Auric Mining Ltd (ASX:AWJ) is off to an ‘energetic start' this year with its reverse circulation (RC) drill programs at Chalice West and Miitel South Projects in Western Australia.
At Chalice West, the company’s RC program is underway to test the recently generated gold and nickel targets from its air core program at the project.
Subsequently, the drill rig will then mobilise to the high-priority Miitel South Gold Prospect, which will be drilled in sequence with Chalice West.
Drilling at Chalice west
Auric’s RC program at Chalice West comprises five holes across 600 metes to follow up on the recently completed 227-hole air core program at the project.
RC drilling started last week to advance the multiple opportunities generated by the aircore program at Chalice West.
The results of that program further defined gold anomalism in a setting analogous to the nearby Chalice gold deposit, together with distinct nickel anomalism and widespread, elevated REE (rare earth elements) concentrations in clays.
Three holes will target fresh basalts and granite beneath previously defined and near-pervasive gold anomalism in air core holes on the 6,471,150 northing.
The RC program will not target REE as further expansion of the clay-hosted REE potential will involve aircore, rather than RC drilling.
Drilling at Miitel South
The Miitel South Prospect has been prioritised based on extensive historic workings, including a substantial alluvial mining operation together with strongly anomalous rock chip, trench and soil samples.
The tenement and prospect lie only 13 kilometres south of Widgiemooltha and are part of Auric’s Widgiemooltha Gold Project which includes the company’s Munda Gold Deposit.
Auric undertakes a continuous assessment of different areas and prospects within its 516-square-kilometre tenement package.
The prospect is defined by a combination of historical workings, anomalous rock chips and soil samples and trenches together with evidence of a substantial alluvial mining operation.