Horizon Gold Ltd (ASX:HRN) has completed an eight-hole follow-up drilling program at the Altair prospect of its Western Australian Gum Creek project, reporting zinc intersections such as 39 metres grading 2.34% zinc and 0.48% copper from 160 metres.
The company has received intersections from four holes at the prospect, with two proving significant.
Horizon’s other significant intersection extended for 35 metres at 2.64% zinc and 0.52% copper from 251 metres.
READ: Horizon Gold intersects high-grade gold at Gum Creek project in WA
Horizon non-executive chairman Peter Harold said, “We are excited to report additional significant zinc-copper intercepts from the first four holes of the eight-hole Altair follow-up drill program.
“Assays for the remaining four holes are eagerly awaited.”
Horizon reported its two significant intersections “exhibit the same geological and geochemical hallmarks of a polymetallic, hydrothermal VHMS/SEDEX mineralising event that was evident in ALDD002”.
The ALDD002 discovery Harold referenced was a significant intersection the December 2018 quarter drill program was designed to follow up on.
Horizon’s discovery, reported on in October 2018, featured 55-metres grading 3.3% zinc and 0.5% copper from 184 metres, including 9 metres grading 6.7% zinc and 1% copper from 213 metres.
Harold said today, “This drilling program has improved our understanding of the orientation of this exciting new discovery and has provided us with clear vectors to chase potential extensions.
“The exploration team is preparing plans to continue drill testing Altair in the new year as well as commence regional base metal exploration along strike from Altair.”
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Horizon’s seven-hole 2019 drill program is expected to start early next calendar year and target a 5-kilometre priority zone between its Altair and Mensa prospects.
Shallow historical drilling along the strike identified anomalous copper and zinc mineralisation in a similar geological setting to Altair.
The company is trialling a series of geophysical techniques at Altair, including gravity, magnetics and downhole EM, to determine which techniques are best suited for detecting the prospect’s style of mineralisation.