Kootenay Reports Results from Nine Holes in Ongoing Columba Drill Program
Kootenay Silver Continues Massive 50,000-Meter Drill Campaign Amid Heavy Promotional Spend and Regulatory Scrutiny
The news release dated January 8, 2026, provides assay results from nine holes (CDH-25-220 through 228) of an ongoing 50,000-meter diamond drill program at the Columba High Grade Silver Project in Mexico. Approximately 13,000 meters have been completed to date. Key intercepts include Hole CDH-25-222 with 4.53 meters of 390 gpt silver and Hole CDH-25-225 with 7 meters of 186 gpt silver and 3.8% zinc. The company reports that mineralization remains open at depth and along strike. Additionally, the company announced a three-month extension of its marketing agreement with Sideways Frequency LLC for $250,000 USD and revealed it raised $263,303 CAD via its At-The-Market (ATM) program at an average price of $2.1997.
- Drilling Quality: While the company headlines these as "high-grade," several intercepts (e.g., 186 gpt, 87 gpt, 135 gpt) are actually below the 284 gpt average silver grade reported in the Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) from June 2025. This suggests that while the footprint is expanding, it may be doing so at the expense of overall grade.
- Operational Progress: The 50,000-meter program is a massive undertaking. Completing only 13,000 meters in roughly five months (since August 2025) suggests the program will take another year to complete. Lab turnaround times are noted as "longer than usual," which will delay the expected Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
- Financial Red Flag: The company continues to spend heavily on "marketing services." The $250,000 USD per quarter ($1 million USD annualized) paid to Sideways Frequency for lead generation and native advertising is excessive for an exploration-stage company.
- Regulatory Sensitivity: The December 17, 2025, response to OTC Markets regarding "promotional activity" is a significant risk. It reveals the company is under scrutiny for the very marketing campaigns it just extended.
Kootenay Silver is a Canadian-listed explorer focused on the Columba Silver Project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Columba is a classic high-grade epithermal vein system located within a volcanic caldera. * Flagship Project: Columba Project. * Resource: Inferred Mineral Resource of 54.1 million ounces of silver (5.92 Mt at 284 gpt Ag). * Ownership: 100% (acquired for $3.29 million USD, completed in 2023). * Royalties: Subject to multiple royalties: * 2% NSR to vendors (1% buyable for $750k USD). * 2% NSR on surface access (1% buyable for $4.5M USD).