Ausgold Intersects Southern Extension of Jinkas Deposit

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Ausgold (ASX: AUC) released results of reverse circulation (RC) drilling carried out on Jinkas South at the company’s 100 per cent-owned Katanning gold project (KGP) in Western Australia.

Ausgold said the RC drilling, completed 340 metres south along strike from the Jinkas Resource, has intersected a broad zone of gold mineralisation which remains untested for a further extension of 300m along strike.

The first eight RC holes drilled at Jinkas South – a recently identified trend south of the current Jinkas Resource – intersected a broad zone of gold mineralisation with intercepts including:

BSRC0759
10 metres at 2.09 grams per tonne gold from 84m, including 1m at 15.05g/t gold from 93m;

BSRC0761
7m at 2.09g/t gold from 69m, including 4m at 3.15g/t gold from 71m;

BSRC0763
8m at 2.01g/t gold from 96m, including 4m at 3.29g/t gold from 100m; and

BSRC0759
2m at 3.32g/t gold from 58m.

Ausgold commenced its RC drill program at the start of February, with 32 holes having been completed over the Jinkas South, Fraser, Lukin, Jackson and Olympia prospects.

The current round of RC drilling is testing targets identified during recent air core (AC) drilling and geophysical programs.

“RC drilling results from Jinkas highlight the progress we have made using systematic exploration and our improved geological understanding to underpin our work on this project,” Ausgold chief executive officer Matthew Greentree said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“The Jinkas South drilling has tested a relatively simple target along strike from known mineralisation and is one of many significant gaps which previous exploration drilling has failed to test.

“The large areas previously left untested by earlier exploration work have the potential to significantly increase the Resource base at the Katanning gold project.

“We plan to rapidly expand the KGP’s mineral inventory through these near-Resource additions as well as further discoveries elsewhere along the project’s currently identified 17 kilometre strike length.”

 

Email: info@ausgoldlimited.com

Website: www.ausgoldlimited.com

 

Comet Resources Claims Western Australia High-Grade Graphite Discovery

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Comet Resources (ASX: CRL) claimed a new graphite discovery at the company’s Springdale graphite project, east of Hopetoun in Western Australia.

Comet Resources said the new high-grade graphite discovery, along with the Western Zone, discovered in 2016, and the Eastern Zone, discovered in 2017, demonstrates the prospectivity of the Springdale project.

The company completed a reverse circulation (RC) drill program consisting 93 shallow, reconnaissance style, RC holes designed to test aeromagnetic targets.

The drilling was carried out between December 2017 and February 2018, resulting in the discovery of a new high-grade graphite horizon in the northern fold closure, known as the Northern Zone.

Highlights from the drilling to date include:

HR0057
9m at 5.9 per cent TGC (total graphitic carbon) from 3m;

HR0060
20m at 19.3 per cent TGC from 30m, including 13m at 25.8 per cent TGC and 2m at 19.3 per cent TGC mineralised to end of hole;

HR0061
7m at 16.3 per cent TGC from 15m, including 3m at 35.1 per cent TGC; and
15m at 7.3 per cent TGC from 24m, including 2m at 23.1 per cent TGC and 2m at 16.1 per cent TGC;

HR0062
6m at 6.1 per cent TGC from 4m; and
14m at 7 per cent TGC from 23m, including 2m at 17.3 per cent TGC and 2m at 15.5 per cent TGC; and

HR0063
10m at 10.1 per cent TGC from 29m, including 2m at 18.2 per cent TGC, 1m at 17.2 per cent TGC and 2m at 17.8 per cent TGC.

“Numerous assay results are expected over the coming weeks and will be announced after interpertation has been completed,” Comet Resources explained in its ASX announcement.

“The discovery demonstrates the potential for the Springdale project area.”

Comet outlined its plans to progress the assessment of the graphite and graphene at the Springdale project, including a geological/structural interpretation – that will review drill results with aeromagnetic data to identify the most prospective stratigraphic horizons.

