Kirkland Lake Gold 6-K Current report (foreign)

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C., 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Issuer

FOR PERIOD ENDED

January 23, 2004

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:

01-31380

KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD INC.

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

Suite 300, 570 Granville Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada, V6C 3P1

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.   

Form 20-F   X Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  

Yes No   X

If “Yes” is marked indicate the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 -●.

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P.O. Box 370

KIRKLAND LAKE, ON, P2N 3J7

JANUARY 23, 2004     

                                           Symbol – TSX: KGI

DRILLING STARTS TO THE EAST OF #2 SHAFT   LAUNCHING 575,000 FOOT 2004 EXPLORATION PROGRAM

Kirkland Lake Gold Inc (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the commencement of a large, property-wide surface and underground drill campaign.  For the first time since the late 1980’s drilling from underground positions to the east of Shaft #2 commenced this week, joining  three exploration drills currently working at Shaft #3 and four machines drilling from surface.

The First Phase of the Company’s 3 Year $21 million exploration campaign (outlined in a news release dated October 8^th, 2003) is to move east from Shaft #2 on the Macassa property to begin exploration drilling on the Kirkland Minerals and Teck–Hughes Properties. In the late spring of this year, following the re-commissioning of Shaft #5 on the Lake Shore property, the Second Phase of exploration will begin moving west towards the Teck–Hughes Property and east to drill targets on the Wright-Hargreaves Property, (see figure 1).

In 2003, the Company met the target goals it had set for the increase of reserves and resources, and in doing so had a major discovery in the D-zone in February 2003. Following the completion of the camp wide data compilation project in the summer, the Company’s geologists assembled an exploration plan to drill targets that have the potential to host 15,000,000 tons of ore (using the historic drilling success rates of 25%) with targets consisting of both ore-bearing and unexplored vein systems.

In the First Phase of the underground program this year there are three sub-programs -

• Definition and exploration drilling east of the number #2, where the first drill started this week on the 3000 level

• Exploration drilling on the large gaps or boundary zones on  Kirkland Minerals and Teck-Hughes Properties where the Main Break was not mined or drilled (see  figures number 2 and 3)

• Drilling for parallel structures to the 04 and Main Breaks ,the 05/Narrows break to the North and the various mineralized zones to the South

“This will be one of the largest exploration programs in the industry and certainly the largest seen in Kirkland Lake, “ said Mike Sutton, Chief Geologist. “At last, this high grade camp will get the exploration drilling that it deserves. The thought that there exists a parallel structure out there with even a fraction of the ounces of the Main Break, suggests that the cost per ounce discovered through drilling could be lower than the historical range of between $2 and $7 an ounce.”

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The proposed exploration is described below.

Exploration and Definition Drilling East of the Macassa #2 Shaft.

 Following rehabilitation on the 2475, 3000 and 4500 levels, drilling campaigns will be on-going in the #2 Shaft area in an effort to convert resources to reserves. The 4250 and 4500 level are now the focus of drilling to follow up on earlier drilling results.

 Exploration drilling will also take place from the 4100 level where short term targets are resource blocks along the Main Break, but this level also allows access to drill the #6 Break and #5 vein (see figure #3).  The area below the junction of the Main and #6 Breaks is a multi-vein complex that was mined extensively by Kirkland Minerals. Up to 10 ore stopes were located side by side, along with the #10 vein anticline (folded vein).  This junction of the major structures extends thousands of feet to the west but was not explored for on the Macassa side of the boundary. Above this junction is the #5 vein that was mined in one continuous sheet for over 1200 feet along strike and 400 feet down dip. Again, this was mined up to the boundary, without mining or exploration on the Macassa side.  The 41 level enables the Company to drill both of these large targets.

The 4200 level in the vicinity of Shaft #2 provides excellent access to drill the P Vein complex.  This is a zone that is mined extensively up to a cross-fault on levels from 3600 to 4250.  On the other side of the fault, it is not mined, and has only limited exploration drilling completed.

