Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 6, 2021) - CERRADO GOLD (TSXV: CERT) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from fourteen drill holes from its ongoing 12,000-metre exploration drill program at the Chulengo target, at its Minera Don Nicolás Project ("Minera Don Nicolás" or the "MDN Project") located in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. The focus for the current 12,000-metre exploration program is to delineate new, high grade, near surface mineralization that can be brought into the production schedule in the near term. Results highlighted in this release are from fourteen drill holes, PA-D21-51 thru 63 and 65. Cerrado has completed 1,172 metres at Chulengo as of May 5, 2021. High grade gold results from trenching at Chulengo are also reported.

Drill Hole Highlights (All composites are reported as true thickness):

PA-D21-57

  • 6.00m grading 5.5g/t Au, starting from 48.80m
    • including 3.35m grading 8.98g/t Au, from 48.80m

PA-D21-62

  • 2.65m grading 118.04g/t Au, starting from 15.65m
    • including 0.55m grading 565.98g/t Au, from 16.45m

PA-D21-63

  • 7.10m grading 22.58g/t Au, starting from 33.05m
    • including 4.25m grading 37.08g/t Au, from 33.85m

PA-D21-65

  • 14.63m grading 5.05g/t Au, starting from 1.10m
    • including 1.62m grading 31.60g/t Au, from 13.80m

Trench Highlights (All composites are reported as true thickness):

PA-T21-018

  • 4.25m grading 10.08g/t Au, starting from 27.95m
    • including 2.34m grading 19.83g/t Au, from 30.00m

PA-T21-023

  • 12.00m grading 6.48g/t Au, starting from 1.00m
    • including 6.00m grading 12.24g/t Au, from 4.00m

PA-T21-024

  • 5.61m grading 11.75g/t Au, starting from 16.00m
    • including 3.27m grading 18.49g/t Au, from 17.00m

Mark Brennan, CEO & Co-Chairman commented, "We are very pleased the ongoing drill program continues to define the Chulengo target as a potential source of additional near surface, high grade material and fully expect the ongoing program to highlight the significant near surface potential that remains at Minera Don Nicolas to enhance the current open pit mine operations. Following the evaluation of these first-round assays, we will follow up with additional drill holes at Chulengo imminently."

The current exploration drill program at the Minera Don Nicolás Project commenced on February 5th at the Baritina target, within the Paula-Andrea Prospect and moved onto Chulengo target (Figure 1). The drill results reported in this press release were received May 1st, 2021 and represent complete results for holes PA-D21-51 thru 63 and 65, which are the fourteen of seventeen holes (PA-D21-51 thru 67) totaling 1,172 metres completed at Chulengo (see Figure 2). Results from the remaining three drill holes at chulengo and from other high priority targets will be made available as assays come in over the next few months.

Approximately half of the new drill holes along with nearby trenches intersected high grade mineralization. All of the data from the trenches and drill holes are being evaluated to determine where additional drilling might be required. The breccia zone is related to the mineralized structures but not all the breccias are mineralized. The high-grade mineralization is restricted to some sectors i.e., faults and/or feeder vents. Also, the mineralization cut across lithologies. Further structural analysis and modeling is being conducted to optimize understanding of which structures are mineralized and their orientation in order to further drill test this target.

Also, attached is a cross section of the mineralization (Figure 3). The assay results for the remaining holes and trenches are pending. The Chulengo area is 300 metres south and east of Baritina, also a part of the Paula Andrea prospect. The current exploration drill program is expected to test numerous near mine and brownfield targets over the course of the next few months and is on track for completion by the end of June 2021.

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Figure 1: location of drill target areas in the La Paloma Mining Group

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Figure 2: Current Chulengo Exploration Program Drill Hole Location Map

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Figure 3: Typical Cross-sections of PA-D21-62 & 63 with the geology and current interpreted extent of the mineralisation

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Figure 4: Current Chulengo Trench Location Map

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All drill holes intersected near or at surface typical alteration zones associated with high level epithermal mineralization, including abundant silicification, clay alteration, hematite, jarosite and sulphides (Figure 5). Chulengo presents a lithological sequence that begins at surface with a non-welded pumice ignimbrite, then stratified volcaniclastic sediments that begins with a sandstone level.

