5 metres, and 42.3 g/t Au over 4.6 metres.

Prospecting also resulted in the discovery of the Taz zone which is located 125 meters along strike to the southwest of Alder. The Taz vein has returned highlight channel assays of 21.8 g/t Au over 1.0 meters and 64.2 g/t Au over 0.8 meters. Visible gold was observed in both the Alder and Taz veins. Ground and wet conditions during work at Taz made exposing bedrock difficult and this area remains a high priority target for the 2017 field season. For additional trench and channel results from the AT zone, please see tables below.

Cedar, Elm and Dogberry Zones (CE zone)
Prospecting also resulted in the discovery of three new gold occurrences, the  Cedar, Elm and Dogberry zones. Trenching was completed proximal to gold bearing quartz float within 1.5 kilometers of the AT zone. All three new veins are of similar tenor to Alder; structually-controlled, northeast-southwest striking and shallowly southeast-dipping. The veins are all hosted by strongly deformed and altered Rogerson Lake Conglomerate. Gold is typically associated with malachite-chalcopyrite and locally tourmaline. Visible gold has also been observed in the Elm and Dogberry veins.

Howard Bird, Antler's Director and QP commented, "The Altius team has done an excellent job on the Wilding Lake project. In a few short months they have exposed four zones of high grade gold mineralization along this highly prospective corridor. Less than 2 kilometres of the more than 50 kilometers of strike length we control has been prospected. Antler is now commencing its 2017 exploration program to systematically explore the entire property." 

For images and maps of the areas described, please visit www.antlergold.com and click on "January 16, 2017 press release – maps and photos". Additional assay results and related maps and interpretations of results will be released as they become available.

Table 1. Highlights of 2016 fall trenching program.

Table 2. Highlights of channel sample assay results (all widths are apparent).

Soil Sampling Program
Concurrent with the trenching program, a soil geochemical survey was carried out over 2.3 kilometers of the prospective structural corridor which hosts the AT and CE zones.  A total of 1,216 b-horizon soil samples were collected at 25-meter spacing along 50-100 meter spaced reconnaissance grid lines. The survey successfully outlined gold-in-soil anomalies associated with the known gold occurrences while also defining new anomalies deemed prospective for follow-up in the spring. The soil samples returned eleven sample values of greater than 150 ppb Au (164 to 1000 ppb Au).

Basil Till Sampling Program
A total of 65 excavator-dug basal till samples were collected.  These samples are currently being processed for gold grain counts and gold assays of fine fraction heavy mineral concentrate and the results will be utilized to identify additional areas of interest on the Project.

2017 Winter Program
Ground magnetic and IP-Resistivity geophysical surveys are underway to cover an 82 line kilometer cut grid which measures approximately 2.5km by 1.5km and is centered over the AT and CE zones. In addition, an airborne triaxial magnetic gradiometer survey is scheduled for February, and will be flown along 75-metre spaced lines over the entire Project. These surveys will assist in the overall geological interpretation of the prospective area and in particular the mapping of structures that are inferred to control the gold mineralization.

Summary
The Wilding Lake Project hosts high grade gold mineralization within shear-related orogenic style quartz veins and quartz stockworks underneath shallow overburden in an area that has not previously been systematically explored for gold. The Project encompasses 21,500 hectares and covers greater than 50 kilometres of strike length immediately northeast of and adjacent to Marathon Gold Corporation's Valentine Lake project. Antler has the option to acquire the Project from Altius and Altius will be the operator of the Project during the option period.

Quality Control
Channel sample results are not necessarily indicative of a property's potential. The mineralized zone width is reported as 'apparent' as drilling is ultimately required to enable true width determination. Assays are uncut.  All samples were collected by Altius personnel on site, sealed in bags and kept in a secure facility before shipping to the ALS Minerals laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario. Gold was analyzed by 50 g fire assay with ICP-AES or gravimetric finish for assays greater than 10 g/t gold.  Exploration program design and field management, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and interpretation of results were performed by Jeff Morgan, P.Geo., Exploration Manager for Altius Resources Inc., and Dave Evans, P.Geo., Silvertip Exploration Consultants Inc., qualified persons employing a QA/QC program consistent with industry best practices. Duplicate samples, blind standards and blanks were regularly submitted as part of the QA/QC program.

Howard Bird, P.Geo., Director of Antler Gold Inc., is the qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 guidelines responsible for the technical data presented herein and has reviewed and approved this release.

Cautionary Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking information, such as statements regarding Antler's the planned work program for the Project. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions (including assumptions relating to general economic and market conditions) that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including risks relating to the ability to complete the work program in the expected timeframe, adverse weather and other conditions affecting work programs at the Project. Actual results may differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. Antler does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information in this release, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Antler. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings made by Antler with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Antler Gold Inc.