The company expects this will generate new targets and focus drilling on existing targets.

A diamond drill program will be planned to follow up high-grade intersection to provide samples for metallurgical testwork and information to move the geological understanding forward.

Metallurgical testwork will continue on existing and newly generated diamond core as the company develops a better understanding of the amenability of the graphite at Springdale to convert to graphene or be used in battery and other technologies is an integral part of understanding and realising its commercial value.

 

Email: comet@cometres.com.au

Website: www.cometres.com.au

 

Sunstone Metals Identifies Ecuadorian Drill Targets

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Sunstone Metals (ASX:STM) reported the defining of large drilling targets from 3-D modelling of heli-magnetic data results taken at the company’s Bramaderos gold-copper project in Ecuador.

Sunstone Metals said this was the first 3-D modelling of a subset of recently collected heli-magnetic data over the Bramaderos Main and nearby targets and demonstrated these targets have considerable vertical extent.

The company currently has 3-D modelling of the Limon and West Zone targets underway with results expected shortly.

The company explained that a large magnetic body has been modelled at Bramaderos Main with a vertical depth of one kilometre and a surface expression that coincides with the areas of best historical drilling and gold anomalism defined by a recent trenching program.

Historical drill hole CURI03, and recent trench BM02, both intersected widths of gold and copper mineralisation and the recent model indicates the main magnetic area has not been drill tested and occurs just beyond the highest assay results from historical hole CURI03, which included 30.2 metres at 0.8 grams per tonne gold and 0.2 per cent copper at the bottom of the hole.

Sunstone said the modelling also enhanced the Porotillo target by providing context for areas of gold-in-soil anomalies, and historical drilling which it appears may have been drilled on the periphery of the magnetic target zone.

The Porotillo target is located 1.5km south of Bramaderos Main and was previously considered a lower-ranked target due to historical drilling that delivered sporadic gold mineralisation.

However, this 3-D modelling has defined a large magnetic body, which evolves near surface into a cluster of magnetic bodies – a magnetic pattern is seen in other porphyry systems.

“The 3-D modelling results provide more strong evidence of the huge potential of the Bramaderos Main and Porotillo targets,” Sunstone Metals managing director Malcolm Norris said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“The modelled magnetic bodies sit adjacent to, and extend below, the drill holes which intersected copper and gold, and are located below the extensive gold anomaly we have outlined.

“This work increases our confidence yet again in the robustness of the targets and starts to deliver a sense of scale to these targets.

“Additional 3-D modelling is currently underway over the Limon and West Zone targets.”

 

Email: info@sunstonemetals.com.au

Website: www.sunstonemetals.com.au

 

Marindi Metals Claims Pegmatite Discoveries at Forrestania

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Marindi Metals (ASX: MZN) provided an update on exploration activities at the company’s Forrestania lithium project.

Marindi Metals has completed ground work to follow up soil sampling, which identified two highly prospective pegmatites showing similarities to the Earl Grey pegmatite, located 60 kilometres and 80 kilometres north of the respective prospective areas.

Infill soil sampling results led to a field inspection of anomalous areas undertaken at the Cosmic Boy East and Diggers Rocks East target areas.

At Cosmic Boy East, an area of highly anomalous tantalum in soil with peak values to 6.5ppm tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) was inspected.

Within the soil anomaly a poorly exposed pegmatite was identified and sampled, which returned assays that indicated it to be a highly specialised LCT pegmatite assaying 157.5ppm Ta2O5 with both potassium/rubidium (K/Rb) and potassium/caesium (K/Cs) ratios.

Marindi claimed this to be broadly comparable with data published on the nearby Earl Grey pegmatite.

At Digger Rocks East, Marindi inspected an area of highly anomalous caesium where peak values to 11.5ppm caesium in soils had been returned.

This identified a further poorly exposed pegmatite to be sampled, returning assays indicated it to be another highly specialised LCT pegmatite assaying 36.8ppm Ta2O5 and 12.8ppm Ta2O5 in separate samples.

