Fortuna intersects 23.7 g/t gold over 17.8 meters from the Kingfisher Prospect at the Séguéla Mine

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration program at the Séguéla Mine in Côte d’Ivoire.

Séguéla exploration program highlights:

Kingfisher Prospect
SGDD133:23.7 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 17.9 meters from 113 meters
SGRC1795:6.0 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 11.9 meters from 23 meters
SGRC1833:6.4 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 19.6 meters from 119 meters
SGRC1841:2.3 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 28.1 meters from 156 meters
 
Badior Prospect
SGRC1955:20.5 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 4.2 meters from 53 meters
SGRC1961:16.2 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 5.6 meters from 53 meters
SGRC1967:38.3 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 3.5 meters from 27 meters
SGRC1969:15.7 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 10.5 meters from 132 meters
SGRC1971:15.6 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 11.9 meters from 122 meters
 
Ancien Deposit
SGRD1892:12.3 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 9.1 meters from 297 meters, including
53.6 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 1.4 meters from 297 meters
SGRD1894:27.4 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 5.6 meters from 335 meters, including
209.0 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 0.7 meters from 335 meters
SGRD1895:39.1 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 2.8 meters from 254 meters, including
49.2 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 2.1 meters from 254 meters
SGRD1890:4.3 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 7.0 meters from 194 meters
  

Paul Weedon, Senior Vice President of Exploration at Fortuna, commented, “The Kingfisher Prospect discovery, first announced in March 2024, has shown impressive growth with continuous drill defined mineralization now delineated along more than 1 kilometer of strike, with highlights including 23.7 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 17.9 meters from drill hole SGDD133, with mineralization remaining open along strike to the south and at depth.” Mr. Weedon continued, “In addition to the success at Kingfisher, infill and extension drilling at Badior has highlighted the high-grade potential of this prospect, exemplified by results such as 15.6 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 11.9 meters from drill hole SGRC1971.” Mr. Weedon concluded, “Results from deeper drilling at Ancien returned several high-grade intersections and continues to build underground mining opportunities at Séguéla.”

Séguéla Mine, Côte d’Ivoire

Kingfisher Prospect

Since the discovery announcement made earlier this year (refer to Fortuna news release dated March 11, 2024) an additional 5,423-meter, 40-hole program was completed at Kingfisher. Results defined continuous mineralization over more than 1-kilometer of strike and joined the previous central and northern lodes (refer to Figures 1, 2 and 3). Drilling continues, testing the depth potential along this zone, as well as progressively infilling the area between the southern and central lodes, which collectively form a strike extent of over 1.9 kilometers. Kingfisher remains open at depth for most of the drilled strike, with the deepest drilling only testing to approximately 200 meters below surface.

The additional drilling at Kingfisher has further refined the understanding of the mineralization controls, with a clear association identified along the strongly deformed contact zone between a series of felsic intrusives, quartz veining, and basaltic units. Mineralization is characterized by silica-biotite-sericite-carbonate alteration and pyrite development, within and adjacent to the quartz veining, similar to the Boulder and Agouti deposits, 1 to 3 kilometers further north in the same sequence.
  
Drilling is scheduled to continue throughout the second half of 2024 with the aim of expanding the strike and depth potential of Kingfisher to support a maiden resource estimate by early 2025.

Figure 1: Kingfisher’s location, approximately 1-kilometer east of Sunbird

Kingfisher’s location, approximately 1-kilometer east of Sunbird


Figure 2:
Kingfisher prospect long section - looking west

Kingfisher prospect long section - looking west


Figure 3:
Kingfisher prospect cross section: section line 892550 - looking north

Kingfisher prospect cross section: section line 892550 - looking north


Badior Prospect

At Badior, an additional 2,727-meter, 30-hole program was completed during 2024 (refer to Figures 4 and 5), to infill and test depth extensions to previous high-grade intersections (refer to Fortuna news release dated December 12, 2023). Drilling was successful in defining and extending the high-grade core with several intervals returning multiple counts of visible gold (>25 points) associated with quartz-pyrite veining and associated silica-biotite-sericite-carbonate alteration of the host basaltic units, with examples of corresponding grades including 38.3 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 3.5 meters from 27 meters in drill hole SGRC1967, 15.7 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 10.5 meters from 132 meters, including 73.5 g/t Au over 2.1 meters from 132 meters in drill hole SGRC1969, and 16.2 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 5.6 meters from 53 meters in drill hole SGRC1961.

Figure 4: Badior long-section showing select recent results - looking west

Badior long-section showing select recent results - looking west


Figure
5: Badior cross section showing select recent results - looking north

Badior cross section showing select recent results - looking north


Ancien Deposit

At Ancien, an additional 3,255-meter, 11-hole infill drill program was completed during the second quarter of 2024 to further refine the controls on the high-grade mineralized shoots at depth. This followed the previously reported results (refer to Fortuna news release dated December 12, 2023).

