Northern Empire Resources has announced that the board of directors has approved a phase 1 exploration budget for the Nevada based Sterling Property.

The phase 1 program will consist of 52 drill holes totalling approximately 5,200 meters of drilling. Of the 52 drill holes, 25 will be reverse circulation holes totalling 3,000 meters and 27 will be core holes totalling 2,200 meters.

The phase 1 program will focus on the Sterling, Daisy, Secret Pass and SNA deposits. In addition, the Company will perform a regional evaluation of the 95-square kilometer claim package and fly a geophysical survey of the entire property. It is anticipated that drilling will start in mid-August.

Approximately, 3,700 meters of drilling will be on the Sterling Deposit, where Northern Empire recently outlined a pit constrained inferred resource of 231,000 oz Au grading 3.67 g/t Au. This work will allow for an upgrade of the confidence of the resource, test for extensions along strike and provide metallurgical samples prior Northern Empire beginning economic studies.

The Sterling deposit is permitted to restart open pit mining, and has significant existing infrastructure.

Sterling Property Highlights

  • High Grade Gold in Nevada. Total inferred resources on the Sterling Property were estimated at 709,000 oz Au with an average grade of 2.23 g/t Au. Included in this estimate is the Sterling Deposit where a pit constrained resource of 231,000 oz Au in 1,958,000 tonnes with an average grade of 3.67 g/t Au was determined.
  • Permitted to begin operations. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact ("FONSI") and approved the next phase of mining at Sterling. This permit was issued on May 12, 2016, is transferable, and has an indefinite term.
  • Location. The Sterling Property is located approximately 185 kilometers NW of Las Vegas on the eastern flank of the Bare Mountains. The property is accessed via highway I-95 and gravel roads.
  • Significant Engineering Completed. To achieve the FONSI, designs for the new pits and heap leach facilities were completed that Northern Empire will be able to use as a basis for development going forward.
  • Significant infrastructure in place. Processing facilities, mine offices and generators are on site and are currently being used to rinse heaps from prior operations.