Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go
THE DRILL SERGEANT: Each week any number of junior exploration plays set out to drill their ground. Here’s a small selection of what’s been happening this week.
Drilling Resumes at the Acra gold project
Pioneer Resources (ASX: PIO) has resumed drilling at the company’s 100 per cent-held Acra gold project, north east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
This round of drilling will comprise up to 15 reverse circulation or diamond core holes completed at the Kalpini South prospect, which is centrally located within the overall Acra project. Results are expected in May 2014.
Drill holes are designed to extend upon gold intersections announced during 2013 and to test a 200m strike length of the targeted structure.
“The company continues to maintain a sound financial position with current cash reserves of approximately $2.3 million, plus the final instalment, being $1.1 million from the sale of the Mt Jewell project, due on 6 March 2015,” Pioneer Resources managing director David Crook said.
“This has enabled us to plan a series of targeted explorations programs throughout the 2014 field season commencing at Kalpini South, and we look forward to providing details on the progress of these programs in due course.”
Drilling commenced on Karga base metals prospect
Canyon Resources (ASX: CAY) has commenced Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling at the Karga prospect on the company’s Taparko North project in Burkina Faso to follow up coincident multi-element soil and ground Electro Magnetic EM targets.
Canyon said the targets suggest there is potential for VMS (Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide) style of copper-zinc mineralisation.
Geophysical interpretation and modelling of ground EM survey results have highlighted a potential link between moderate to strong bedrock anomalism and adjacent anomalous copper-zinc geochemical targets Canyon identified from previous auger soil geochemistry work.
“Canyon engaged a consultant to review the results from previously completed auger geochem and a follow up ground EM survey,” Canyon Resources managing director Phillip Gallagher said.
“The review identified several targets including the high priority, stronger, bedrock sourced KE1 and KE2 anomalies that warrant further testing with an RC drilling program.
“The RC drilling program is a cost effective program that will allow us to test the anomalies and quickly gain an understanding of the potential of the targets to host base metal mineralisation.”
Rig secured for Yolla gas field drilling program
Origin Energy (ASX: ORG), as operator of the BassGas Joint Venture, announced Seadrill Australia has been contracted to provide the drilling rig for the project’s upcoming work program in Bass Strait’s Yolla gas field.
The West Telesto drilling rig is expected to be mobilised during the 2014/15 Australian summer to drill the Yolla-5 and Yolla-6 wells as part of the Yolla Mid Life Enhancement project’s second stage.
The West Telesto is a three-leg jack-up rig that will cantilever over the Yolla platform during the drilling campaign.
The drilling of Yolla-5 and Yolla-6, along with the installation of associated flow lines and other works, will support the maintenance of gas production from the Yolla field.
BassGas Joint Venture:
Origin Energy Limited (Operator)*: 42.50 per cent
AWE Limited (through subsidiaries): 46.25 per cent
Toyota Tsusho Gas E&P Trefoil Pty Ltd: 11.25 per cent
Drilling commences at Morille
Plymouth Minerals (ASX: PLH) has commenced its planned exploration program at the Morille tungsten-tin project in Spain.
Drilling of high priority targets covering the extensions of mineralisation at Alegria mine, Claudina and Mundaca (ACMA prospect) and Westside prospects will be undertaken.
The majority of drill holes will be vertical and sub-100 metres in depth.
The program is designed to test for extensions of mineralisation from known historic mining operations as well as prospective geological corridors interpreted from results of recent geophysical surveys.
Native Title mining agreement signed
GB Energy (ASX: GBX) has executed a Native Title Mining Agreement(NTMA) for Exploration with the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC.
The NTMA covers both GB Energy’s Stuart Shelf copper-gold-uranium project (EL 5231 and EL 5255) and Mount Denison uranium project (EL5302).
“The Native Title Mining Agreement for Exploration with the Arabana People is an important milestone in our South Australian exploration program,” GB Energy executive director Graeme Kirke said.
“I would like to thank the Directors of the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation for receiving us and I look forward to a cooperative relationship.”
Native title access to Flagship WA gold project
ARUMA Resources (ASX: AAJ) has negotiated Native Title access to its flagship Glandore gold project, 40 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie in the West Australian goldfields, allowing the company to commence exploration drilling after a three-year delay.
The resolution comes after the Goldfields Land and Sea Council (GLSC) and the Central East Native Title Group (CEG) conducted a heritage survey of the Glandore area, with Aruma receiving provisional approval from those parties to conduct a 3000 metre aircore drilling program at the project.
Aruma Resources managing director Peter Schwann said he was pleased that the Company, the GLSC and the CEG had achieved such a positive outcome, particularly after previous negotiations had failed.
“This is good news for Aruma and its shareholders, and good news for the CEG Claimants, who will share in any success we have under Deferred Production Agreements signed two years ago,” Schwann said.