The following table summarizes the 1999 42 and 45 level #2 shaft drill results:

DRILL HOLE No.	VEIN	ASSAY (oz. per ton/feet)
45-505	HW VEIN	2.50/7.9’= 7.7’ TW (CUT, OR 9.90/7.9’ UNCUT) VG
	INCLUDING	28.40/2.4’
45-628	HW VEIN	11.36/1.0’= 1.0’ TW VG
45-626	HW VEIN	2.05/6.0’= 5.1’ TW (CUT, OR 4.76/6.0’ UNCUT) VG
45-381	HW VEIN	3.61/2.0’= 1.2’ TW VG
45-706	HW VEIN	7.74/1.6’= 1.2’ TW VG
42-637	HW VEIN	4.21/1.0’= 1.0’ TW VG
42-653	HW VEIN	4.90/2.6’= 2.0’ TW VG
42-636	HW VEIN	0.60/14.5’= 14.3’ TW VG
42-579	HW VEIN	8.65/1.0’= 1.0’ TW VG

TW = True Width   VG = Visible Gold   TELL = Tellurides   CUT= cut to 3.50 oz./ton

QV = Quartz vein   HW=Hangingwall vein

Large Main Break Targets on Kirkland Minerals and Teck-Hughes.  

One of the most important targets of the overall exploration campaign is drilling of the Kirkland Minerals boundary zone. Crews are currently rehabbing east from the Macassa #2 shaft out to the Kirkland Minerals property where drilling stations will be established and the large boundary

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zone above the 4000 level will be drilled.

As can be seen in diagram 2, mining at the Macassa Mine went to the western border of the Kirkland Minerals property and the Teck-Hughes mine worked to the eastern boundary of the Kirkland Minerals property. Kirkland Minerals focused their production efforts during their years of operation, 1919 and 1964, below the 4000 level (4000 feet below surface-see figures 2, and 3). The boundary is over 2,000 feet wide along the Main Break. Drilling from a cross-cut on 2475 level, plus down from surface, will cover this extensive unexplored area.

Drilling Parallel Structures to the North and South.

The 24 million ounces mined in Kirkland Lake was almost exclusively taken from one structural system, the Main Break-’04 Break system. Exploration was largely accomplished by driving along this system on various levels below surface. Very little drilling was carried out to the north and south to search for parallel ore-bearing structures. This exploration program will thoroughly test these potential systems.

The ‘05/Narrows Break system structure appears to be present to the north of, and parallel to, the main ore horizon of Kirkland Lake, the Main Break system. Ore has been mined to the north at both ends of the Kirkland Lake Camp, four miles apart, with intervening sporadic drilling between returning ore-grade values. Drilling has commenced on surface, and will begin shortly underground at the 24, and 45 levels. This will be followed by drilling of the zone from #5 shaft in Phase 2 of the program.

Next month, from the 45 level (4500 feet below surface), drilling will initially target a 3,000 foot area between two holes that intersected 1.22 ounces of gold per ton over 1.0 feet (1.0 feet of true width (“ TW”)), and 0.30 ounces of gold per ton over 6.0 feet (3.8 feet TW). These holes, drilled by Lac Minerals in 1991 and 1988 respectively, both intersected quartz veining with visible gold and tellurides. The latter hole veered onto the neighbouring Teck-owned property (Kirkland Minerals) and returned a value of 0.30 ounces of gold per ton over six feet. This new discovery can now be followed up as all five mines are under one ownership.

On surface, drilling of the ‘05/Narrows Break system has begun by drilling in the vicinity of previous drill holes that returned 0.47 ounces of gold per ton over 9.6 feet (4.5 feet TW), 0.33 ounces of gold per ton over 13.8 feet (4.1 feet TW), and 0.49 ounces of gold per ton over 17.9 feet (4.8 feet TW). These intersections are located at 600 to 1000 feet below surface.

A drill capable of drilling over 3,000 foot holes is currently drilling South zones to the south of the main ore horizon, on 47 level (see figure #1-“new discoveries to the south”). Early next month a second powerful drill will be added, to drill from a drill bay to the east of Shaft #2. At this location, no drilling has penetrated beyond 100 feet to the south; drilling the many targets to the south can be accomplished, covering a 2000 foot corridor.

Two holes have intersected a wide, mineralized porphyry.  As detailed in a previous news release, hole 47-994B recently discovered three new mineralized zones located 800 feet, 1,365 feet and 1,617 feet south of the –4700 level at the Macassa Mine. These zones returned 2.94 ounces of gold per ton gold over 5.5 feet core length (uncut, 1.79 cut), 0.77 ounce of gold per ton gold over 2.7 feet core length, and 0.16 ounce of gold per ton over 62.2 feet of core length including 1.89 ounce of gold per ton over 3.0 feet core length (all with unknown true widths). At least four hangingwall vein systems have now been identified 600 feet to 1,600 feet south of the main mine workings. This additional drilling will be undertaken 3,600 feet to the east of 47-994B, on 45 level. This is 600 feet east of, and 1000 feet higher than drill hole 45-254, the second intersection on the wide highly altered porphyry unit.

