Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE) said it has hit multiple kaolin indications plus a high-grade gold intercept from drilling at its Eclipse-Gindalbie project in Western Australia.
Nine holes were drilled at the site just west of the historical South Gippsland #3 mine, with grades in excess of 20% kaolin reported in four holes while a grade above 5 grams per ton (g/t) was the best result from the two gold holes.
Kaolin is used widely to make paper, plastics, adhesives, rubber, paint, refractories, cement, bricks and ceramics but is also a source of high-purity aluminium oxide, an essential component in lithium-ion batteries.
In a statement, Shaun Bunn, Empire’s managing director, said: "Whilst our focus remains on our potential 'Giant' copper project at Pitfield, these recent drill results from Gindalbie are nonetheless highly encouraging.
"Further test work on the kaolin samples collected from this drill programme is required to ascertain the likely kaolin yield and brightness, two key factors in determining the quality of any potential deposit.
"In addition to the kaolin intercepts encountered, one of the test holes adjacent to the South Gippsland #3 shaft has returned high gold values. Further drilling along strike of this intercept is warranted to test the extent of this high-grade gold shoot."