Blackrock Silver Steps Out 350 Metres; Announces Multiple High Grade Drill Intercepts At Tonopah West

February 17, 2022,  Vancouver, British Columbia.  Blackrock Silver Corp. (the “Company” or “Blackrock”) is pleased to announce the final high-grade silver and gold intercepts from its DPB in-fill core drilling program, in addition to notable new intercepts from reverse circulation (RC) drilling in the Victor target and a concurrent step-out campaign at DPB on its 100% controlled Tonopah West project, located in the Walker Lane trend of Western Nevada. 

The final assay results have been received from the DPB in-fill drilling program and are being incorporated into the Company’s maiden resource estimate. In-fill assay results successfully establish continuity of the vein structures and high-grade silver and gold mineralization of this growing, multi-vein system.  The Tonopah West project is conveniently situated directly adjacent to the town of Tonopah in Western Nevada, with highway US 95 traversing the property, and the DPB resource area is comprised entirely of patented mining claims. The Company is working towards delivery of a maiden resource estimate on the Tonopah West project, with an estimated completion date of the first quarter of 2022.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Step-out drillhole TW21-109 encountered an up-dip portion of Merten vein system 350 metres southwest of the DPB resource area, returning 1.5 metres grading 2 g/t gold and 298 g/t silver or 498 g/t AgEq.  (AgEq_= Ag_g/t + Au_g/t*100). The Merten vein system is the largest mineralized feature identified to date. The vein and its accompanying hangingwall and footwall splays have 1.5 kilometres of mineralized strike and over 1,200 metres of drill-tested dip potential;
• Step-out drillhole TW21-110 cut two, 1.5 metre zones 250 metres west of the DPB resource area in the stratigraphic position of the Denver vein.  The first intersection returned 2.03 g/t gold and 7.5 g/t silver (210 g/t AgEq), and the second yielded 1.46 g/t gold and 157 g/t silver (303 g/t AgEq).  This extends the Denver another 250 metres westward making the overall strike of the Denver to be approximately 800 metres in length;
• RC drillhole TW21-116 at Victor cut three zones which yielded 1.5 metres grading 1.6 g/t gold and 187 g/t silver (347 g/t AgEq), 1.5 metres with 1.49 g/t gold and 144 g/t silver (293 g/t AgEq), and 3.0 metres returning 1.16 g/t gold and 176 g/t silver (293 g/t AgEq).   The three intercepts are related to the Murray, Merger and OK veins.  These veins merge toward the west to become the thick Victor vein, tracked over 480 metres; and
• Multiple high-grade intercepts reported over select intervals from the DPB in-fill program; and
• All assays have now been received from the DBP resource definition program that consisted of 57,192 metres of RC and core drilling within 94 drillholes. The maiden resource estimate is on track for the first quarter of 2022.

Andrew Pollard, Blackrock Silver’s President and CEO, stated, “With all assays from our initial resource definition program at DPB now in the bag, we’ve successfully demonstrated continuity of consistently high-grade silver and gold mineralization throughout the 800 metre by 800 metre resource area, while our step-out program indicates we’re still just scratching the surface in terms of understanding the true potential of this prolific multi-vein system.  As we await completion of our maiden resource estimate, expected this quarter, significant blue-sky has already been well-established as multiple vein systems have been tracked well beyond the confines of the resource envelope.”

Pollard continues, “By taking some big early swings on our step-out drilling, we’ve been able to successfully refine our model over time and vector in on the high-grade horizons, of which we are now reaping the rewards.  Drillhole TW21-110 was a perfect example of this, adding over 250 metres of strike to our Denver vein system by following up on one of our earliest drillholes from 2020 that initially would have appeared to have “missed.”  In addition, drilling from our Victor target continues to establish continuity of mineralization across multiple veins over 480 metres, and with additional drilling completed, and assays pending, this target represents very low-hanging fruit for us in terms of future resource expansion.”

Table 1: Summary of significant Au and Ag assay results using a 200 g/t AgEq cut-off grade. “TXC” series hole represent core assays; “TW” represent RC.

Figure 1: Plan map of significant Intercepts

DPB Resource Area

The DPB resource definition program concluded with 94 RC/Core and RC drillholes totalling 57,192 metres collared from 42 unique drill sites.  This broad multi-vein, high-grade system sits within an area measuring 800 by 800 metres. The maiden resource estimate is on track for the first quarter of 2022.

TXC21-039 returned multiple high-grade intercepts as it worked its way through the Bermuda vein system and passed through the Merten vein.  Assay results returned 8.51 g/t gold and 850 g/t silver for 1701 g/t AgEq over 0.91 metres.  Two additional hits were returned from the Bermuda vein with 3.2 g/t gold and 333 g/t silver (653 g/t AgEq and 1.58 g/t gold and 156 g/t silver (314 g/t AgEq) over 0.61 and 0.58 metres respectively.  

TXC21-039 passed through the Merten vein and returned 205 g/t AgEq (1.09 g/t Au; 96.8 g/t Ag), 210 g/t AgEq (1.07 g/t Au; 103 g/t Ag) and 235 g/t AgEq (1.26 g/t Au; 109 g/t Ag) over 0.82, 0.46 amd 0.34 metres respectively.