Results from this program will support an evaluation of the underground mining potential at the Ancien deposit and the wider Séguéla land package.

Refer to Appendix 1 for full details of the Séguéla drill holes and assay results.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA - QC)

Séguéla Mine, Côte d’Ivoire

All drilling data completed by the Company utilized the following procedures and methodologies. All drilling was carried out under the supervision of the Company’s personnel.

All RC drilling used a 5.25-inch face sampling pneumatic hammer with samples collected into 60-liter plastic bags. Samples were kept dry by maintaining enough air pressure to exclude groundwater inflow. If water ingress exceeded the air pressure, RC drilling was stopped, and drilling converted to diamond core tails. Once collected, RC samples were riffle split through a three-tier splitter to yield a 12.5% representative sample for submission to the analytical laboratory. The residual 87.5% samples were stored at the drill site until assay results were received and validated. Coarse reject samples for all mineralized samples corresponding to significant intervals are retained and stored on-site at the Company-controlled core yard.

All diamond drilling (DD) drill holes were drilled with HQ sized diamond drill bits. The core was logged, marked up for sampling using standard lengths of one meter or to a geological boundary. Samples were then cut into equal halves using a diamond saw. One half of the core was left in the original core box and stored in a secure location at the Company core yard at the project site. The other half was sampled, catalogued, and placed into sealed bags and securely stored at the site until shipment.

All RC and DD core samples were shipped to ALS Laboratories’ preparation laboratory in Yamoussoukro for preparation and then, via commercial courier, to ALS’s facility in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso for finishing. Routine gold analysis using a 50-gram charge and fire assay with an atomic absorption finish was completed for all samples. Quality control procedures included the systematic insertion of blanks, duplicates and sample standards into the sample stream. In addition, the ALS laboratory inserted its own quality control samples.

Qualified Person

Paul Weedon, Senior Vice President of Exploration for Fortuna Silver Mines Inc., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects being a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (Membership #6001). Mr. Weedon has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Weedon has verified the data disclosed, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information or opinions contained herein by reviewing geochemical and geological databases and reviewing diamond drill core.  There were no limitations to the verification process.

About Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. is a Canadian precious metals mining company with five operating mines in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico, and Peru. Sustainability is integral to all our operations and relationships. We produce gold and silver and generate shared value over the long-term for our stakeholders through efficient production, environmental protection, and social responsibility. For more information, please visit our website.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Jorge A. Ganoza
President, CEO, and Director
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.

Investor Relations:

Carlos Baca | info@fortunasilver.com | www.fortunasilver.com | X | LinkedIn | YouTube

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “Forward-looking Statements”). All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are Forward-looking Statements and are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the Forward-looking Statements. The Forward-looking Statements in this news release include, without limitation; statements regarding the exploration potential at Séguéla, the potential for the development of underground mining at Ancien; the Company’s plans to conduct further work at the Kingfisher prospect during 2024 and the expected timing of a maiden resource estimate; the Company’s business strategy, plans and outlook; the merit of the Company’s mines and mineral properties; mineral resource and reserve estimates; timelines; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; expenditures; approvals and other matters. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as “estimated”, “potential”, “open”, “future”, “assumed”, “projected”, “used”, “detailed”, “has been”, “gain”, “planned”, “reflecting”, “will”, “containing”, “remaining”, “to be”, or statements that events, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; changes in prices for silver, gold and other metals; the timing and success of the Company’s proposed exploration programs; technological and operational hazards in Fortuna’s mining and mine development activities; risks inherent in mineral exploration; fluctuations in prices for energy, labor, materials, supplies and services; fluctuations in currencies; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral reserves, mineral resources, and metal recoveries; the possibility that the appeal in respect of the ruling in favor of Compañia Minera Cuzcatlan S.A. de C.V. reinstating the environmental impact authorization at the San Jose Mine (the “EIA”) will be successful; the Company’s ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; governmental and other approvals; political unrest or instability in countries where Fortuna is active; labor relations issues; as well as those factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2023. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking Statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to expectations regarding the results from the exploration programs conducted at the Company’s mineral properties ; expected trends in mineral prices and currency exchange rates; the accuracy of the Company’s information derived from its exploration programs at the Company’s mineral properties; current mineral resource and reserve estimates; the presence and continuity of mineralization at the Company’s properties; that the Company’s activities will be in accordance with the Company’s public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that the appeal filed in the Mexican Collegiate Court challenging the reinstatement of the EIA will be unsuccessful; that all required approvals will be obtained; that there will be no significant disruptions affecting operations and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking Statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that Forward-looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on Forward-looking Statements.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources

Reserve and resource estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for public disclosure by a Canadian company of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates contained in the technical disclosure have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and mineral reserve and resource information included in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies.

