Independence Gold drills 11.4 metres of 2.8 g/t gold at 3Ts Project, British Columbia
Independence Gold Corp. [TSXV: IGO; OTCQB: IEGCF; FRA: 625] has discovered the Dixie vein, a previously unknown blind epithermal vein system at its wholly owned 3Ts gold and silver project. Situated approximately 185 km southwest of Prince George, B.C., the 3Ts Project comprises 31 mineral claims covering approximately 35,486 hectares in the Nechako Plateau region.
The project lies 16 km southwest of Artemis Gold Inc.’s Blackwater mine and hosts a low-sulphidation epithermal quartz-carbonate vein district, within which at least 20 known mineralized veins, ranging from 50 to over 1,100 metres in strike length and true widths up to 32 metres, have been identified, 12 of which remain untested by drilling.
The Dixie discovery represents the third blind vein discovery generated from the company’s district-scale structural exploration model, following the previously announced Balrog and Goofy vein discoveries. Together, these discoveries demonstrate the predictive capability of the company’s integrated geological interpretations and reinforce the significant exploration potential that remains beneath thick glacial cover across the broader 3Ts epithermal district.
Highlights: New Dixie vein discovered approximately 260 metres east of the Tommy vein system; discovery hole 3TS-26-29 intersected 11.40 metres grading 2.80 g/t gold and 12.54 g/t silver, including 1.99 metres grading 6.94 g/t gold and 25.13 g/t silver.
The Lower polymetallic zone returned 14.19 metres grading 0.43% lead and 1.37% zinc, including 1.31 metres grading 3.05% lead and 13.15% zinc.
Distinct vertical metal zoning provides compelling evidence for multiple hydrothermal events and telescoping of the epithermal system. Additional drilling has been completed along strike and below the discovery, with assays pending.
Dixie discovery: The Dixie vein was intersected between approximately 128 and 154 metres downhole in discovery hole 3TS-26-29, representing a mineralized vein package approximately 26 metres wide. Based on the current interpretation, true width is estimated to be approximately 85% of the reported core interval. The upper portion of the vein is characterized by strong gold-silver mineralization hosted within quartz-carbonate veining and brecciation.
Hole 3TS-26-29 returned 11.40 metres at 2.80 g/t gold, including 1.99 metres at 1.99 g/t gold and 1.56 metres at 0.95 g/t gold; 14.19 metres at 0.43 g/t gold, including 1.31 metres at 1.31 g/t gold.
The Dixie discovery is significant for two reasons. Firstly, it represents the third successful blind vein discovery generated directly from the company’s district-scale exploration model. Secondly, it provides important new insight into the evolution of the hydrothermal system at the 3Ts Project.
Unlike previous discoveries, the Dixie vein preserves distinct vertical metal zoning within a single structural corridor. The upper portion of the vein hosts gold-silver mineralization that transitions downward into a lead-zinc-rich polymetallic assemblage. This vertical metal zoning suggests the vein experienced multiple episodes of hydrothermal activity, with repeated fault movement allowing successive mineralizing fluids to overprint earlier mineralization. This process, commonly referred to as epithermal telescoping, indicates that the hydrothermal system remained active over an extended period of time and that the same structural corridors were repeatedly reactivated by mineralizing fluids.
Recognition of this telescoping significantly advances the company’s understanding of the 3Ts hydrothermal system and provides important geological criteria for targeting higher-grade mineralization elsewhere across the district.
In addition to validating the company’s exploration model, the discovery of the Balrog, Goofy and Dixie veins have the potential to contribute to the future resource growth at the 3Ts Project. A significant update to the mineral resource estimate for the 3Ts gold and silver project in the fourth quarter of 2025 was written by Millar and Eggers, with an effective date of Nov. 12, 2025.
Randy Turner, president and CEO of the company, commented: “The Dixie discovery represents another important milestone in demonstrating the predictive capability of our district-scale exploration model. Balrog showed that the model worked, Goofy demonstrated that it was repeatable, and Dixie continues to build confidence that we can systematically identify concealed epithermal veins beneath thick glacial cover across the broader 3Ts district.
“Equally important is what Dixie tells us about the hydrothermal system itself. The well-developed metal zoning preserved within the vein provides compelling evidence for multiple episodes of mineralization and significantly improves our understanding of how the 3Ts epithermal system evolved through time. Every new discovery not only expands the district but also improves our ability to predict where future discoveries are most likely to occur.
“With approximately 10,000 metres of drilling now completed and assays still pending from several additional holes, including follow-up drilling at the Balrog, Goofy and Dixie veins, we believe the 2026 program has substantially strengthened both the geological understanding and long-term discovery potential of the 3Ts Project.”
The 2026 spring exploration program has now been completed, with approximately 10,000 metres of diamond drilling completed across multiple target areas throughout the 3Ts Project. Results remain pending from several drill holes and will be released following receipt and interpretation of laboratory assays. Plans are currently under way for a summer exploration program, followed by a fall drill program.
Independence Gold is a well-financed mineral exploration company with holdings ranging from early-stage grassroots exploration to advanced-stage resource expansion in British Columbia and Yukon.