The Ermitaño project gold and silver deposits form as prominent east–west-trending veins and associated breccias in sub-aerial felsic volcanic rocks. The Ermitaño Vein is delineated by drilling along an 1,850 m strike length and vertically over 550 m, starting at surface.
The regional geology and the form, textures, alteration, and mineralization observed to date within the Ermitaño deposit are diagnostic of low-sulphidation epithermal mineralization. The Ermitaño Vein is hosted in a sequence of volcanic lavas and tuffs and displays epithermal minerals and textures.
Exploration programs that use a low-sulphidation epithermal model are considered appropriate for the Santa Elena and Ermitaño areas. First Majestic is using geochemical and geophysical surveys, and field X-ray fluorescence analyzers and spectrometers as part of its ongoing regional exploration program. Mapping, rock chip sampling and drilling of vein outcrops remain the primary exploration tools at Santa Elena and the Ermitaño project.
Mineralizing fluids are interpreted to have used the Ermitaño Fault as a conduit to form the Ermitaño Vein and sub-parallel tertiary veins which drilling has delineated over 1,800 m along strike and 550 m down dip. The vein is best developed where the structure cuts the older brittle volcanic rocks, where the older volcanic rocks are juxtaposed with younger brittle volcanic rocks, and where the structure shows deflection.
A four-stage vein ........
