Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) is encouraged by high-grade zinc and lead returned in its maiden drilling program at the Ajana Base and Precious Metals Project in the Mid-West region of Western Australia with silver to boot.
The 30-hole, 1,105-metre reverse circulation (RC) program took place at two priority prospects - Surprise and Ethel Maude - and intersected high-grade mineralisation at both, validating Anson’s exploration approach at the project.
This program targeted highly prospective lead-zinc-copper-silver mineralised areas at the priority prospects.
Ajana covers 222 square kilometres within the prospective Northampton metamorphic complex in an established zinc, lead and silver mining province. around 130 kilometres north of the regional hub and port of Geraldton.
Sunrise shines
At Surprise prospect on the eastern side of the Ajana Project drilling of 14 RC holes targeted high-grade lead, zinc and silver with best results of:
- 12 metres at 3.0% zinc, 1.0% lead and 1.75 g/t silver from 48 metres;
- 4 metres at 6.1% lead and 1.75 g/t silver from 37 metres, and 6 metres at 2.8% zinc and 1 g/t silver from 42 metres;
- 3 metres at 1.0% lead and 4 g/t silver, and 5 metres at 3.1% lead and 0.6 g/t silver from 31 metres; and
- 4 metres at 1.8% zinc and 4 g/t silver from 20 metres, and 3 metres at 5.6% lead and 2.3 g/t silver from 29 metres.
Shallow Ethel Maude results
Ethel Maude drilling focused on shallow high-grade zinc, lead and silver. The best result was 20 metres at 0.8% zinc, 0.71% lead and 5.75 g/t silver, including 4 metres at 1.45% zinc from 21 metres, 1 metre at 4.2% lead from 26 metres and 6 metres at 9.77 g/t silver.
These drill targets were identified via previous VTEM geophysical surveys and interpreted anomalies from historical soil sampling programs and previous geological mapping programs.
Historical mining
The Surprise-Galena prospect area consists of the historic Surprise, Surprise South Galena and Two Boys mines developed throughout the late 1800s to early 1900s.
During this period high-grade vein-hosted lead-zinc-silver was produced, specifically from narrow shoots of predominantly lead-rich ore lodes spanning around 400 metres and to depths of up to 90 metres.
High-grade intercepts encountered in two drill holes indicate strong potential for further mineralisation towards the east and west, while two other holes provide strong potential for further mineralisation towards the west and extending towards Surprise South.
The first phase of drilling at Ethel Maude produced strong base metal grades, whilst extending the mineralised zone beneath the historic workings.
Drill holes were designed to test the extent of mineralisation around the historic Ethel Maude mine and follow the potential zinc-lead mineralisation trend towards the west and north of the workings, successfully closing off mineralisation in the area.
This offers exciting potential for further development of the mineralised zone towards the east, south and at depth underneath the current workings.
Historic operations at Ethel Maude were limited compared to the Surprise and Galena mines, providing potential for deeper sourced mineralisation below the 17-metre-deep workings extended towards the east of Anson’s recently completed drilling.
Further drilling
Based on the success of the first phase of drilling, a second phase of drilling has been planned to infill and extend mineralisation along strike and down dip – with the aim of defining a maiden JORC mineral resource for the Ajana Project.
The application of geophysical practices and previous soil sampling programs will be further utilised to target mineralisation within the Surprise, Surprise South, Ethel Maude, Two Boys and Block 1 prospects, which will be tested in the planned next phase of drilling.
Next steps
Anson plans to carry out the following work:
- 1-metre samples to be submitted for assay of anomalous mineralised detected in 3-metre composites;
- Second phase of infill and extension drilling at the Surprise and Ethel Maude prospects;
- Define maiden JORC mineral resource estimate for zinc-lead-silver at these two prospects;
- Refine and upgrade exploration target models and geological knowledge throughout the Ajana Project; and
- Complete third phase of RC drilling at the Two boys, Surprise South and Block 1 prospects to define extents of base metal mineralisation across the wider project area.