Once again, Marindi claimed both the potassium/rubidium and potassium/caesium ratios to be consistent with data published on the nearby Earl Grey pegmatite.

“Drilling will be required to determine the size and mineralogy of these pegmatites,” Marindi Metals said in its ASX announcement.

“The fact that soil sampling has led to the identification of outcropping specialised pegmatite is considered encouraging and a validation of the exploration technique as a first pass filter to discriminate prospective from less prospective ground in areas of residual soil or shallow cover.

“Infill soil sampling is ongoing and follow up inspections will continue as more anomalous areas are identified and Marindi expects to have results from the infill samples next week.

“Marindi has already begun plans for an initial drill program and will finalise its drilling program once these assays are received.”

 

Email: info@marindi.com.au

Website: www.marindi.com.au

 

Azure Minerals Identifies New Mexican Zinc Lead Targets

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Azure Minerals (ASX: AZS) has identified areas of strong zinc and lead anomalism and high-grade gold, silver and base metal mineralisation during regional exploration program over the western half of the company’s Oposura project in mexico.

Azure Minerals said the areas were identified on the Mina Blanca Ranch prospect within the Oposura project area.

The company explained it is planning to drill at Mina Blanca Ranch following the completion of the Oposura resource drill-out and upon receipt of the required approvals.

Azure has interpreted the results from this early-stage exploration to indicate that additional precious and base metal mineralisation may be present within the western part of the Oposura property and further exploration, including drilling, is warranted.

When the Oposura resource drill-out has been completed, Azure will shift to an expansionary phase to test for repetitions and extensions of the high-grade Oposura massive sulphide deposit, and to explore for new styles of mineralisation like it has identified at Mina Blanca.

“Azure has undertaken the first modern exploration on the Mina Blanca Ranch in the western part of the Oposura property, and the systematic and technical approach is delivering positive results,” Azure Minerals managing director Tony Rovira said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“This is obviously a strongly mineralised district, with our geochemical surveys identifying several anomalies with potential for zinc and lead mineralisation close to the Oposura resource area.

“Additionally, the high-grade gold, silver and base metal values returned from a sample collected from the historical Mina Blanca mine provides extra encouragement for structurally controlled mineralisation.”

 

Website: www.azureminerals.com.au

Blackstone Minerals Claims Emerging WA Gold Discovery

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Blackstone Minerals (ASX: BSX) claimed an emerging gold discovery after recording encouraging results from a second phase aircore drilling program.

Blackstone Minerals conducted the drilling at the company’s Silver Swan South project, located eight kilometres along strike of the world-class Kanowna Belle gold mine near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

Blackstone declared its second phase aircore drilling program at Silver Swan South to have intersected gold mineralisation and extensive basement geochemical anomalism at the Black Eagle prospect with the following result:

10 metres at 3.2 grams per tonne gold from 68 m within, 15 m at 2.2g/t gold from 64m to end of hole (EOH).

The company considers the results to have upgraded the Black Eagle prospect and when combined with previous reconnaissance results of 3m at 3.5g/t gold from 60m elevates Black Eagle to a priority drill target.

The company is ready to commence aircore drilling that will also target the Black Hawk prospect, to follow up on an initial intersection of 3m at 2.6g/t gold from 52m that was encountered in the first phase of drilling at Silver Swan South.

Following the success of its aircore drill programs Blackstone also plans to commence a maiden diamond drilling program in Q2 2018.

“We are pleased to announce these significant gold results at such an early stage in our exploration efforts at Silver Swan South,” Blackstone Minerals managing director Scott Williamson said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“We look forward to the next phase of drilling to identify the primary source of the gold mineralisation at Black Eagle and to identify further gold anomalism at Black Hawk.

“We are strategically located within trucking distance of many world class gold mines.

“Our Australian assets continue to complement our flagship very high-grade Little Gem cobalt-gold project in British Columbia, Canada.”

