On March 23, 2026, Providence Gold Mines announced completion of the first phase of its systematic stockpile and underground sampling program at the La Dama de Oro gold-silver property, located southeast of Ontario, California. The work was supervised and the samples were transported to the laboratory by Providence’s California-registered geologist, Mark Payne P.Geo. #7067, under the technical oversight of the Company’s Qualified Person, Dr. Lee Groat. The program was designed to generate data that will inform a planned permitted 1,000-ton (909 tonne) bulk sample and to provide a modern, scientifically defensible foundation for future resource evaluation.
Table of Contents:
Sampling objectives and field methods
The initial campaign focused on two primary goals: to characterize the quality of accessible mineralized material for the proposed bulk sample and to test extensions of historically productive structures. Field crews completed 121 ft (37 m) of continuous trench sampling across three unprocessed rock piles at the 4300-ft Level (1310 mL) associated with the Mojave Girl vein workings. In addition, teams collected systematic channel samples across the entire 180 ft (55 m) width of the Mojave Girl vein at the 4180-ft Level (1275 mL), the lowest mining horizon, specifically to evaluate the down-dip extension of the historic high-grade ore chute. These targeted samples aim to replicate and extend previous high-grade intercepts with modern protocols.
Trench and channel sampling details
The trenching targeted unconsolidated waste and stopes that remain on site, while the channel work accessed exposed vein walls and underground stopes to sample visible lodes. Observations in the stopes revealed visible lode zones that, based on texture and veining, appear analogous to classic orogenic-type gold-quartz vein systems such as those in the historic Mother Lode Gold Belt. These field observations, combined with systematic channel cuts and mapped continuity, provide a practical dataset for evaluating the suitability of the material for near-term processing and for prioritizing follow-up exploration targets.
Laboratory processing and turnaround
All samples were delivered to American Assay Labs in Sparks, Nevada for analytical testing. The assays submitted will include either a 1000-gram screened metallic fire assay or a 30-gram conventional fire assay, depending on the sample characteristics. The company reports an expected analytical turnaround of less than three weeks, which will allow rapid interpretation of grades and guide decisions about the composition and scale of the planned bulk sample and any immediate surface or underground recovery work.
Geological setting and exploration potential
La Dama de Oro is a historic, high-grade gold producer that displays a complex network of both east-west and north-south trending gold-quartz lodes. Historic production concentrated on three east-west lodes—the Mojave Girl, Tarantula, and Mojave Boy veins—but the Providence team has only sampled portions of the Mojave Girl to date. The Tarantula, Mojave Boy, and the strike extensions of the Mojave Girl remain untested by Providence, while the north-south oriented lodes were not systematically developed historically and now represent compelling exploration targets where they may intersect the productive east-west structures.
New discoveries and continuity
Field crews also identified a sheeted vein stockwork with visible mineralization on an adjacent mountainside, an occurrence that has not been fully assessed and will be prioritized for follow-up work. The largest historically mined vein, the Mojave Girl, is reported to be approximately 5 ft at its widest and remains open both down-dip and along strike for over 6,000 ft. This geometry, together with evidence of multiple lode orientations, underscores the property’s potential for additional discoveries beyond the known stopes and waste piles.
Permitting, next steps and disclaimers
The property already benefits from active permits covering water, road access, environmental approvals, a designated mill site, an operations plan, and authorization for the 1,000-ton bulk sample. To date, no drilling campaigns have been undertaken under Providence’s ownership; the current program represents modern scientific exploration aimed at defining NI 43-101 compliant resources and assessing near-term production potential. Management has indicated that assay results will guide decisions on bulk sampling logistics and further underground or surface work.
Contact and cautionary note
For additional information, interested parties may contact Ronald A. Coombes, President & CEO of Providence Gold Mines, by phone at 604 724 2369 or by email at roombes@providencegold.com. Readers should note that statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking and involve risks, including commodity price fluctuations, geological uncertainty, permitting and financing challenges, and potential delays. These factors could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from expectations.
Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.