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Intersections included 0.030 ounces of gold per ton over 86.7 feet of core length and 0.19 ounces of gold per ton over 1.0 feet of core length.

Breakdown of drilling (PHASE 1):

LOCATION	TARGET	FOOTAGE
Kirkland Minerals underground	MAIN BREAK	39,000
Kirkland Minerals	NARROWS/’05 BREAK	87,000
Macassa #2 shaft definition	VARIOUS	154,000
Kirkland Minerals	DRILLING SOUTH STRUCTURES	30,000
Surface- Kirkland Minerals, Teck-Hughes	NARROWS/’05 BREAK	72,000
Surface- Kirkland Minerals, Teck-Hughes	MAIN BREAK	21,000
Surface-other targets		46,000
TOTALS		449,000

Breakdown of drilling (PHASE 2):

LOCATION	TARGET	FOOTAGE
Lakeshore #5 shaft	MAIN BREAK/ SUBSIDIARY ZONES	24,000
Lakeshore #5 shaft	SOUTH BREAK	24,000
Lakeshore #5 shaft	NARROWS/’05 BREAK	32,000
Lakeshore #5 shaft	VARIOUS OTHER STRUCTURES	24,000
Surface- Lakeshore and Wright-Hargeaves	VARIOUS STRUCTURES	22,000
Totals		126,000

The results of the Company’s underground diamond drilling program have been reviewed, verified (including sampling, analytical and test data) and compiled by the Company's geological staff (which includes a ‘qualified person’, Michael Sutton P.Geo. for the purpose of NI 43-101,Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects).

The Company has implemented a quality control program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with the best possible practices.  The drill core is sawn in half with half of the core samples shipped to the Swastika Laboratories in Swastika, Ontario or to the Macassa mine laboratory for analysis. The other half of the core is retained for future assay verification. Other QA/QC includes the insertion of blanks, and the regular re-assaying of pulps/rejects at alternate certified labs (Polymet, Accurassay). Gold analysis is conducted by fire assay using atomic absorption or gravimetric finish.  The laboratory re-assays at least 10% of all samples and additional checks may be run on anomalous values.

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The Company’s Kirkland Lake properties are the subject of a report prepared by Roland H. Ridler, B.A.Sc.(hons.), M.A.Sc., Ph.D.(Econ.Geol.), P.D., entitledKirkland Lake Mineral Properties (Macassa Mine, Kirkland Lake Gold, Teck-Hughes, Lake Shore, Wright-Hargreaves dated November 30, 2001.  The Company’s Macassa Mine Property is the subject of a reserve report prepared by David W. Rennie, P.Eng. and Richard E. Routledge, M.Sc., P.Geol. entitledReview of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves of the Macassa Mine Property, Kirkland Lake, Ontario Prepared for Kirkland Lake Gold Inc dated December 23, 2002 and a reserve report prepared by Michael Sutton P.Geo., and Stewart Carmichael, P.Geo.entitledMineral Resources and Mineral Reserves of the Macassa Mine Property, Kirkland Lake, Ontario (Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.) as at April 30, 2003 dated August 30, 2003. All of t hese technical reports have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com <http://www.sedar.com>).

The Company purchased the Macassa Mine and the 1500 ton per day mill along with four former producing gold properties – Kirkland Minerals, Teck-Hughes, Lake Shore and Wright Hargreaves – in December 2001.These properties, which have historically produced some 22 million ounces of gold, extend over 7 kilometers between the Macassa Mine on the west and Wright Hargreaves on the east and for the first time will be developed and explored under one owner. This camp is located in the Abitibi Southern  Greenstone Belt of Kirkland Lake, Ontario Canada.

For further information

Investor Relations

Brian Hinchcliffe

Scott Koyich

President

Phone 1 403 215 5979

Phone 1 705 567 5208

Fax 1 705 568 6444

Website-www.klgold.com

e-mail: bhinchcliffe@klgold.com

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept

responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD

(the Registrant)

Date:	January 23, 2004	By:	Signed“Sandra Lee”
			Signature Sandra Lee, Secretary
			Name*         Title

*Print name and title under the signature of the signing officer

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