 

Email: admin@blackstoneminerals.com.au

Website: www.blackstoneminerals.com.au

 

Kin Mining Drilling LGP Kyte Deposit

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Having got its Boardroom duck hierarchy in order, Kin Mining (ASX: KIN) announced it has resumed drilling at the company’s Leonora gold project (LGP) in Western Australia.

Kin Mining said an initial RC drilling program has been approved to extend the gold Resource at the Kyte orebody.

The Kyte deposit currently has an Indicated Resource of 21,000 ounces of gold and is presently open along strike in both directions and down dip.

A Definitive Feasibility Study determined Kyte to be positioned in the van of the company’s production schedule due to positive economics.

Because of this, Kin considers better defining the extent of mineralisation is a high priority.

The company said increasing the Resource at Kyte will enable it to provide greater flexibility within the mine plan.

The Kyte orebody has a stripping ratio of 2.7:1 with a C1 cash cost of $727 per ounce (AISC of $770 per ounce) and has a Resource to Reserve conversion of 86 per cent.

Kin indicated that mining the Kyte deposit early in the life of the LGP will assist in quickly paying back the debt facility.

This round of drilling will further explore the extensions to the south, as there are currently constraints to drilling to the north.

“We are excited to be getting back to drilling at the Leonora gold project and following up on the strong results that were delivered by our geology team in 2017,” Kin Mining acting managing director Trevor Dixon said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“We are determined to grow our Resource base and to improve on our reserve conversions through 2018 as we ramp up to production.”

 

Email: info@kinmining.com.au

Website: www.kinmining.com.au

 

Nusantara Resources Increases Salu Bulo Mineral Resource

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Nusantara Resources (ASX: NUS) released a Mineral Resource update for the Salu Bulo deposit, located on the company’s 100 per cent-owned Awak Mas gold project in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Nusantara Resources said the update had resulted from the inclusion of results from 12 additional diamond drill holes carried out during a Phase 1 drilling program at the project.

The company claimed the final assay results from the 12-hole Salu Bulo drilling program confirmed the continuity and strike potential of the Biwa and Lelating trends.

The drilling also identified previously unmodeled, shallow dipping mineralisation located north of a controlling structure.

The Salu Bulo Indicated and Inferred Resource has been updated with a 65 per cent increase in contained gold to 3.7 million tonnes at 1.53 grams per tonne gold for 180,000 contained ounces.

The Awak Mas gold project Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.5g/t gold cut-off within a US$1400 per ounce optimisation shell increases to 2 million ounces, with 81 per cent reporting to the Indicated Resource category.

Nusantara said this had provided the company with further confidence for the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) it currently has in progress.

The company indicated it expects further resource upgrades for the Awak Mas deposit from ongoing step-out drilling within the Awak Mas lower domains and Awak Mas eastern extension (Highwall) area.

“Achieving two million ounces is a significant milestone for the company and highlights the immense upside potential of the Awak Mas gold project,” Nusantara Resources managing director and CEO Mike Spreadborough said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“We eagerly await assay results from the step-out drilling currently in progress at the Awak Mas deposit, which has the potential for additional mineralisation for inclusion in the DFS that is on track for completion in mid-2018.”

 

Email: info@nusantararesources.com.au

Website: www.nusantararesources.com.au

 

Kalium Lakes Posts Positive Purification Plant Outcomes

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: Kalium Lakes (ASX: KLL) informed the market of progress it is making regarding testwork optimisation for the Purification Plant at the company’s 100 per cent-owned Beyondie sulphate of potash project (SOP) in Western Australia.

Kalium Lakes said the recent work utilised harvested salts from pilot evaporation ponds at the Beyondie project, which were subjected to duplicated laboratory trials at both K-UTEC in Germany and Saskatchawan Research Council (SRC) in Canada.

The company said the testwork had continued to optimise process flow sheet design while building on previous work completed in the Prefeasibility Study.

