Pantoro Ltd has had a strong start to an extensive growth-focused drilling program at the Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia, striking very high-grade gold up to 1 metre at 1,420 g/t gold in drilling at the Mararoa reef, within the Southern Mainfield reef system.
Drilling to date has focused on four key quartz reefs, which include Mararoa as well as the Butterfly Northwest structures, Royal Standard Reef and Pascoe’s Cross Link structure, close to the existing underground Viking Decline.
PNR intends to identify at least two new high-grade underground mines in the medium term at Norseman, with deeper diamond drilling to follow initial reverse circulation rig efforts.
All of the structures PNR is targeting for gold can be accessed through existing capital infrastructure, making for a potentially swift and cost-effective ramp-up should an economic-scale gold reef be identified.
Strong initial gold results
“These initial results from the Butterfly area mark an important step in advancing our understanding and development of multiple structures in the Southern Mainfield,” Pantoro managing director Paul Cmrlec said.
“Importantly, these structures are accessible from the historical Viking Decline, providing a clear pathway for future underground development and production.
“This drilling program is a key element of our growth strategy to develop at least two additional underground mines at Norseman in the medium-term.
“With drilling ongoing, we are confident that further results will reinforce the scale and quality of the opportunity in the southern part of the Mainfield, supporting our long-term vision for Norseman.”
Results of note include:
Mararoa Reef -
- 3 metres at 485.43 g/t gold, including 1 metre at 1,420 g/t from 185 metres;
- 3 metres at 23.63 g/t, including 1 metre at 68.4 g/t from 153 metres; and
- 5 metres at 8.61 g/t from 65 metres.
NW Structures -
- 2 metres at 9.49 g/t gold from 169 metres;
- 2 metres at 5.06 g/t from 175 metres; and
- 2 metres at 15.44 g/t from 184 metres.
Royal Standard Reef -
- 1 metre at 12.86 g/t gold from 176 metres;
- 1.7 metres at 18.66 g/t from 222.8 metres; and
- 0.4 metres at 37.4 g/t from 169.54 metres.
Pascoe's Cross Link -
- 2 metres at 41.6 g/t gold, including 1 metre at 82.5 g/t from 104 metres; and
- 1 metres at 12.2 g/t from 61 metres.
Pantoro says about 60% of the first phase of planned drilling has been completed at Norseman’s Mainfield reef system.