Talga Gold (ASX: TLG) has begun an expanded soil sampling program at its wholly owned Bullfinch project in the mineral-rich Yilgarn region after discovering a new gold-tellurium zone at the Jumbuck Prospect.
Anomalous tellurium in soil up to 1.9 parts per million is present at Jumbuck, 2.3 kilometres southwest of Harold Holt, over a 500 metre strike open to the north and west.
The most recent results include the highest tenor of gold, tellurium and bismuth from rock sampling to date at Harold Holt of 34.6 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 107.5 parts per million tellurium and 1,875 parts per million bismuth.
These early stage results reveal coincidences of gold with high amounts of tellurium and bismuth, which is a relatively rare but significant character of some large gold deposits.
In Australia the most notable occurrence of tellurium with gold is at Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Tellurium sulphides have also been recorded from granitoid-gneissic hosted gold deposits in Western Australia such as Tropicana and Woodcutters.
The most recent rock and soil sample results at Bullfinch indicate higher grades of gold and tellurium over a larger area than has previously been identified, providing greater potential for the project to host a significant gold deposit.
Talga Gold has expanded the Bullfinch project to 1,398 square kilometres over structures interpreted to control or host gold mineralisation. The new ground stretches to the south and southeast of the original Bullfinch tenement.
Iron Ore Potential
A potentially significant magnetite iron deposit has been uncovered within the original Bullfinch tenement.
It was identified by following up on a 15 kilometre long magnetic feature that runs through the project.
Rock samples from the magnetic highs contain up to 39% iron and evidence of coarse grain size due to metamorphic recrystallisation.
A defining factor of the iron ore target’s potential is that it is located near both sealed roads and a railway line that currently service several iron mines including Koolyanobbing, located 30 kilometres to the east which may provide an early commercialisation opportunity.
Next Steps
Soil sampling work has begun on a zone 14 kilometres long by 12 kilometres wide within the original Bullfinch tenement.
Similar programs are likely to be undertaken over other parts of the project throughout the year.
Follow up drilling of gold targets will be defined by the results of the soil sampling and will likely take place in the September quarter of 2012, however ‘scout’ testing of some gold prospects may take place earlier during drilling of iron targets.
Talga Gold has commissioned an independent report to assess the potential size of the iron ore target.
The brief also includes assistance in designing a drilling program on the iron to be carried out in the March quarter of 2012.