Appendix 1: Séguéla Mine, Côte d’Ivoire

HoleIDEasting
(WGS84_29N)
Northing
(WGS84_29N)
Elev
(m)
EOH1
Depth
(m)
UTM
Azimuth
DipDepth
From

(m)
Depth To
(m)
Drilled
Width

(m)
ETW3
(m)
Au
(ppm)
Hole
Type
Area
              
SGDD132743881892798403117.890-60768043.44.1DDKingfisher
       909665.10.9DDKingfisher
SGDD133743830892799408177.390-601131342117.823.7DDKingfisher
      Incl12012110.929.4DDKingfisher
      And12913010.9440.0DDKingfisher
SGDD134743700892800416238.390-601632034034.01.4DDKingfisher
       22622710.917.1DDKingfisher
SGRC176574370589270641817690-601411702924.72.3RCKingfisher
      Incl16716810.915.9RCKingfisher
      And16917010.924.7RCKingfisher
SGRC179074392089324841510090-60NSI    RCKingfisher
SGRC179174387689315041311290-60NSI    RCKingfisher
SGRC17927439118931504066090-60NSI    RCKingfisher
SGRC17937438818930534066690-60414432.61.9RCKingfisher
SGRC179474384989305340811090-60NSI    RCKingfisher
SGRC17957438638929554034590-6023371411.96.0RCKingfisher
      Incl262710.923.6RCKingfisher
      And282910.949.9RCKingfisher
SGRC17967438298929554089590-60NSI    RCKingfisher
SGRC17977438358928584154290-6014271311.11.0RCKingfisher
SGRC179874380589285841610890-60465486.81.2RCKingfisher
       586243.41.5RCKingfisher
       851001512.82.5RCKingfisher
      Incl909110.919.1RCKingfisher
SGRC179974377589285841713790-60858721.72.5RCKingfisher
       1161301411.91.0RCKingfisher
SGRC18307438078927504035690-6017291210.21.2RCKingfisher
       435297.70.7RCKingfisher
SGRC183174377389275040711490-60575810.95.0RCKingfisher
       671074034.02.0RCKingfisher
      Incl10310410.923.9RCKingfisher
SGRC18327437808926504056090-603545108.53.6RCKingfisher
      Incl394010.918.9RCKingfisher
SGRD1833743710892650419181.990-601191422319.66.4RCDKingfisher
      Incl13914121.749.3RCDKingfisher
       1481641613.61.2RCDKingfisher
SGRC18347437458925504045190-6026472117.91.0RCKingfisher
SGRC183574371189255041211490-6067831613.61.6RCKingfisher
      Incl818210.910.4RCKingfisher
       10010776.01.0RCKingfisher
SGRC18367437208924504037190-6041682723.02.1RCKingfisher
      Incl606110.910.4RCKingfisher
SGRC183774368789245040613390-60656943.41.6RCKingfisher
       1121241210.21.2RCKingfisher
SGRC183874365489245041216290-60949621.73.3RCKingfisher
       1171321512.81.4RCKingfisher
       13614486.80.7RCKingfisher
       14815465.11.3RCKingfisher
SGRD1839743650892700433260.190-6023824132.63.8RCDKingfisher
SGRD1840743650892800425310.890-602202422218.71.4RCDKingfisher
       2482692117.91.6RCDKingfisher
       27928232.617.1RCDKingfisher
      Incl28028221.725.0RCDKingfisher
SGRD1841743667892650428242.990-601561893328.12.3RCDKingfisher
      Incl15916121.717.2RCDKingfisher
       20120432.63.9RCDKingfisher
SGRD184274370689275042122890-601511641311.10.8RCDKingfisher
       1681831512.80.9RCDKingfisher
SGRD184374364989255042221090-601361652924.72.2RCDKingfisher
      Incl14915010.921.0RCDKingfisher
      And16016110.913.5RCDKingfisher
       18418843.41.3RCDKingfisher
SGRD184574361689245042023090-60147157108.50.6RCDKingfisher
       170180108.50.9RCDKingfisher
SGRC18467437028923944039690-60495897.71.0RCKingfisher
       63862319.62.1RCKingfisher
      Incl787910.912.1RCKingfisher
SGRC184774367389239440611090-60545732.62.1RCKingfisher
       748065.10.9RCKingfisher
       8495119.41.4RCKingfisher
       10210754.31.3RCKingfisher
SGRC184874363889239441016290-60889797.72.9RCKingfisher
      Incl929310.914.4RCKingfisher
       13514497.71.5RCKingfisher
SGRC18497437118921994036090-603262319.61.7RCKingfisher
SGRC185074366789220140610190-6045904538.32.6RCKingfisher
      Incl646510.915.0RCKingfisher
      And676810.913.1RCKingfisher
SGRD185174362589209042814090-60961101411.91.0RCDKingfisher
SGRC18527436778920004315490-600121210.20.9RCKingfisher
SGRC185374364789200043312090-60NSI    RCKingfisher
SGRD185474363689258943024090-601681801210.25.2RCDKingfisher
      Incl17017110.950.2RCDKingfisher
       1852092420.40.8RCDKingfisher
SGRC185674374589285841718090-6014214754.31.8RCKingfisher
SGRC185774378189290742315190-60NSI    RCKingfisher
 