The morphology of the mineralization is characterized by isolated sub-vertical few meters thick (1-5m) silica-sulfide cemented hydrothermal breccias and faults, or intensely leached silicic altered rocks representing ledges with vuggy silica textures infilled with sulfides (structural control). At surface, the outcrop of these breccias were prone to very high Au values.

The breccias and ledges represent the conduits of the mineralized fluids that were extended and migrated into the non welded pumice ignimbrite precipitated as dissemination, fine veinlets and stockworks (lithological control), defining up to 20 m thick sub-horizontal mineralized levels in the lithology. At depth (30-40m), intercepts with high values were also recognized at the intersection of the subvertical breccias and the sandstone levels.

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Figure 5: Geological Model for Chulengo

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Table 1. Drill hole information

Hole_IdEastingNorthingElevationDepth (meters)DipAzimuth
PA-D21-512595669471301715965-45350
PA-D21-522595700471299516032-45350
PA-D21-532595716471300216180-50350
PA-D21-542595740471300015983-55350
PA-D21-552595586471295014650-50350
PA-D21-562595546471303813786-50170
PA-D21-5725955434713056136110-50170
PA-D21-582595527471303313577-50170
PA-D21-592595523471305213592-50170
PA-D21-602595520471307113592-50170
PA-D21-612595526471301013568-50170
PA-D21-622595503471300113465-50170
PA-D21-632595498471303213598-50170
PA-D21-652595639471297915032-50170

 

Table 2. Drill Hole Composites

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Table 3. Trench information

TrenchEastingNorthingElevationLengthAzimuthResults
PA-T21-0182595535.854713050.33135.8350.77170ok
PA-T21-0192595527.584713058.46135.52136.08170ok
PA-T21-0202595509.794713025.66134.7766.49170ok
PA-T21-0212595552.424713050.97136.8145.23170ok
PA-T21-0222595562.354712997.75140.1645.60155ok
PA-T21-0232595637.364712975.94149.9113.00170ok
PA-T21-0242595699.974713050.56150.9827.00180ok
PA-T21-0252595648.054713034.84151.1540.00170Pending
PA-T21-0262595590.524712981.30141.0927.00170Pending
PA-T21-0272595223.874712574.65129.298.40125Pending
PA-T21-0342595346.214713002.90131.28200.00150Pending
PA-T21-0352595625.444712985.78145.4539.18165Pending
PA-T21-0362595669.924712982.93152.4040.00160Pending
PA-T21-0372595655.604712989.53153.6035.50175Pending
PA-T21-0382595586.674713031.93139.1023.70170Pending
PA-T21-0392595573.444713037.67138.6429.20175Pending
PA-T21-0402595528.224713025.26135.3726.70180Pending
PA-T21-0412595500.424713017.41131.3223.00170Pending

 

Table 4. Trench Composites

Trench Sample From To LENGTH (m) True Width (m) Au (g/t)
PA-T21-018
27.9532.504.554.2510.08

Including30.0032.502.502.3419.83

Including30.0030.700.700.6554.27
PA-T21-019
NSA
PA-T21-020
NSA
PA-T21-021
NSA
PA-T21-022
29.0037.008.008.000.64

Including34.0036.002.002.001.20
PA-T21-023
1.0013.0012.0012.006.48

Including4.0010.006.006.0012.24
PA-T21-024
16.0022.006.005.6111.75

Including17.0020.503.503.2718.49

 

Current Near Mine Drill Program at MDN

The near mine exploration program at Minera Don Nicolas is comprised of 12,000 metres of diamond drilling. The program will consist mainly of step-out and downdip drilling to target extensions of gold mineralization and a modest amount of infill drilling to upgrade resources. The primary areas of focus for the program will be to build on the numerous exploration targets that have been defined by limited historical drilling, such as the Esperanza and Paula Andrea (Baritina, Chulengo, Ariana, Carcol targets) Prospect (see Figure 1), and upgrade these in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Given that these targets are close to the current, high grade, La Paloma mining area they are ranked as high priority in order to potentially add new resources.. The current program is in addition to RC drilling undertaken by the mine for infill and grade control to extend the current mining areas of La Paloma and Martinetas both along strike and at depth.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Analytical work was carried out Alex Stewart international, Argentina S.A. Labs (ASI). The facilities of the prep lab and assay lab are located in San Julian, 184 Km from MDN mine operations. MDN sends out 10% of samples to check at ALS international labs (ALS) with the prep lab located in Mendoza and assay labs in Lima, Peru and Vancouver, Canada. In the main laboratory ASI (Mendoza), the samples are systematically analyzed for gold (ppm) and silver (ppm) by fire assay (Au4-50 + AgICP-AR-39) regarding the over limits with fire assay results greater than 10 ppm, a second assay is applied including gravimetric finishing (FA50GRAV), with respect to silver, analyzes greater than 200ppm are carried out by Ag-FA50GRAV