TXC21-040 was drilled from the same pad as TXC2-039.  The drillhole went over the top of the Bermuda vein but returned 311 g/t AgEq (1.56 g/t Au; 155 g/t Ag) from the Merten vein.

TXC21-041 was a single drillhole in the southern part of the DPB grid.  The drillhole did not find mineralization above the 200 g/t AgEq cut off grade but did intersect a lower grade portion of the Merten vein system.

TXC21-042, -043 and -044 were completed from the same drill site.  TXC21-042 intersected the Bermuda vein at 436 metres down-the-hole, and returned 535 g/t AgEq (2.73 g/t Au; 262 g/t Ag) over 0.91 metres.  TXC21-043 and -044 drilled the projection of the Bermuda vein in the unfavorable Mizpah andesite, however, they did encounter below 200 g/t AgEq cutoff grade in the Merten vein.

TXC21-045 and -046 were drilled in the northwestern corner of the DPB area.  TXC21-045 cut the Denver vein and returned 2 metres grading 3.64 g/t gold and 377 g/t silver (741 g/t AgEq) including 0.80 metres grading 7.64 g/t gold and 741 g/t silver or 1505 g/t AgEq. TXC21-046 hit the same zone, but grades were below the 200 g/t AgEq cut-off grade.

Victor Target

Drillholes TW21-113, -114, -115 and -116 were drilled in the Victor target area.  Results for drillhole TW21-116 have been received and confirm continuity along a 480 metre zone from drillhole TW20-001 to TW21-097C.  TW21-116 returned three zones which yielded 1.5 metres grading 1.6 g/t gold and 187 g/t silver (347 g/t AgEq), 1.5 metres with 1.49 g/t gold and 144 g/t silver (293 g/t AgEq), and 3.0 metres returning 1.16 g/t gold and 176 g/t silver (293 g/t AgEq).   The three intercepts are related to the Murray, Merger and OK veins.  These veins merge toward the west to become the thick Victor vein.

On the Company’s land position, the Victor vein system has approximately 500 metres of strike extent.  Another 300 metres has been drilled on the east side of the property package by Summa Silver.

Step Out Drilling

Drilling to the west of the DPB resource area was fruitful.  TW21-109 and TW21-110 show the gold and silver system continue to the west and up dip to the south.  Drillhole TW21-109 encountered an up-dip portion of the Merten vein system 350 metres southwest of the DPB resource area and returned 1.5 metres grading 2 g/t gold and 298 g/t silver or 498 g/t AgEq. 

Drillhole TW21-110 was collared near TW20-015, 250 metres west of the DPB resource area and drilled deeper as a result the knowledge gained from the program.  The drill cut two, 1.5 metre zones along the Denver vein.  The first intersection returned grading of 2.03 g/t gold and 7.5 g/t silver (210 g/t AgEq), and the second yielded 1.46 g/t gold and 157 g/t silver (303 g/t AgEq).  This extends the Denver vein another 250 metres westward making the overall strike of the Denver vein to be approximately 800 metres.

Table 2: Drillhole location information for drillholes in this news release

Quality Assurance/ Quality Control

All sampling is conducted under the supervision of the Company’s project geologists, and a strict chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility is implemented and monitored. The core and RC samples are hauled from the project site to a secure and fenced facility in Tonopah, Nevada, where they are loaded on to American Assay Laboratory’s (AAL) flat-bed truck and delivered to AAL’s facility in Sparks, Nevada.  A sample submittal sheet is delivered to AAL personnel who organize and process the sample intervals pursuant to the Company’s instructions.

The core, RC, and QA/QC samples are crushed and pulverized, then the pulverized material is digested and analyzed for gold using fire assay fusion and an Induced Coupled Plasma (ICP) finish on a 30-gram assay split. Silver is determined using five-acid digestion and ICP analysis.  Over limits for gold and silver are determined using a gravimetric finish.  Data verification of the assay and analytical results are completed to ensure accurate and verifiable results. The Company’s personnel insert a blind prep blank, lab blank or a certified standard approximately every 15^th to 20^th sample.  

A total of 1,327 pulps have been sent to ALS minerals for check assays.  To date, there is good correlation between the AAL and the ALS gold and silver assays.

Figure 2: Q-Q Plot for Silver Assay Pairs

Blackrock’s exploration activities at the Tonopah West project are being conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Blackrock is a junior precious metals focused exploration company that is on a quest to make an economic discovery. Anchored by a seasoned Board, the Company is focused on its Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation epithermal gold & silver projects located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada. With 110,00 metres of drilling completed at their flagship Tonopah West silver-gold project, the Company plans to deliver a maiden resource estimate in the first quarter of 2022.  

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Pollard, President & CEO

Blackrock Silver Corp.

Phone: 604 817-6044 

Email: andrew@blackrocksilver.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forwardlooking statements concern the Company’s strategic plans, completion of the maiden resource estimate on the Tonopah West project in the first quarter of 2022, timing and expectations for the Company’s exploration and drilling programs, estimates of mineralization from drilling, geological information projected from sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones. Such forwardlooking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forwardlooking statements as a result of  risk factors, including the ability of the Company to make payments related to the lease option to purchase the Tonopah West project; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data, and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. 

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.