Rio Grande Resources Ltd. (CSE:RGR) is excited to share promising assay results from its December 2025 surface sampling campaign conducted by Dahrouge Geological Consulting USA Ltd. at the Winston Gold-Silver Project, situated in the scenic Black Range Mountains of Sierra County, New Mexico. This latest program has uncovered a previously unsampled mineralized area in the Poverty Creek region, now identified as the "Poverty Creek Trend." The sampling revealed impressive gold values reaching up to 41.2 g/t Au and silver values soaring to 1,435 g/t Ag, reinforcing the presence of high-grade precious metal mineralization across several structurally controlled zones within the property.
Dahrouge's reconnaissance surface sampling and mapping initiative encompassed the Winston claim block, where 72 samples were collected, including 11 channel samples from exposed in situ veins and 39 rock chip samples from various vein outcrops and historic workings. The program aimed to assess structural continuity, pinpoint mineralized trends, and optimize priority target areas for future drilling efforts.
Highlights from the Sampling Program
The newly discovered Poverty Creek Trend is characterized by a northeast-southwest striking mineralized vein system in the northern segment of the claim block. It is delineated by mapped quartz vein exposures, historic workings, and significant geochemical results. Initial sampling within this trend included eight rock chip samples and one float sample, confirming the continuity of mineralized materials in this previously unexplored area.
These new findings, combined with known mineralization from past-producing mines such as Ivanhoe, Emporia, and Little Granite, suggest a continuous, structurally controlled mineralized corridor stretching from the southern part of the claim block through the newly defined Poverty Creek Trend in the north.
Based on the mapped vein orientations, channel results, and high-grade rock chip sample distribution, the mineralization is interpreted to extend over an estimated 2.0 kilometers along a north-south strike within the Winston claim block. The discovery of high-grade gold and silver in the formerly unsampled Poverty Creek area broadens the mineralized footprint beyond historical zones and confirms the existence of multiple sub-parallel and splay vein systems within a larger structural framework.
Additional Mineralized Corridors Identified
In addition to the Poverty Creek Trend, systematic channel sampling has revealed another mineralized corridor in the northwestern part of the claim block. Continuous channel samples were gathered perpendicular to the exposed in situ veins to accurately represent true vein width and mineralization distribution.
Channels C, G, and K produced elevated gold and silver values, indicating part of a longer mineralized corridor extending toward the southeast of the property. The alignment of these channels suggests structural continuity along a vein system that remains open for further assessment.
Historic Workings Yield High-Grade Silver
Rock chip samples collected along historic mine workings returned notable silver values, demonstrating the potential for high-grade mineralization in areas previously mined. The Winston Project, which includes the historic high-grade gold and silver mines Ivanhoe and Emporia, showcases the area's rich mineralization potential.
Jason Barnard, President and CEO of Rio Grande Resources, stated, "The Winston Project is centered around historically productive mines, indicating the presence of high-grade gold and silver within structurally controlled vein systems. The December 2025 sampling program, including initial results from the Poverty Creek Trend, reinforces our interpretation of a 2.0-kilometer north-south mineralized corridor across the Winston claim block and affirms that mineralization extends into previously unsampled regions."
Mr. Barnard added, "It is particularly encouraging that high-grade mineralization appears in several structurally distinct zones, suggesting a broad, long-lived hydrothermal system capable of generating multiple vein sets and dilation zones. Our next phase will focus on refining these structural corridors, prioritizing the most promising geometries, and advancing toward drill permitting and systematic drill testing. This strategic approach positions the Winston Project as a compelling exploration asset with significant discovery potential for our stakeholders."
Rio Grande will continue to push forward with the Winston Project through a systematic exploration program, incorporating follow-up surface sampling and structural mapping in priority southern claim block areas. This ongoing effort aims to refine and prioritize target areas while advancing the project to potential drilling stages.
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