- Sunstone Metals (STM) has resumed with fieldwork at its Bramaderos gold-copper project in Ecuador
- Now that work has resumed at Bramaderos, Sunstone must adhere to strict operating procedures to manage the risks associated with COVID-19
- Primary work will involve only local employees and a local field technician
- These local workers will focus on the ongoing sampling of the first trench at the Espiritu epithermal gold target
- Sampling of this trench was meant to begin in March but it ultimately had to be postponed when Ecuador went into lockdown
- Other trenches will now be prepared and sampled during the next few months
- Sunstone has seen no change today and shares have been trading steady at 0.6 cents each since May 8
Sunstone Metals (STM) has resumed with fieldwork at its Bramaderos gold-copper project in Ecuador.
The 49-hectare Bramaderos Project is located in Loja province, 130 kilometres from the provincial capital city of Loja, and west of Catacocha.
The project has been periodically explored from 1970 to 1984, 2001 to 2002, and 2004 to 2007.
It is considered highly prospective for the discovery of large porphyry gold-copper systems and high-grade epithermal gold systems.
Now that work has resumed at Bramaderos, Sunstone must adhere to strict operating procedures to manage the risks associated with COVID-19.
Primary work will involve only local employees and a local field technician and will focus on the ongoing sampling of the first trench at the Espiritu epithermal gold target.
Sampling of this trench was meant to begin in March, but it ultimately had to be postponed when Ecuador went into lockdown.
Other trenches will now be prepared and sampled during the next few months.
Assay results from the six rock chip samples that were collected in early March have now been received and the results highlight the potential of Espiritu to host more significant gold-silver mineralisation.
Gold assays from these samples include 11.9g/t, 4.2g/t, 1.7g/t, 0.3g/t, and 0.25g/t.
Results from this recently resumed program are expected in late June or early July.
Future programs
A Phase 2 exploration program will involve local geologists to complete mapping and sampling in the broader epithermal gold belt.
A Phase 3 program will follow this which will involve the full technical team in the lead up to drilling, which is expected to begin in September.
Drilling will be at the Espiritu epithermal gold target, and the Brama, Playas, and Porotillo porphyry gold-copper targets.
Sunstone has seen no change today and shares have been trading steady at 0.6 cents each since May 8.