Commenting on the diamond drill results Executive Director
This DD programme was designed primarily for structural interpretation from oriented core to determine controls for the broad RSSZ (shear hosted) mineralized zones. The DD core is the first to be recovered from the project area as previous legacy exploration programmes dating back to 1986 utilised reverse circulation (RC) drilling. To date, the understanding of ore controls is based on limited structures evident at minor workings as mineralized outcrop is largely masked by hillside slump debris, alluvium and extensive windblown silt deposits.
The first three DD holes (MDD001-MDD003) sited at CIT, RAS and SRE prospects were drilled between
MDD001 - Come-in-Time (CIT)
RSSZ mineralization was intersected immediately below the Thomson's Gorge Fault (TGF) at 62m where a zone of 11m @ 0.86g/t Au (min 0.25g/t cut-off) is associated with both arsenopyrite rich shear / breccia and quartz stockwork veins.
MDD002 - Rise & Shine (RAS)
This diamond drillhole, collared in RSSZ footwall schist (approximately 15 metres below the TGF) intersected a broad 18m zone @ 1.97 g/t Au from 65m. The highest gold grades (2m @14g/t from 81m [1m @16.19g/t & 1m @ 11.80g/t]) are at the base of the 18m zone associated with high angle quartz veins and brecciation. This MDD002 intercept appears to link mineralization in adjacent previous RC drillholes of 5m @ 5.03g/t Au (MRC044 in 2019), and 12m @ 2.53g/t Au (RCB37 in 2006). The grade continuity at depth (80-98m below the TGF) is a feature of RAS stacked ore zones and these intercepts are likely extensions of ore mined a further 160-180m SE along strike in 1940's Eureka workings.
MDD003 - Shreks East (SRE)
Outside current JORC Inferred resources, drillhole MDD003 has intersected 19m @ 0.75g/t Au from 64m, a significant width of RSSZ mineralization immediately below the TGF with a basal zone of 8m @ 1.22g/t Au from 75m. The upper zone is dominated by shears and the lower zone, high-angle veining / faulting (including 1m @ 5.70g/t Au) a feature common with MDD001 (CIT) and MDD002 (RAS) intercepts.
Key takeaways and Forward DD Programme
Important mineralization controls are emerging from a growing inventory of DD oriented core and the RSSZ potential has been enhanced with outstanding assays in both extensions to (RAS deep footwall) and new areas beyond the known deposits (SRE). The initial 500m DD programme has been extended and is advancing in tandem with RC drilling which has been focusing on extensions to existing resources where new assays are pending. At least 7 km of Dunstan Range RSSZ mineralization along strike (below barren TZ3 schist and the TGF) is largely untested between the known deposits and DD oriented core in these areas will be invaluable in guiding resource extension drilling.
Structural interpretation of core is ongoing, and the additional oriented DD core will also assist mineralization modelling for both early resource upgrades and material for recommencement of metallurgical test work.
Contact:
Richard Keevers
Tel: +61 408 873 353
Email: rkeevers@westnet.com.au
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