ASI has routine quality control procedures which ensure that every batch of samples includes three sample repeats, two commercial standards and blanks. Cerrado used standard QA/QC procedures, when inserting reference standards and blanks, for the drilling program. The Reference material used are from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. Included in the batches following MDN internal protocols.

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Robert Campbell, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cerrado Gold Inc., who is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

Minera Don Nicolás Overview

Minera Don Nicolás is located 1,625km south west of Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Deseado Massif region in the mining-friendly province of Santa Cruz. The project is comprised of several exploration concessions totaling 333,400 ha. The largest regional centre is Comodoro Rivadavia, which provides logistical and other support for the operations.

MDN Project is situated within the world renowned Deseado Massif where the underlying geology of the region is dominated by rhyolitic and andesitic volcanic and tuffaceous volcaniclastic lithologies of Middle to Upper Jurassic age (130 to 170 ma). It is criss-crossed by numerous extensive fault and fracture zones, which served as conduits for hydrothermal activity during periods of Jurassic volcanism. The result of this activity is a widespread network of shallow level mineralized "epithermal" fissure veins, breccias, and stock-work systems, many of which carry potentially economic Au and Ag mineralization. The Deseado Massif region is host to several epithermal gold-silver deposits and several multi-million-ounce gold deposits, including Cerro Vanguardia (Anglo Gold), Cerro Negro (Newmont GoldCorp), Cerro Morro (Yamana).

In February 2012, Minera IRL published a Full Feasibility Technical Report in accordance with NI 43-101 (Filed on SEDAR, MINERA IRL LTD, Feb 16, 2012). Construction of the facilities was completed in 2017 and initial production began December 2017.

Current mining operations are conducted in two areas, the high grade La Paloma deposit and the Martinetas deposits, approximately 30km apart. Ore is processed through a 1,000 tpd CIL plant located near the Martinetas pit. The project currently supports 325 employees and contractors on a fly-in fly-out basis. Mineral Don Nicolás has strong regional and local community backing having signed agreements with the two neighboring communities.

Cerrado acquired the MDN Project property in March 2020 and undertook a fundamental review of the resource database and based upon a significant geological re-interpretation, engaged SRK to conduct an independent NI 43-101 updated resource technical report (August 2020) which is available on the Cerrado Gold website and SEDAR.

Cerrado has not based its ongoing production decisions at the MDN Project based on its own NI 43-101 minerals resource or reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments, feasibility studies, or historical projects although without such reports Cerrado has increased uncertainty and risk of economic viability. Cerrado's decision to continue the operations at levels determined by management as with other production-related decisions (related to mining and processing operations) is largely based upon Cerrado's own internal non-public company data, as well from technical reports by previous owners and operators and based on continuing exploration and mining work conducted by Cerrado and by geologists and engineers engaged by Cerrado.

For further information please contact

Mark Brennan
CEO and Co Chairman
Tel: +1-647-796-0023
mbrennan@cerradogold.com

Nicholas Campbell, CFA
Director, Corporate Development
Tel.: +1-905-630-0148
ncampbell@cerradogold.com

About Cerrado Gold

Cerrado Gold is a public gold producer and exploration company with gold production derived from its 100% owned Minera Don Nicolás mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It also owns 100% of the assets of Minera Mariana in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. The company is also undertaking exploration at its 100% owned Monte Do Carmo project located in Tocantins, Brazil. For more information about Cerrado Gold please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Disclaimer

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.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado Gold. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado Gold has made certain assumptions, including, but not limited to ability of Cerrado to expand its drilling program at its Minera Don Nicolas Project and increase its resources. Although Cerrado Gold believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado Gold disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

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