Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU) said it recorded more significant intercepts of gold and silver at Salinbas in the last phase of current drilling at the project in north-eastern Türkiye
Grades in the best holes were 1.88 g/t over 11 metres, 3.68 g/t over 6.7m and some higher numbers over narrower widths.
Ariana added it had also discovered a second horizon of 'contact'-style mineralisation beneath the WSW part of the Salinbas deposit that has potential to be a significant new exploration target.
This Salinbas 'contact'-style mineralisation occurs immediately above the A-S Zone, which is now interpreted to be a root, or feeder zone, for the whole deposit, said the statement.
Kerim Sener, Ariana's managing director, added that the drilling had demonstrated the continuity of mineralisation across the Salinbas Zone while expanding its footprint by 17%.
“Furthermore, we are increasingly confident that the Salinbas mineralisation developed as a result of the intrusion of the Ardala Porphyry Complex, resulting in the propagation of mineralisation along and away from the A-S Zone breccia style mineralisation, which almost certainly represents a feeder.
"We are currently working towards a revised Mineral Resource Estimate for the Salinbas Project, which will encompass the Salinbas and Ardala zones.
“Principally we expect a conversion of mineral resources to higher categories of JORC within the Salinbas Zone.
“While the Ardala Porphyry Complex has received some new drilling from the programme, a lot of work remains to determine the full potential as it has been significantly less drill tested.
"The Salinbas Project exploration programme continues to be funded through US$8 million in new capital provided to the project by Ozaltin Holding, of which US$5 million has been spent to date.”
Ariana owns 23.5% and is operator at the Salinbas project in partnership with Proccea Construction (23.5%) and Ozaltin Holding (53%).