Surefire Resources NL (ASX:SRN) has reported more encouraging gold assays from its latest reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the Yidby Project in Western Australia, confirming the continuity of wide mineralised zones and paving the way for a maiden resource estimate.
The company said the initial 4-metre composite results reinforced Yidby as an extensive gold system, with intercepts up to 108 metres wide and grades as high as 4.57 g/t gold. Importantly, mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth, with further assays from 1-metre samples now under way to better capture the variability of coarse gold across the system.
Standout results
Among the best intersections were:
- 108 metres at 0.62 g/t gold from 72 metres, including 4 metres at 3.93 g/t from 103 metres and 4 metres at 4.57 g/t from 179 metres (YBRC136).
- 32 metres at 1.09 g/t from 148 metres, including 4 metres at 2.83 g/t from 148 metres (YBRC140).
- 12 metres at 1.01 g/t from 164 metres, including 4 metres at 1.62 g/t from 167 metres (YBRC137).
- 12 metres at 0.53 g/t from 24 metres, including 4 metres at 1.13 g/t from 32 metres (YBRC120).
Schematic Plan view of the gold mineralisation at Yidby.
Surefire noted that most drill holes intersected mineralisation across the Yidby, Marshall and Fender prospects, with gold zones recorded over at least 800 metres of strike. Drilling at the “Money anomaly” prospect could not proceed due to access constraints, leaving that target untested.
Coarse gold variability
The company emphasised that the Yidby system contains coarse, “nuggety” gold, leading to notable variability in composite assays. This has been demonstrated by repeat analyses and selective 1-metre sample checks, which in some cases reported grades more than 40% higher than composite values.
To address this, Surefire is submitting 1-metre samples for definitive laboratory testing using methods such as PhotonAssay, screen fire assay or leachable bottle roll. These assays are expected to provide a more accurate picture of the project’s grade profile.
Resource estimate and next steps
With sufficient drilling now completed, Surefire has appointed a resource consultant to commence work on a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate. The company is also preparing a mining licence application for the project.
Surefire also flagged exploration upside at the underexplored Delaney Well and Cashen’s Find prospects, both hosting historic workings and high-grade intercepts from earlier drilling.
Located 320 kilometres northeast of Perth in the Mid-West region, the Yidby Project sits in a well-endowed gold belt surrounded by multimillion-ounce deposits.
Location map of the Yidby Gold project tenements.
The latest program builds on July’s completion of RC drilling, which first highlighted the scale of mineralisation across the Yidby system.
Read more: Surefire Resources completes RC drilling at Yidby Gold Project