SGRC195174304890177540830270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC195274306690177540860270-554757107.03.2RCBadior
SGRC195374308390177540890270-55747842.813.3RCBadior
      Incl747621.425.3RCBadior
       8698128.41.8RCBadior
SGRC195474304790172440930270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC195574306390172440860270-55535964.220.5RCBadior
      Incl545510.757.7RCBadior
      And565710.747.1RCBadior
SGRC195674304890175040840270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC195774307490175040890270-55717210.77.4RCBadior
SGRC195874304990180040830270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC195974305090182840830270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC196074306790182840970270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC1961743084901828408100270-55536185.616.2RCBadior
      Incl535742.825.5RCBadior
      And606110.717.8RCBadior
       677364.29.9RCBadior
      Incl686910.753.1RCBadior
SGRC1962743101901828409130270-557990117.77.6RCBadior
      Incl828310.716.8RCBadior
      And868821.425.7RCBadior
SGRC196374307790185340760270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC1964743111901853409120270-55869042.83.1RCBadior
SGRC196574305190188040930270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC196674306890188040760270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC196774308490188040690270-55273253.538.3RCBadior
      Incl283132.163.0RCBadior
SGRC1968743101901880408120270-55515210.79.6RCBadior
       636964.23.6RCBadior
SGRC1969743118901880408150270-55112123117.73.1RCBadior
      Incl11811910.715.2RCBadior
       1321471510.515.7RCBadior
      Incl13213532.173.5RCBadior
SGRC1970743079901909402100270-55014149.83.2RCBadior
SGRC1971743123901909408160270-55899121.411.9RCBadior
      Incl909110.722.9RCBadior
       11011664.21.2RCBadior
       1221391711.915.6RCBadior
      Incl12312410.7106.5RCBadior
      And12813132.127.7RCBadior
      And13313410.719.4RCBadior
      And13513610.726.1RCBadior
SGRC1972743099901928406120270-55222864.22.2RCBadior
       343510.75.1RCBadior
SGRC1973743116901928407150270-55536185.69.0RCBadior
      Incl545510.723.0RCBadior
      And596121.418.1RCBadior
       11511942.83.6RCBadior
      Incl14414510.714.9RCBadior
SGRC1974743134901928408187270-55838742.89.1RCBadior
      Incl868710.728.5RCBadior
       10010664.21.0RCBadior
       12513274.90.8RCBadior
SGRC1975743140901954407163270-5510411174.95.6RCBadior
      Incl10510610.730.3RCBadior
SGRC197674304890197540730270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC197774306490197540660270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC197874308390197540597270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC1979743100901975404120270-55NSI    RCBadior
SGRC1980743117901975405150270-55394342.81.3RCBadior
 
SGRD1890743330888568367220.3277-55194204107.04.3RCDAncien
      Incl20220310.718.5RCDAncien
SGRD1891743383888459370340.3277-5528429174.90.8RCDAncien
SGRD1892743340888388373327277-55297310139.112.3RCDAncien
      Incl29729921.453.6RCDAncien
      And30730810.738.4RCDAncien
SGRD1893743368888384373350277-55303314117.70.7RCDAncien
       33434285.60.7RCDAncien
SGRD1894743358888337373350.3277-5533534385.627.4RCDAncien
      Incl33533610.7209.0RCDAncien
SGRD1895743282888372373270277-5523323410.76.5RCDAncien
       23924121.45.0RCDAncien
       25425842.839.1RCDAncien
      Incl25425732.149.2RCDAncien
SGRD1896743385888358372370.4277-55356368128.40.6RCDAncien
SGRC189774327888832637561277-55Not Sampled abandonedRCAncien  
SGRD1898743278888326375280277-55260270107.02.7RCDAncien
SGRD1899743340888365374340.2277-5530330964.22.9RCDAncien
      Incl30830910.713.4RCDAncien
       31531610.75.0RCDAncien
SGRD1900743376888422371345277-5527327521.44.8RCDAncien
       295306117.71.0RCDAncien


Notes:

  1. EOH: End of hole
  2. NSI: No significant intercepts
  3. ETW: Estimated true width
  4. Depths and widths reported to nearest significant decimal place
  5. DD: diamond drilling tail | RC: reverse circulation drilling | RCD: reverse circulation drilling with diamond tail


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