Dynamic Metals Ltd (ASX:DYM) has completed a Phase 2 reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Cognac West gold prospect, a key step as the company advances exploration of gold mineralisation at its flagship Widgiemooltha Project in Western Australia.
The latest round of drilling comprised 19 holes, further testing the extensions of the promising mineralisation identified in Phase 1 and refining the geological model for the prospect. Dynamic Metals managing director Karen Wellman applauded the “smooth and timely execution” of the program.
“Phase 1 delivered multiple broad and high-grade gold intercepts, and Phase 2 has allowed us to continue to systematically test the lateral and depth potential,” she said.
“We now eagerly await the results, which along with the new geological information will significantly advance our understanding of this exciting gold prospect.”
Drilling expands on Phase 1 results
Phase 2 drilling was designed to build on key intersections from the initial drilling campaign completed earlier this year. The targets for Phase 2 focused on expanding both lateral and depth extensions of gold-bearing quartz veins at Anomaly A and testing structural repetitions at Anomaly B.
Plan view of the Cognac West Prospect with recently completed Phase 2 drill holes highlighted in blue.
Results from Phase 1, including significant hits such as 8m @ 2.87g/t Au (including 4m @ 5.37g/t Au from 60m), 44m @ 0.33g/t Au, and 24m @ 0.33g/t Au, highlighted the prospect’s potential, and the new drilling aims to provide further insight into the gold mineralisation in these areas.
At Anomaly A, eight drill holes targeted the down-dip extensions of previously identified gold-bearing quartz veins, while at Anomaly B, eleven holes were drilled to test the continuity of mineralised volcaniclastics identified in earlier drilling, including holes WDR033, WDR034, and WDR041.
Targeting high-grade extensions
At Anomaly A, the drilling campaign focused on a gold-bearing quartz vein that had been mapped and sampled at surface, returning peak assays of up to 2,040g/t, 53.1g/t and 8.95g/t gold. Follow-up drilling on the down-dip extension of this vein in fresh rock has yielded promising results, defining a 220m-long trend of gold anomalism.
Drilling in this area is designed to test for stronger mineralisation to the west, with early results suggesting that this may mark the edge of a more extensive gold system.
Meanwhile, Anomaly B has been further explored with the drilling of five holes on the southernmost drill line. This area has defined a 100-metre-wide zone of gold anomalism, with some significant results such as 44m @ 0.33g/t Au and 24m @ 0.33g/t Au, both from fresh rock material.
Notably, a narrower, higher-grade zone in fresh rock was identified in hole WDR041, which intersected 8m @ 2.87g/t Au from 60m, including 4m @ 5.37g/t Au.
Schematic cross section through Anomaly B area where highest grade 4m composite samples results of 8m @ 2.87g/t Au including 4m @ 5.37g/t
Next steps and assays
The Phase 2 drilling results will be crucial for refining the geological model of the Cognac West gold prospect, and assays from the drilling campaign are expected to be returned in July. In addition to the drilling results, ongoing mineralogical studies are being conducted to improve the understanding of the bedrock geology and the broader gold system at Cognac West.
Dynamic intends to incorporate the new data into the geological model, which will help to guide future exploration efforts.
The Widgiemooltha Project, located between Norseman and Kambalda, is highly prospective for gold and nickel and is adjacent to several million-ounce gold camps and key infrastructure. With an active 2025 exploration program underway, Dynamic Metals is looking to unlock value across its extensive exploration portfolio, which also includes projects prospective for lithium, magnesite, and iron ore.