Optimisation works for batch recovery trials within the processing plant utilising more than one tonne of harvested salts from the pilot evaporation ponds achieved individual recoveries of between 90 per cent to 98 per cent.

Kalium Lakes asserted that the overall SOP recoveries achieved have the potential to increase to more than 80 per cent, including evaporation pond losses associated with both leakage and recovery.

Sulphate of potash product quality has been enhanced to a premium 51 to 52 per cent potassium oxide (K2O) product with minimal chloride (less than five per cent) and insoluble material

The company said there is optimisation and equipment vendor testwork ongoing utilising eight tonnes of recently harvested salts from the pilot evaporation ponds.

Final product specifications aim to produce a Kalium Lakes Premium SOP, Granular SOP and horticulture grade Soluble SOP suite of products.

“Kalium Lakes is continuing to reduce process risk by duplicating work in both Germany and Canada so as to independently verify and optimise the repeatability of the proposed flowsheet,” Kalium Lakes managing director Brett Hazelden said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“Utilising salts from our large-scale pilot evaporation ponds has allowed us to produce representative mixed potassium salt samples which have then been utilised to optimise the process.

“The results to date have been considerably better than our Pre-Feasibility assumptions and we have continued to improve the final SOP product quality.

“We are now moving to the final phase of testing and optimisation with a further eight tonnes of material harvested and sent to the two international facilities.

“This material will provide bulk samples for equipment vendor testing to enable process guarantees to be put in place, as well as producing marketing samples for potential offtake customers.”

 

Email: info@kaliumlakes.com.au

Website: www.kaliumlakes.com.au

 

St George Mining to Resume Mt Alexander Drilling

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THE DRILL SERGEANT: St George Mining (ASX: SGQ) is about to commence a major diamond and RC (reverse circulation) drill program at the company’s Mt Alexander project near Leonora, in the North-eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.

St George Mining said the planned drill program will consist twenty planned drill holes for 2,510 metres of drilling with further drilling to be undertaken as drill results are assessed and downhole EM (DHEM) surveys on completed drill holes are reviewed.

Most of the planned drill holes are to be carried out at the Stricklands prospect where drill hole MAD71, completed late last year, returned the best intersection the company has encountered to date at the Mt Alexander project

The thick ultramafic channel at Stricklands was originally identified by MAD49, which intersected:

18.86 metres at 0.42 per cent nickel, 0.16 per cent copper, 0.02 per cent cobalt and 0.36 grams per tonne total PGEs from 31.8m; and

3.36m at 2.09 per cent nickel, 1.18 per cent copper, 0.09 per cent cobalt and 1.82g/t total PGEs from 50.66m.

MAD71 was subsequently drilled to the north of MAD49 and also intersected the prospective ultramafic unit at shallow depth but with a much thicker high-grade nickel-copper sulphide intersection including more than eight metres in aggregate of massive nickel-copper sulphides.

Follow-up drilling completed by Sy George last year at Stricklands continued to intersect the mineralised ultramafic, which the company interpreted as an east-northeast oriented ultramafic channel.

The company said the drilling it has completed to date indicates the mineralised channel may extend over 400m.

“Drilling in 2017 at Mt Alexander intersected thick massive nickel-copper sulphides at each of the Stricklands, Investigators and Cathedrals prospects,” St George Mining executive chairman John Prineas said in the company’s announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“We are excited to be commencing our 2018 drill program at Mt Alexander to follow-up on last year’s success.

“At Stricklands, nine drill holes were completed last year to follow-up the outstanding intersection in MAD71 and of those seven drill holes intersected nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation.

“The high strike rate provides confidence that further drilling at Stricklands will continue to identify mineralised ultramafic.”

The company indicated its planned drilling at Stricklands for 218 will continue to test for extensions to the mineralised ultramafic, particularly where it considers it to be co-incident with the strongest portion of a large SAMSON EM anomaly.

 

Email: info@stgm.com.au

Website: www.stgm.com.au