News Releases
Key Highlights
- Ten gold-related hornfels targets interpreted from geophysical datasets.
- Hornfels interpreted from geophysical data supplements the 1.2km strike of mapped hornfels identified in the field.
- The neighbouring Robertson gold deposit is associated with hornfels alteration.
- Aurbis is excited to drill test these targets.
“It is rare for geophysical data to so closely represent the physical, geological and geochemical characteristics of a mineralisation style as we have seen at Ecru. The Intrusion is clearly visible in the data, and the increased density and magnetic characteristics expected of a mineralised zone are also present in the areas interpreted as hornfels.
There are only a few steps left before we drill-test these targets, and we look forward to doing so as soon as possible. ”
There are only a few steps left before we drill-test these targets, and we look forward to doing so as soon as possible. ”
Johan Lambrechts
CEO
September 2, 2026-Vancouver, British Columbia
Aurbis Resources Corp. (Aurbis, AURR or the Company) is excited to announce that the interpretation of geophysical datasets for its 100% owned Ecru Gold Project, in Lander County, Nevada, has identified several additional target areas to be drill tested later this year.
These targets represent an encouraging step forward for Ecru, particularly given the strong regional precedent from nearby intrusion-related gold systems, including the Robertson gold project, where gold mineralisation is associated with hornfels/skarn-reduced intrusion-related settings.
Ecru’s magnetic and gravity data indicate prospective buried hornfelsed zones along the edge of an intrusion, where heat transfer and structural pathways may have created favourable conditions to form hornfels and encourage fluid flow for potential gold mineralisation. Importantly, the new interpretation also sharpens the project’s structural framework, including scale, timing, and sequence – providing a stronger foundation for target generation as Aurbis advances toward drilling in late 2026.
Geophysical data – what lies beneath
Aurbis completed a 50 m x 50 m line-spaced drone magnetic survey and had the data processed and interpreted to produce a comprehensive image of the Ecru project’s magnetic characteristics. The Company has also re-processed and interpreted an existing 100 m x 100 m gravity survey to supplement the magnetic data and assist in interpreting structure and lithology on the Ecru project.
Both the magnetic and gravity datasets clearly identify the Ecru intrusion in the central west portion of the project. Another feature clearly identified is the Northern Nevada Rift, which bisects the northeastern portion of the project. The datasets combine to identify the various structures on the project, which is an important mineralisation constraint in this type of deposit, since mineralisation tends to disperse away from structures at the Robertson project.
Figure 1: One of the magnetic images (RMI_RTP) produced for the Ecru gold project. It clearly indicates the intrusion, several structures and Northern Nevada Rift.
Interpretation
The geological, structural, magnetic and density characteristics of the area were considered during the interpretive phase. The area identified as the intrusion is divided into several zones, based on their geophysical characteristics.
Along the western edge of the intrusion, the sedimentary rocks that host it exhibit a higher gravity signature, consistent with alteration within the contact aureole, where intense heat transforms the original rock into hornfels. Three different types of interpreted hornfels were noted, being non-magnetic, moderately and strongly remnant. (NOTE: remnant indicates the permanent magnetic state of rocks, and not just an induced state when subjected to a magnetic field.)
The geophysical interpretation also identified structures within the project area.
Why is this important? The gold mineralisation at the Robertson deposit is generally associated with hornfelsed rocks and is more prevalent near structures.
Figure 1: Map of the interpreted geophysical shapes, including the intrusion, hornfels zones and structures.
Targets identified
The geophysical interpretation identified ten (10) target areas considered to be hornfelsed. To understand the significance of the geophysical results, it is important to view the data in perspective and in relation to the known Robertson characteristics.
The Robertson deposit has three main types of gold mineralisation2. From a “Rocktype” perspective, two of the gold-mineralised types are hosted in hornfels within a 1km contact aureole, while the third has gold mineralisation hosted by the intrusive itself. Hornfels thus represents the major mineralisation host, but the intrusive can also be a target.
A second characteristic of the gold mineralisation at Robertson concerns structure. Gold mineralisation is closely associated with structure, and grade diminishes with increasing distance from the mineralised structure. This indicates that the best targets will comprise hornfelsed rocks associated with structure.
A third geological aspect to note is that the gold mineralisation followed hornfelsing and a phase of alteration that included pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and actinolite. The key mineral here is pyrrhotite, since it is magnetic, and indicates that a distinction between mineralised and unmineralised hornfels may be the presence of a magnetic signature resulting from the presence of pyrrhotite.
Figure 3: Hornfels zones and structure of the Ecru gold project.
With Robertson’s background in mind, the geophysical interpretation has identified three types of hornfels, characterised by their magnetic signatures. Non-magnetic hornfels may be tested with drilling, but hornfels with a stronger magnetic signature will be a stronger contender for drill targeting.
The geophysical interpretation also shows several structures radiating outward from the intrusion. This suggests the intrusion likely caused significant structural damage in the area, and that mineralised fluids could use existing or newly formed pathways. Given that gold mineralisation, in terms of gold grades, is closely associated with structure, drill targeting will test hornfelsed areas near faults.
Interpretation
The Company will focus on the Robertson-style intrusion-related gold targets in the short term, but the work to date has also identified the Northern Nevada Rift (NNR). The NNR represents a series of high-grade gold mines along its strike length to the north and south of Ecru. Deposits associated with the NNR near Ecru include Mule Canyon, Fire Creek and Buckhorn. The NNR is buried (beneath cover material) in the NE corner of the project and has never been explored. Aurbis will dedicate resources to this target once the first phase of drilling on the intrusion-related target has been completed.
Aurbis believes that Ecru also hosts Carlin-style gold potential, which will also be investigated further once our primary target has been initially tested.
The geochemical results for all rock samples are expected imminently and will be used in conjunction with the mapping and geophysical data to date.
The Company may consider the value of completing a targeted IP survey over some of the newly identified targets, to identify specific conductive, sulphide-bearing areas associated with the hornfels zones. Drilling is expected to commence just before winter this year.
We believe this is a robust exploration plan and gives the Company the best likelihood of success for discovery on the Ecru Gold Project.
We look forward to keeping our investors and followers informed of our progress.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Johan Lambrechts
Chief Executive Officer and Director
1 (855) 764-2535
info@aurbisresources.com
The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Footnotes:
¹Exploring for structurally concealed Carlin-type mineralization: A case study from the northern Shoshone Range, Nevada, USA, Carson A. Richardson, Eric Seedorff.
² Paragenetic Evolution of the Robertson Deposit: Eocene Reduced Intrusion-Related Gold Deposit in the Northern Shoshone Range, Nevada, Mankins, Neal et al.
Qualified Person
Johan Lambrechts, QP, is the Company’s qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release. Mr Lambrechts is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (#5900). He has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Lambrechts is not independent of the Company, as he is a director of the Company.
CAUTIONARY AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements.
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